FALMOUTH, Maine — How many family businesses in Maine can you think of that have survived two world wars, the Depression, numerous recessions, and two pandemics?
One that probably comes to mind is L.L. Bean.
Another is Allen, Sterling & Lothrop which opened up for business in 1911. Originally, the store was in Portland but moved to Falmouth around 1970.
In the 1950s, Shawn Brannigan's grandfather took over the company from Harry Lothrop. Since then, it's been a family affair that's going four generations strong.
"My wife works here and my sons work here too, and my mom still works here and she's in her 80s," Shawn said.
The saying goes, if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.
For Shirley Brannigan, Shawn's mom, that's a statement she can rally behind.
"I love getting up and coming to work," Shirley said. "I look so forward to it. I love helping people on the floor plant a vegetable garden because I used to have a really big vegetable garden and it's really nice to be able to pass that knowledge along."
Shawn says he's been working at the garden center his whole life.
"Just kind of stayed and kind of became the boss at a very young age because my father was retiring," Shawn said.
It's not just family members who feel at home and want to stick around. Shawn says several employees have been there just as long as him, if not longer.
"I have three or four employees who have been here for over 30 years," Shawn said. "Our bookkeeper has been working here since I was in high school and I'm almost 60. She's been here, I don't even know the math on that, a long time."
Naturally, the garden center has changed over the years, but there is one thing that has stayed the same.
"We're Maine's oldest seed company," Shawn said. "We supply seed racks to over 40 other locations."
Shawn's children work at the garden center as well, contributing in their own ways.
"Both of my sons have total different interests here," Shawn said. "My son Blake likes to work out back and drive the loaders and forklifts and unload trucks and stuff, and my son Riley loves the retail part of it.
A word Riley Brannigan uses to describe working alongside his family is "proud."
"I'm proud to be able to work with my family and be able to support the community," Riley said. "It's nice to have people who have been coming here for longer than I've been alive."
With a new addition to the family, there could be a chance the business stays in the family for a fifth generation.
"Feels great to be the newest generation that is technically working here," Riley said. "We recently had a family member, my brother, just had a son. That's very exciting for him to possibly have him work his way into this, but he's only eight months old so we'll see what the future holds for sure."