For this weeks Sepia Saturday I'm doing a reposting from 2009. I had so few readers at the time that I doubt anyone remembers Barry the Florist.
Once upon a time there was a little florist's shop at 222 Market Street, San Francisco. The owner's name, according to the big sign on the front of the shop, was Barry. Barry was proud of his shop and the truck he had for making deliveries. You could buy an orchid for $1.50 and you got free delivery all over the city. Looking for a gold fish in a bowl with a castle? $1.98 from Barry. Longing for a pair of love birds in a cage? $9.95 complete from Barry.
Over the years how many women saw Barry's truck pull-up out front of their home and paused hoping there were flowers inside for them? How many young men walked nervously through the doorway wanting to buy a corsage for the young lady who'd caught their eye? And how many families who had just lost a loved one to war saw Barry's truck arrive with funeral wreaths in remembrance?
We'll never know the answers to any of these questions. Barry the small businessman is not at 222 Market Street anymore. The entire block was raised a long time ago replaced with a cement plaza and two large nondescript high-rises. I've walked by this address many times and never even thought of the life that once was. Now it's just noise of a big city, homeless people, corporate logos. I think we should all miss Barry and what he represented.
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Barry seems to be very proud of his business. Great that you have a record of it. Are those budgies in the cage in the last picture?
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures, very poignant. I can't help wondering that he doesn't have many flowers on display, perhaps they're all inside the store?
ReplyDeleteBarry was into marketing before it was known as marketing.
ReplyDeleteI hate that so many things are gone. Barry looks so proud of his business.
ReplyDeleteLove the details you pulled from that first photo. So sad to not have these small shops anymore.
ReplyDeleteIt truly is such a shame that small local businesses are finding it almost impossible to compete with the huge companies.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Barry's flowers are in the refrigeration units inside. I remember a family friend in Harrisburg had a flower shop. It was a magical world to a little girl. Opening the door on the glass fridge to see all the flowers.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I've never seen any postings about Barry's Florist. When I first posted I'd hoped to find some memories from someone.
The one thing you haven;t told us is what year it was. I suppos you could date this from Barry's van and even the suit he wore. You have made sure he will not be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately there's no info on the back of either shot. I'm guessing late 1940s to mid-50s. I don't know when the block was torn down. Probably in the 1960s or early 70s.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy seeing photos of old storefronts, especially when owners or employees are shown in front of the store. There are a lot of interesting details in those photos.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! I think we need some "Bring Back Barry" bumper stickers.
ReplyDeleteI've asked a few San Francisco friends, will let you know if I find anything out.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, there is a great photography/map project made with San Francisco Public Library’s Historical Photograph Collection -- 13,000 images! I think you might like this:
www.oldsf.org/
Orchids only $1.50! That might help date the photo as well. I am amazed by all the creative stories in pictures that you all have!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great link to the old San Francisco site. It's amazing.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun to see how each of us manages to find something each week to post. Get a real interesting trip around the world.
I like the questions - and they don't need answers. And I like the way images can make us ask questions like this - and go digging through the various layers of the images.
ReplyDeleteFascinating photos and story, but what was Barry's name?
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful set of photos. The very definition of a small businessman. The website for www.oldsf.org is absolutely amazing! Thanks Christine!
ReplyDeleteDays gone by..too bad no one remembers him:(
ReplyDeleteif he were still alive, i think he would have liked this.
ReplyDeletewell done!!
:)~
HUGZ
Absolutely fantastic post. Even though there are still questions out there, it's great how much info you were able to pull from the photographs. Barry represents a time, many people and a former way of life that we should never forget and still try to pursue.
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