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"we do have 35 full-time staff and a part-time staff of 45, and we hire additional employees for holidays to handle all of the flower orders and special floral designs." Now with one branch location serving the southern Louisville area and its main shop serving the rest of the city and surrounding area, current co-owner David Kraft told Florists' Review that the main store—in the same location since 1872—has a showroom, design room, sales office, gift shop and a 20-foot-by- 80-foot greenhouse on its second floor for holding plants and flowers. "We also have a room for preparing fruit baskets and wreaths and have additional refrigeration and cold storage space," David explains. "And we continue to provide our customers with a full range of services, including cut flower arrangements, fruit baskets, wedding planning, plants, permanent botanicals, as well as a wide range of giftware." Eddie adds, "Houseplants are a big part of what we do, as are gourmet fruit baskets. We also have a liquor license and sell/deliver wine and spirits." Online sales compose a stream of revenue that was not around during Edward R. Kraft's tenure as company head. "Online sales account for about 50 percent of our sales," David notes, "and COVID-19 appears to have provided us with a four-year jump in sales because people still wanted flowers and were content to order via our online portal." Eddie and David note that the manner of advertising also has changed since their father's era—no print now; only digital advertising. e Kraft brothers bought out their father in 2007, but Edward R. continues to work on the design floor creating arrangements. Even though no Nanz has been a part of the company in more than a century, Eddie and David realize—as did their dad—that the Nanz & Kraft name and brand carry prestige in the community and any attempt to alter it could confuse and lose a customer base. David says that since he and his brothers knew they were one day going to take over the company, their father—and others in similarly built businesses— suggested they get some professional help. Yes, a psychologist and business advisor were involved, but it was a series of meetings that taught them how to share and tolerate family better within the business environment, without taking anyone's contributions for granted. It's why the brothers share the leadership of the company. When Michael was alive, it was always a best two-out-of-three votes, but with just Eddie and David remaining, each year, a different brother will hold de facto decision-making power, with David holding sway in 2022. In Eddie's and David's younger days, their father placed the brothers in different departments in the company, to work and then eventually lead, which Eddie suggests helped each brother respect the talents and know-how of the other, allowing each to focus on his own job. Another nod to their father was delivered by David: "Forty years ago, our father decided that our flowers would be delivered by our staff wearing our uniforms, to provide a clean, professional look, and we rigorously maintain that to this day." As for what the future brings, the brothers say that the lessons learned during the pandemic should continue to be part of any equation moving forward, citing the increase in e-commerce. "e supply chain and employee labor issues are also concerning," says Eddie. "But now that government financial aid has stopped—across all economic sectors— the labor force is returning. It's only very recently that we have been able to have the full staff we need." David ponders the world of Amazon and its fast deliveries and autonomous driving vehicles, and asks, "How do we fit into that model?" Recognizing the right questions to ask will help this company keep it stepping toward the future as it maintains a healthy grounding in its generational past. MT. EDEN FLORAL CO. San Jose, Calif. Founded: 1906 A premier wholesaler of flowers, supplies and décor, Mt. Eden Floral Co. opened its doors in 1906, in San Francisco, Calif. Like the other flower enterprises in this article, it was built by immigrants. Unlike the others who arrived from European countries, Mt. Eden's proprietorship owes its origins to Japan. "Houseplants are a big part of what we do, as are gourmet fruit baskets. We also have a liquor license and sell/deliver wine and spirits." Extra Features and Video Online FloristsReview.com R E A D O N L I N E 53

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