Thursday, July 27, 2000 | 11:08 a.m.
Bob Vitto's days in paradise are coming to an end.
After six years of supplying orchids to the Las Vegas community, the owner of the Orchid House at 6255 W. Charleston Blvd. will sell his 3,500 orchids and close his shop as the Community College of Southern Nevada reclaims its greenhouse.
"It's totally unbelievable," Vitto said. "It hasn't quite sunk in yet."
For six years, Vitto's greenhouse has been a Las Vegas treasure for the orchid community. The indoor jungle, complete with oscillating misters and shade screens, is home to various orchid hybrids, including rare subspecies not found in local stores.
Beside growing orchids, Vitto receives weekly shipments from Hawaii to ensure blooming plants for local buyers.
He supplies dozens of businesses, florists and orchid fanatics. He's even taken to babysitting the tropical plants in his climate-controlled shop as owners leave for vacation.
CCSN officials told Vitto in February to remove his business from the greenhouse by the end of June so the college could use it for its horticulture program.
Vitto said he never thought the termination would actually happen and therefore made no preparations.
But when he took the college to court Monday in an effort to overturn its decision the judge ruled that Vitto must remove his business from the campus by Aug. 31.
"I'm very sorry to see him go," said Tony Billitere, member of the Greater Las Vegas Orchid Society. "If he goes, there goes the community supply."
Orchids sold at local home stores aren't as healthy and the selection is limited, Billitere said.
Vitto moved into the greenhouse in 1994 when it was run by the Nevada Association for the Handicapped as a training center.
CCSN acquired it two years later when its horticulture program expanded, John Kuminecz, spokesman for the college, said. According to Vitto, use of the greenhouse has been a tug-of-war between the two entities since.
CCSN wanted to use the greenhouse immediately, but after negotiating, Vitto said he was allowed to stay. For nearly a year he and the school worked in partnership, splitting the profits, he said.
In August 1996 Vitto signed a three-year contract to lease the space from the college. The contract ended last year, but Vitto has continued to rent the space.
Kuminecz said CCSN needs the space at the nursery site for its expanding ornamental horticulture program, which offers a one-year certificate program and two-year degree program focusing on floral design, landscape management and landscape design/contracting.
More than 250 students attend the programs offered at the Henderson and Charleston campus, he said.
"We knew the college was going to grow," Kuminecz said. "That's why leases are indefinite."
Although Vitto's business has increased 50 to 60 percent annually, he said relocating could cost up to $100,000 and he's scratching his head wondering what to do next.
"This is my livelihood," Vitto said. "This was how I was going to retire.
"The sad thing is, it's the only orchid greenhouse in town. The atmosphere is enough to grow almost any orchid that grows in the wild."
He said he may open a smaller business and grow his orchids in miniature greenhouses.
Meanwhile, he will sell as many plants as he can, then slash prices, giving whatever is left to the Greater Las Vegas Orchid Society.
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