Meet Franz & Christine (Boo) Wisniewski – Owners of Schulte’s Greenhouse
Their family is the proud proprietor of Schulte’s Greenhouse, which is situated on Wisconsin Ave. in the charming Village of Pewaukee. Their greenhouse operation specializes primarily in a variety of seasonal offerings, including annual plants, hanging baskets, porch pots, vegetable seedlings, seeds, heirloom tomatoes, and a selection of herbs.
Franz and Christine, affectionately known as Boo, are unsung heroes in their community, quietly making a tremendous impact since acquiring the greenhouse many years ago. They embody humility and selflessness, so it’s my honor to sing their praises.
Schulte’s Greenhouse generously donates the vibrant flowers and plants you see adorning their local schools, contributing year after year to scout troops responsible for their care. They further embellish the downtown and parks with their donated flowers, adding to the scenic beauty of our community.
What truly sets them apart is their dedication to hosting numerous fundraisers that benefit various organizations, including scouting groups, sports teams, school clubs, and more. On these special occasions, they selflessly contribute their daily profits to the chosen cause, exemplifying their commitment to community betterment.
Moreover, Franz and Boo recently assumed the responsibility of one of the Pewaukee Scholarship Funds which was abandoned, ensuring that this crucial support continues for deserving students.
Their income primarily derives from their greenhouse sales between May 1st and July 15th, supplemented by their employment in the hospitality and trades. Their unwavering work ethic and boundless generosity place them among the hardest-working and most benevolent individuals you’ll encounter in our community. They are the bedrock of Pewaukee, fostering a profound sense of belonging and community that we all cherish.
About Christine (Boo) Wisniewski
Franz embarked on his journey into the greenhouse industry, establishing a location on Vliet St. and later acquiring Weber’s Greenhouses on Green Bay Ave. in 2009. His expertise in the business was cultivated through interactions with the previous generation of growers, supplemented by self-guided research and extensive reading.
In early 2013, she concluded her employment at Milwaukee Brewing Company to join Franz in his venture at Weber’s Greenhouses. A few months down the road, they received the joyful news of their impending son, Dieter. It became evident to that they desired a change of scenery away from the urban setting. Initially exploring options to the north of Milwaukee, their course took a turn when a friend introduced them to a greenhouse available for sale in Pewaukee.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
We moved here to the property on December 1st, 2014. Dieter was only two weeks old. We live and work at the same location in the Village of Pewaukee. Our family is Franz, Dieter who is eight years old & I, our dogs Cloud & Chi Chi, Cats Orangie & Brownie. We love to take little adventures when the business allows us time away. When we have plants growing here at anytime we really cannot go far. So we love our short day adventures in Lake Country!
Q: Please tell us about your life and what you do (whether working in our community, a business owner, volunteer, etc.). How did you choose that path?
Our family owns and operates Schulte’s Greenhouses on Wisconsin Ave. in the Village of Pewaukee. Our Greenhouses focus mostly on seasonal annuals, hanging baskets, porch pots, vegetable starts, seeds, heirloom tomatoes and herbs.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
We love being able to give back to the community whenever we can. We currently run two fundraisers annually for the Volunteer Service Club in Pewaukee and for the Ann Wright Scholarship through the Pewaukee Scholarship Fund.
Q: What was the most difficult challenge in getting to where you are now or in your life?
The constant juggle of what to give my time & focus to. If I’m giving my time to one thing, everything else gets neglected. Now that Dieter is and has been in school, I’m able to focus so much more time to the business and expanding what we do here.
Q: What is the most rewarding part?
I love to see our plants downtown that we donate annually and all our plants in yards all over the village. Yes, I can tell if they’re from us.
Q: What are some of your future goals? Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?
Christmas is right around the corner. We’ll have times set aside for individuals or groups to make fresh green decor during the Christmas season! Or pick up a Christmas to-go kit and make your treasures at home! We really want to expand our perennial selection. Right now we buy and sell them. We’d love to start building a large native perennial selection along with a large choice of heirloom tomato starts and hop varieties. Franz and a buddy, Wilhelm, just finished making an amazing wood fired oven that we used in the first annual fundraiser for the Pewaukee Scholarship Fund. We also have a nano brewery in progress. Whether or not these two things get integrated into the business is yet to be known. Of course we’d love that to happen, we just haven’t touched the process of it yet.
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?
When Franz first started Weber’s in Milwaukee, he asked an old grumpy grower, Ed, if he had any advice for someone getting into the business and he replied with “yeah, get out of the business”. Yet, here we are! Just like anything, really know what your getting yourself into & say goodbye to any lengthy summer vacations.
Christine (Boo) Wisniewski & Our Community
Q: What is your favorite thing about our community, favorite thing to do, or something unique about our community that you love? (Feel free to share as much as you’d like!)
What I love about Pewaukee is the sense of community and support. When a family is hurting or in need here, it’s amazing how this community steps up and delivers.
Q: Who is an interesting person you’ve met here in our community, and how have they inspired you?
Without question the customers. Each relationship is unique and very genuine to me. I think of them all often through out the year and know without them we wouldn’t be here. The better we are at what we do, the better experience the customer has. The more you give to your community, the more it gives back to you.
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
Supportive, kind and helpful.
For Fun
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I once had to attempt CPR on a pet bird when babysitting. It didn’t work. In high school I was voted for having the WORST CAR & I waited on Scotty Pippen when I served at Kennedy School in Portland.
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
I’m a sucker for Court TV/True Crime.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Our son Dieter.
Q: If you were a drink (can be a coffee drink, alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.), what would you be?
Non-alcoholic – Cup of Coffee thick as mud. Alcoholic – an IPA. Also my favorite to make!
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be with? Why?
A beer & cheeseburger or pizza with my Dad.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Creating an amazing space for our community. A beautiful place where people can be surrounded in beautiful plants and the Pewaukee River. Where families can come to buy their plants, have a beer and eat a pizza!
Q: What makes you the happiest?
Feeding family & friends, creating cozy and helping those in need when I can. It gives me purpose.
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
Get certified in bird CPR when getting certified in regular CPR.
Where to Find Christine (Boo) Wisniewski
Email: schultespewaukee@gmail.com
Phone: 262-696-6342
