about zimlich's patio

The Zimlich family originated in southern Germany. Andrew J. Zimlich moved from Louisville Kentucky around 1900. Leaving his immigrant parents behind he set about truck farming and raising a large family. The family farm was around what is now the Mobile Gas Company on Dauphin Street. One of his sons, Julius Michael purchased land west of Sage avenue between Dauphin Street and Old Shell Road. The property extended west to what is now Hillside Lane. His wife. Rose, dubbed it 'Echo Acres' because when she called for her children to come in from the farm her calls echoed off of Springhill. Cabbage farming gave way to gladiolus and other field flower crops and in 1927 he took on a partner and opened 'West End Florist on the corner of Sage Avenue at 3001 Old Shell Road. The partnership was dissolved and the business renamed Zimlich the Florist to keep his eleven children fed through the Great Depression. His oldest son Bobby started "Bob & Jewel Florist which closed around 1978, with the owners death. For many years it operated across the street from 'big Zimlich's. Julius Michael Jr started Zimlich brothers Florist and Greenhouses around 1949 and was originally located out Airport Boulevard at Alverson Road. The company has evolved into Zimlich Bros. and is currently thriving under his son J, Michael Zimlich III (Mike) on Government Street near the Loop. Zimlich's Patio & Garden Center, the host of this site, was originally planned as a subsidiary of Zimlich the Florist, Inc. Hurricane Frederic in 1979 with the death of Leon Zimlich delayed any expansion of that business. The business opened in November 1981 by the Andrew J. (Joe) Zimlich family and is currently run by Tommy & Donald Zimlich and Carol Z. Reeves.