In the spring and summer STATS transforms itself into one of Southern California's largest outlets for outdoor and casual furniture, statuary, fountains, quality silk and artificial flowers, crafts, candles and other seasonal decorations. You could never guess from the grand scale of present operations that it all started with violets nearly 90 years ago. That's when Dan Stathatos, Sr., newly arrived from the Greek island of Cephalonia, began selling bunches of fresh violets in downtown Los Angeles. Trade grew so much that in 1910 he opened a florist shop on Broadway, between 4th and 5th Streets. And that was the beginning of a flourishing floral business that evolved into one of the Southland's landmarks - STATS Floral Supply