The entrance to Magnolia Outdoor Living—marked by a large, bright blue Adirondack chair along with a nearby patio furniture collection—has become a colorful staple for drivers along FM 1774.

Co-owners Susan Broerman and her husband, Tom, moved to Magnolia from Arlington two years ago to set up shop after hearing about the city from her mother, who also sells outdoor furniture in south Texas.

“Magnolia is happening,” Susan said. “[My mother] said ‘Come to the Tomball-Magnolia area, it’ll be the perfect place for you.’ We built this 2,000-square-foot deck, and it’s the largest display of [this type of furniture] in the U.S.”

Magnolia Outdoor Living sells furniture produced by Berlin Gardens, an Ohio-based company operated by Amish craftsmen. While the furniture resembles wood, it is made from polyethylene, a durable plastic made from recycled milk jugs. The furniture is produced through a process of cleaning milk jugs, melting them into pellets and using the pellets to create lumber.

Aside from the ecological benefit of buying recycled furniture, Susan said the furniture is low-maintenance and requires little upkeep. The furniture is waterproof, resists mildew, will not fade in the sun and will not crack or splinter, making it safe to leave outside year-round, she said.

The store offers a variety of tables and chairs in dozens of color combinations that can be mixed and matched. She also sells accessories and outdoor decor, such as cup holders, ottomans and propane fire pits made from the same material. For an additional cost, the furniture can be assembled on-site and delivered, or customers can choose to build it themselves.

Prices for furniture range from $120 to $2,300, with the average chair starting at about $360. While the business’ furniture is offered at a higher price range than typical big-box stores, Susan said the pieces should be viewed as an investment that will pay for itself over time.

“In the long run, it’s cheaper than buying junk and throwing it away,” Susan said. “How many times have you spent $100 on furniture, gotten one or two years of use and thrown it away? With this [furniture], you’re done. You’ll have something to pass down to your kids. You won’t ever throw it away.”

All pieces from Magnolia Outdoor Living come with a 20-year warranty, but Susan said the furniture is expected to have a longer shelf life. She said she encourages customers to test out the furniture on display to discover the types of chairs and tables that best cater to their needs.

“Some places only put one or two chairs out to try, and that’s not enough,” Susan said. “You need to try them all. There’s a difference between a glider and counter chair. Everyone has their favorite.”