Ken Freytag was born and raised in Austin, Texas. Ken started in the floral industry at the age of 15. Shortly after his father passed away, he enrolled in a vocational work program at John H. Reagan High School. His first florist job was at Airport Florist. Naomi, Truman and Gerald McPhail trained him for two years. The next two years were at the Flower Box in Austin working with Pat and Pete Taylor. Ken then went to the Buddy Benz school of floral design when Mr. Benz taught it from his home the summer after graduating high school. It was two weeks of classes from 8-6 Monday through Friday.
When Ken was 18 he signed a lease and secured a loan to open his first brick and mortar store. He worked out of his mother’s garage until Mesa Plaza was completed. Just days before Valentines 1974 Freytag’s opened and made 73 deliveries on that first Valentines. Ken and Terri married in July 1974 at St. Theresa’s Catholic church and the whirlwind started. His son Chad was born in 1978 and his daughter Casey in 1980. Ken and Terri are very involved in the Northwest Hills community where they bought their home in 1980 and where the main florist shop location was for 29 years. Chad and Casey both went to St. Matthew’s preschool, Doss, Murchison and Anderson. Their children are following in their footsteps. Freytag’s bought the Steak & Ale location on Anderson Ln. in 2002. This single location now serves as their 20,000 square ft. retail store and design center. During the 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s Freytag’s grew to 8 locations. During this time, Terri was always the team mom in sports and involved in Chad and Casey’s daily activities. Ken coached little league and served on the board of directors for 6 years at Northwest Little League. Chad and Casey both played sports at Anderson High School. Terri never missed a game or one of the children’s events. Ken served on boards and committees for Anderson High School sports.
Thomas Gay, Mike Roach and Ken opened Austin Flower Co. in 1996. AFC is a European style flower company. In 1998 Mike, Thomas, Ken and Tommy Dismuke opened San Antonio Flower Company. Chad is now a partner in San Antonio Flower Company.
In 2001, Chad joined the family florist introducing technology and new ideas to further our success and growth. Chad is a partner in the business and Ken will be working for Chad in five years when he turns 75. After completing college Casey came to work in the shop as a designer. She was honored to work on President Bush’s inauguration flowers. Freytag’s great staff has enabled us to be voted Austin’s best florist by the Austin Chronicle, Austin American Statesman and Austin 360 many consecutive years.
Chad & Jordan have two sons Reed (9th grade) and Case (7th grade) and they are very busy with sports, band, hunting, fishing and living life. Casey has three children Cooper (9th) and Avery ( 7th) and she is very busy with baseball, kickball, volleyball, dance and works daily in the shop. Our big surprise was two years ago when Casey and Cloudy had our baby girl Riley. Riley stays with Gammie during the mornings that Casey works. Terri and Riley love taking walks, baking cookies, shopping and being best friends.
Ken still enjoys being at work at 6:00 a.m. and staying the full day. He and Terri have a very full life enjoying their family and friends. Their children and grandchildren are what they live for
Ken feels blessed to be part of such a great family and businesses. He feels God has blessed him with so many gifts in life. Thanks for 50 wonderful years.
