BUSINESS & RESTAURANT REVIEWS

LE CHATEAU OUTLET STORE
CONTACT:
http://www.lechateau.com/style/index.jsp
32nd Ave NE  Calgary

Driving along the other day with my daughter-in-law, I noticed a Le Chateau Outlet store on 32 Ave NE. GREAT! I've been dying to go there lately so we headed in. Funny thing is, now that I'm on their website attempting to get the exact address for this article - apparently this location doesn't exist. Or it's another company that doesn't care if their website is up to date.

We cruised the store with absolutely no intervention from any staff - I do like to shop on my own but a hello is nice and once in a while it's good to see staff around in case you have a question....didn't see any staff. I found a couple of sweet deals and proceeded to the check out counter. Upon arrival there, I found a very stern looking woman who, pretty much didn't seem to care if I sat there for 5 minutes or 5 hours waiting for her to serve me.

Without a smile or a hello, she started to ring in my purchases, advising me that all sales were final. I said fine, then reached up to grab the debit machine which was sitting up on the 5' high counter. It wouldn't move. She looked at me, jiggled the machine and said - "NO! It doesn't move. Perhaps you could get closer to the counter?" "Ya," I said "cause that's going to magically make me grow a foot and be able to reach this thing". I told her we have a problem and she proceeded to tell me it was my problem, not hers and looked at me expectantly. I advised her that for accessibility purposes, they really need to think about making it movable. She didn't say anything - just continued in her stern, unfriendly way. At this I pointed out to her that even if getting closer to the counter would help, there was a large bin right in front of the debit machine. She didn't care. So I took my chair and shoved this thing about 4 ft in the other direction, to get it out of my way. I didn't care.

Most of the time when in these situations, I leave the product and walk away. Why would I want to spend my money in a store like that? Well, when I say I found some nice deals, I really mean it because I turned to my daughter-in-law and asked her to assist me. No problem, payment made, we left and that's that.

I have sent an inquiry to the head office of Le Chateau but if it's anything like most Canadian retailers, I don't expect much in the way of a response. In fact, I usually get no response at all.

Oh and there were no automatic door openers. I didn't check the change room size as I'm opposed to using them. If I ever go back, I'll check them out like a good business reviewer.

MY RATING:
3/10 - and that's only for the sweet clothing!

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COLUMBIA SKY LANDSCAPING & SNOW REMOVAL

CONTACT:
http://www.columbiasky.ca/
Info@columbiasky.ca
403 383-6735
Colin Story

My Experience: 
I started using the services of this company two years ago. Right off the bat the owner, Colin, wasvery responsive to the fact that I had some unique needs and he really took the time to understand what I needed and why. In fact, one of the first accommodations he made was to change the cancellation requirement on my contract to be 7 days rather than the standard 60 days. That way, if for any reason it wasn't working out, I could cancel pretty much anytime. 

His services are top notch and I highly recommend them. While access is not a huge consideration for this business, I do enjoy dealing with a business owner who treats me like the great customer I am, dealswith me on par while still being able to adjust his services accordingly for a homeowner with a mobility issue.
MY RATING:10/10

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RUTH'S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE

CONTACT:
http://www.ruthschris.com/Restaurant-Locations/calgary
#294 115 9th Avenue SE  Calgary, AB T2G 0P5
(403) 246-3636

Located in the base of the Calgary Tower, this restaurant has taken my heart from anotherwhen it comes to going out for a great steak. Access-wise: "super easy" is the phrase of the day.

Parking is in the Tower Parkade off 10th Ave SW - and it seems like the designated spot right by
the elevator is always ready and waiting for me! As if to say - hello Jo! What do ya know? Where
have you been? We've been waiting for you. For the life of me I can't recall if there are automated
door openers to get inside to the elevator area because I generally don't use them; but I don't find
the doors are very heavy so likely many would be able to navigate through. A quick ride and you exit
to see the restaurant doors right in front of you. They do validate parking.

As for seating there are some seats that are not accessible so you must indicate your need for appropriate
seating when you make your reservation. When it comes to making reservations, it's all online. You
can call them if you want to but if you're like me and would rather do a quick type-type-type and it's done
then that is available. There is a spot for notes and that is where one requests accessible seating. The
accessible seating is the best anyway - the tables line the windows along the base ofthe tower so you sit and watch all the activity on the street.

The food is so yummy - albeit expensive. Aren't all good steak houses pretty expensive these days? For three of us with appetizers but no alcohol it was $225 before the tip. So ya - that's a lot of dough to put out
but if you're looking for a GREAT meal for a special occasion - this is the place. I took my son and
daughter-in-law there as both of their birthdays fall into the same 2 week period before Christmas (can
you say ouch?) so I think we'll make it an annual - they loved it too and my son (25 and still eats like he's
growing) ate til he was content....then ate the rest of mine.

As far as the "attitudes and treatment" of a person with a disability, I have no complaints. No silliness,
none that I've experienced anyway.

MY RATING:
10/10