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Tina and George Gabrielsen open Gabrielsen’s new farm stand (Credit: BE Koch)

It was a very special 64th birthday today for farmer George Gabrielsen, as he opened Gabrielsen’s plant farm in its new location on Herrick’s Lane.

The new spot is nearly two miles away from the site he closed last year after being in operation for 45 years. That property, which is owned by a group of investors, was put up for sale for $4.5 million. The new farm stand is on the site of Gabrielsen’s greenhouse, where his family has been selling wholesale plants for decades.

But Gabrielsen, a former Riverhead Town Councilman, has no regrets and was happily looking towards the future, as patrons came in all day to say hello and offer their congratulations.

“I cannot tell you how many people came in here and gave us hugs and kisses,” said Gabrielsen. “They actually thought we were gone.”

The new farm stand is located on the four acres of farmland that Gabrielsen has been farming for years. The plan is for his two daughters to run it from now on.

“Stephanie and Kristina will be taking it over, as I look toward retirement, which I don’t think will ever come,” Gabrielsen said laughing.

“We’re excited about the new venture and the new location,” said Tina Gabrielsen. “It’s going to be exactly what everyone is used to at Gabrielsen’s — maybe a little bit more selection, because it’s right here at our growing facilities, so it’ll be easier to keep everything stocked.”

The farm stand is currently selling a multitude of plants for spring planting and Mother’s Day.

“Everything you saw over there, you’ll see here,” George Gabrielsen said. “We’ve got bedding plants, annuals, tropicals, hanging baskets, all your plant materials.”

Gabrielsen looked out over his farm, which abuts land owned by other members of his family in both directions on Herrick’s Lane.

“I got this land from my parents and now it’s for my kids, my grandson’s working here now. That’s four generations,” he said.

Gabrielsen’s farm stand is located at 200 Herrick’s Lane. They’re open 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information call (631) 722-3259 or visit gabrielsenscountryfarm.com.

Stephanie and Tina Gabrielsen roll out a cart full of New Guinea Impatiens (Credit: BE Koch)
Stephanie and Tina Gabrielsen roll out a cart full of New Guinea Impatiens (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)
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