After more than seven decades, a family-run Lower Southampton garden patio and home center that for many was an annual must-visit Christmas holiday destination is closing.
Feeney’s announced on its Facebook page Thursday night that it is going out of business.
“After 71 years of serving our wonderful community, Feeney’s will be closing. This decision was not made lightly, and we are deeply grateful for the love, support and loyalty you have shown us throughout the years,” the post read. “You have all been more than customers, you have been family.”
Edward Koch formerly of Feasterville always comes back to Feeneys for Christmas decorations with his family. He now resides in Aston Deleware County. Photo taken sunday nov. 27, 2005.
The closing sale at the store located in the 1100 block of Bustleton Pike begins Friday, so the community can have “one last chance to visit and stock up on treasured items,” the post said. The store will be offering discounts of 40 to 80% on merchandise, the post said.
The post did not say when the store plans to close its doors. It was not immediately known what is planned next for the property.
The news of the closing generated hundreds of comments online from customers, many noting they had recently made their annual pilgrimage to the store to take in its extravagant holiday decorations.
“Feeneys was always a yearly tradition with the kids seeing the amazing Christmas store — it captivated their imaginations and the animals were always a hit!” wrote Marybeth Kondydra. “Enjoy whatever you do in the future.”
“I’m so very sad. You were a huge part of my childhood,” Adriene Vanslous said. “We moved to Florida in 2001 but always remembered all the wonderful visits to the store. I will treasure all my pieces I got from you.”
“I am literally tearing up at the news. This was a staple of my childhood and early adulthood, and I still travel in my 50s to see your store,” said Satyra Oberfrank. “My grandparents lived a few blocks away and it was a staple of Christmas to wander through. Thank you for all the memories.”
“This is so sad. We bought our Christmas tree from there this year, and said it will be our tradition to buy from you guys each year because it’s so wonderful seeing your wonderland,” Monica Merlis Matthews wrote.
Founded in 1954 by James Feeney, the two-acre business originally called Feeney’s Nursery, started as a roadside nursery and garden center with 12 parking spaces that grew to a 20,000 square-foot indoor center offering gifts, indoor decor and outdoor furniture, according to its website.
Feeney employee Mark Faccenda pictured in December 2005 takes care of Poinsettia’s on sale for Christmas in the nursery. Feeneys Nursery is located on Bustleton Pike in Feasterville and is an annual attraction for Christmas shoppers .
The business stayed true to its roots selling trees, shrubs, fertilizer and other gardening and landscaping items to amateurs and professionals in its 17,00 square-foot outdoor gardening center, according to the website.
But Feeney’s has perhaps best known for its Christmas season displays, which it claims is the largest private one in the tri-state area.
A “Dept. 56” dealer since the first Christmas villages were designed in 1976, the store featured an “exclusive museum and interactive display” of rare villages and accessories. It also boasted it was the largest dealer of current and retired Christmas villages in the Northeast.
News of Feeney’s pending closure comes less than a month after another Feasterville landmark business, The Kopper Kettle seafood restaurant and tavern, announced its closure last month after more than 50 years.
Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Feeney’s Garden Center in Feasterville set to close
