Local Business

Valley First has donated between $10,000 and $25,000 to four different organizations as part of its Simple Generosity program. (Contributed)

Credit union cash helps Okanagan businesses

Valley First donates between $10,000 and $25,000 to four separate organizations to help businesses grow

Accelerate Okanagan has received $275,000 from the federal government, funding that will support the creation of new and improved capital training activities for entrepreneurs over the next two years. The funding was announced Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (Submitted photo)

New funding accelerates opportunities for Okanagan investors

Accelerate Okanagan has received $275,000 to support capital training activities for entrepreneurs

Amanda Homeniuk, owner of Vernon’s Kaleco, is one of 450 women whose businesses are featured on WeBC’s new virtual pop-up shop, which is open until Jan. 3, 2022. (Submitted photo)

New virtual pop-up shop boosts Okanagan women in business

The online shop features more than 450 women-led businesses in B.C.

Anita’s Organic Mill co-owner Taylor Gemmel outside the Chilliwack location. (Michelle Gemmel submitted file photo)

Nature’s Path acquires majority interest in Chilliwack organic food business

Largest organic cereal and snack maker buys into Anita’s Organic Mill

Anita’s Organic Mill co-owner Taylor Gemmel outside the Chilliwack location. (Michelle Gemmel submitted file photo)
Vernon-based Tolko Industries Ltd. has again partnered with the Orange Shirt Society for an annual art contest. (Tolko photo)

Vernon company draws up Orange Shirt Day contest

Tolko Industries renews partnership for art contest with Orange Shirt Society

Vernon-based Tolko Industries Ltd. has again partnered with the Orange Shirt Society for an annual art contest. (Tolko photo)
Lake Country’s Block One Restaurant at 50th Parallel Winery has been named as one of the top 100 locations in Canada for outdoor dining in the first list compiled by opentable.com. (OpenTable photo)

Okanagan restaurants featured in outdoor dining top 100 list

Two from Vernon, West Kelowna and Penticton and one from Lake Country named in top 100 outdoor dining venues by opentable.com

Lake Country’s Block One Restaurant at 50th Parallel Winery has been named as one of the top 100 locations in Canada for outdoor dining in the first list compiled by opentable.com. (OpenTable photo)
Poor David’s owner Karrie Peace and Salmon Arm store manager Monica Rhodes look forward to the new downtown Salmon Arm business’ soft opening on Friday, June 25. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

VIDEO: New Salmon Arm gift shop a tribute to loving husband

Karrie Peace opens her third Poor David’s on June 25

Poor David’s owner Karrie Peace and Salmon Arm store manager Monica Rhodes look forward to the new downtown Salmon Arm business’ soft opening on Friday, June 25. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
(Monique Tamminga/Western News)

From morning shows to morning showers: Penticton radio host takes over popular soap shop

Kyle Stewart, formerly of 97.1 Sun FM, can now be found in a much different business in Penticton

(Monique Tamminga/Western News)
Chef Sascha Hillebrand will oversee operations at Nineteen05. (File photo)

Salmon Arm’s Prestige Harbourfront Resort welcomes new restaurant

After months of renovations, Nineteen05 Kitchen Raw Bar opens with international-inspired menu

Chef Sascha Hillebrand will oversee operations at Nineteen05. (File photo)
Customers at the newly opened Shaughnessy’s Cove at Summerland’s waterfront cheers to the province bringing back indoor dining. (Facebook)

South Okanagan restaurants celebrate back to indoor dining, scramble to re-hire

Tuesday’s announcement that indoor dining could resume was needed good news, say owners

Customers at the newly opened Shaughnessy’s Cove at Summerland’s waterfront cheers to the province bringing back indoor dining. (Facebook)
Black Crow Cannabis is just one of Vernon's many pot shops now open in town. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Kelowna has highest cannabis fees in Okanagan

Vernon’s 14 stores pay second highest business licence fees

Black Crow Cannabis is just one of Vernon's many pot shops now open in town. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
The first cruise ship of the 2019 season – the Celebrity Eclipse – docks in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

Tourism spending in Canada dropped by almost 50 per cent in 2020

Tourism-related jobs dropped by almost 29 per cent

The first cruise ship of the 2019 season – the Celebrity Eclipse – docks in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)
Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel closed for three months in late 2020, early 2021, to undergo renovations in leveraging slower hotel traffic because of COVID-19 restrictions. A new report from Statistics Canada find many businesses in the accommodation and food services sector are bracing for another tough year. (Courtesy of Fairmont Empress hotel)

Survey finds Canada’s hospitality industry has low expectations for year ahead

Almost 87 per cent of businesses in accommodation and food services report lower revenues in 2020

Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel closed for three months in late 2020, early 2021, to undergo renovations in leveraging slower hotel traffic because of COVID-19 restrictions. A new report from Statistics Canada find many businesses in the accommodation and food services sector are bracing for another tough year. (Courtesy of Fairmont Empress hotel)
Jamie and Tanisha Out and Toni Starkell are the team behind Forage General, a floral, coffee and gift shop located in downtown Salmon Arm at the corner of Alexander Street and the Trans-Canada Highway. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

VIDEO: Salmon Arm trio open small business with big city feel

Forage General offers flowers, coffee and a variety of unique gifts

Jamie and Tanisha Out and Toni Starkell are the team behind Forage General, a floral, coffee and gift shop located in downtown Salmon Arm at the corner of Alexander Street and the Trans-Canada Highway. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
A new houseboat company has opened on the former Waterway property south of Sicamous. (Sicamous Houseboats/Facebook)

New houseboat company up and running on Shuswap Lake

Sicamous Houseboats has moved in to the former Waterway Houseboats property.

A new houseboat company has opened on the former Waterway property south of Sicamous. (Sicamous Houseboats/Facebook)
Chute Lake Lodge opens June 1, offering glamping, yurt, and ebike rentals. (Supplied)

#visitpenticton Chute Lake Lodge opens June 1, offering glamping, yurt, and ebike rentals

Escape into the wilderness and #lovelocalpenticton when Chute Lake Lodge reopens for the season

Chute Lake Lodge opens June 1, offering glamping, yurt, and ebike rentals. (Supplied)
Kat Gellerman brings years of experience in the food business to her new store, Chef Sense Supplies, in downtown Courtenay. Photo by Mike Chouinard

Edible straws one B.C. entrepreneur’s latest weapon in war against plastic

Kat Gellerman has spent more than 20 years working in the food business

Kat Gellerman brings years of experience in the food business to her new store, Chef Sense Supplies, in downtown Courtenay. Photo by Mike Chouinard
Tanja Tulak, left, of Tiny’s Bones and Scones is now selling fresh, homemade, healthy dog treats out of Cam Albert’s, right, Wet Spot Grooming and Pet Care shop on 27th Street in Vernon. (Caitlin Clow - Vernon Morning Star)

Enderby baker brings specialty dog treats to Vernon

Local entrepreneur opens dog bakery in Vernon pet grooming business

Tanja Tulak, left, of Tiny’s Bones and Scones is now selling fresh, homemade, healthy dog treats out of Cam Albert’s, right, Wet Spot Grooming and Pet Care shop on 27th Street in Vernon. (Caitlin Clow - Vernon Morning Star)
Okanagan squirrels away for winter with harvest events

Okanagan squirrels away for winter with harvest events

Rancho Vignola November sales in Salmon Arm, Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton

Okanagan squirrels away for winter with harvest events
Breast cancer research builds support in Okanagan thanks to Home Hardware

Breast cancer research builds support in Okanagan thanks to Home Hardware

Stores matching donations until Oct. 31

Breast cancer research builds support in Okanagan thanks to Home Hardware