our history

Nestled in Minnetonka, Minnesota Tonkadale is a charming greenhouse that stands as a testament to both botanical beauty and community spirit for over 75 years. Tonkadale Greenhouse has called Minnetonka home since 1947. The original owner, Robert Anderson, started the business as a breeder of specialty African violets. At that time, the business consisted of one 18’ x 100’ structure. Years later, Tonkadale was purchased by Bill and Shirley Maruska in 1978. The greenhouse facility was completely rebuilt in 1998 and the business flourished.

In April 2016, Jessie Jacobson (Bill and Shirley’s granddaughter) purchased Tonkadale. Within a few years, Jessie infused her personal passions for gardening, giving, and connecting into present-day operations. Each customer touchpoint reflects her enthusiasm and creative flair.  

“Longtime customers remember the quirkiness of the ‘old’ Tonkadale but embrace the new Tonkadale while looking ahead to the future. Newcomers are delighted by the size and scope of the greenhouse and leave feeling refreshed and inspired,” shared Jessie, President & Owner. “Our mission is to enrich lives by creating plant-inspired experiences as we connect everyone to beautiful spaces.”

Before leading the business, Jessie’s childhood was filled with nostalgic memories of playing and celebrating at Tonkadale.“I grew up planting baby plants in the greenhouse. Together, my brother and I would make 50 cents per flat. We could earn about $40.00 per day which was huge! I always celebrated my birthday at the greenhouse, often eating cake and ice cream on the counter tops of the check-out,” shares Jessie. “Years later, I studied horticulture and biology in college – I couldn’t escape my love for Tonkadale. The love I have for what I do is rooted in my belief that what we do everyday matters. We add joy and value to the people and world around us.”

In Tonkadale’s early years, the business was rooted entirely in plants. In the early 2000s, home decor and seasonal items were successfully brought on to expand the business. Over time, the product assortment has been refined, and a stronger emphasis on staff training and expertise played a crucial role in helping the business thrive.

“With the rising popularity of indoor plants over the past decade, the opportunities for plant and garden related decor have exploded. Not only do we present the most beautiful product in our region, but I also strive to make Tonkadale a cool place to work. Investing in the employee experience and our leadership is a huge priority. Our staff is second to none with the best knowledge and know-how in the industry.”

A thriving community is one that takes care of its own, and Tonkadale’s generous giving benefits the area in which they live and work. Beyond its commercial success, Tonkadale has deep roots in the community’s social fabric. Each year, 1% of revenue is given directly to local community organizations supporting racial equality, the LGBTQ+ community, education, adaptive learning, food security, animal rescue, and programs supporting local children.

Beyond monetary donations, Tonkadale puts their mission of enriching lives in motion by supporting local non-profits with plant-centric contributions that are uniquely their own. In 2023, they generously provided silent auction donations to various organizations and events. Local schools received plants, seeds, and garden supplies to support educational programing along with plants for classrooms. Seven community gardens grew over 10,000 pounds of produce that directly filled local food shelves originating from donated seeds and starter plants. Additionally, 12 youth sport teams competed on the field with sponsorships from Tonkadale.

What sets Tonkadale apart is not just its stunning collection of plants, but the way it brings people together. The greenhouse regularly hosts events that range from knowledge-filled workshops to seasonal celebrations.

“We’ve held events in the greenhouse since the beginning of time,” explains Jessie. “Our goals are threefold – educate customers on the products we sell, drive product sales and invite the community into our space.” The roster of events is varied, helping to keep seasoned plant enthusiasts and novice gardeners alike engaged, educated, and, importantly, entertained.

“We’ve had great success with our winter pot workshops, maker’s markets and our how-to-grow cannabis seminar. Our Fall events include yoga in the greenhouse, DIY fall wreath workshop, terrarium workshop, pumpkin carving for kids, flower pressing and plant swaps. We’ve also experienced enthusiastic responses and success in bringing in outside vendors to hold workshops.”