Metrolina Greenhouses has been part of Huntersville's "landscape" for more than 50 years. Founded by Tom and Vickie VanWingerden who immigrated from the Netherlands in 1971, their initial 20,000-square-foot rented greenhouse has flourished into a business that now encompasses two locations with more than 200 acres of greenhouses, nearly 300 acres of outdoor growing space, and over 1,000 acres of land. Owned and led by Tom and Vickie’s six children, Metrolina Greenhouses now encompasses an expanded family numbering 800 year-round, full-time employees with the addition of 400 seasonal workers each year.