In 1961, Riley Blitch graduated from the University of Florida and opened San Felasco Nursery on land he purchased on Millhopper road in Gainesville. Several years later, Tommy Feiber joined him and they began a landscaping business, Gainesville Landscape Contractors, which was incorporated in 1967. Adding to their growing business, Garden Gate Nursery was opened in January 1970 on new property purchased on NW 43rd Street in Gainesville. At that time, it was considered “out in the country” and was surrounded by cornfields and a small country store on the corner of 43rd Street and 23rd Blvd.  Today it is in the middle of an upscale shopping district with many local shops and restaurants.