Lafayette Florist’s family story starts in 1949. The shop’s history says Yasutaro and Kumiko “Kate” Yoshihara came to Lafayette that year after being released from a Japanese relocation camp in southern Colorado, bought a two-acre lot, farmed it and ran a small fruit and vegetable stand. A decade later their son Gene and his wife Evelyn built a brick floral shop, and Gene went on to grow and ship carnations from a large greenhouse.
A new address after 75 years
The site lists the current owners as Brian J. Wheat, chief executive officer; Sandi Yoshihara-Sniff, who handles floral design, weddings and events; and Lori Wheat, who handles finance, marketing and merchandising. It names Tanner Wheat as the fourth generation. After 75 years in the same location, the shop has moved about two miles north to a storefront in Arapahoe Ridge Marketplace in Erie. It still designs and delivers fresh arrangements, handles weddings and events, and sells gifts, house plants and pots. The outdoor garden center did not make the move.
Good to know
- 3335 Arapahoe Rd., #30, Erie (Arapahoe Ridge Marketplace); 303-665-5552.
- Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m., closed Sunday.
- Delivery areas listed include Lafayette, Erie, Louisville and Broomfield.
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