Local Business

Small business owners can be nominated for a Small Business BC award until March 10, 2023. (Contributed)

The search is on for best small businesses in Thompson Okanagan

Small Business BC Awards accepting nominations until March 10

Werner Karsten shows one of the two turtlepod prototypes he brought with him for display at the Walk With Me event in Courtenay, on Nov. 26. The insulated, mobile pods are intended to provide safe shelter for those experiencing homelessness. Photo by Terry Farrell

B.C. man designs ‘turtlepods’ – mobile personal shelter prototypes to assist the unhoused

‘I think of it as supporting urban nomadism.’

Okanagan College hosts ‘Slumber’ party Dragons’ Den fundraiser

Okanagan College teams with Kelowna company Second Slumber for viewing party of Dragon’s Den episode

Accelerate Okanagan is inviting companies to take part in its workforce insights salary and compensation study starting Tuesday, Sept, 13, 2022. (Submitted photo)

Okanagan salaries reveiwed in study

Accelerate Okanagan has launched its workforce insights salary and compensation study

Accelerate Okanagan is inviting companies to take part in its workforce insights salary and compensation study starting Tuesday, Sept, 13, 2022. (Submitted photo)
A mural featuring a scoreboard and a great blue heron is being created on The Roster. (Lacey & Layla Art rendering)

Vernon business mural gains support

97% thinks the city should approve heron mural at The Roster

A mural featuring a scoreboard and a great blue heron is being created on The Roster. (Lacey & Layla Art rendering)
Shop Hopper was developed in Kelowna and is now available in the Okanagan (Shop Hopper)

Shopping app developed in Kelowna launches in Okanagan

Shop Hopper hopes to be a local alternative to big eCommerce stores

Shop Hopper was developed in Kelowna and is now available in the Okanagan (Shop Hopper)
Lake Country firefighter Shaun Reed has launched On Guard Wildfire Protection to help home and business owners better protect their property from wildfire (Contributed)

Lake Country firefighter wants to help protect property this wildfire season

Shaun Reed has fought fires in Lake Country for 13 years

  • May 25, 2022
Lake Country firefighter Shaun Reed has launched On Guard Wildfire Protection to help home and business owners better protect their property from wildfire (Contributed)
DunnEnzies Pizza downtown Kelowna (Black Press File Photo) DunnEnzies Pizza downtown Kelowna

Kelowna restaurants make top 100 list in Canada

Restaurant reservations for the month of May up 61 per cent compared to May 2019

DunnEnzies Pizza downtown Kelowna (Black Press File Photo) DunnEnzies Pizza downtown Kelowna
Penticton’s Wildstone Construction Group is among four Okanagan companies named among Canada’s Best Managed by Deloitte. (wildstone.com photo)

Four Okanagan companies named among Canada’s Best Managed

Two from Vernon, one each from Penticton and West Kelowna named to Deloitte’s Best Managed companies list

Penticton’s Wildstone Construction Group is among four Okanagan companies named among Canada’s Best Managed by Deloitte. (wildstone.com photo)
Kirsten (Fergy) Ferguson admiring the balloon display in Ukrainian colours on opening day of her new location Honey Toast on Front Street Sunday, May 1. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

Honey Toast Cafe opens in downtown Penticton to flowers, hugs and cheer

The cafe is named in honour of Fergy’s grandma’s special honey toast treat

Kirsten (Fergy) Ferguson admiring the balloon display in Ukrainian colours on opening day of her new location Honey Toast on Front Street Sunday, May 1. (Monique Tamminga Western News)
Accelerate Okanagan has partnered with Prospera Credit Union to offer Level Up Local grants, a new grant program to help small to medium-sized Okanagan businesses embrace technology amid the pandemic. (Submitted photo)

Grants up for grabs to help small Okanagan businesses go digital

Small to medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs can now apply for a Level Up Local grant

Accelerate Okanagan has partnered with Prospera Credit Union to offer Level Up Local grants, a new grant program to help small to medium-sized Okanagan businesses embrace technology amid the pandemic. (Submitted photo)
Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery raised more than $25,000 for the Ukraine Emergency Fund through vodka sales, the distillery announced Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (Submitted photo)

Okanagan distillery raises $25K for Ukraine through vodka sales

Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery donated 100 per cent of March vodka proceeds to the Ukraine Emergency Fund

Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery raised more than $25,000 for the Ukraine Emergency Fund through vodka sales, the distillery announced Tuesday, April 12, 2022. (Submitted photo)
Wine Industry job fair at Naramata Centre April 10 from 9 to 4 p.m. (File photo)

South Okanagan wine industry hosts job fair in Naramata today

Wineries, restaurants and tour companies are hiring

Wine Industry job fair at Naramata Centre April 10 from 9 to 4 p.m. (File photo)
Snow on Highway 5 early morning April 5, 2022 southbound at Zopkios Rest Area, near the Coquihalla Summit, looking southwest. (DriveBC)

Storm warning still in effect on Coquihalla Highway with more flurries forecast

‘Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve,’ says Environment Canada warning

Snow on Highway 5 early morning April 5, 2022 southbound at Zopkios Rest Area, near the Coquihalla Summit, looking southwest. (DriveBC)
Okanagan Spirits is donating 100 per cent of the proceeds from sales of its three brands of vodka in March to humanitarian and relief efforts in Ukraine. (Okanagan Spirits photo)

Okanagan Spirits donating March vodka sale proceeds to Ukraine effort

Sales from its three brands, all sizes, will be donated to the relief effort for the embattled European nation

Okanagan Spirits is donating 100 per cent of the proceeds from sales of its three brands of vodka in March to humanitarian and relief efforts in Ukraine. (Okanagan Spirits photo)
Longtime friends Cassie Walters and Raelyn Lachapelle opened the doors to their new downtown Salmon Arm space for their business, The Nom Shuswap, on February 1, 2022. There, customers can pick up pre-ordered meals and grab-and-go meals, as well as smoothies and cold-pressed juices. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

‘Full-time Noms’: Salmon Arm friends focus on nutritious meals for people on the go

The Nom Shuswap opens doors in downtown Salmon Arm

Longtime friends Cassie Walters and Raelyn Lachapelle opened the doors to their new downtown Salmon Arm space for their business, The Nom Shuswap, on February 1, 2022. There, customers can pick up pre-ordered meals and grab-and-go meals, as well as smoothies and cold-pressed juices. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery was named Artisan Distillery of the Year at the 2022 Canadian Whisky Awards, and also went home with three gold, two silver and one bronze medal. (Okanagan Spirits photo)

Okanagan Spirits wins top honour at Canadian Whisky Awards

Vernon and Kelowna distillery named Artisan Distillery of the Year, wins three gold medals

Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery was named Artisan Distillery of the Year at the 2022 Canadian Whisky Awards, and also went home with three gold, two silver and one bronze medal. (Okanagan Spirits photo)
The Kelowna Costco location on Highway 97. Photo: Mackenzie Britton

New Costco location in Kelowna to open spring 2022

The new location will have a larger warehouse, more parking and a gas station

The Kelowna Costco location on Highway 97. Photo: Mackenzie Britton
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

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

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)