Our Story
From Apprentices to Owners
Deeply Rooted in South Milwaukee
Every arrangement that leaves our design table carries a piece of a 75-year neighborhood legacy. Today, Parkway Floral is owned and operated by us—Leah and Carly. But our story didn’t start in a corporate boardroom or a modern franchise meeting; it started right here at the design counter when we were teenagers.
Our relationship with the shop is a lifelong journey. Leah walked through the doors in the summer of 2000 as a high school freshman looking for an after-school job. A few years later, Carly joined the team. Together, we worked side-by-side for over ten years, learning the subtle art of floral design, the names of our community’s families, and the ins and outs of running a local business.
We’ve always viewed our journey as a traditional, old-school apprenticeship. The shop’s former owners didn’t just sell a business; they spent years intentionally training, mentoring, and preparing us to take the reins. That dream became reality when Leah purchased her half of the shop and the historic building in 2010, followed by Carly officializing her co-ownership in 2013. Today, we are proud to be the caretakers of Parkway’s legacy, combining deep-rooted traditions with a modern, community-focused vision.
The History of 1001 Milwaukee Avenue
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The Early Chapter — The Corner Pharmacy
In its earliest days, our historic landmark building served as a classic neighborhood corner pharmacy. It stood for decades as a trusted, familiar downtown storefront where South Milwaukee residents gathered to fill prescriptions, grab a milkshake, browse daily goods, and swap local news.
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The Mid-Century Era — The Local Bicycle Shop
As the decades advanced and the community evolved, the space took on a new life as a bustling local bicycle shop. It spent years keeping the neighborhood moving, serving as the go-to spot for generations of local families to gear up or get their bikes repaired.
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Summer 2000 — The Flower Shop Relocates
After anchoring the 900 block of Milwaukee Avenue since 1951, Parkway Floral officially relocated to the prominent corner of 1001 Milwaukee Avenue—bringing a fresh wave of creative life to the historic storefront just as Leah was starting her very first day of work after school.
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2016 — Cultivating Community with Growing South Milwaukee
Our passion for growth extended beyond the design counter when 1001 Milwaukee Avenue officially became the home base and administrative office for Growing South Milwaukee (GSM). Since 2016, this landmark corner has served as the civic launchpad for our 501(c)(3) non-profit programs, community garden coordination, local mural initiatives, and downtown South Milwaukee small business revitalization efforts.
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2019 — Expanding the Creative Footprint
The building’s evolution as a collaborative multi-use hub expanded even further with the addition of Minue Productions. Blending local art, technical event consulting, civic engagement, and production work under one roof, we solidified 1001 Milwaukee Avenue as a true creative heart for downtown South Milwaukee – collectivly, we are The Green Room.
75 Years in Bloom
Very few neighborhood businesses stand the test of time for three-quarters of a century. We are incredibly proud to celebrate 75 years of floral storytelling in South Milwaukee—serving generations of local families through life’s biggest milestones, funerals, celebrations, and everyday moments.
Artistry & Intent
We treat floral design as an art form, not an assembly line. Drawing inspiration from seasonal shifts, organic textures, and sustainable cultivation practices, every stem is intentionally chosen and placed by hand in our design studio to ensure unparalleled freshness and distinct character.
A True Family Operation
When you support Parkway Floral, you are working directly with us. We operate as a proud woman-owned, LGBTQ+ dedicated safe space for our trans and queer community. With zero outside employees—just Leah and Carly handling the design and shop operations alongside Carmen managing local deliveries—every arrangement is a true, personal labor of love from our hands straight to your door.
Experience the Legacy
From our historic corner to your front door, every arrangement we design is a personal labor of love. While we make it simple to order our latest seasonal collections online, there is nothing quite like experiencing the shop in person. We invite you to step through our doors at 1001 Milwaukee Avenue, soak in the scents of the season, and say hello.
Whether you are ordering from afar or stopping by to pick out a custom bundle at the counter, thank you for being a part of our story.
Address
1234 Divi St. #1000
San Francisco, CA 23514, USA
(246) 351-3613
Open Hours
Monday – Friday: 10am – 5pm
Weekends: 10am – 9pm
Holidays: Closed