Kootenay Mountain Works as phoenix

Trevor Knight wasted no time getting back to work after his business premises burned down

by Marie Milner — November 08, 2013

Trevor Knight is the owner of Kootenay Mountain Works, a cycling, ski and snowboard shop in Kimberley, B.C. — Photo courtesy Trevor Knight

When he was visiting Kimberley, B.C., some years ago, Calgarian Trevor Knight met a girl. It turned out Raegen McArthur also lived in Calgary, though she was Kimberley born and raised, and home for a visit.

“I chased her back to Calgary,” said Knight, “and we eventually moved back here and got married.”

Knight opened a bike shop in Kimberley, calling it Kootenay Cycle Works. He had been in business for almost a year when, in December 2012, the beautiful heritage building that housed the shop burned to the ground, destroying all of his business stock. Knight turned to his friends and former employers, Rocky and Tom Pearson, for support.

Friends indeed

Rocky and Tom are brothers; Tom owned Rocky’s Ski & Snowboard in Kimberley, and Rocky owned the building where the store was situated. Knight had worked for the Pearsons in Calgary, and after the fire they agreed to have Knight join them in the Kimberley store. The two businesses complemented each other—the ski and snowboard shop became a year-round business with the addition of bikes and cycling gear.

“We joined forces and changed the name to Kootenay Mountain Works to be more inclusive,” Knight said.

In short order, though, Knight’s situation changed again when Tom decided to retire. With financial matters from the fire still unresolved, Knight wasn’t really in a position to buy the business, but the friends worked out a mutually agreeable deal.

“April 1st was the day that I officially took over,” Knight said. “I actually bought their assets and Rocky still owns the building. It’s been a massive gamble, financially, but the community has been very supportive.”

After a satisfyingly busy summer, Knight hopes the continuing November snowfall will result in an early start for the ski and snowboard season.