Bride Carole Otto and Bridesmaid Joann Stafford selecting flowers for their wedding bouquets at California Florists. One woman holds the tiny white stephanotis used so frequently in fifties bridal bouquets while the other woman holds a bow & streamers. An orchid lies on the table. Carole became Mrs. Stanley Nyssen on May 2, 1952. Photograph shot for the never published 1952 News Tribune bridal layout. The newspaper was struck by the pressmen and was not published for much of April-August 1952.

Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Otto, Carole; Stafford, Joann; Bouquets; Flowers; California Florists (Tacoma); Florist shops--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Tacoma was experiencing a building boom, a lot of new businesses were surfacing throughout the city and many established businesses were remodeling and expanding their sites and services. Building progress of Ghilarducci's California Florists; they would have 13,500 square feet of floor space, the estimated building cost was $100,000 and it was expected to be completed by June 1, 1949; the building contractor was Ketner Brothers (T. Times, 3/13/49, p. 19).

Florist shops--Tacoma; Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Ghilarducci's California Florists (Tacoma);

Interior and exterior view of new store, Ghilarducci's, Elbert Baker. A view of the interior of Ghilarducci's new florist shop showing the business office and cash register. A counter is located on the left where customers can make out cards to go with their flowers. The company advertised that they had three telephones to accept orders. The office has a file cabinet and safe against the far wall.

Ghilarducci's California Florists (Tacoma); Florist shops--Tacoma; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Office furniture; Cash registers;

Interior and exterior view of new store, Ghilarducci's, Elbert Baker. A view into the walk-in refrigerated cut-flower cases. Ghilarducci's was owned and operated by Lorenzo Ghilarducci, better known as "Hobo Joe" and his son, Lawrence, "Gilly" to his friends. They had been serving Tacoma for 42 years. In addition to their retail store they had greenhouses in the Puyallup Valley. (TNT, 6/5/1949, p.B-12)

Ghilarducci's California Florists (Tacoma); Florist shops--Tacoma; Flowers--Tacoma;

Interior and exterior view of new store, Ghilarducci's, Elbert Baker. A view of the interior of Ghilarducci's new shop at 909 Pacific Avenue looking from the corsage bar toward the front of the store. Four set-out wings with their display mirrors are seen on the right and on the left are two refrigerated cases for cut flowers. ( TNT, 6/5/1949, p.B-12)

Ghilarducci's California Florists (Tacoma); Florist shops--Tacoma; Flowers--Tacoma;

In June of 1949, Ghilarducci's California Florists moved from 919 Pacific Avenue to a new shop at 909 Pacific ave. "Joe" Ghilarducci and his son "Gilly" had already been in the flower business in Tacoma for 42 years. Twenty years later, they moved again. This time to 809 Pacific where they stayed until they went out of business in 1988 - after more then 80 years on Pacific Avenue. Interior and exterior view of new store, Ghilarducci's, Elbert Baker. (TNT, 6/5/1949, p.B-12)

Ghilarducci's California Florists (Tacoma); Florist shops--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Facades--Tacoma--1940-1950;