My Florist isn’t a florist at all, it’s a restaurant! For 49 years from 1947 to 1996, this building housed a florist that went by the name of “My Florist” and it sported this huge neon sign high above the building. The owner of the florist shop, Vada Schwartz was quite a character who made people laugh with her antics. You can read a little about her here.
When the new owners bought the place with a restaurant in mind, they decided to keep the name and the sign. Large and high glowing signs like this are prohibited today but, the ones that already exist can remain just as they are.
This is a charming little restaurant serves salads, sandwiches, and wonderful bread fresh from its neighbor the Willo Bread Company. The dining room sports a huge grand piano that is played by a fiery piano player on most evenings. You can hear a little of her playing on the "My Florist" link above.
Yesterday JM of Oeiras and environs daily photo honored me with a BFF (Blogging Friends Forever) Award. I am very honored, indeed.
Now according to the rules, I need to pass it on to five other bloggers, four of which are regular followers of my blog and one who is recently new to my blog and lives in another part of the world. So here is my list:
- David of Tamarindo, Costa Rica Daily Photo
- Zsolt of Budapest Daily Photo
- Susie of JEDDAH Daily Photo Journal
- Mo of Fresh Eyes on London
- Irina of Moscow Daily Photo
8 comments:
Beautiful story! And what a great economy :)
Thank you for honour of awarding my blog! I'm really moved.
Great post today, and thank you very much for the award.
My Florist Cafe is a great re-use of the florist shop. Long time Phoenix residents, such as my mother-in-law, can remember receiving or giving flowers from My Florist at significant events in the lives of themselves or friends and family, such as weddings, childbirths, etc.
The giant neon sign is a landmark. An entire street of businesses with neon signs is tacky. A few unique neon signs adds character. The modern design guidelines that have prohibited new neon signs but "grandfather" the existing signs I think is just right. It allows preservation of some landmarks like the My Florist sign but prevent the visual pollution of rampant neon signs.
Of course, the above observation does not apply in places like Las Vegas, Times Square of Picadilly Circus where extravagantly lighted signage is the essence of the ambiance.
This is such an interesting story and I do love the huge neon sign. It's vintage and part of the history of the city....I like the idea of allowing those that were already there to remain. It's cool that the restaurant decided to keep the name and the sign!
Obviously the locals knows it's a restaurant but anyone passing by wouldn't have a clue. If I passed by I'd buy you flowers!
thank you Sharon:)
I loved this place. I used to live on the street behind here and walked her often for dinner or for bread from Willo Bread.
What a character Vada was! That story about her robbing the place on her horse and taking a vacation for two weeks is hysterical!
I wonder - now that it is actually a restaurant - how many customers they get coming in thinking it's still a florist?
Thank you for the honor of the BFF award - I am touched!
I don't think I've ever heard of this place. Guess I'm going to have to take the wife out for dinner.
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