In addition to Eleanor Lyon’s Oak Crest Florist, there was another neighborhood florist that got its start much earlier. In August 1937, Rachel and Phillip (Phil) Kivett purchased a lot at 134 Idlewild Dr and then built a small house on it in 1941. The house sat way back off the street and was very small. It only had a living room, kitchen, bedroom and a bathroom.
Later (I am not sure exactly what year) the Kivett’s built a flower shop beside the house and opened Kivett’s Florist. The shop was actually larger than their little house. Mr and Mrs Kivett both ran the florist together. It was a full service florist, catering to weddings, funerals, dances, and other special occasions. They also sold special gifts in the shop as well, such as christmas ornaments.
This is the Kivett’s house and flower shop at 134 Idlewild Dr. The house was the portion on the left side with the little front stoop and the flower shop was the portion on the right side with the two large windows. The portion in the center that connects the house and shop was added after the Kivetts sold the property. Click on the photo above to view an expanded version or visit the entire Historic Oak Crest Photo Gallery.
Many neighbors and nearby residents patronized Kivett’s Florist. Marcia Weatherly Barnes, who grew up in the area and currently lives on Long Dr, recalls visiting the florist when she was a little girl with her mother and brother, Royce. Marcia and Royce always looked forward to picking out a christmas ornament for their tree each year.
The Kivetts would also host an annual Holiday Open House. Polly Crater would always assist with the open house. Mrs Crater lives across the street at 127 Idlewild Dr and was also the first resident to build and live on the street……and still lives here over seventy years later.
At some point the Kivetts added a large family room on to the back of their house. Eventually, in the late 1970’s they closed the florist, sold the property, and moved to the mountains. They have since passed away.
Martha Martinat purchased the property from the Kivetts in October 1978. She eventually built another addition that connected the house and the flower shop. Then in 1989 she sold the property to her daughter, Karen. Since then, it has been sold several times and it is now a rental house.