Submitted by The Brattleboro Historical Society.
BRATTLEBORO — Alva-Jean and Dan Unwin are in their 50th year at “Taylor for Flowers.” They bought the florist shop in September, 1976. That’s a long time, and the shop’s history goes back even further.
In 1945 Wilberne Taylor bought Carl Hopkins’ “House of Flowers” retail business and moved it from northern Main Street to its present location in the Market Block on Elliot Street. He changed the name to “Taylor for Flowers” and it has continued under that moniker for the past 80 years.
Carl Hopkins began the commercial operation in 1892. He started with a small seed business and added greenhouses on Western Avenue. In 1913 Hopkins opened the first retail florist shop on Brattleboro’s Main Street. Fittingly, the shop was called “Hopkins the Florist.” The storefront also sold stationary and housed a circulating library.
Many readers may remember Bertie Sprague, Sr. He worked for Carl Hopkins and continued, on a part-time basis, to make wreaths and roping for all four of the subsequent shop owners, retiring when he was 90 years old.
In 1930 Carl Hopkins’ local floral empire expanded to the Dowley House, at the northern end of Main Street. With the move, Hopkins adopted the name “House of Flowers” for this new business. This shop sold flowers, children’s books, pottery and canaries; while “Hopkins the Florist,” in the Waite-Wilkins Block, continued to focus on floral arrangements and plants. In 1945 Hopkins sold the “House of Flowers” to Wilberne Taylor. Taylor moved the business to Elliot Street. Eventually, “Hopkins the Florist” would move locations and morph into “Linden Gardens.”
After a few years, Taylor sold his business to Anna Robertson. She operated the store for 22 years and then sold it to the Hansens. They ran the shop for six years and then sold it to the Unwins in 1976. Before “Taylor for Flowers” moved in, the Market Block’s corner storefront housed many retail endeavors; jewelry, clothing, optometry and millinery businesses were featured in the eastern end of the building.
The Unwins feel fortunate to have been able to work as florists for so many years. Wedding orders now sometimes include serving the third generation of a local family. Just like Hopkins, over the years the Unwins have included other items in their store beyond flowers and plants. For example, before and after their child-rearing years, “Taylor for Flowers” also housed a bridal department.
The Unwins’ eyes sparkle, and they smile, when reminiscing about the time spent in their shop. Alva-Jean remembers how their two daughters grew up among the flowers. “Brattleboro School of Dance was right upstairs. They both attended, and their friends would sometimes wait here for their rides home.” Dan remembers the powerful connection between the Career Center horticulture program and the store. “John Fitts was a good friend and helped many young people find their way. I served on their Advisory Board. It was rewarding to work with students and have them gain real world experiences.”
When the Unwins began, they ordered flowers from regional growers. For instance, greenhouses in Hadley, Massachusetts were a typical source. Now flowers routinely arrive from as far away as South America and Asia.
Another aspect of the business that has really changed is the amount of waste associated with packaging. In the early years, trash containers were picked up by haulers two or three times a week. Now, because of recycling and composting, one bag is picked up once every two weeks.
The Unwins have seen many changes on Elliot Street. Dan said, “In the 1970s the street was busy. There was Ransom Hastings and Mike’s… sometimes it was rough, but we always felt safe. Downtown has an ebb and flow… lately we see signs of the street coming back.”
Alva-Jean remembers when they moved the flower design to the front room. “It was in the ’90s, when Gallery Walk started. We wanted to highlight the artistry and show the quality of our work to the customers. Before that, the arrangements were made in the backroom.”
The shop has an authentic florist feel to it. The flower cooler dates back to 1946. The steel ceiling was installed when the storefront became a millinery shop in 1899. The Market Block, itself, was built in 1873. Many of its features have remained intact.
When “Taylor for Flowers” began, the only place you could shop for flowers or plants was a florist. Over the years the market has changed. Gas stations, grocery stores, Walmart and Home Depot all offer flowers. Meanwhile, internet florists with no known physical address promise prompt delivery of bouquets with no known origin. Through it all, “Taylor for Flowers” has continued to offer quality, artful arrangements that are made on-site. Alva-Jean said, “We know that there are many places to find flowers. What we offer is different. For example, Peter Havens and McDonalds both serve food but they are not really in competition with one another… and so it is with us and the box stores.”
Weddings, funerals and important milestones are often acknowledged with flowers. The Unwins have felt privileged to serve their customers for so many years when significant occasions warrant the thoughtful inclusion of floral arrangements. Carl Hopkins’ greenhouses are long gone but “Taylor for Flowers” is the oldest operating florist shop in Brattleboro.
