A store in a Soho located in a landmark building that has two large granite steps - making it un-accessible - has found away to welcome it’s wheelchair-using costumers.

I have always loved walking around Soho among the beautiful, historic buildings but haven’t been able to enter many of them. The efforts to protect the architectural and historic values of these buildings by the Landmarks Preservation Commission does not allow businesses to build permanent ramps for wheelchair users.
 
Purl Soho, a quality yarn and fabric shop on Broom St in the heart of Soho, has found a simple solution with their portable ramp - the same type my family uses to put my wheelchair into our car. Eager to learn more about their decision to provide this ramp,  I sat down with Nikki, the store’s Operations Manager and a long time Purl Soho store employee. She recounted that when they grew too big for their little shop on Sullivan Street and decided move to Broom St, they originally wanted to build a ramp. Unfortunately, they soon discovered that in a Landmark building they weren’t allowed to build a permanent ramp. After a costumer complained on their website about their lack of accessibility in their new building, Purl Soho got in touch with her to see what they could do. The costumer told them about another store that had a portable ramp that folded when it wasn’t in use and suggested they purchase one. The ramp now sits under the window display inside the store and gets pulled out whenever a wheelchair user needs it.

Nikki also said that through this experience, she has become more aware of how difficult it is for a wheelchair user to navigate the city. She mentioned that  her cousin is a little person and uses a scooter to get around, but unfortunately, her cousin won’t visit her in New York City because of the lack of accessibility.
Nikki thought there should be an “accessibility badge” that would go on business websites, search sites like Yelp, and in storefronts to indicate accessibility. 

The story was very eye opening. There have been countless stores I’ve been interested in going into, but haven’t tried because of one or two steps. After talking to Nikki, I realize it is important to ask businesses to provide these folding ramps; the business gains many customers and I get to do more shopping!