The wholesale greenhouse and nursery, which began in the 1950s, was where its former owner, the renowned horticulturist Alan Naish, trademarked Supertoms in 1965.
Now after 20 years of owning Riverview Growers, Margaret and Brian Buschl, both in their 70s, have an offer on the table for the land and buildings.
And while not a done deal, Mrs Buschl said she understood the business would not be carried on — "not the business as we have been [running it] anyway".
"We just need to step back now and have a wee bit of a retirement."
Mrs Buschl said she hoped it was not the end of Supertoms; the couple hoped to sell the trademark.
The former South Otago sheep and beef farmers were seeking a lifestyle change when they bought the property in 1996, from Mr Naish and his wife, Jane.
The business began as a part-time operation in 1955, but in 1965 it began selling its now nationally known grafted tomato plants to the retail garden centre industry.
The Kakanui area boasts fertile soil and hosts a reasonable number of growers.
The Buschls said they loved their business and while the occasional bad weather affected some plants grown at the nursery, those setbacks were nothing in comparison to the camaraderie they shared with the staff they had worked with over the years.
The closure of the business would affect eight workers.
She and Mr Buschl would miss them.
"They’re all a good crew [with] a good sense of humour."
The nursery’s products included roses, shrubs, perennials, a varied vegetable line, assorted baskets and annuals.
Plants were raised from seeds, Mr Buschl said.
"It’s really amazing when you take a tiny seed the size of a pinhead and it grows up and turns into a beautiful flower."
The couple had no set plans for their retirement, but Mr Buschl said it might give him an opportunity to work on his vintage car.
The business will be holding a closing-down sale at the 27 Kakanui Rd address starting on December 28. It will run from 8.30am until 5pm daily, not including Sundays.
