Kahnke Brothers was started in 1961 by Jeff, Tom, Jesse, and Steve Kahnke. The Original business activities included residential lawn service and snow removal. The company started with seventeen original clients. During these first years the company was operated as a partnership, and sales were less than $10,000.00 in any one year.
In 1969 the company entered the commercial lawn and snow removal business. The first large account was Tarnhill Apartments in Bloomington . In the spring of 1972 the company added landscaping and landscape construction to its services. Also at this time the company was changed to a corporation. This considered the official starting date for the company.
1974 Chaparral snowmobile dealership.
1976 ended with a 20 truck fleet. Company colors of brown and gold were adopted and work was started to make all the trucks uniform in color and to include the new company logo.
1977 marked a record of over a million dollars in sales. New trucks were added to make a fleet of 25 trucks. The increase in business created the need for a new office and shop.
In 1979 and 1980, the company began to move toward developing a steady group of repeat clients. Construction of the Eden Prairie facility was completed.
In 1982 the company began to devote more energy toward the spraying and fertilizing business. This improved our capacity to provide professional, reliable, and economical tree and lawn care.
In 1985, the company held an auction. Much of the old equipment was sold off and replaced with new equipment. By this time both Tom and Steve had left for the armed forces, and the company was run by Jeff and Jesse.
In April of 1990, Tom returned from the armed forces. Also, irrigation was added to the list of services.
In September of 1993, the Eden Prairie site was sold to the developers of Bear Path – a housing development surrounding Jack Nicklaus' golf course.
Since 1993 a new facility and garden retail store in Victoria have been established along with a tree farm in Plato , Minnesota . With Steve returning in 2000 we complete the original team of brothers to provide the best service and professional installation available.
In 1999 the company colors where changed to black and gold.
