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Mrs. J.R. Purdy, Sr., began Purdy's in 1931. She operated the business from her home for many years. Mrs. Purdy operated the business until her husband; J.R. "Bill" Purdy joined her, after World War II.
The Purdys operated the business until they retired in 1974, and were succeeded by their son, John Purdy, Jr., who joined his parents permanently in 1961. "I grew up in this business," John Purdy says.
Purdy and his wife, Rosanna, operated Purdy's together from 1970 until this year. In 1971, the Purdys added gifts to their flower shop and moved into The Village Mall.
The year 1987 saw an old Good Year building become transformed into a beautiful 4,000 square foot showplace for their ever growing gift lines, bridal registry and floral designs. "Flowers speak a language of their own; they convey messages that words cannot," Purdy says. "Wehave been a lot of things to a lot of people, and we like to do a good job in everything we do. The customer's satisfaction has always been our top priority," Purdy adds.
"We're one of the oldest flower shops in the state of Arkansas and also one of the oldest businesses in Newport," Purdy proudly says. Purdy is a former President of the Arkansas Florist's Association, as was his father, Bill Purdy.
2012 brings a new transition to Purdy's Flowers and Gifts. The family owned business was purchased by Sheridan and Jon Chadwell. Sheridan is operating the business in the same manner the Purdy family has followed for 81 years. She continues to lean heavily on John and Rosanna Purdy for advice and guidance from their wealth of knowledge about the floral and gift business.
John Purdy's motto has always been "Our customers are our most important asset" and Sheridan Chadwell believes in and uses the same family values that have always guided Purdy's Flowers and Gifts.
