Rooted in Legacy: How a Family Farm Became a Thriving Wedding and Events Destination

In a world where businesses come and go, few can say they’ve lasted 100 years. Even fewer can say they’ve reinvented themselves multiple times while staying true to their roots.

We sat down with Sherry, the owner of Eisler Farms, to learn the full story behind Eisler Farms, The Atrium, Pinehall, The Woods, Johnny’s Distillery, and Eisler Flower Farm, all blossoming from the seeds planted by one family nearly a century ago.

A Legacy Begins

The story starts in 1926 when John Eisler graduated from Penn State with a degree in horticulture. Shortly after, he opened his own landscaping company based out of his childhood home in downtown Butler, Pennsylvania.

"It was during the Great Depression," Sherry Lynn, John’s granddaughter, explains. "His parents lost their house, and he ended up buying it, letting them live upstairs while he ran his business out of the downstairs."

Over the decades, the family business grew beyond landscaping. "He was an entrepreneur, he had car dealerships, gas stations, and a garden center in Bakerstown. He was always trying something new."

Next year, the family celebrates an incredible milestone: their 100th anniversary.

The Family Farm

The Eisler family purchased their current farm in the late 1930s and built a home on it around 1940. "The farm was originally used for growing trees for the nursery," Sherry says. "And over time, it evolved, just like everything else we’ve done."

The Eisler Empire wasn't just farmland, though. It was home to a bustling garden center (now The Atrium) on 422, located alongside a restaurant called The Garden Gate and a Gulf gas station.

But change was inevitable. "In the late 1990s (maybe even earlier) we made the difficult decision to close the garden center," she recalls. "Super Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s all came to Butler within a year. It just wasn’t sustainable anymore."

Reinventing the Space: From Garden Center to Wedding Venue

Rather than letting the space sit empty, they reimagined it as an event venue.

"We had hosted a few private events, even one wedding where a customer just walked in and asked to use the gazebo," she says. "When we closed the store, we thought, What do we do now? It was too great of a space to waste."

The transformation was straightforward: they sold off fixtures and inventory, gave the building a fresh coat of paint, installed fencing, and opened their doors to a whole new future.

Her passions for gardening and entertaining came together naturally. "It just fit," she says.

Building a New Career and a Team

Before running the venues, Sherry had a very different career path. "I studied Computer Science and Business Management and worked as a systems analyst in Washington, D.C.," she shares.

But life took a turn when she visited home for Mother’s Day one year. "My grandfather was very sick. He asked me to stay, and I never went back to D.C."
He passed away a month later, and she found herself unexpectedly at the helm. She quickly enrolled in Penn State’s intensive winter horticulture courses to build her knowledge.

As the venue side of the business grew, she realized she couldn’t do it alone.
"I was doing absolutely everything: moving tables, setting tables, hosting events," she recalls. "One day, Peggy, who worked next door, saw me scrambling and asked if I needed help. I said, ‘Absolutely.’"

Peggy Fritz became the first official staff member, and is still with us to this day, coordinating weddings at The Atrium. Anita soon followed, then Christine, and later Alyssa, Sharon, Mary, Bruce, Sarah, and many others have joined the team.

Expanding the Vision: Pinehall and The Woods

As weddings at The Atrium grew, she dreamed of opening a barn venue — but waited until her daughter went to college before moving forward.

Pinehall officially opened around 2017. "We were a little late to the barn trend," she admits, "but it still worked."

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she seized another opportunity: creating The Woods, a magical outdoor wedding space deep in the forest.
"I always dreamed of doing something cool in the woods," she says. "COVID accelerated that. Outdoor spaces were in high demand, and we kept all of our landscaping crews employed during the height of the pandemic by building it."

Today, The Woods offers a unique, natural alternative to traditional venues and remains one of the farm’s most beloved settings.

Introducing the Flower Farm

The farm’s latest blooming venture began when her daughter Amanda approached her with an idea: lets start a flower farm.

"Amanda was passionate about it, and once I started researching, I got excited too," she says. They dove into training, took classes, visited other flower farms, and learned everything they could.

Although Amanda had grown up around gardens, her love for flowers blossomed later. "When she was younger, she wasn’t super into it," she laughs. "But now, it’s a huge part of what we do and an ever growing passion of hers."

A New Chapter: Johnny’s Distillery

Yet another dream took root in recent years: starting a distillery.
"Everywhere Amanda and I traveled, we would visit distilleries," she says. "We’re not big drinkers, but we loved the process — the creativity, the craftsmanship. And it ties in perfectly with the farm and botanicals."

They first opened Johnny’s Distillery as a bar in Downtown Butler City after obtaining a liquor license. A few months later, they began distilling their own spirits. First in the basement of the bar, then in the garage, and soon, in a brand-new building designed to house both the distillery and flexible flower/event space.

"I wanted a space that could be whatever we needed: bottling spirits one day, making flower arrangements the next," she explains. "And I’ve always loved teaching classes, so we’ll bring those back too."

Looking Ahead

From a Depression-era landscaping company to a flourishing network of venues, farms, and creative businesses, Eisler Farms’ story is one of deep family roots, entrepreneurial spirit, and constant reinvention.

As they step into their 100th year, it’s clear: what began as a seed planted by one man has grown into a vibrant legacy, one that continues to bloom in new and inspiring ways.