About

Our Story

Derita Floral Supply Co. is a family-owned wholesale floral supplier serving the Charlotte, North Carolina area. The business, founded in 1917 by Louis G. Ratcliffe, began as Ratcliffe’s Greenhouses growing and selling plants, flowers, and bulbs on a 15-acre lot in Charlotte’s Derita neighborhood (our current location). As the business expanded, Louis built the historic two-story Ratcliffe’s Flowers retail shop uptown on S. Tryon Street. The shop operated until 1989 when the Ratcliffe family shifted focus to the greenhouses and ultimately wholesale supply only.

The original Ratcliffe’s Flowers building is now a Charlotte landmark occupied by Bernadin’s Restaurant. The structure has been thoughtfully preserved and the iconic neon sign still stands on S. Tryon Street today.

Derita’s Charlotte history keeps our company rooted. We support local growers as able and our team remains committed to serving businesses and customers in the area.