(October 28, 2021) Grand Chute, Wis. – Consolidated Construction Co., Inc., a full-service design/build contractor based in Appleton, and Van Zeeland Nursery & Landscape planted a tree Wednesday to celebrate the construction of a new retail garden and landscaping center on a long-vacant property.
The new Van Zeeland Nursery & Landscape will be located at the corner of Casaloma Drive and Highway 15 in Grand Chute. Situated on 18.3 acres, the project includes an 11,900-square-foot retail center with amenities including a café and a conference room available for community use; a 9,450-square-foot maintenance facility; a bulk materials area; display gardens connected by groomed paths throughout the property; and a commercial playground through Little Tikes. This new location will be four times the size of their current nursery in Little Chute. It is Van Zeeland’s hope that in the future, with this expanded growth, their job opportunities will double in size as well.
“This is an exciting time for Van Zeeland Nursery & Landscape. We’ve been through a lot of transitions over the past 90 years but moving to this fantastic location is arguably our biggest transformation yet,” said owner David Lindenstruth. “Not only does this change allow us to better care for our customers, but it promotes our long-term aspirations of creating a beautiful space that the community can enjoy.”
The new site will replace Van Zeeland’s current location in Little Chute.
Previously owned by Outagamie County, the property sat empty for many years and posed a few challenges that Consolidated Construction needed to overcome, such as the presence of wetlands on the site and high-voltage transmission powerlines that go over a portion of the property that also have rules the construction company needed to follow, said Mark Schwei, executive vice president of Consolidated Construction.
“We needed to get creative with our site plan to bring Van Zeeland’s dream to reality,” he said. “Due to shortages with some construction supplies, we’re using some alternative materials and techniques, so they can open next year.”
Outagamie County Executive Thomas Nelson, who “literally grew up in (Van Zeeland’s) backyard” in Little Chute, said he’s excited to see the new project take shape.
“Nurseries contribute much to our county. They make communities more inviting and livable,” he said. “This great local business — Van Zeeland Nursery & Landscape — will do the same with this exciting project — transforming a county parcel from vacant to vibrant.”
Van Zeeland Nursery & Landscape began in 1932 as a 10-acre berry farm in Little Chute. Founder Alois Van Zeeland later started growing trees, shrubs and evergreens on an adjoining 30-acres of land that was not used for berries. During the 1940s, Van Zeeland switched gears from growing berries and built a greenhouse as he expanded into retail sales and landscape contracting. Current owners David and Rachel Lindenstruth purchased Van Zeeland’s in 2016.
LOCATION: 2600 Casaloma Drive, Grand Chute, WI 54913
