CALVERT CITY, KY — After 39 years of dedicated service to the Calvert City community, Kenny and Sandy Westfall have handed over the reins of Holly Nursery and Garden Center, a beloved local staple, to a familiar face and her family. Ally Thompson, who has been a valued employee of Holly Nursery since 2021, teamed up with her parents, Mark and Laura Long, to continue the Westfalls’ legacy while introducing exciting new plans for the business.
The transition took place in August 2024, with Ally, Mark, and Laura hitting the ground running. Renovations began immediately, underscoring the family’s commitment to providing exceptional service and enhancing the nursery’s offerings. Ally brings a passion for horticulture and community that she developed while working alongside the Westfalls. “After learning everything I could from Kenny and Sandy, I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” Ally shared. “The people of Calvert City make this more than just a job—it feels like family.”
Holly Nursery has long been a trusted source for shrubs, trees, hanging baskets, succulents, and seasonal items like mums, pumpkins, and live Christmas trees. The new owners plan to honor that tradition while expanding services to include a vegetable and fruit stand in the summer, bulk landscaping materials, and more seasonal decorations. They are also eager to support local artisans by offering products like candles, jams, ceramics, and woodwork.
The nursery continues to offer a wide range of landscaping services, from mowing and weedeating to gutter cleaning and bush hogging. Mark runs the landscaping and mowing side of the business, with help from Kenny’s brother, Mark Westfall. Laura manages the behind-the-scenes operations, ensuring the business runs smoothly. Ally oversees retail operations, including planting, ordering, and customer service.
Ally’s agricultural roots run deep, having grown up on her parents’ row crop farm. “Blending our knowledge of farming with what I’ve learned from Kenny and Sandy has been an exciting journey,” Ally said. “We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from the community as we begin this new chapter.”
Customers will still find their favorite live Christmas trees at Holly Nursery this holiday season—a tradition the Westfalls started, and the new owners proudly continue. Looking ahead, the family plans to expand their offerings to meet the evolving needs of the community while staying true to the nursery’s deep roots in Calvert City.
For more information or to explore the expanded offerings at Holly Nursery and Garden Center, visit them on Highway 62, call 270-395-4802, and be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
