Cleveland's Oldest Black-Owned Florist Marks 100 Years

Cloud Florist has been in the same family for three generations.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 9:31pm

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Cloud Florist, a Black-owned flower shop in Cleveland, Ohio, is celebrating over 100 years in business and three generations of family ownership. The current owner, John Cloud, took over the shop after his father passed away last year.

Why it matters

As one of the oldest Black-owned businesses in Cleveland, Cloud Florist's longevity and continued success highlights the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of the city's Black community. The shop's century-long history also provides a unique window into Cleveland's changing neighborhoods and the role of family-owned small businesses.

The details

Cloud Florist has been a fixture on Cedar Avenue in Cleveland for over a century, providing floral arrangements for every occasion. The business has been passed down through three generations of the Cloud family, with John Cloud taking over after his father's passing last year.

  • Cloud Florist was founded over 100 years ago.
  • John Cloud took over the business after his father died last year.

The players

Cloud Florist

A Black-owned flower shop in Cleveland, Ohio that has been in business for over 100 years.

John Cloud

The current owner of Cloud Florist, taking over the family business after his father's passing last year.

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What they’re saying

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The takeaway

Cloud Florist's century-long history as a Black-owned family business in Cleveland demonstrates the enduring entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of the city's minority communities, even as neighborhoods have changed over the decades.