I have found through researching material for these posts that there is always something new to learn about people and their dreams. The story of Gazda's Flower Shop is that of Alice (Gazda) Chwalek, who was the creative mind behind flower arrangements.
Alice Gazda was born in South Hadley, one of ten children of Walter and Anna Gazda. In 1940, at the age of 13, she was the youngest florist in Holyoke, working a part-time job after school at the Harackiewicz Flower Shop at 134 High Street. It was at that time that she was taught many facets of running a flower shop, including the art of creating arrangements, bookkeeping, and customer service.
In 1948, Alice Gazda's brother, Paul Gazda, and brother-in-law, Charles Gerisco, opened a flower shop at 123 High Street. Advertisements touted that floral arrangements were available for every occasion. The designers and florists were shown as sisters, Irene and Alice Gazda.
In August 1948, Alice Gazda married Stanley Chwalek, proprietor of the neighboring Walek's Inn.
In January 1951, Stanley & Alice (Gazda) Chwalek purchased Paul Gazda's interest in the flower shop. Five years later, in 1956, the Chwaleks purchased Charles Gerisco's interest and became the sole owners of the shop.
Alice Chwalek's family members would contribute their time during the busy holiday season. She was a guest speaker at numerous church and social group meetings. She would also provide hands-on demonstrations of creating floral arrangements for various seasons and special occasions. The shop would also provide floral pieces, as part of fashion or wedding shows.
In 1960, she completed a three-month course offered at American International College focused on managing a small business. She was the only woman to receive a certificate of completion in the class of 26.
By the late 1950s, the shop expanded into 125-129 High Street, according to the Holyoke City Directories
The shop advertised an annual open house during the holiday season. Refreshments would be served as well as door prizes awarded. Festive holiday displays were created for the enjoyment of the visitors.
In April 1972, the business closed due to financial problems. However, it did not take long for the very talented Alice Chwalek to find work. She became a flower arranger at the Howard F. Jones Flower Shop, operated by Raymond Cauley. The shop was located at 88 Suffolk Street.
In 1980, Alice Chwalek's sons, Philip and Stanley, purchased Fenton's Flower Shop, a longtime florist in Holyoke, continuing a family tradition that had begun 40 years prior. Alice Chwalek worked in the family business until 1990, a career that spanned 50 years.
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Morning-Union; publication dates and pages are shown.
Price & Lee City Directories, Holyoke, Massachusetts, Holyoke Public Library.
Online Source: Google Street Maps
MACRIS: Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System Search Results - MACRIS
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