Over the years many people have asked me questions on the start of Green Acres.  Here is a brief history. In 1952- Green Acres was built by Joe De Lucco & Manuel(Mannie) Alpert.  Esther Bowers Austin(my mother), carhopped weekends for them in the summer. 

1953- Joe De Lucco ran Green Acres & Esther worked with his son Peter, carhopping on busy hours & weekends.

1954- Mannie bought Joe’s share out & hired Esther to run the stand.

1955- Esther didn’t work that season, but that fall Mannie asked her if her and her new husband Rodney, would like to buy the business. 

1956- Esther and Rodney bought Green Acres for $2000.00. The land was leased from Ed McGlaughins(Adirondack Bat) for a time.  It was bought from Ed by Esther and Rodney around 1962-63. Rodney worked at General Electric till 1962 when the business was built up enough to support his growing family.  My siblings, Sally, Laura, Edson, and I all worked here as teenagers.

We celebrate 47 years in business this season. My husband peter & I bought Green Acres from Rodney in 1988.  Rodney retired at that time & is currently enjoying his time off with his family. Esther went on to run a successful gift shop business for many years & is now retired with her husband, Larry Austin. They still operate Austin Plumbing. 

Mom was working at Green Acres the day I was born. She went into labor at Green Acres.  Maybe that’s why it has meant so much to me to carry on this family business. 

I could not operate Green Acres without the support of my family.  Peter spends many hours maintaining the building and equipment.  Esther takes care of the gardens & many flowers around the building.  Rodney makes several trips a week for supplies and both of my parents help watching Julia, when both Peter and I are working.  Rodney helped out this spring when I was very short on employees.

Forever grateful to all,

Ruth Jaikin