Hidden Lane Landscaping & Design owner Peter Murray attributes the long-term success of his business to hard work and a company culture that encourages loyal employees.
He has been with the Fairfax County, Va., company for exactly half of its now 50-year history.
The landscaping business began in 1957 as a small retail nursery on Hidden Lane in Vienna and, after several years, expanded to offer landscape design and installation services.
In 1974 landscape designer Roger Brewster purchased Hidden Lane Nursery from original owner Bob Harris and moved the company to Oakton. Eight years later the retail nursery side of the business was phased out, and the primary focus became residential "design and build."
Murray became an employee in 1982 and eventually purchased the company from Brewster in 1994, then moved it to its current location, 12539 Lawyers Road, in Oak Hill.
The site was formerly one of Fairfax County's oldest dairy farms. The farmhouse has been renovated and is now the main office and the barn, which may have been built by German prisoners of war during World War II, houses the company's tools and equipment.
"That is really a unique story in and of itself," Murray said. "The former owners were named Hornbaker, most likely a second-generation German family. During the 1940s, as was common back then, POWs aided in farm work while most able-bodied men were at war. Well, the Hornbakers - as we found out when we were cleaning out the barn - had kept several German-language newspapers, so we assumed that they might have spoken the language and might have been pleased to have had some Germans help to work the farm."
After purchasing four land parcels from three separate owners in 1994, Murray worked diligently to restore the entire farm to its former condition and maintain the original buildings, keeping their rustic charms intact.
"The farmhouse had been condemned, and it was in really bad shape when I bought it," he said. "There was no air conditioning and only a wood stove for heat."
The circa 1900 home had never been updated and still had a dirt cellar where the owners kept fruits, vegetables and other perishables in lieu of any refrigeration devices.
Murray said it was hard work bringing the property back up to its now-pristine condition, but also that hard work and vision is a Hidden Lane trademark.
"The company is well-known for its thoughtful, creative designs, attention to detail, and hard-working installation crews," he said. "Our goal has always been to make every job so attractive that it will generate more work. As a result, the majority of our work comes from repeat clients and referrals. Over the years we've had the chance to develop some great friendships with the people we work for."
That same attitude keeps employees loyal and proud of their work.
"Everyone has an entrepreneurial attitude and looks after the company as if it's their own,'" Murray said. "We expect to be in business at least another 50 years."