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101 Market information
About Us
"The Season's Best" is truly family owed and run.
The family owned and operated business began in 1997
in a pole building with a temporary greenhouse.
standing: Joe - Ken - Dave sitting: Julie - Marilyn
Ken Nathe has a love for building which is evident throughout 101 Market. His 16 years of carpentry and cement masonry work inspired him to design 101 Market with 14 foot vaulted ceilings, stained concrete floors and the cultured stone front entrance. It is truly awe-inspiring! Ken is very particular in his quality control, only selling the very best products available. He focuses on creating a business with you, the customer being number one. You can find Ken here from sun up to sun down everyday working side by side with his employees.
Julie Nathe, Ken's wife of 25 years, works diligently from behind the scenes. She has 5 years of banking financial experience which she uses to calculate the books and paper work for the market. During the busy season you will find her at the front counter always with a smile for our visitors. Julie also does the buying for the Garden Center and manages the employees' schedules.
Marilyn Nathe Specht is the sister of Ken and helps run the Market. She oversees the gift and the floral department. Marilyn does the buying of the gifts using over 350 venders, plus the miscellaneous local consigners. She goes to out of state markets to find the most unique giftware at reasonable prices. Marilyn has won numerous floral design awards. She is truly an artist with an eye for detail.
Joe Nathe is also a brother to Ken and Marilyn. Joe is the plant, growing guru. If you have a question about planting bedding plants in pots or planters Joe is our go to guy. Together Joe and Dave do the planting of all the corn and pumpkins you see here at 101 Market.
Dave Nathe, Ken and Marilyn's brother, has over 30 years of farming and retail experience. Dave and his brother Joe own Riverside Farms on Highway 10 in Elk River, MN. You may find Dave at the Minneapolis Farmers Market in the height of the season. Dave's specialty is on the produce side. He supplies 101 Market with much of its homegrown produce grown at Riverside Farms.
Our employees are trained and educated to provide you with "The Season's Best" customer service. We have a greenhouse specialist, a landscape designer, a tree and shrub specialist, a floral and wedding designer, a customer service specialist, and many others who cross train to help answer your questions.
We remember him at the
blowing of the wind and
the chilli of the winter.
Our brother and co-owner, Joe passed away on June 25, 2012 from a rare blood disease; cardiac amyloidosis. Since early fall 2011, Joe spent his time fighting the disease with determination and strength. His love for family, farming, flowers, hockey and the outdoors brought him
many joys and comfort.
We were amazed
by all he did during this
short period of time.