Falco’s grows, adds spas

Falco’s started as a produce stand in 1928. Now, 76 years and four generations later, the business boasts a new building and new products.

“We call it the home resort,” said owner Louie Falco as he sipped coffee from his own coffee shop.

The shop is called Giuseppe’s Place, in honor of Falco’s grandfather who started the business. Falco’s father added a garden center at the site 35 years ago. When Falco joined the business in 1980 they started selling wood stoves and fireplaces. Now the garden center is gone, and in its place is a state-of-the-art 8,900-square-foot building at 9310 E. Sprague Ave.

Finally out of the cramped 2,400-square foot building he had been in for years, Falco added fireplace accessories. He also started selling high-end spas, gazebos and pool tables. He continues to sell and service fireplaces and stoves.

His staff is excited about the new building too, Falco said. “We had a break room that was the size of a small bathroom,” he said.

Falco is particularly enthused about the coffee shop, which boasts a drive-thru window and wireless internet access. “I love the smell of coffee. I love the atmosphere coffee brings. I’ve always wanted a coffee shop.”

He’s noticed that people are coming in during lunch with their computers and sipping coffee as they type. Already customers are asking when he plans to start serving sandwiches. Falco said he wants to wait a few months and see how the coffee shop does on its own.

Falco bought the business from his father nine years ago. Once the Sprague-Appleway couplet went in, business went down “drastically,” Falco said. He knew he had to try something different to keep the business going. “Our nursery just went to nothing. We almost moved to the North Side. We had the place for sale.”

Finding no takers, Falco finally took it off the market. He also realized he didn’t want to leave the location that had been in his family for so many years.

Falco spent $700,000 to complete the new building. He employs 40 people, up from 32, to sell his products. The business is now open seven days a week. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The coffee shop opens at 5 a.m. each day and closes when the rest of the business shuts down for the day.