Becoming Phoenix Flower Shops
Phoenix Flower Shops has been woven into the Valley's fabric for more than six decades, and like any lasting business, ours began with a good idea, a lot of hard work, and a real love for flowers.
Back in 1960, Elmer Schienbein, Les Linton, and Whitney Schwarz opened Flowerland in Phoenix with a fresh approach to floral retail and a plan to franchise across the U.S. Customers could stop in, choose loose blooms from buckets, and carry home something beautiful right then and there. At the time, this was called the bucket shop concept and was quite popular.
Before long, Flowerland had grown to four locations around Phoenix. As the business evolved, the original shop took on a life of its own. By 1961, Elmer Schienbein and Les Linton remained at the first location and formed S and L Flower Company, Inc. That original store would become Phoenix Flower Shop, their flagship and the foundation of the business we know today.
In 1962, Schienbein took full control of the company. At that point, Phoenix Flower Shop was already doing nearly $100,000 in sales, an impressive milestone for a neighborhood florist in the early 1960s. It was clear the business was truly blooming into something special.
Two years later, S and L expanded again with the purchase of Downs Greenhouse, a local grower known for their African violets and split-leaf philodendrons. Over time, Downs grew into a successful wholesale operation, providing fresh flowers, plants, and floral supplies to retailers, decorators, and wholesale buyers throughout Phoenix. It became an important part of the company's future and a trusted name in the floral community.
During the 1970s, the company continued to grow, opening additional stores in Tempe and Mesa. By the end of the decade, annual sales had reached $1 million. What started as a smart retail concept had become one of the area's leading floral businesses.
In the 1980s, the next generation joined in when Elmer's son, Don Schienbein, came into the company and became president. The business kept expanding, opening more shops, and building on the strong foundation already in place. Around that same time, Downs Greenhouse welcomed Denny Kinder as its new manager, adding another important leader to the team.
The 1990s brought even more momentum. In 1990, Ken Young joined the organization after spending 10 years with one of the nation's top floral retailers. His experience helped shape the next chapter of the business, and in time, Don and Ken assumed full stock in the company. They also helped lead Phoenix Flower Shops into the digital age. In 1996, the company launched its first informational website, and shortly after, it introduced Arizona's first e-commerce florist website. By 2005, that site had grown into one of the most successful independent florist websites in the country.
When founder Elmer Schienbein passed away on February 11, 2009, he left behind more than a successful company. He left a legacy of service, vision, and dedication to the people and communities Phoenix Flower Shops had served for decades. Over the years, the company continued to adapt, streamlining operations and evolving with the times while staying true to its roots.
In 2026, Phoenix Flower Shops entered another era when Kevin McCarty, a fourth-generation florist and CEO of Family Flowers, purchased the company. He is honored to carry forward the legacy of this beloved Phoenix business and continue serving the community with the same care and commitment that built its reputation.
Today, S and L Flower Company remains one of the largest floral operations in the western United States. Phoenix Flower Shops has consistently been recognized as one of the Top 100 Members of FTD and has been featured by The Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, The New Times, Ranking Arizona, Phoenix Magazine, Today's Arizona Woman, and many others.
After many decades of success, Phoenix Flower Shops is still doing what it has always done best: helping people celebrate, comfort, connect, and show love through flowers.
