A Brief History Of Clarence Walker for Flowers
Clarence Walker Florist has been a Portland tradition since 1948. That is over 75 years of service and dedication to delivering EMOTIONS everyday. Flowers are your emotions and sentiments and that is why Clarence Walker for Flowers takes pride in your order. At Clarence Walker for Flowers, you are not an order number. You have called on us to express your sentiments with flowers, so truly we are YOU! We are your voice.
If you are looking for a florist in Portland, Oregon, you might want to check out Clarence Walker for Flowers, a local business that has been serving the community since 1948. Clarence Walker for Flowers is not just a flower shop, but a full-service florist that offers a variety of floral services, such as delivery, design, weddings, events, sympathy, and more. Whether you need a bouquet for a birthday, a centerpiece for a dinner party, or a wreath for a funeral, Clarence Walker for Flowers can help you create the perfect arrangement for any occasion.
Clarence Walker for Flowers is currently located at 4058 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR, 97227, in the historic Mississippi District. The shop is open from Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Saturday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM You can order online on our website, by phone at (503) 285-7714. If needed simply drop us ans email at info@walkerflorist.com and we'll get back to you. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest updates and promotions.
Clarence Walker for Flowers has a reputation for delivering fresh, high-quality flowers, green and blooming plants, as well as plant baskets, dish gardens, balloons, and other gifts including plush animals and candy. We source our flowers from local growers and wholesalers, as well as from exotic locations around the world. We have a team of experienced and talented floral designers who can create custom arrangements to suit your style, budget, and preferences. We also have a network of trusted florists across the country and around the globe, so you can send flowers to your loved ones anywhere in the world.
Clarence Walker for Flowers has a long history of serving the Portland community and beyond. The business was founded by Clarence Walker (b 1912), who started as a streetcar delivery boy for Flowers Tommy Luke in downtown Portland in the late 1920s. He learned to design in between deliveries and then became a floral designer full time. He opened his first shop at 435 N Killingsworth in December 1947. He later opened a second shop on SW 6th Avenue in the, at the time, Georgia Pacific Building.
In 1986 the Uphoff family bought the shop from Clarence and his wife. Clarence continued to work at the shop until 1997 when he was involved in an auto accident and he decided he should not drive anymore. Clarence was preceded in death by his wife Louise who died in 1992. Clarence Walker passed away in 1998, but his legacy continues to live on through his employees, who continued to run the business with the same passion and dedication.
In 1987 the Uphoff family also purchased Flowers by Viktor Pache at 4057 N Mississippi Ave. This shop included about 7500 sq ft of greenhouses where green plants were grown for sale both in the retail store on Killingsworth but also wholesale to other florists in the Portland area. Viktor continued to work in the greenhouses but once the shop was sold his wife Meta considered herself retired. Even after the retail shop on Mississippi Ave. was closed a few years later and all business moved to Killingsworth the greenhouses continued to be used for a few more years. The greenhouses were used until it became unprofitable because of the cost of oil to fire the boiler which arrived 5000 gallons at a time.
In 1996 Erv Lind Florist, a longtime Lloyd center business joined the shop on Killingsworth and it's owner Eric Sundholm continued on as an employee along with Jean Lind Erv's Daughter. Both eventually retired. Many of the Erv Lind customers are still customers of Clarence Walker for Flowers. Eric brought with him a rich floral history. A float builder for over 25 years, many floats Eric designed were in the Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade, winning over 50 major trophies, including four grand sweepstakes. Eric once said of David that he was the only person that he could design a funeral spray in tandem with. They completed many in 10 minutes or less for last minute orders when the Killingsworth Little Chapel of the Chimes was still across the street on Killingsworth.
The Uphoff family purchased a larger building at 105 N Killingsworth in 1999 and moved the business there. This building offered something the other building did not have, a large parking lot. The shop continued to thrive at this location and for the first time received a top 500 award from FTD and later a top 100 filling florist award. In 2010 Kenneth Uphoff died suddenly and the shop was left to his son David. In 2021 a developer offered to buy the 105 N KIllingsworth property from David and the shop moved to 4058 N Mississippi to a location where the shop at one time grew their own fresh flowers. The shop is currently operating in a 12 X 48 portable building. The Mississippi Ave location is directly across the street from where Flowers by Viktor Pache a business the Uphoffs bought in 1989 and merged with Clarence Walker for Flowers was.
In 2009 Sam Barkley decided that he no longer wanted to operate his parents floral business, Flowers by Barkley which was located on SE Woodstock and opened about the time Clarence opened his shop. The Walkers and the Barkleys attended many FTD and other floral conventions over the years. Sam offered the assets of the business to the Uphoffs and the two became one.
As you can see Clarence Walker for Flowers is more than just a florist shop, it is a part of the Portland culture and history. The shop has been featured in several media outlets, such as The Oregonian, The Portland Tribune, and The Portland Mercury. It has also won several awards and recognitions, such as the Best of Portland Award by Willamette Week, the Top 500 Florists in the USA by FTD, and the Best of the Best by Citysearch. The shop has also been involved in many charitable and community events, such as the Rose Festival, the Portland Art Museum, and the Oregon Food Bank.
Clarence Walker for Flowers is a florist that you can trust and rely on for all your floral needs. Whether you want to express your love, gratitude, sympathy, or celebration, Clarence Walker for Flowers can help you convey your message with beautiful flowers and plants. We are a local business that cares about our customers and our community, and we strive to provide the best service and quality possible. If you are looking for a florist in Portland, Oregon, look no further than Clarence Walker for Flowers, a local florist with a long history and a bright future.