Stiles Flower Shoppe

Audie “Bud” and Ruby Stiles first started Stiles Flower Shoppe, a nursery and flower business, in about 1952 on West Prosperity Ave. in Tulare. They later moved their nursery business to W. Inyo Avenue but subsequently sold it and opened a floral and gift shop at 545 E. Cross Ave. next door to Vejar’s Mexican Restaurant. Later Ruby and Bud moved the business to its present location at 411 E King Ave.

All the members of the Stiles family learned how to help in the shop, and granddaughter Sheri Hays said she and other family members have pleasant memories from experience.

In January 1979, Bud and Ruby retired and sold the business to Dana Fink and her mother, Dorothy Damron, and Dorothy’s best friend, Florence Reisig. The three ladies owned Stiles Flower Shoppe for two years.

During those two years, Judy Stovall worked at Stiles Flower Shoppe with her best friend, Dana Fink. When Dana, Dorothy, and Florence decided to sell the business in 1981, Judy Stovall, and her husband, Jim, purchased the shop.

Meanwhile, Bud Stiles remained active in retirement, keeping a greenhouse and plant business in the backyard of his No. Blackstone St. home. Plants were his hobbies. He made dish gardens and terrariums and sold them wholesale to Tulare nursery operators. Judy Stovall said she would call Stiles when she needed to purchase a dish garden or terrarium.

Jim and Judy Stovall owned and operated Stiles Flowers until July 30, when they decided to sell the business and slow down a little. During their 27 years of ownership, the service was always top-notch, and the staff still offered a friendly, personal touch that we all admired.

The Stovall’s plan to do projects at home and spend lots of time with their grandchildren, and will also assist new owners Bud LeGette and Pam Hughesan for a bit longer. Pam’s sister, Glenna Sanders, is also helping, as are continuing employees, Tracy Kasiner and Lucy Russell.