Oberer's Flowers beginning goes back to the 1890s when Carl Oberer, an immigrant from Germany bought a plot of land north of Dayton on Troy Pike and started growing vegetables. He grew lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, and sold them at market in downtown Dayton. This was called "truck gardening" which contrary to common belief has nothing to do with trucks at all. An old meaning of the word "truck", derived from the French word troquer, is "to barter or exchange". The word developed a special meaning as a synonym for vegetables in general because of the practice of bartering or dealing in small lots of them in the marketplace.
Along with the produce Carl and his family grew flowers that were also sold at market. As time went on and his family grew, he found that flowers sold better than the vegetables. In 1921 the decision was made to clear the fields and start erecting greenhouses for the purpose of solely growing flowers. The family studied growing flowers and learned the trade of flower designing, and by 1922 Oberer's Truck garden came to an end and Oberer's Flowers was born.
Oberer's Flowers since 1922 the original flower shop showroom built 1922
By the 1920s Oberer's Flowers was in full swing. As the business grew the whole family became involved. The three sons, Gerhard, Roy and Carl along with their sisters, Caroline, Viola, Matilda and Alma all had their duties. As they married, their spouses and children became involved in growing the business.