Our History

Whilst Maison de Fleur is a relatively new floral/event business the address associated with our company has a long and interesting history in the Denver area dating back to 1883; starting with1225 Kansas Avenue, now 1225 Logan Street, Maison de Fleur can proudly say it now inhabits Denver's first flower house:

It is recorded with the Water Department that on August 11, 1883 a 5/8 inch water tap was installed at 1225 Kansas Avenue. This water tap along with the original purchase of the homestead in 1872 would eventually lend itself to the future construction of Mauff Floral Company. Established, owned, and operated by Rosalie (Ramstein) Mauff a native of Germany who immigrated to Springfield, Illinois later marrying Edward T. Mauff.

Edward and Rosalie came to Colorado in May of 1872, considered to be part of the Pioneering Families in early Colorado, after an adventure filled start to their marriage. Edward Mauff joined the Seventy-second Illinois Infantry, leaving behind his wife and two young children in order to serve his country to preserve the Union. Edward served until the end of the Civil War; he was honorably discharged after a "most creditable and valorous military service" spanning three and a half years. Upon his return home he moved Rosalie and his children to Chicago, where he established a boot and shoe store which was tragically destroyed in the great Chicago fire in 1871.

In May of 1872 the Mauffs moved to the Denver area to rebuild their shoe business. Mr. Mauff also ventured into the ranching and stock raising business acquiring a piece of land near Greeley, Colorado. Edward's aspirations were greatly diminished time after time by cattle rustlers and calves being stolen. Mr. Mauff kept his shoe business running here in Denver but in 1880 his attention moved to the establishment of greenhouses and a floral business. Edward's efforts built a magnificent system of green houses at 1225 Logan St. and started Mauff Floral Co., the first "florist" in the area; Maison de Fleur inhabits the structure, once Mauff Floral Co., which is still in existence today, and is the oldest establishment known in the state to be occupied by florists for more than 100 years.

Over the course of the next twenty years Mr. and Mrs. Mauff ran their Capitol Hill Greenhouses and saw their business sky rocket. Orders for cut flowers from the Mauff Floral Co. stretched as far as California, their wholesale department was the best in the city, and their flowers were the freshest. With their business growing the Mauffs became a bigger part of the political life in Denver. Mrs. Mauff became one of the most influential business women of the era. She became the sole owner and director of the largest greenhouses in the west. Mrs. Mauff ran everything that was related to the six greenhouses from planting each seed to running the business itself. Mrs. Mauff retired to California in 1916 where she resided until her death in April 1921.

Upon Mrs. Mauff's retirement, her son Albert, who had been involved in the business since age 13, became the head of the oldest florist's establishment in Colorado. Albert growing up in the business became one of its incorporators; additionally Albert was involved politically in Denver serving as alderman from the fourteenth ward for two terms. Albert also served as election commissioner for five years, on the board of horticulture for six years and was vastly interested in everything that pertained to the welfare of the community. Albert was also a member of the Sons of Colorado; he was recognized as one of the representative residents of Denver.

Mauff Floral Co. remained in the family for many years; after Albert retired from the business Everette Brown took over the floral company at which time the name was changed to Everette Brown, florist. Mrs. Mauff was the grandmother of Everette Brown. In or around 1947 Everette Brown sold the business to J. Duncan Hardesty. In a note dated March 15, 1947 J. Duncan Hardesty sent a note to Mr. Johnson referencing Everett Brown and the Mauff Floral Co. noting the history of the establishment as a continued floral venue and the extensive history dating back to the "embryonic stage of Denver itself".

Still remaining a floral shop the Hardesty-Ross establishment was purchased around 1955 by Floyd Thibault. Floyd Thibault owned and operated Hardesty-Ross for more than 20 years. Though a new owner, Floyd was no stranger to the floral industry; Floyd became part of the floral industry in 1929. At the time of his career change Floyd had been working for Western Union on a bicycle in frigid temperatures when he came across an opportunity with The Associated Growers (flower wholesalers) "they were looking for a boy and I was damned glad to get off the bike." Floyd started at the bottom of the industry and within three years became the manager of The Associated Growers shipping department. Floyd was laid off due too the depression; Floyd again found employment in the floral industry with Flowers Inc. in 1942. Floyd took leave from the industry, like Edward Mauff, to enlist and defend our country. Floyd served in the US Navy on the U.S.S. Boise. At the end of WWII Floyd returned to Denver, bought a house free and clear for his growing family and took employment with Palmer Flowers as their manager and then as owner and proprietor of Hardesty-Ross. In May of 1975 Floyd sold his beloved flower shop to Gertrude Ardelt. Mrs. Ardelt was too a longtime Denver Florist with 40 years of experience.

Mrs. Ardelt ran Ardelt-Hardesty until two weeks before her death at age 90. Inhabiting 1225 Logan for fifteen years; in 1982 Susan Ardelt joined her grandmother in the floral business. Susan continued the business under the name Ardelt's Victorian Garden. Susan recently sold the building and retired her business in March of 2007.

In March of 2007 Charlene Thibault, daughter in-law to Floyd Thibault, bought the building at 1225 Logan. Renaming the establishment Maison de Fleur; Patrick, Floyd's 23 year old grandson is actively participating in the business executing all floral design and managing the day to day operations of the business. Patrick has said "my grandfather was one of the best florists and business owners in Denver, I didn't know my grandfather but his reputation precedes him; I hope to pick up where he left off, I have a feeling he is somewhere guiding me"…it would seem this grand old building was meant to be and will always remain a family owned and operated floristry shop for many years to come.

• 1872 - Homestead purchased
• 1883 - 5/8 inch water tap installed into 1225 Logan St. then Kansas Avenue - Mauff Floral Co. was established
• 1916 - Albert E. Mauff takes over business
•    ?    - Everette Brown becomes owner
• 1947 - Mauff Floral Co. becomes Hardesty Floral Co. - J. Duncan Hardesty becomes owner
•    ?    - Hardesty Floral Co. becomes Hardesty-Ross Floral Co.
• 1955 - Floyd Thibault becomes owner
• 1975 - Hardesty-Ross Floral Co. becomes Ardelt-Hardesty Floral Co.- Gertrude Ardelt becomes owner
• 1982 - Susan Ardelt joins the business
•    ?    - Ardelt-Hardesty Floral Co. becomes Ardelt's Victorian Garden - Susan Ardelt becomes owner
• 2007 - Ardelt's Victorian Garden becomes Maison de Fleur - Charlene Thibault becomes owner

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