In 1943, Laura Findlay opened up Findlay's Floriste while her husband was at war.
Since then, the shop has kept Stratford in bloom, providing bouquets and arrangements from its location on Broadway. The three generations of Findlay women who have owned the shop in turn have had the privilege of being part of so many important events in people's lives. From birth congratulations to wreaths, from "thank you" posies to school ball corsages, the women have made them all.
Laura's daughter Marcia says her mum used to make wreaths under contract for Pettigrews. "They took the order, then she was paid 16 shillings and Pettigrews kept four shillings," she says.
Marcia took over the shop when her mother moved to New Plymouth in 1966. At that time, Marcia had a 19-month-old daughter, Suzie, who grew up in the shop. "Oh, we have had cots in the back, staff walking a pushchair along Broadway, lots of children have grown up around the shop," she laughs.
With Suzie having taken over the shop in 2008, after helping her mum out in it for the previous 20 years off and on, she also has raised her children around the shop.
Both Marcia and Suzie describe the shop's founder, Laura, as being "a hard-working woman", with Marcia saying "she never stopped, all day in the shop then making wreaths at night". Laura was also the first person in the Taranaki region to get a professional florists diploma.
Now, after 70 years of the family running the shop, Suzie has sold it to another local woman, Leanne Boyes. "It is time for me to finish here," says Suzie, adding she will still be in the shop over the next few months as Leanne learns the ropes. "I'll miss the customers. We have had so many lovely customers through the years." Marcia agrees, adding that local shops need the support of local people in order to prosper.
While the Findlay women may no longer be running the florists, they have assured themselves a place in the history books of Stratford, with many people's memories of their service, artistry and talents.