Jerome Pfeifer and his employees at Front Range Gardens hadn't planned to work overtime Christmas Eve 1982. But when a major snowstorm blasted the area that day, the weight of the snow collapsed the roof of the greenhouse. Pfeifer and three of his employees found themselves stranded there without electricity and stayed the night in the workshop.

"We spent that winter rebuilding the greenhouse," Pfeifer said.

Pfeifer is either in the tiny office papered with planting schedules or weaving in and out of the wide rows of bedding plants in an automated chair, which he uses near the end of the day when his back starts to hurt

During this time of year, which is high season for spring planting, he may not make it home until 8, 9 or 10 p.m.

"I never know what my day is going to be. I could be repairing a boiler or creating baskets. It's a typical small business; I do a little bit of everything," he said.

Pfeifer said April marked the 30th anniversary of the store's existence. Although some of the products have changed -- he used to sell shrubs and trees, but stopped doing that in 1998, Pfeifer said, "I've never regretted coming to work."

Pfeifer's dad bought the 5-acre property at 10195 Wadsworth Blvd. in Broomfield in 1959.

"When the county started rumbling about changing the zoning to residential, we wanted to figure out how to keep it agricultural. Someone suggested a greenhouse." he said.

"My brother Bill and I spent a lot of time at Colorado State University in the horticultural department to find out what would be profitable crops to grow." he said.

The 50,000 square-foot greenhouse includes a main greenhouse and three propagation houses

Pfeifer, who went to Arvada High School, works with his wife, Karen, and five employees. Karen took over scheduling and ordering in 2002. She remembers the day she met Jerome at a Village Inn -- Aug. 24, 1972 -- and jokes, "He was a cheap ticket." They married in 1978.

Pfeifer said he has a natural love of plants. Recalling his childhood, he said, "Our yard was incredible in the spring. I guess that's where I got my love for flowers."

Pfeifer credits his parents for his enthusiasm.

"Watching the flowers is an appreciation most people at work don't get to see or feel in what they do."

As he stands in the middle of the greenhouse, customers stroll up and down the lanes in between bedding trays flush with the color of pansies, petunias and geraniums.

Back in the office, a customer leans into the doorway to inquire about a new landscaping project, employees come and go to punch the time clock.

A shelf of plastic letters that are used to change greetings or sale announcements on the sign outside the store sits on the floor near the door.

Pfeifer chuckles, "Karen changes the sign. She's the one who can spell."

Despite the snowstorm in '82 and a fire in 1998, Pfeifer remains humble and positive.

"I've never had any regrets," he said.