[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 78 (Thursday, June 13, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S5532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO NANZ AND KRAFT FLORISTS

 Mr. BUNNING. Madam President, I rise today to pay a proper 
tribute to Nanz & Kraft Florists of Louisville, KY. For over 150 years, 
Nanz & Kraft has served Kentuckians, providing them with beautiful and 
memorable floral arrangements for birthdays, anniversaries, funerals, 
hospital visits and various other occasions. Nanz & Kraft is the single 
largest florist shop in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and one of the 
biggest in the entire United States.
  In 1850, the year Zachary Taylor died and Millard Fillmore became 
president of the United States, Henry Nanz decided to open a quaint 
little flower shop on Fourth Street in downtown Louisville. He 
cultivated his flowers on a one-acre suburban plot and in a 12' x 20' 
green house. In 1870, with business thriving, Henry Nanz packed his 
bags and moved the company to 30 acres of land in the St. Matthews area 
owned by a Mr. Charles Neuner. In 1872, Mr. Neuner made the decision to 
join the profitable company. For the next 82 years, the business was 
known as Nanz & Neuner.
  When in 1900 Nanz & Neuner celebrated their 50th anniversary, the St. 
Matthews site contained an astounding 60 greenhouses, a 15-acre 
nursery, and ten acres devoted to roses and other flowers, including 
Field Grown Roses, the company's specialty. In 1954, Nanz & Neuner 
officially became Nanz & Kraft, changing names but retaining the same 
formula for success. Today, Nanz & Kraft's main store is a 20,000 
square foot building. There are three branch stores, and the business 
has about 125 employees, half full-time and the rest part-time. They 
are open every day of the year except Christmas and make more than 200 
deliveries a day. Whether it be a birthday or a first date, Kentuckians 
can count on Nanz & Neuner to brighten up the occasion.
  I ask that my fellow colleagues join me in thanking all the men and 
women who have worked so hard over the last 152 years to make Nanz & 
Kraft one of the most profitable and well-respected floral businesses 
in the United States. Nanz & Kraft truly is a tribute to the American 
capitalist spirit. They have served the Commonwealth in three different 
centuries now, through a Civil and two World Wars, and through 21 
different presidents, and I would just like to pass along my thanks and 
admiration.

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