pictures courtesy of Jess Graves Photography
Bird of Paradise …Powers of Flowers
by Cate Murway
Why flowers?
Many people struggle when trying to find creative ways to express their love and admiration. Instead of vainly searching for the right words to make your affections known, why not send a tangible gift to relay a louder message.
Flowers have long proven to be a thoughtful gesture, a gift of choice for those trying to express their esteem for another. By sending a floral gift, you can make it abundantly clear just how much you appreciate someone.
Also, flowers offer more to our planet than merely natural artwork and beauty because they are essential to removing carbon dioxide and toxins from the air. To most people however, flowers just carry enormous symbolism, a traditional part of both joyous and somber occasions, an integral part of many of life's ceremonies, as well as providing necessary soothing sympathy.
Flowers can help reduce stress, alleviate anxiety and brighten up any environment. They are often used to express gratitude and love to “best buds” and lovers, and flowers just make people happier. So, why not flowers?
There are many advantages to using a trusted and knowledgeable real local expert florist, one who can suggest the freshest, the prettiest and most readily available blooms. Most importantly, a quality local florist is the best way to assure freshness, prompt delivery and satisfaction.
At Bird of Paradise Flowers, you can literally stop and smell the flowers.
James Edward “Jimmy” Bason, Jr. has the ability to create the perfect something that you will love, fashioned according to your specific wishes for any recipient, rather than a cookie cutter arrangement.
“The goal is to exceed our customers' expectations with quality, value and professional service.”
Jimmy’s selections include only the freshest, highest quality flowers and his service is truly professional and caring for all your floral needs. Your simple or stylish flowery gift will arrive beautifully presented and personalized with your message for everyday and special occasions..
How did Jimmy come up with the name ‘Bird of Paradise’ for his store?
“My friends and I sat down because I did NOT want the typical flower shop name... ‘Flowers by Jimmy’ or ‘Jimmy's Flowers’, or any typical name. We started researching different kinds of flowers and came to like the sound of - Bird of Paradise Flowers... It had class and exotic and unique qualities, just like me. I thought... perfect!”
The elaborately feathered bird species itself is among the most beautiful creatures on earth and an extraordinary example of evolutionary adaptation.
Jimmy grew up in the borough of Hatboro in Montgomery County. He earned his degree in Horticulture from Delaware Valley College, receiving a comprehensive education in the science and art, as well as the business.
“I had a part time job at a local florist when I was about 13. I liked it and had a knack for it.”
He is the eldest of the three children born to Theresa and James Edward Bason, Sr. His parents are both retired now but his dad still works with him at the shop. His mother often brings him food to keep him going, while he keeps everything growing.
“My mother is a baker and she has signature cakes. Her coffee cake, and especially her pound cake, is out of this world.”
His entire family, including his sister, Carol, and his brother, Edward James and his wife, Nicole, all pull together for holiday times.
Jimmy is quite pleased with his location at 231 Mill Street, acknowledging the fact that historic Bristol on the Delaware has easy access to all the major routes. “Mill Street is perfect and the layout of the store was perfect”.
He has joined the Bristol Borough Business Association as a Board member, and he sincerely expresses, “the town is warm and receptive”.
“I’m all about promoting the history of the town.” He has recently expressed an interest in offering D. Landreth Company Heirloom Seeds at his shop.
The restaurants have enticed him as well.
It’s the “Kelch House for carrot cake; King George for fish and chips; and Cesare’s for pizza”.
But seafood is his favorite. “I always choose the fish special.”
This charming, witty, wizard with flowers donated the vividly colored roses for the Bristol Riverside Theatre Rose Promotion for Valentine’s Day, and he also generously provided the feature arrangements for the cocktail hour at the BCCC Art Night.
Jimmy is a master at sophisticated or simple, professionally designed arrangements, suiting every palette from exotic bursts of color to monochromatic, oftentimes using indigenous materials. He can assist you to liven up the front of your home or increase the visibility of your storefront with a container garden planter.
Need to send a last minute gift? There are radiantly red tulips, “bright and happy” yellow roses [his personal favorite]; Build-a-Bear Workshop bears “bearing messages” and a myriad of Corporate Gifts, including gourmet snack and gift baskets for all occasions. Everything is paired with his epitome of customer service.
There is never a wrong time to send flowers.
Jimmy stocks his Bird of Paradise Flowers with a vast array for every occasion, from beautiful anniversary arrangements in high quality vases, to cheerful get well flower bouquets in wicker baskets. Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, birthdays, any day will be special when you send fresh flowers!
Come listen to the soothing waterfall trickling in the background. You can admire his eclectic selections of family furniture while you check out the tropical Peace Lily, or the delightfully innovative way to bring the outdoors in, with fresh cuts in a dish garden.
Jimmy will help you create the right impression with a spectacular custom arrangement of vibrant blooms.
Shop anytime online: wwwbirdofparadisepa.com
With FTD, your choice of flowers can be delivered around the world.
Mention this “Spotlight” article and receive a 20% discount.
Seniors are always entitled to a 20% discount.
Bird of Paradise Flowers
231 Mill Street
Bristol, PA 19007
215.458.7388
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Jimmy and his sister-in-law, Nicole
Saying it with flowers
By Eric Herr correspondent | Posted: Saturday, September 28, 2013 1:19 pm
Jimmy Bason opened the doors of his flower shop in historic downtown Bristol just under two years ago and business has been steadily growing ever since.
“I wanted the name of my shop to reflect something distinctive and exotic, so after going through lots of different names, I settled on Bird of Paradise,” recalls Basin, a trained floral designer with a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Delaware Valley College.
From the minute you enter, there’s little doubt that a lot of thought and imagination has gone into the shop’s look and feel. There’s a pond accented with greenery, home to seven goldfish, a catfish and a turtle.
Enhancing this already picturesque scene are several hand painted figures around the pond’s perimeter, including a cast concrete gnome and toad, along with a ceramic fish and quaint Asian fisherman, which was given to Bason by one of his customers following a trip abroad.
Other fascinating collectables around the shop include a circa 1940’s vintage Philco radio and phonograph in a large walnut casing, an art deco era lamp, an old time scale likely used in a turn of the century general store setting and an acrylic on wood still life painting of fruit.
“In one way or another just about everything in my shop was given to me by either family, friends or customers,” muses Bason.
Since Bird of Paradise is a flower shop, you’ll find a a wide assortment of roses, carnations, mums, hydrangea’s and of course it’s namesake, bird of paradise flowers.
But aside from the more traditional offerings, if there’s a special flower or arrangement you need that Bason doesn’t have, chances are he’ll be able to facilitate any special request for any event, whether it be a wedding, funeral, anniversary, or birthday.
In fact, resourcefulness and meeting new challenges with a distinctively creative flair is one of Bason’s biggest assets.
To that end, Bason has just recently partnered with local pastry chef Christa Barlow to offer the ultimate gift combination — flowers plus cakes and other sweet treats — perfect together.
Bason’s overall secret to success is simple.
“In the short time I’ve been here in Bristol, the community has embraced me and my business, so I feel it’s my duty to give back to this same great community that has welcomed and supported me since day one,” he says.
Jimmy Bason, owner of Bird of Paradise Flowers is the new
2014 Bristol Borough Business Association President
AND
Business Person of the Year
