1923:   Michael Kinsch came over to the United States from Luxembourg and settled down in Rogers Park, Illinois. At the same time Peter Nepper, also from Luxembourg, moved into Rogers Park, as well. Michael soon began working as a truck farmer growing tomatoes and other vegetables for the South Water Market. Peter, on the other hand, started working for Windandy construction building greenhouses. As Peter Nepper gained experience from Windandy he was able to build his own greenhouse and began growing his own vegetables, which he then sold at the South Water Market. That same year Valentine, son to Michael Kinsch, married the daughter of Peter Nepper. Valentine, after working with his father as a truck farmer, then went to work with Mr. Nepper at his greenhouses.  

1952:  Valentine heard of a greenhouse auction in Palatine, Illinois and successfully bid at the auction. He then moved his entire family, wife Mary and four children, to Palatine. He decided to grow carnations instead of vegetables and sold them at the local flower markets.  



1955:  Sad times hit the family with the passing of Valentine and his five children (Leo, Catherine, Ed, Lorraine, and Marion) inherited the business. With the Kinsches now into their second generation, Kinsch Village Florist was born. Adding a new flower shop to the existing greenhouses, Lorraine and Marion became the designers and managers of Kinsch Village Florist while Leo and Ed continued to work in the greenhouses. Subsequently, with the addition of the flower shop a wider range of customers started to appear and the store began to flourish.

1970:   Over the years, the nature of the business has evolved with the addition of a garden center that has enabled customers to experience one-top shopping for all gardening supplies.  

PRESENT DAY:  Today the third generation of Kinsches is running Kinsch Village Florist & Garden Center. Not only do they grow carnations, but you can now find flowers blooming year-round in the greenhouses: Poinsettias, Lilies, Geraniums Mums, and many varieties of bedding plants.