Spotlight on Local Business: Hart Floral

Hart Floral had its beginning in 1943 at the home of Al Hart on Hackberry Ave. Al operated a taxi & ambulance service in addition to his flower shop. In the early 40’s Howard Downing lived down the street from Al’s home, he started working there as an ambulance attendant and in the flower shop. Hart then bought out Art Coudrey’s Flower Shop, located in the back of the old Hires Root Beer Fountain at 12th & I street across from the Post Office. In 1971 they had the opportunity to move to 1139 Mchenry ave., where there was an empty fast food building called Booby’s (yes, that was its real name). The building had to be gutted and remodeled .They decided to keep the drive-in window and changed the name to Hart Floral Drive-in Florist. In 2000 Hart Floral took advantage of an opportunity to move across the street to the North West corner of Mchenry & Roseburg. This move doubled the size of the shop’s show room, design area, & parking. Howard has now retired, his son Chris & Howard's wife Wilma operate the shop. Since the move to Mchenry Ave. the business has continued to grow.