Local Business

Clockwise from top left: Vince Mo; The staff of Total Pet in Cranbrook; The Foundry, under construction in Cranbrook; Teck Resources is spinning off its Elk Valley Coal Operations.

Kootenay Regional Business Round-Up

By Keith Powell Cranbrook: Total Pet Undergoes a Total Renovation Taylor Yonkman,…

  • Mar 2, 2023
Left to right: Heather of Fernie Brewing Company; Becky Fluker of Little Wildflowers; the Canadian Linen and Uniform branch in Cranbrook has moved to 565 Industrial Road D Crescent.

East Kootenay Business Round-Up

Business News [New Brewer Added At FBC] The Fernie Brewing Company (FBC)…

  • Jan 30, 2023
The site of the former, and soon-to-be future Centennial Square in downtown Sparwood. Pictured in July 2022. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Centennial Square construction causes frustration among business owners in Sparwood

The $2.2 million project has left businesses with “only a handful of parking spaces”

Two credit unions EKC and Heritage Credit Union will merge, effective January 1, 2023 – and will be operating under the legal name of “StellerVista Credit Union.” (Barry Coulter photo)

East Kootenay Community and Heritage Credit Union merger approved by members

The merger of East Kootenay Community Credit Union (EKC) and Heritage Credit…

Two credit unions EKC and Heritage Credit Union will merge, effective January 1, 2023 – and will be operating under the legal name of “StellerVista Credit Union.” (Barry Coulter photo)
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
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
The 2022 Ktunaxa Business Showcase, held at the Prestige Inn on Thursday, Oct. 27, created an opportunity for Ktunaxa entrepreneurs and artisans to connect and network with regional industries, enhance their brand awareness in the community, and highlight products and services. (Barry Coulter photo)

Ktunaxa business showcase features entrepreneurs, businesses, artisans

Over 31 Ktunaxa businesses, including artisans, were involved in the showcase, and more than a dozen industries came by for the networking opportunities

The 2022 Ktunaxa Business Showcase, held at the Prestige Inn on Thursday, Oct. 27, created an opportunity for Ktunaxa entrepreneurs and artisans to connect and network with regional industries, enhance their brand awareness in the community, and highlight products and services. (Barry Coulter photo)
Blair Craig and Lynn Muller are the owners of Canyon Raft Company, which was awarded with the Chamber legacy award at the 2021 Fernie Business Excellence Awards. Pictured on Nov. 9, 2021, at the Fernie Alpine Resort. Craig has worked at the ski hill since he moved to Fernie in 1975. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

After 26 years, Fernie’s Canyon Raft Company going strong

The company, which was started in 1995, was honoured at the 2021 Fernie Business Excellence Awards

Blair Craig and Lynn Muller are the owners of Canyon Raft Company, which was awarded with the Chamber legacy award at the 2021 Fernie Business Excellence Awards. Pictured on Nov. 9, 2021, at the Fernie Alpine Resort. Craig has worked at the ski hill since he moved to Fernie in 1975. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
Anita’s Organic Mill co-owner Taylor Gemmel outside the Chilliwack location. (Michelle Gemmel submitted file photo)

Nature’s Path acquires majority interest in Chilliwack organic food business

Largest organic cereal and snack maker buys into Anita’s Organic Mill

Anita’s Organic Mill co-owner Taylor Gemmel outside the Chilliwack location. (Michelle Gemmel submitted file photo)
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

The first cruise ship of the 2019 season – the Celebrity Eclipse – docks in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)
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

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)
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

Kat Gellerman brings years of experience in the food business to her new store, Chef Sense Supplies, in downtown Courtenay. Photo by Mike Chouinard
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
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