Fifty years ago, Elizabeth Porteous opened a florist at La Lucia Mall. Today, her granddaughter, Tarryn Futter runs the shop, carrying on the family’s love for floristry and preserving her grandmother’s vibrant vision for future generations.
Over half a century ago, Tarryn’s grandmother, Elizabeth, managed a thriving florist in Durban North. As La Lucia Mall was being developed, she was approached to open a store in the new upmarket centre. Seeing the potential of this opportunity, Tarryn’s dad, John, eagerly joined the family business and took on the challenge of establishing a second store. After two years of meticulous planning and selecting the perfect location, Elizabeth’s Florist at La Lucia Mall was born. The store was founded on a simple yet powerful vision: to offer customers the best service and experience using only the highest-quality flowers.
“My dad recently shared with me that he and my mom often wondered about the future of the store,” Tarryn recalls. “Both my sister, Lauren, and I pursued our own careers after school. Lauren is an audiologist in Canada, and I completed a BCom degree before starting my own career. But after a few years in the corporate world, I realised my heart and passion were always with Elizabeth’s Florist. Growing up around flowers, it was just in my blood.” Returning to her roots, Tarryn decided to join the family business, much to her dad’s relief. “He was happy to have family continuing the legacy,” she says.
While working with beautiful blooms may seem idyllic, the life of a florist is not without its challenges. Tarryn recalls some of the more memorable moments. “One time, a client ordered a huge arrangement with a stunning piece of driftwood as the centrepiece. We were so proud of it, but the driver couldn’t fit it into the van. So, he broke the driftwood in half and placed it back in the arrangement!” She adds, “Another time, we delivered a live Christmas tree to a customer. After decorating it, she discovered a thin green snake slithering up through the branches. Who says a florist’s life is dull?”
Reflecting on the longevity of Elizabeth’s Florist, Tarryn attributes much of it to her dad’s unwavering dedication to his craft. “Dad loved what he did so much that we had to beg him to take a day off,” she shares.
Just before he passed away in June, Tarryn’s dad left her with some final words of wisdom. “He jokingly called me a ‘rottweiler’ and said, ‘You know what to do. Listen to the customer and give them what they want.’” Tarryn is committed to fulfilling her father’s legacy, while enjoying her own flower crafting journey. “I get to chat to so many people daily, and some have even become great friends,” she shares.
Details: Elizabeth’s Florist; Shop 24, La Lucia Mall; 031 572 4310; IG: @elizabethsfloristkzn
