When Ni No Wong began to design her own flower shop in Toronto's North York neighborhood she wanted it to be different from all the others. After 12 years as a florist, she knew that she wanted to open a shop with an atmosphere that was tranquil and inviting, a place that would be open and welcoming to all of her customers, and where customers could enjoy the time they spent shopping there.

"Since we set up our shop in 2003, it's always part of our mission to ensure the shop is accessible and enjoyed by all," says Wong. "We don't want to jam our shop with plants and products like many others do. We want to create an environment that is pleasant to the ears, eyes, nose and hands."

Wong's neighborhood includes a lot of young families with small children as well as a large senior population. As a result, she often has customers who are negotiating strollers, walkers or wheelchairs in the store. In order to accommodate them, the shop avoids any kind of cluttered displays and offers visitors wide aisles to move around. Chairs are available for seniors who need to sit. And an elegant dining table stands in the middle of the store with floral displays that are easy for customers using wheelchairs to access. Wong also uses the table to sit and consult with those customers who use wheelchairs, making it easier for them to make their flower selections without her standing behind a tall counter.

Wong even had one customer travel all the way from neighbouring Scarborough to visit her store. The woman used a wheelchair and was having difficulty finding a flower shop in her own neighborhood that was accessible to her.

In 2006, Bayview Blossoms was recognized by the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas with an Ontario Mainstreet Accessibility Award. These awards recognize champions in the area of improving accessibility for people with disabilities.

Wong says that the added value to her business in terms of improved customer service goes a long way. "I know from talking to my customers who are elderly or who have a disability that being able to shop here, move around the store, and look at the floral arrangements and guides on their own makes them really feel good. And that makes me feel good."

Learn more For more information on Bayview Blossoms, visit www.bayviewblossoms.com.