By: Shelley McKinley
An Acres Homes icon, Floyd P. Smith was born on February 3, 1935, just seven months before the formation of the Houston Negro Chamber of Commerce (HNCC), housed inside the Blackowned Pilgrim Temple building located at Bagby Street and West Dallas Avenue. Against the backdrop of laws requiring segregation, and residential neighborhoods restricting African American mobility and advancement, Floyd P. Smith built businesses that met the needs of his community by providing goods, services, and jobs. Like those founders of the HNCC, which worked to empower and promote African-American businesses in the city, Floyd P. Smith promoted Black enterprise and contributed to the civic and economic welfare of Acres Homes residents. He also served as a role model for the young business-minded people in his community.
As the third among four siblings born to Emory and Elizabeth Smith, Floyd P. Smith went on to develop his entrepreneurial spirit under the supervision of his mother, as he accompanied her delivering clothes from the cleaners. His professional journey began at WKM and Houston House before venturing into entrepreneurship. He started by opening Pecan Garden Cleaners and Pecan Garden Washateria in Studewood.
Floyd P. Smith later expanded his businesses to Acres Homes, establishing S&P Carwash, West Little York Cleaners, S&P Package, S&P Discount Auto Parts, S&P Grocery, Bernadette Superette, Floyd’s Premier Nursery, Floyd’s Sod, Floyd’s Premier Delivery Service, and Floyd’s Premier Mu er Shop. e S&P Gas Station was the last gas station independently owned by a Black man in Houston, TX. He also founded the Family PAC. On October 29, 1954, at the age of 19, Floyd P. Smith married Geneva E. Smith. Together they raised three children: Bereatha Smith, Cynthia SmithJamison, and Percy Smith (Sonia). They were married for 69 years, and have grandchildren and great-grandchildren to carry on his legacy. Floyd P. Smith built a legacy and a standard for Black entrepreneurship that will live on within Acres Homes and beyond.
