This family-owned florist marks nearly two centuries of helping customers express life’s biggest moments, one flower arrangement at a time.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For 175 years, Nanz & Kraft Florists has been part of Louisville’s most meaningful celebrations and toughest goodbyes. The family-owned business, founded in 1850 by Henry Nanz, has grown from a small shop to a household name, thanks to generations of dedication and employees who have made flowers their life’s passion.
Pat Pendegrass is one of them.
“I’ve been working here for 51 years,” she said with a smile.
She started in her twenties, drawn to the shop that was already considered Louisville’s premier florist. In that time, she’s seen it all; holiday rushes, generations of weddings, and even a devastating fire that destroyed the building during her second year.
“Everything burned, even the paperwork,” Pendegrass said. “It was gone. So we just had to do everything by ear.”
With help from a local grower, Rassmussen’s on Hubbard’s Lane, the team was back in business the next day. That resilience is a hallmark of the Nanz & Kraft name, now carried on by brothers Eddie and David Kraft, sixth-generation owners.
“We grew up here,” David said. “At 5 years old, we were wiring pinecones and sweeping floors. By 14, we were learning to design arrangements.”
From tropical flowers shipped from Hawaii to Indiana-grown sunflowers, Nanz & Kraft combines tradition with innovation. Close to half of their orders now come through the website, a big shift from decades ago when customers called in and left it up to the designers.
But even as technology changes the industry, one thing remains the same: the joy flowers bring.
“There are studies that show 90% of people remember when they get flowers and who gave them,” Eddie said. “It makes such an impact.”
And for Pendegrass, that’s what keeps her coming back.
“I really enjoy working with people,” she said. “Even when it’s for something like funeral flowers, I like helping them pick something meaningful.”
As they celebrate 175 years, the team at Nanz & Kraft is still focused on the same mission they’ve had since day one: making people smile, just because.
Nanz & Kraft Florists is inviting everyone to its 175th Birthday Bash and Homecoming Party on Saturday. The celebration will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 141 Breckenridge Lane.
Here is some of what you can expect at the celebration:
First 175 guests receive a complimentary rose from Nanz & KraftLocally-made food and beverages & Kentucky Proud productsFace painting and a fire truck (from the St. Matthews Fire Dept.) on site for kidsLocal charities including Hope Scarves and The Arrow Fund will have booths on-siteMeet American Hero Dog finalist and The Arrow Fund rescue dog: PennyFormer and retired staff of Nanz & Kraft recognized and thanked by the Kraft familyLive music by Stone GrooveLouisville Mayor Craig Greenberg on-site to congratulate Kraft family and make proclamation of Nanz & Kraft Florists’ Official 175th Birthday in Louisville
As a way to give back, Nanz & Kraft Florists will donate a percentage of all floral and greenhouse sales from the event to Hope Scarves and The Arrow Fund.
In addition, throughout the entire months of July and August, Hope Scarves and The Arrow Fund will also receive $10 for each sale of specially-designated arrangements sold online through nanzandkraft.com.
There are three locations: 141 Breckenridge Lane in St. Matthews, Brownsboro Road, and Dixie Highway or “Southwest.”
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