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Business Beat

What’s new in Kootenay business

The Kootenay communities live and breathe creativity, ingenuity, and talent. From the colourful summer markets of Invermere to the tailored boutiques in Nelson, it’s the people behind the scenes that make business in the Kootenays something to be proud of.

Are you a business owner—or know of a business—in the Kootenays with something new and exciting happening with the company? Please submit your information, and we will follow up with you for a possible entry on this page.

Recent Business Beat articles

Aaron Lucke, owner of Wynndel Electric, is providing a mobile solar station to the vendors at the Creston Valley Farmers Market.
East Kootenay, Creston, Energy, Small Business, Technology Solar-powered market

Aaron Lucke, owner of Wynndel Electric, is providing a mobile solar station to power the Creston Farmers Market.

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The Board Room Café, owned by Alf Him, his daughter Savanna Hines and her husband Justin Hines, opened in mid-June 2017.
West Kootenay, Grand Forks, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business, Tourism Board Room Café comes to Grand Forks

Shy? Bored? Need a conversation starter? Sit down to a game from the Board Room’s library, and you’re good to go.

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Kootenay Cycling Adventures is based in beautiful Nelson, B.C.
West Kootenay, Kaslo, Nakusp, Nelson, New Denver, Revelstoke, Small Business, Tourism Nelson’s bike trek deluxe

John Bowden of Nelson, B.C., is working to make group bicycle touring the next big thing in his region.

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Michelle Cubin blends essential oils
East Kootenay, Fernie, Invermere, Kimberley, Health & Wellness, Retail, Small Business The other oil industry

Michelle Cubin’s essential oil business, Healing Hollow, continues to spread across the East Kootenay

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Co-owner Wendy Lyn holds out a two-scoop ice cream cone while standing in front of the Happy Cow Ice Cream's logo.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Fernie, Cuisine, Small Business Happy cows and happy eaters

Taste the delicious, decadent difference when indulging in premium Happy Cow ice cream in Fernie and now Cranbrook.

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Chad Bullock
West Kootenay, Castlegar, Small Business Repairing rides on the road

Chad Bullock’s new mobile repair business, Kootenay Auto Worx, is out and about in Castlegar

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Kimberley City Bakery owners Michelle and Eric Forbes
East Kootenay, Kimberley, Cuisine, Small Business Forbes bakery is best

Kimberley City Bakery owners Eric and Michelle Forbes have been awarded Canada’s most prestigious bakery award

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Long-time hearing specialist Garth Brears has opened his own audiology centre, Burntwood Hearing, in Cranbrook, B.C.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Health & Wellness, Small Business Burntwood Hearing health

Education to maximize hearing health and capacity are specialties at beautiful Burntwood Hearing in Cranbrook.

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Lisa Schulz and France Andestad are sisters who own and operate Avenue, a women's wear shop in Invermere, B.C.
East Kootenay, Invermere, Retail, Small Business Invermere’s fashionistas

“We want every single client who walks out of the store to be in love with the clothing they’re taking home,” said France Andestad.

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Seasons Property Care and Seasons Watersports & Rentals in Christina Lake, B.C., are owned and operated by Brian Coutts.
West Kootenay, Christina Lake, Small Business, Tourism Seasons Property Care

Seasons Property Care Ltd. is a new service for the convenience of Christina Lake property owners.

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Marion Peterson's first venture into business ownership with Refinery 180 Consignment in Grand Forks, B.C., is a welcome addition to the city's retail options.
West Kootenay, Grand Forks, Retail, Small Business Refinery 180 Consignment

A visit to Refinery 180 Consignment brings fun and profit to the serious work of recycling.

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Evie Tjader
West Kootenay, Cuisine, Small Business Simmer Down in Fruitvale

Evie Tjader is an experienced cook, now serving homemade meals at her new restaurant, Simmer Down Café in Fruitvale, B.C.

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Kris Murrell is a new arrival in the Columbia Valley and the new owner of Smoking Waters Coffee Co. in Fairmont Hot Springs.
East Kootenay, Fairmont Hot Springs, Cuisine, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business, Tourism Smoking Waters, a Columbia Valley classic

A streamlined menu allows Smoking Waters Coffee Co. to focus on high quality fare.

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Invermere's Kanata Inn is owned by the Best Canadian Motor Inns group.
East Kootenay, Invermere, Entertainment and Hospitality, Tourism Motel metamorphosis

Invermere’s Kanata Inn is the new and improved version of the former Super 8 motel, and the first Kanata in B.C.

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A group of people stand in front of Elevation Industries. (L to R) Christine Walsh, Christy Sutherland, Lance Edwards, Lucia Glasse-Davies, Sydney Salvador.
East Kootenay, Fernie, Retail, Small Business Yearning for Fernie

This third-generation Fernie-ite has travelled to Chile, Colorado and back home again

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Robin Dixon is standing in the middle of her store, The Grater Good in Kimberley’s Platzl, surrounded by a rainbow of colourful kitchen items—from dishware and linens to kitchen appliances, gadgets, and pots and pans.
East Kootenay, Kimberley, Cuisine, Retail “For the love of food, family and friends” is the tagline of this new kitchen shop

For Robin Dixon, opening The Grater Good in Kimberley has allowed her to share her love of cooking and entertaining

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Adam Pomeroy (left) and Rob Gretchen opened Cycology Bikes Inc. in Castlegar, B.C. in April 2016.
West Kootenay, Castlegar, Retail, Small Business, Tourism Bike kings of Castlegar

Adam Pomeroy and Rob Gretchen have opened a bike shop in Castlegar, B.C., and business is good.

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Tamara Mercandelli, Christel Hagn and Caitlin Berkhiem are the owners of Soulfood restaurant in Cranbrook, B.C.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Cuisine, Entertainment and Hospitality, Retail, Small Business Cranbrook’s Soulfood

Exquisite, ethical edibles are the trademark of Cranbrook’s Soulfood restaurant.

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Kris Koop owns and operates the Blue Barn Pet & Hobby Farm shop in Castlegar, B.C.
West Kootenay, Castlegar, Animal Care, Retail, Small Business Blue Barn business

The owner of the Blue Barn Pet & Hobby Farm in Castlegar loves critters and their people.

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Danielle Ecclestone opened her eclectic novelty shop in Cranbrook in early October 2016.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Retail, Small Business Fun merchandise at Seams Fun

Seams Fun carries a stock of novelty clothing, accessories and home decor items.

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