: ABOUT THE COMPANY

Shortly after Gordon graduated from High School, he began working for a "bucket shop." Now a bucket shop was not really a florist, but more like a flower stand. The owner bought cut flowers at the wholesale market and resold them locally. There were no arrangements or potted plants, just cut flowers wrapped in paper. Gordon studied the business for a year and then decided he could make more money on his own.

Gordon named his enterprise Ah Sam in honor of his father. His father retired from the fruit and vegetable business to help his son. Mable, Lincoln and Arthur also joined the business full time when they finished their educations. Each had particular abilities that were applied to different parts of the business.

The years brought steady growth and expansion. Hard work, quality products, creative designs and personalized service built their reputation for excellence. They bought a walk-in refrigerator in 1940. In 1942, they were able to build a new family home on the rear of their property. They bought more property. Over the years they added greenhouses and lath houses in which to grow their products. They added a gift room to offer floral containers and other items for sale.

Ah Sam's is still run by the Leong family, now into its third generation. It reputedly is the largest florist and greenhouse operation on the West Coast. They have provided floral decorations for many of the more memorable occasions in the Bay Area, including galas for visiting presidents and royalty.