My Florist Cafe with that iconic neon sign [caption id="attachment_203" align="alignleft" width="450" caption="My Florist, Neon sign"]
[/caption]recently closed to dismay of many. Ever wonder about it’s origin? My Florist was opened in 1947 by Vada Pearl Schwartz who became a local legend because of her flamboyant behavior and fondness for orchids. She was know to wear a purple dress with a purple orchid every day. If by chance she was not wearing an orchid your flower order was free. The store was purple inside and out including all the delivery vans. Speaking of purple transportation, she drove a one of a kind purple auto of the future circa 1950’s [caption id="attachment_202" align="alignleft" width="380" caption="Besasie X-2, custom built by Raymond Besasie of Milwaukee"]
[/caption] Guess that explains the Purple background of the sign! She was also know for her unorthodox behavior, such as ride a on a horse into the flower shop and holding up the place. When Vada died in late 1966, her daughter Norma Brooking took over. Like her mother she ran until she too passed, but then the employees took over the store via a trust that Vada had set up. The employees ran My Florist until 1996 when it closed. Then part of the building become a favorite bakery in town Willo Bakery, leading to success of the restaurant that doors were locked and closed Oct, 2010.
[/caption]recently closed to dismay of many. Ever wonder about it’s origin? My Florist was opened in 1947 by Vada Pearl Schwartz who became a local legend because of her flamboyant behavior and fondness for orchids. She was know to wear a purple dress with a purple orchid every day. If by chance she was not wearing an orchid your flower order was free. The store was purple inside and out including all the delivery vans. Speaking of purple transportation, she drove a one of a kind purple auto of the future circa 1950’s [caption id="attachment_202" align="alignleft" width="380" caption="Besasie X-2, custom built by Raymond Besasie of Milwaukee"]
[/caption] Guess that explains the Purple background of the sign! She was also know for her unorthodox behavior, such as ride a on a horse into the flower shop and holding up the place. When Vada died in late 1966, her daughter Norma Brooking took over. Like her mother she ran until she too passed, but then the employees took over the store via a trust that Vada had set up. The employees ran My Florist until 1996 when it closed. Then part of the building become a favorite bakery in town Willo Bakery, leading to success of the restaurant that doors were locked and closed Oct, 2010.
I loved My Florist cafe! I ate there sometime this summer, and they were very accommodating to my strange vegan, no-sugar eating habits. DARN!
ReplyDeleteFor years, MFC was my favorite spot to bring friends, out-of-towners, or to dine alone. I loved everything about it. Several years ago, while dining there, my dinner mate shared that she had worked at My Florist in the 70s as a part-time job while in high school. As we were leaving the restaurant, I recognized the owner and pointed him out to my friend. She wanted to talk to him and he was very accommodating. He invited us upstairs where he lived, while Mary told him story after story about My Florist back in the day. A pleasant memory for sure. Driving by now and seeing how empty it looks, only makes me long for it more. RIP, MFC.
ReplyDeleteJen, Also just lost our Vegan/ Veggie Vietnamese restaurant. Though I really want to try a place is Chandler called Pomegranates (very veggie friendly)
ReplyDeleteVery sad to see that sign dark.
ReplyDeletemy mom would always frequently visit flower shops because she loves fresh flowers on our house ``"
ReplyDelete[...] bring us to the point of this post. My Florist sign on 7th Ave, and McDowell is in jeopardy. Check out the history of My Florist. The firm of Lawrence and Geyser has had designs on the building and recently it was rumored to [...]
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. Great post very Informative, also checkout Flowers Boutique & Events
ReplyDeleteI worked at My Florist. I was a cashier, order taker and delivery driver. Our manager was this cool guy named Waylon. We had a lot of fun there. Arrangements were one of a kind spectacular. I worked there in 1991 and then again in 1994-1996. I drove this groovy purple delivery truck that looked like an old Good Humor Ice Cream truck.
ReplyDelete