Towata Flower is a business that started in the 1947 after the release of the Towata family from internment camps. The flowershop initially belonged to an Italian owner, but with hardwork and dedication the shop was passed onto the Towata family where it still thrives today in Alameda, California.

The story begins with the release of the Towata family from Topaz internment camp where they faced anti-Japanese sentiment upon arriving back home in Alameda, California. None of the family members were able to obtain employment due to racism towards those of Japanese ancestry. After months of fustration, John S. Towata was able to gain an entry level position at a floral shop owned by an Italian owner. The owner was taking a risk by hiring John because of possible backlash from the community. But John was well liked and soon gained admiration from the Italian owner as well as the customers.

The Italian owner liked John so much, when time came to sell the shop, he was steadfast in passing the shop onto the Towata family. Even though John was denied loans from banks, other local business owners were more than willing to loan John the money. Thus, John S. Towata started his business by changing the communities perception of Japanese-Americans.