The famous Fort Smith business is about to close its Newmeer kindergarten after 54 years.

Fifty-four years later, Bill and Jodie Numeier retired on July 31st and closed a nursery in the north of Fort Smith, offering plants in the region to make their homes and businesses more beautiful and welcoming.

Neumeiers announced plans to retire on June 1 and close Newmeier’s kindergartens and greenhouses. Bill, 83, and Jodie, 79, finally decided that it was time to slow things down and give them time for what they had not been able to do for the past five and a half decades.

“It’s a long time to work. And well, we just decided to retire. Everyone encouraged us. Our children wanted us to retire. And we finally decided to do it. We don’t want people to think about us because we have to retire. We’re celebrating, ”Jodi said in a recent interview with Talk Business and Politics.

The business started in August 1968 at North Smith Street, Fort Smith, across the street, now 3327 N. O St. In 1976, the couple and their three children moved their home and business to a larger house. A.D. Built in 1904, it was purchased by the Gian family to expand on five acres[5 ha].

“We had three greenhouses and a cool frame. The main crop we grew up in was Pansy. The main thing we grew up with in the spring and fall was hundreds and hundreds of pans. We were out of space,” said Jodi. I continued.

The problem was that the property was not for sale. That Jody didn’t stop him. She called Geans and found out that they were interested in selling it. They did not want to sell it to anyone who wanted to destroy it; Especially the historic house and the chariot behind it.

“I said no. It will be a dream come true for me, and Bill will find what he needs and where he will grow up. ‘”Jodi recalls.

And over the years, the business has grown to 12 greenhouses and gardens, including landscaping, bedding and container plants, and annual and year-round produce that are best suited to the region. The transit house, once used as a flower room, is now a shop where customers can find light bulbs, windmills, pots and more.

The couple’s children – William (Bill or Billy), Nieuyer Jr., Joseph (Joe) Numeier, and Lisa Bobby Hern, and their foster son, Chris Cochan, have all worked long hours in kindergarten. The couple’s four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren have also learned the business culture and love of plants in the business, Jody said.

Bill first started his kindergarten business at his family-owned McKee Nursery at Rogers Avenue at Fort Smith High School. He says he worked in the flower business while in college. Shortly after the couple were married, Bill set up two greenhouses in their backyard and grew plants for Mickey’s ground.

“I’ve learned a lot from Mr. Mackie,” Bill said.

Bill worked as a lawn mower with many residential clients in the city.

“I sometimes worked all over the yard,” says Bill. “I remember one time I told him we had this compound and we had the next and next block. And he reaped that way.

“One yard was harvesting on the other side of the road,” he added with a laugh.

He says many people are still unaware of the repairs the business is making, including the care of flowers and plants at Fort Smith Smith.

“We store the plants and protect them in many places around the city,” Bill said.

Neumeier Nursery presents spring and harvest plants to the University of Arkansas in Fort Smith. They also decorated the graduation stage at UFS and Northwest High School.

“At university we use ivy and poinsettias or calcium. It’s always beautiful. ” “It’s nice to stand back and look at everyone.”

The nursery offers Easter flowers for many local churches.

“And we do a lot of poinsettias. One year, we made a tree from Ponceettias,” Bill said.

In the ’80s, Clancy Armstrong started a new flower department at Neumeiers, where she served for 13 years.

He suggested that we have a flower shop. I said I would open one when the refrigerator fell off. ” Says Bill.

“Then the refrigerator fell from the sky.

In fact, the couple became the owners of a “very good” built-in refrigerator because one of their friends emptied the unpaid storage room.

“Armstrong not only started the fresh flower department with Neumeiers, but also set it on fire with unique designs around Arkansas,” said a post on the nursery’s Facebook page. After working for many years at Neumeier Nursery & Florist, Armstrong opened his own business – Descriptions!

Today, Newmeier’s flower adventure has been passed on to the next generation. Girl Lisa Bob Herr has worked for many years at Newmeier Flower Room and in other flower shops while in college. After college and marriage, Hern worked in the Neumeier Nursery, raising her children. A.D. In 2008, Hernan opened her own studio, El Designs, a floral design business. A.D. She opened The Barn By Two Brothers in 2015, in an 112-year-old original hay barn in Fort Smith.

Jodi proudly states: “She also controlled the spring holidays. She is doing a very good business there.

For several years before Newmers decided to trade things and move to kindergarten, they kept Christmas in their homes and kindergartens. To add a little more joy, Jodi says, the family has been celebrating Fall for more than 30 years. The spring festival day began with a vendor and local artists and grew into a tradition, with their daughter Bern followed by two brothers.

“I told him that I wanted them to not only sell their art but also make it. Everyone had to do something, ”said Jodi.

The vendors used by Newmier also discussed the bird species, light bulbs from Holland and many other products at the festival. There was also horse riding for children and all activities.

“I think the spring festivals were some of the best memories,” he said.

Of course, Hern was not the only one to learn business skills in kindergarten.

“Billy was the real culprit. Hard work at its infancy has created a real entrepreneur, ”says Newmeyer Facebook.

After working with his parents for years in elementary education, Bill Numeyer opened Connie Island, then the Numerous Rib class, and the Pap Pub and Pizzeria. He has also contributed to the Blues Festival and the Peacemaker Festival in front of Fort Smith River. A.D. After his death in November 2018, Joe Numeyer took over Billy’s restaurants as he continued to help run the orphanage.

“After college, Joseph decided to go back to kindergarten and work with his father in administration. Joe learned all the secret ingredients for perfect pansy crops, breeding, spraying, buying and continuing the list, ”said the Facebook Post.

After the announcement of Jodi’s retirement, many wondered what Joe would do. But as he continued his brother’s business, Joe opened another restaurant in downtown Fort Smith. According to Bill, Whipportville is located at 509 Garrison Ave. The former Harry Downtown venue will be opened “soon”.

“There are places to eat in the city center. You can have pizza and barbecue and other dishes, ”says Jodi.

And good nutrition. There is good food, ”Bill added.

But Jodi says: “There is no place for home-cooked, comfortable meals.” “That’s what The Whippoorwill is all about. There is still much to be done, but it needs to be opened soon. ”

For Newmeans until the beginning of August, couples want to stay at home and protect at least some gardens after retirement. And while they are shutting down, they do not save the people from outside at any time.

“There are a lot of people who like to come here and take pictures. We still want them to enjoy the garden. We just have to decide how best to do this,” said Jodi.

The nursery is closed and anyone who wants to take a photograph on campus after July 31 must contact Newmers.

After leading a nursery school for 54 years, Bill Numeyer offers some practical advice for those who have started a new life.

“Indeed, we have been lucky and fortunate over the years. We have been truly blessed from day one,” said Bill.

“Do you like what you do?” He added.