We are taking you back to 1973, in the city of Thessaloniki. Back when it was “blossoming,” full of vitality and colors, giving fertile ground for two young dreamers. Their boundless love for flowers gave birth to the first “Fiorentino” shop in November 1973. However, the story did not begin as you might imagine…
1973
In 1973, in the corner of Dimitriou Gounari Street and Prigkipos Nikolaou (today’s A. Svolou).
An advance payment of 1,000 drachmas back then. A methodical, logical, and almost sealed agreement. However, flowers speak to instinct, not logic. And so it began. It couldn’t happen any other way.
A magical evening approaches its end, but an entire story begins. Anastasis Avanoglou and Ioannis Hortis see the sign “For Rent” on a shop at Mitropoleos 103. It’s two in the morning, but nothing stops them. They call the number listed… and as they wake up the owner, they agree to meet in the morning. The two friends don’t go home; they wait until morning, and by noon, they are already at the lawyer’s office. Now, they are the founders of the company, and their dream begins. Having recently returned from a trip to Italy, they name the flower shop “Fiorentino”, instantly adoring it amongst their designer’s proposals.
The pivotal location of the flower shop favours its growth, attracting customers who want to wish the best to the numerous new families in the surrounding clinics. However, the cornerstone of success in their early steps was the public relations skills of the founders, a crucial ingredient for success in our city.
Quality of flowers and service, nonetheless, was unprecedented for our small town at the time. Anyone passing by the store became a loyal customer. Thus, Fiorentino began building a policy of loyalty and trust that would accompany it for years to come.
1980
In 1980, the company expands and in the wholesale trade imports plants from the Netherlands with two greenhouses, in Foinikas Pylaia and N.Sillata, which become protagonists in the wholesale trade of plants in Thessaloniki.
1988
In 1988, a major renovation took place at Mitropoleos 103, as the company adopted the aesthetics of modern design and a pioneering direction in flower proposals. Twenty years passed with Fiorentino being the number one choice for all occasions.
2009
In 2009, during a challenging economic period due to the crisis, the time comes for the two friends to retire. At that time, Abraham, son of Anastasis Avanoglou, takes over the business. As a student at the Agricultural School of AUTH back then, eager to work and having learned a lot alongside his father, he moves the flower shop to a new location and renames it Fiorentino Creations.
today...
2011
In 2011, Fiorentino Creations moves to Mitropoleos 82, becoming the Mecca of the city’s flowers, making decisions based on continuous evolution, uncompromising quality, and the passion that makes Fiorentino Creations’ flowers shine differently from the rest.
2015
In 2015, Thessaloniki meets its first luxury flower shop, Fiorentino Luxury Floral Services. Since then, its display has become a center of attraction, with unprecedented ideas for the public. Premium boxes and Eternity Roses become a trend in flower shops across Greece, with Fiorentino LFS holding the privilege of specialization and superiority as a pioneer.
2019
In 2019, the desire for expansion becomes evident, and in the owner’s mind, the journey towards Athens is now the goal. Products, the renewed e-shop, and the need to create a production unit are the main goals for Abraham in 2019.
2022
In 2022, the long-awaited Workshop / Showroom in Athens becomes a reality. Weddings all across the Cycladic islands and the Athenian Riviera are marking the company’s presence across the capital.
2023
As 2023 reaches its end, a rebranding project marks the new Fiorentino era. Letting go of anything additional to its core identity, Fiorentino keeps just the essentials, with the descriptive tagline, “flower shops + design”, while its marketing voice speaks loud in “we love flowers + people”.
2024
On the last day of January in 2024, another dream meets its realization. A place that holds every cell of Fiorentino. The new headquarters in Thermi. While our florists create in the basement, our shop and offices expand on the ground floor, leaving the showroom for our inspiring appointments on the upper floor.
Stay tuned as we work on your dreams, and we share the process transparently with you.
“Our basic philosophy is to create with passion, dedication. The expression of your feelings is the source of inspiration for our creations.”
