Artisan Square merchants are getting together to host a special event: the Artisan Square Christmas Fair on December 17. Caroline Walker of the Bowen Island Flower Shop is an enthusiastic participant. She believes that Bowen Island businesses need to support one another.
In addition to the beautiful flowers, plants and gifts in her store, Walker prepares gift baskets and fruit baskets. She also does custom Christmas work. Last year, someone phoned in to order a fully-decorated, seven-foot Christmas tree. Walker said, "It was all decked out with ornaments and lights, ready to be plugged in. Loading it into the truck to transport it across the island was tricky. But the look on the person's face was priceless." This is just one example of the orders Walker gets. And, as a small business dedicated to customer service, she makes it happen.
Walker said that she has a customer who simply sends her his list of recipients of Christmas gifts and Walker puts everything together. She said, "I find florists in all the little towns and I know that they will put together something lovely."
Local products make up about 98 per cent of the merchandise in the flower shop. Walker said, "At Christmas time, I bring in cut orchids but I try not to do that too much because of the air miles that are involved in it. I use BC growers where I can. I get plant orchids and cut flowers that are grown here. I also sell plants grown on Bowen."
Walker says that she prefers to deal with small businesses because, running a flower shop, she understands that they need support. But she also knows what kind of service she can get. She said, "Small businesses tend to go above and beyond. I can usually call with special requests because I support them on a regular basis."
This is also the kind of service Walker offers at her shop. Most of her flower arrangements are unique. She said, "I do mostly custom work, if a client wants something, I try to get hold of it. I also try not to duplicate arrangements." She says that she asks about the recipient of the flowers, and if she makes more than one bouquet, she will make sure the arrangements will be different. The flower shop will deliver all over Bowen virtually every day. Using Artisan Express, deliveries can be made from Monday to Friday to Vancouver. And if it is a bulk delivery, Walker will arrange her own transport.
Walker thinks that it is important for businesses on Bowen to work together and try not to duplicate what they offer. She said, "When I first started the shop, I had a 50 to 50 ratio of gifts and flowers. I cut back on selling gifts when Bell O'cchio opened. It is handy to have stores to supplement what I have." Walker says that she has to carry cards that can be sent out with flower arrangements. But if customers do not find what they are looking for, Walker refers them to Phoenix on Bowen, a shop that has a larger selection of card. She also works with Cocoa West when she prepares gift baskets.
Walker realizes that merchants on Bowen Island have a limited clientele. She said, "We are only supported by a small percentage of the population. We all know that people can go into town and pop into big stores where they get things at a lesser cost." But she knows that her customers value her store for the type of service, the shopping experience and quality products. Walker says, "I know most of my regular clients well and I know what they are looking for. And they know that by shopping here, they will be less stressed, have a better experience and get a more personalized service."
