Martha Stewart Living calls it "the best flower mart in the country," and these photos shot on a busy Wednesday morning prove it. But first, a bit of history. The San Francisco Flower Mart was loosely established in the late 1800s so that local growers could peddle their petals to the city's flower shops. But the growers didn't have a permanent home until 1924, when demand was so high that they outgrew their small space at Lotta's Fountain in Union Square. The growers set up shop at 5th and Howard streets in SoMa, but supply and demand continued to rise, so a larger, more modern building was in order. That's when the construction of the current mart at Sixth and Brannan streets happened, with the grand opening in September 1956. The mart currently houses more than 60 growers and is the second largest in the United States. That said, those outside of the floral industry rarely get inside, and every day thousands of people walk, bike, and drive past the mart without even noticing its existence. Here now, your first look inside the hustle and bustle of the San Francisco Flower Mart.
· San Francisco Flower Mart [Official Site]
· San Francisco Flower Market [Martha Stewart Living]
· Perks of the Job [Curbed SF]
· Previous Coverage of the San Francisco Flower Mart [Curbed SF]
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