At home in the Creston Valley

Paula Carpenter, owner of Black Bear Books, looks back at her first place and describes the family home where she lives now

Paula Carpenter is enjoying a new location for her business, Black Bear Books. — Photo courtesy Paula Carpenter

Paula Carpenter is the owner of Black Bear Books in Creston. The friendly bookstore and coffee shop recently moved to a new location. Renovations have been a big part of her business as of late, so Carpenter has been happy to head home at the end of each day to a finished house with a great view just outside of town.

When you first moved out of your parents’ house as a young adult, where did you go to live?

My first home was at a resort in Banff in a little cabin that I was sharing with numerous other people. I was working at one of the resorts, so I was living in the staff housing in Banff up on Tunnel Mountain. I was excited about the independence, the freedom and living with other young people from all over the world.

Can you please describe the home you live in at present?

We own a ranch-style home in Wynndel on an acreage overlooking the valley. When we bought (the house it was already) completely renovated. (My family of four has) lived there for a year as of April. I would say it’s our dream home. It’s the place I would want to be until I’m ready to sell and travel and just maintain a little condo here someday.

What elements of the home give you the most satisfaction?

I’m busy as a mom and as a business owner so I liked the fact that this house was completely ready to move into. The view is the thing that sold us on the house. We walked in and the entire living room wall was all glass and had a beautiful view of the valley and the mountains beyond it. That was absolutely what sold it. I thought, “If you could wake up every morning and look at this view, life would be good.”