We are located in Wichita and also in Lawrence where the Sod Shop provides services to the surrounding Kansas City Area. Learn more about the services we offer at our different locations through the Services page.
Our Mission
The Sod Shop is a family owned business operating with the mission to be the area’s premier sod and stone dealer by providing products and services that exceed your expectations.
History
The Wilbur families are long time farmers. Ted and Tony grew up farming with their dad Bill and grandfather Myrnon. This love of farming has grown into a thriving regional business they own and operate today. Wade Wilbur, Tony’s son, is now the 6th generation to be involved in agriculture.
Green Glo, Inc also known as Sod Shop
The company began in 1985 under the management of Ted Wilbur and operated under the name Green-Glo, Inc., as a mowing operation for both residential and commercial properties. In the beginning, there were up to 6 mowing crews, but as demand grew so did the services that were offered. Green-Glo, Inc. began offering full service lawn care, sprinkler systems and residential landscaping. In 1992, Ted brought on his brother, Tony Wilbur, as a partner. Tony specialized in working with the company’s commercial landscaping operations.
Ted and Tony realized the potential for sod in the Wichita market, so they returned to their farming roots and chose some of the best river-bottom ground near Sedgwick, Kansas to begin their endeavor. They knew that by providing excellent customer service combined with a fresh top-quality product, they would be able to provide landscapers, contractors, and home owners just what they’ve been looking for. So, in 1996, Ted and Tony opened a new division of their business and named it the Sod Shop.
Sod Shop, Inc.
In 2000, the company expanded again with the addition of a Kansas City location which specializes in sod installation of residential and commercial customers. This business is primarily operated by Tony’s son, Wade Wilbur, who is the president of Sod Shop, Inc.
In September of 2011, Sod Shop Inc. expanded into the Lawrence market by acquiring the sod production operations of Pine Family Farms. Once again, the ability to produce our own sod on irrigated river-bottom ground near the Kansas City market was the driving force behind this decision. This change has greatly expanded our customer base and allowed us to become a major player in the sod production in northeast Kansas and the KC metro areas.
In January of 2014, Tony Wilbur retired from all of the Sod Shop companies in order to spend more time with his grandchildren and enjoy some traveling as well. This left Ted Wilbur and Wade Wilbur to carry on the family businesses.
The sod farm has quickly gained a reputation for its automation of production and very high quality standards. The Green-Glo landscaping services division was liquidated in 2009 to allow the family to invest all their efforts into the Sod Shop.