Chambersburg is about to welcome a new neighbor—but not without a familiar story behind it. AES Hearth & Patio is opening a new location at the former Snavely’s Garden Corner, a property with deep community roots. To mark the occasion, we sat down with AES President Rick Soccio and former Garden Corner owner Chris Snavely to talk about the past, present, and future of this landmark site.
Owner and President Rick Soccio on Continuing a Tradition of Warmth in Chambersburg
What makes the new Chambersburg location unique?
Chambersburg is a close-knit community, and people there like to do business with people in their community. This store will give people a closer option than the Newville showroom. This location is also a bit of a landmark in this community. The fact that it was once Snavely’s is something I want to respect and carry forward. The location also allows us to serve the greater Gettysburg area a bit better.
What can customers expect when they walk into the Chambersburg showroom?
We pride ourselves on creating a friendly, low-pressure environment. We want to be a safe place for people to ask questions, and we can help them find solutions to their problems. People can expect the same great products and services out of this location as the other locations—including a wonderful selection of hot tubs and swim spas.
How has your team evolved as you’ve prepared for this new location?
Many of our service team members live in this community and are looking forward to having more of their work be in their hometowns. The team loves that they can put their skills in place in their backyard. The AES team has also been involved in much of the remodel work too—demolition, rebuilding, installations, etc.
Snavely’s Garden Corner has deep roots in the community. How do you hope to carry that legacy forward?
I have big shoes to fill. There have been a lot of people talking with me about how much they’ve loved the traditions at Snavely’s, even past employees—it’s always been positive. So, I certainly want to be a good role model and someone people appreciate working for and doing business with so we feel more like family than a transaction.
Are there any elements from the original space that you chose to preserve?
I loved when I uncovered the ceilings—the rafters represent such a strength, and we’ve chosen to keep those exposed. We will also be maintaining the greenhouses and using them for outdoor products and hot tub displays.
How does this location fit into your larger journey with AES Hearth & Patio?
I’ve never been so excited about a location. I had purchased a chimney sweep business in Fayetteville in 2001, then purchased the L&S fireplace shop. We’ve been serving this community for many years, but we are excited to have a brick-and-mortar location there and do it in a way that we can do a really good job there. We offer something different than other shops. We are solution-driven, not just selling stoves and fireplaces, but looking at the whole system, including the chimney, to make sure everything is safe and efficient. The community deserves that level of service.
Is there a fun or personal connection to this property you’d like to share?
Rob Fox is doing some landscaping at the property and actually got his start at Snavely’s.
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While AES Hearth & Patio is ready to bring something fresh to Chambersburg, the location itself has a rich history. For more than 50 years, Snavely’s Garden Corner was a community staple. We spoke with former owner Chris Snavely about his journey with the business, the legacy he hopes to see continue, and his thoughts on AES stepping in.
A Conversation with Chris Snavely, Former Owner of Snavely’s Garden Corner
What was your experience like opening Snavely’s Garden Corner?
We came to Chambersburg in 1971. My father wanted to be in the nursery business. I came from the University of Maryland and was able to take over the Garden Corner, running operations, on behalf of my father who joined me there in 1977. As a twenty-something, I had the chance to run a business. It was a great challenge, and fortunately one that worked out well. We grew a business that had existed 10 years before our arrival. We got to know Chambersburg from zero experience—my wife and I were strangers to the area when we arrived. It was daunting to dive into the community, but we have, and it’s been wonderful.
How would you describe your journey as the business grew in Chambersburg?
The journey was getting to know everyone in the community over time. The previous owners, Tim and Marie Saber, were deeply tied to the community, and we wanted to build on that reputation.
I was able to become involved in the community and the chamber (chair at one point), and my wife was involved in the community. This served our business very, very well. Rick and his team are doing the same—and that holds the key to what happens next. Serve the community—a good, honest business is one part of being successful; it’s about who you know and how you work with them.
Now that you’ve passed the business on, what are your plans for this next season of life?
I want to enjoy as many years as I have in my garden and traveling with my wife, Celeste. We also have five grandchildren that we enjoy watching grow up and play sports.
What are your thoughts on this location becoming a new AES Hearth & Patio showroom?
It’s a great location with a high traffic count, so I hope AES finds success there. They are already known very well in the region, and this is an opportunity for them to better serve Chambersburg.
Were you familiar with AES before this transition?
I had seen their brand in the community and knew that they, like us, built a strong presence in the area; they present themselves well—I’m looking forward to seeing what that develops into.
Looking back, what are some highlight moments from your time at Snavely’s?
We slowly developed several adjacent properties for our nursery stock around the original property after we arrived in 1971—AES will occupy that original property. It was a step-by-step building of the company that allowed us to succeed with stable growth over many years. The opening of our new garden center store in 1977 was also a big deal.
A portion of the store was a pet shop, too. Some people still remember that.
Do you have a favorite plant or maybe a special memory tied to your love of gardening?
I took it as a challenge to get to know as many plants as well as I could. It’s a huge world, so I challenged myself to get to know more and more about the world of plants and insects. I also surrounded myself with a staff that wanted to learn, and we tried hard to help people succeed in their gardens.
How do you feel seeing the renovations and changes happening at the property now?
I enjoyed developing and being involved for more than 50 years. I’m more than happy to see Rick succeed in this location. I hope it will be a success and know it will be a good addition to Chambersburg.
Rick has done what he’s done well, and I am confident he will keep doing it.
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As AES Hearth & Patio opens its doors in Chambersburg, the story is bigger than a new showroom. It’s about honoring the legacy of a beloved business while creating a new space for connection, service, and community. From the rafters of the old building to the fresh energy of our team, this location represents both continuity and growth.
With deep respect for the past and excitement for the future, AES Hearth & Patio looks forward to welcoming Chambersburg families into a store that’s more than a place to shop—it’s a place to feel at home.
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