Too Good To Be True? Not With Stan Larson!

A stranger walks into your business. He suggests a great community event. Not stopping there, he volunteers his time, energy and networking skills to help coordinate and promote the family affair. Then he tells you he’s only doing it because he “loves to help local, independent businesses.” Would you be suspicious?

Several months ago at Shady Lane Greenhouses in Menomonee Falls, this very thing happened. And, yes, some of us were skeptical. It was Karl Hornung, the garden center owner, who encouraged our staff to meet with the man and hear him out.  We’re so glad he did. You might be, too.

It was Stan Larson of Menomonee Falls who approached Karl suggesting that the greenhouse host a vintage automobile show. While classic cars are his passion, next only to his wife, Pat, and their children, Stan really saw the show as a way to introduce people to Karl’s huge hobby: the KFH Legacy Railway. Stan thinks the KFH Legacy is wonderful (almost as wonderful as his 1931 Model A or Pat’s 1965 Mustang.)

While this railroad display is the Midwest’s largest indoor, permanent g-scale model train, not many people, relatively speaking, know it’s available for viewing in Shady Lane’s House of Blooms, or that it runs most weekends during spring, summer and fall.

Stan is a vintage car aficionado and frequent show participant, along with Pat. Together, they’ve put many miles onto their two classics, especially the Model A. As fast as any American can give their social security number, Stan can recite the years and cities of the many different shows they’ve attended. (The Larsons refer to these trips as “true tests of togetherness.”) There was Boston in 1988; Dallas in 1992; Toronto in 1996; Gatlinburg in 1997; Kansas City in 2000; and, well, there are many more.

The point is, Stan has a wealth of knowledge—not just with classic cars—but professionally, as well. He, Pat and their son, David, owned four Larson’s Paint and Wallpaper stores: in Cedarburg, Mequon, Shorewood and Milwaukee’s East Side. Knowing what it takes to operate an independent business, seeing a good thing in the KFH Legacy and sincerely wanting to put his expertise to work for someone else is what got Stan talking to Karl about a car show.

Now deep into the planning stage, Shady Lane Greenhouse’s first P.T.A. (Plants, Trains and Automobiles) meeting, is scheduled for Saturday, September 28. We’re busy creating fun trophies, ordering dash plaques, preparing goodie bags, registering participants, and, of course, shining up the KFH Legacy.

All it took was a big heart on Stan’s part and a receptive ear on Karl’s to put this event together. Kudos to both of them. Shady Lane Greenhouses’ first annual car show, which will benefit the Menomonee Falls Food Pantry, is shaping up to be a great event for both you, your family, friends and the community at large.

(For more details on the P.T.A. meeting, please stop by the greenhouse on Good Hope and Shady Lane; e-mail kimberly@shadylanegreenhouse.com or call (262) 251-1660.)