Local Business

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

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

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

The outdoor rink has opened and closed several times due to poor weather. Paige Mueller/The Free Press

Inclement weather affecting rink conditions

The Fernie outdoor rink has been opened and closed several times over…

The outdoor rink has opened and closed several times due to poor weather. Paige Mueller/The Free Press
Pizza shop adds ‘funk’ to Fernie’s culinary scene

Pizza shop adds ‘funk’ to Fernie’s culinary scene

Three young entrepreneurs have proudly opened their doors to their new shop…

Pizza shop adds ‘funk’ to Fernie’s culinary scene
Amy Cardozo, co-owner of Crumbs Cakery, now in Sparwood. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press

Crumbs Cakery moves to Sparwood

Amy Cardozo says it feels great to amalgamate the place they live with the business they love.

Amy Cardozo, co-owner of Crumbs Cakery, now in Sparwood. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press
Mayor Ange Qualizza cuts the red ribbon with owners Jason Burt and Veronique Roy for the grand opening of Tiny Homes by Snow Valley Lodging. James Snell/The Free Press

Fernie’s Tiny Home Hotel celebrates grand opening

Mayor Qualizza said many other communities have been asking about Fernie’s groundbreaking project

Mayor Ange Qualizza cuts the red ribbon with owners Jason Burt and Veronique Roy for the grand opening of Tiny Homes by Snow Valley Lodging. James Snell/The Free Press
Jason Burt and Veronique Roy sit in a Tiny Home unit. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press

Fernie business opens Tiny Home Hotel

This six-unit complex is, they believe, the first of its kind in Canada. Grand opening on October 8.

Jason Burt and Veronique Roy sit in a Tiny Home unit. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press
Body Garage strength training gym opens in Fernie

Body Garage strength training gym opens in Fernie

New gym, located on 9th Avenue, is a 24-hour facility

  • Sep 25, 2019
Body Garage strength training gym opens in Fernie
Diamond of the Elk Valley turns 30

Diamond of the Elk Valley turns 30

Island Lake Lodge, located only 14 km from Fernie, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

  • Sep 20, 2019
Diamond of the Elk Valley turns 30
Stick & Stone Cannabis first customer Barrie Elliott (middle) stands with Sarah-Jane Nelson and Dennis Schafer at the grand opening of the Fernie shop, Sunday. James Snell/The Free Press

Independent cannabis store blazing uncharted trails in Fernie

Stick & Stone Cannabis Co., in Fernie opened its doors and welcomed…

  • Aug 22, 2019
Stick & Stone Cannabis first customer Barrie Elliott (middle) stands with Sarah-Jane Nelson and Dennis Schafer at the grand opening of the Fernie shop, Sunday. James Snell/The Free Press
The Mountain High Adventure team celebrates their opening day at the Fernie RV Resort. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press

Mountain High Adventures opens new doors

On Thursday, June 20, Mountain High Adventures opened the doors to their…

The Mountain High Adventure team celebrates their opening day at the Fernie RV Resort. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press
Package-free pop-up store launches in Fernie

Package-free pop-up store launches in Fernie

Stocked Co. joins Fernie waste-free movement; offers community compositing, package-free options

Package-free pop-up store launches in Fernie
Carter group takes the wheel of Fernie dealership

Carter group takes the wheel of Fernie dealership

New owners shift focus to fleet business after upgrading technology, doubling staff

Carter group takes the wheel of Fernie dealership
Fernie Brewing Company head brewer Jeff Demaniuk poses for a picture at FBC. Pictured in the background is a tower of cans ready to be filled with the now award-winning beer, Campout West Coast Pale. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press

Fernie beer named Canada’s best pale ale

Fernie Brewing Company’s Campout West Coast Pale finishes first at the Canadian Brewing Awards

Fernie Brewing Company head brewer Jeff Demaniuk poses for a picture at FBC. Pictured in the background is a tower of cans ready to be filled with the now award-winning beer, Campout West Coast Pale. Phil McLachlan/The Free Press
New craft business makes market debut in Fernie

New craft business makes market debut in Fernie

Blast from the past: “Vintads” offers vintage magazine advertisements in custom built frames

New craft business makes market debut in Fernie
When did you last sit and read a newspaper? (Wiki Commons)

Don’t stop the presses: Report finds Canadian newspaper readership at all-time high

88% of Canadians read newspapers every week, highest since first Newspapers 24/7 Report in 2012

When did you last sit and read a newspaper? (Wiki Commons)
Fernie Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brad Parsell. Photo by Vinco Mo

New Chamber boss shares vision for Fernie

Brad Parsell joins the Fernie Chamber of Commerce after six years at Fernie Lodging Company

Fernie Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brad Parsell. Photo by Vinco Mo
Woodwork artist launches solo exhibition

Woodwork artist launches solo exhibition

Touch Stones will be on display until April 23.

Woodwork artist launches solo exhibition
Sale of Elko dairy bar bittersweet for owner

Sale of Elko dairy bar bittersweet for owner

Gordon Holmes reflects on 25 years at 3 & 93 Dairy Bar as he prepares to sell the iconic Elko business

Sale of Elko dairy bar bittersweet for owner