05/21/2026
Needham Florist’s Julie Ben-David received the Good Neighbor award from the Needham Commission on Disabilities./ Credit: Needham Observer
Needham Florist, known by community members as a go-to for all things flowers, was recently recognized by Needham’s Commission on Disabilities for modelling excellent service to customers with special needs.
The family-owned store was chosen based on a customer nomination, and presented with NCOD’s second-annual “Good Neighbor” award. Of all the awards Needham Florist has received (No. 1 regional florist and Top 250 Florists through Teleflora, to name two), owner Julie Ben-David said this one has touched her the most.
“There’s something going on in somebody’s life [when they come to Needham Florist],” said Ben-David. “And it doesn’t necessarily have to be titled as a disability — whether it’s anxiety, depression, a divorce, a passing of somebody, a loved one; we hear it and we see it every single day in our shop. So we try to make everybody happy the minute they walk through the door.”
Customers with noticeable needs are often gifted a balloon or stuffed animal, and are encouraged to touch the flowers on display. “Let them touch, let them explore; if a flower breaks, who cares?”
“Regardless of people’s level of abilities and backgrounds, gender, sexual identity or orientation, religion, whatever it is, we want Needham Florist to always be a safe spot for everybody,” Ben-David emphasized.
