In 1984, Mary Wesley, also known as “Miss Mary,” established Flowers Just-4-U, the first Black-owned flower shop in Seattle’s Central District, to provide beautiful flowers to the neighborhood.
In an interview with King5.com, Wesley stated, “It was just something I enjoyed doing and giving something back to my community.” We did not have a flower shop in town.”
Over 40 years, the elderly entrepreneur has handed away “tens of thousands” of flowers at major life events in Seattle and beyond.Wesley previously worked as an engineer at Boeing for over three decades. She studied flower design and gardening after retiring in 1997 to pursue her dream of becoming an entrepreneur.
Wesley founded Flowers Just-4-U to combine her love of the neighborhood, business, and creativity.
She said, “It’s a very joyful thing.” I could never find the words to express it the way I’d like to because there isn’t a phrase that I think I could use to truly describe how I feel about my career.”
In 2018, Wesley’s store at 23rd and Jackson closed due to new construction in the rapidly gentrifying Central District. She relocated to 23rd and Cherry, but experienced decreased foot traffic and parking.
In 2020, when the beloved florist Flowers Just-4-U was going to be evicted, the community banded together to save it. Miss Mary’s shop stayed open owing to a GoFundMe effort.
Despite struggles over the previous 40 years, Miss Mary has continued to convey joy via floral art and has no plans to retire.
Sue Grimord, a current employee, sees her workplace as “a family” and attests to Wesley’s angelic care for all clients.
Flowers Just-4-U continues to thrive in its fifth decade, albeit working on a smaller scale than in previous years, thanks to the vision and heart of “Miss Mary.”