Ginger Chang, Co-owner of Dream World Floral and Gifts

Name: Ginger Chang

Age: 58

Occupation: Co-owner of

How long have you been at this location in El Cerrito? This is the second location; the first one was near the Del Norte BART station. We were there about 14 years.

Do you like this location better? Yes, a better location. It’s smaller and we can manage it better. That shop was four times bigger, and the rent was so high because in the shopping center they always charge higher. And here we are nearby people, walking and driving — they all see us. Over there people say, “I didn’t even know you were here for 14 years!”

How did you end up in the flower business? When I emigrated from China to here, my English was not too good. In China, actually, I worked in the hospital. But if you go back to that kind of thing, you have to learn more English, just to talk to people. So I thought, “Well, flowers don’t talk back,” and I took classes at Contra Costa College, in flower arrangement, for a few semesters.

Our first shop in Orinda was not a flower shop, because they already had a florist there. We could only do gifts and dry flowers. It was our beginning, and a small space; we were just starting to build up. Finally we found out about the Del Norte place with all the shops. We were doing pretty good for a few years there. And then the economy and the rent got too high, so we got this place. It’s actually better.

Do you miss working in the hospital? I started (flowers) because I can’t just stay home, and plus, I love flowers. Before I got my own shop, my garden was the prettiest on the block.

What are your favorite flowers? Most of them are roses because, you see, they are easy. They don’t die, and every year you cut them and they come back. Also we have a lot of fruit trees. This year we had almost nothing.

What do you do for fun? Besides this? Oh gosh.

Sounds like gardening is one thing. I used to love gardening, but after this I am always so tired. Really, we don’t do much, because we have a daughter and most of what we do is with her. I love to read. I am not really an outside person, but my husband is. My daughter always says, “You don’t bring me anywhere” (laughs).  

How old is your daughter? She’s 25 (laughs).