For three generations, Mellano & Co. has brightened the city of Los Angeles and beyond with roses, lilies, marigolds, eucalyptus and sunflowers.
The floral and foliage wholesaler, located at the downtown Flower Market, has played a central role in supplying flowers and greenery for the biggest events celebrated around the world. That incudes the 136th Tournament of Roses Parade, the Grammys, the Academy Awards and the Emmys.
“My first memories of our business is delivering flowers and greenery to the Rose Parade as a little kid with my dad,” said Bob Mellano, vice president of wholesale operations. “It’s still rewarding.”
Mellano noted the numerous celebrations such as weddings, birthdays, special anniversaries and the like that have donned Mellano’s flowers and greenery.
“I think it’s the beauty that we’re able to bring into the world, and the beauty that we’re able to bring in different aspects of people’s lives is rewarding,” said Mellano.
Ky McJunkins, a salesperson at the downtown flower market, echoed that sentiment: “We sell emotions.”
100 years of service
Mellano & Co. have been selling “emotions” for 100 years. It all began when Bob Mellano’s grandfather, Giovanni Mellano, immigrated from Italy to California in 1921 with $26 in his pocket. Giovanni first worked for an Italian family he had known owned a floral farm in Santa Cruz.
Back then, “they would bundle (the flowers and foliage) up, they would take them down by horse and buggy to the train (station),” Bob said. “One train would go to the San Francisco flower market and the other would go to the newly opened Los Angeles Flower market.”
In 1925, Giovanni moved to Los Angeles and opened his own floral booth in the market, which blossomed in the business that it is today under family ownership.
Bob Mellano recalled working during the summers and holidays as a teen though he admits he never saw himself joining the company full time. Mellano quipped that after graduating college, “I thought I was going to be a professional baseball player but I ended up being a professional florist instead.”
Outside of the downtown flower market, there are operations in Santa Ana, Carlsbad and Las Vegas; and the Mellanos operate a 400-acre farm in Oceanside and import a variety of flowers and greenery from around the world.
“I can remember when we hit 75 (years). I said then, ‘Boy I sure hope we make it to 100,’ and here we are at 100 years,” said Mellano. “The business is challenging … most businesses don’t make it to the second generation, let alone the third generation, and I think that’s the rewarding part.”
