For Immediate Release

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Oct 15, 2007

Effective Immediately, Nettie’s Flower Garden has merged with Walter Knoll Florist.

Nettie’s Flower Garden, a Saint Louis institution for 75 years and Walter Knoll Florist, the largest, independent florist in Saint Louis has joined forces. Customers may call either company. In the deal the Nettie’s trade names, phone numbers and URLs are being transferred to Walter Knoll Florist

All Nettie’s employees will be integrated into Walter Knoll Florist. Nettie’s has long been an industry innovator, boasting such firsts as florist in shopping malls. Walter Knoll was the first florist on the web to do e-commerce. All customer data has been combined at Walter Knoll Florist.

Nettie’s Flower Garden was started by Frank and Nettie Kurtin in 1932. Nettie’s is being operated by Nan and Robert Wright. Nan is Frank and Nettie’s daughter.

Walter Knoll Florist was started in 1883 and was the first rose grower west of the Mississippi. Walter Knoll’s original location was a range of greenhouses at the corner of Idaho and Carondelet in south Saint Louis at a site that is now Interstate 55. Walter Knoll Florist is currently being run by the 4th and 5th generation Knoll family.

The Nettie’s location on Grand and Chippewa will close; the Nettie’s location at Saint Louis University will remain open. Walter Knoll currently operates 9 locations in the Saint Louis Metro Area.

The florist industry faces unprecedented challenges such as pressure from grocery stores and mass merchants, overnight delivery of boxed & unarranged flowers, deceptive non-florists, increasing fuel charges, escalating health care cost. “Only the most efficient businesses, offering superior quality, value and service” will be able to compete, says Walter Knoll III, President of Walter Knoll Florist

For more information contact Walter Knoll III at 314.352.7575

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