Waukesha Floral & Greenhouse, Inc. History

Waukesha Floral & Greenhouse, Inc. has a long history in Waukesha.  In fact, it is the oldest continually operating flower shop in the area. Our earliest history dates to March 3, 1843, when 160 acres of Wisconsin territory land was deeded by President John Tyler to Nathanial Walton.  The land continued to pass through the Laflin and Walton families and eventually one section was sold to Robert W. Schneck on Feb. 28, 1902 for $1,700.  A partnership arose between Robert D. Schneck, his wife Grace, and Fred W. Bliese and his wife Ella.  The first flower shop was established in 1904, located in downtown Waukesha on Main Street, in the place where Martha Merrell’s Bookstore now resides.  
In 1907, the Schneck and Bliese families built the greenhouses used to grow the flowers for floral work, as well as the geraniums and bedding plants of the time, just down from Prairie Home Cemetery. Back then, the move truly was to “the prairie”.  An original postcard remains showing the Bliese home, greenhouses and boiler room, including a very tall brick chimney that handled the coal-fired furnace exhaust from heating the greenhouses.

The location of the greenhouses was adjacent to the Waukesha Industrial School where boys were sent to learn a trade.  Some of these boys worked in the greenhouses.  Several buildings remain from 1907, and are in active use, including a small barn, which at one time held the wagons used for flower delivery.  The original flower shop owner’s home is still here, and is connected to a modern greenhouse.  It holds the offices and a lovely bridal showroom for consultations.  The greenhouse manager’s 1910 home is still used as a private residence.  One production greenhouse from the 1930’s also remains, although the glass has been replaced with lighter and more energy efficient polycarbonate materials.

Following the death of Fred Bliese in 1940, Ella was listed as owner, with other partners, until Henry and Sylvia Schwab purchased Waukesha Floral & Greenhouse in 1961.  In 1976, Noel and Janet Loppnow were owners of Noel’s Flowers in Racine, WI.  Due to the loss of their lease as well as an abundance of flower shops in Racine, Noel and Janet decided to search Wisconsin for a new flower shop location.  The Schwabs were ready to retire, and in 1976, the Loppnow’s purchased the flower shop, and it remains in the family.  Following Noel’s retirement in 1996, sons Tom and Marty became partners in ownership.  In 1999, a major remodeling was begun.  For 9 months, the business was operated from the home on the property, with the shop located downstairs, designers upstairs and a cooler outdoors.  Everyone really got in shape running up and down stairs all day!  While Waukesha Floral was located in the house, workers were building a new flower shop and state of the art greenhouse.  We were excited and ready to settle in!

Tom and Marty’s father, Noel was looking forward to the new shop too.  The Loppnow family and all the coworkers were saddened when Noel passed away just a month before the flower shop was finished.  Even with this great loss, we moved in just days prior to Valentine’s Day in 2000.  We celebrated with a grand reopening and were so happy to show our new 10,000 sq. ft. facility to our many customers and friends.

In 2004, Waukesha Floral celebrated its 100th birthday with a party like none other!  There was a 14’ tall cake made of over 30,000 flower heads plus delicious cake for everyone, including three pieces that contained diamonds from our friends at Krumrich Jewelers.  A design show featuring vintage bridal gowns modeled by our friends at Goodwill Industries showcased flowers throughout the decades, from the 1900’s violet tussy-mussy to today’s Martha-inspired handtied bouquets.  The event focused on both the history of Waukesha Floral and the fun we have in the floral industry.  Each, year we celebrate our history with a birthday party, sale or event during the third weekend of April.  

The Loppnow family is privileged and honored to be able to uphold this longstanding tradition of flowers through Waukesha Floral & Greenhouse.  We hope that always, the tradition of small business will be carried on with the same quality and service we pride ourselves on today.