Harkins

Specialties

We are a real local florist located in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans Louisiana, since 1979, for all of your flower needs. We offer same day flower delivery if we have the order by 2pm M-​F (10am on Saturdays).

History

Established in 1979.

Harkins, the Florist, opened its doors in 1937 in Jackson, Mississippi, during the depth of the Great Depression. Its founders were John Harkins, a recent graduate of Mississippi A & M College, and his fiancée, Bobbye Roberts. They managed to keep the business going through the Depression and World War II. After the war, their first son, John Harkins, Jr., was born, and the business began to flourish.

John Harkins, Jr. grew up in the flower business, learning design from many skilled workers at Harkins, the Florist, most notably Mada Hewitt, Jackson’s premier designer for half a century. John, Jr. learned management skills from his mother, Bobbye, who led the business to its most profitable phase after the death of John, Sr.

Meet the Business Owner

John H.

Business Owner

For a 10 year period John Jr. did teaching and later counseling work at schools in Vicksburg and Biloxi, Ms. and ultimately in New Orleans. The late 1970s found him seeking a new vocation. He was stunned to find himself considering returning to the flower business, a route he had always said he would never take.

In the Fall of 1979 harkins, the florist of Louisiana, was born in John’s apartment in the Irish Channel. He took orders and prepared them during the day and went out making deliveries at night.

Within a few months, harkins, the florist, moved into 1359 Magazine Street, a totally unrenovated three story brick townhouse in the just developing Coliseum Square area. In 1984 John decided to sell 1359 Magazine and move into recently renovated 1601

Magazine. The new location was inviting to customers and the business began to prosper.

Harkins also recommends

The Maison Dupuy

143

reviews

Hotels

John H. says,

«The staff is a pleasure to work with, we’ve done many weddings with them and highly recommend them.»

Terrell House

23

reviews

Bed & Breakfast

John H. says,

«We have worked with Terrell House in the past with weddings.»

Benachi House

4

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Venues & Event Spaces

John H. says,

«We’ve worked with Benachi House often with weddings. They are wonderful to work with, they are a gorgeous venue for weddings.»