Changes are underway for empty storefronts on downtown’s Hudson Avenue.
While the closure of The Lake Effect was a sad day, with the coming of spring a new business is popping up in that location.
A familiar face in the downtown and a longtime resident of the Shuswap, deb Armour is opening deb’s Style Loft, Ladies New &Consigned Fashions.
Armour formerly owned Yesteryear, a clothing consignment store which was located farther down Hudson.
Although clothing is a staple of deb’s Style Loft – both new and consignment, “eclectic” is a word Armour uses to describe her new business.
In keeping with her belief in caring for the environment, Armour has been doing a lot of recycling and reusing.
Along with new items, she is using her flair for spotting unique furniture and antique glassware to offer a variety of interesting treasures. Armour also transforms furniture she finds by refurbishing and refinishing it.
As well as clothing, housewares and furniture, deb’s Style Loft will be selling jewelry and soap made locally. That’s in keeping with her belief in supporting the community.
Adding to the ambience, the store will feature an Artist’s Wall, complete with high-end art.
“I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Armour says of her new venture. “I want people to say, ‘I wonder what deb’s got now.”
While the official opening of the store will be April 1, Armour hopes to have deb’s Style Loft operating in the next week.
Another addition to Hudson will be the Hungry Panda, owned by Kristen and Stewart Fells.
Kristen says the couple is renovating the former home of Lemon Tree Pizza, and hope to be open sometime in May.
The longtime operators of a food vending truck, the couple would love to send the truck out as well, Kristen says, but will see how staffing and other factors unfold with the new location.
Although limited seating will be available on Hudson, Kristen explains the focus will be more on takeout. The menu will remain Asian fusion: “Stir fry noodle boxes and we will be bringing in some things like wraps, salads and soups.”
She notes that their menu is a fast version of Asian fusion. “We definitely focus on getting people their food as fast as possible.”
Hours are still to be confirmed, but the couple hopes to be open six days a week for both lunch and dinner.
And they’re excited with their new venture.
“We’re looking forward to being more a part of the downtown community,” says Kristen. “More involved with things happening downtown.”
Another change for Hudson Avenue is Hartty Clothing.
Owners Michelle and Peter Wall have purchased the building directly across from the Candy Vault, which will house their clothing store. On the top floor are four residential suites.
Michelle says they hope to open early in June, and she’s happy about having more room.
“It’s a bigger space, there’ll be more room so I can properly display what I’ve got and maybe expand a little bit; we’ll play that by ear.”
Currently they sell children’s clothing and footwear, as well as workwear.
“We’re going to be bringing in some women’s Carhartt and a bigger selection of Carhartt FR (fire resistant) and maybe some children’s footwear.”
They now sell the popular Bogs children’s boots.
The couple, who also own Woodsman Equipment, are pleased to be coming downtown.
“I’m kind of excited to see what the downtown will be,” says Michelle. “We’ve got a really nice downtown; I’ve heard a lot of feedback about the prospect of us down there. We’ve heard that people come from other cities to shop downtown.”
Bill Laird, who owns several properties downtown, says he feels very enthusiastic about Salmon Arm’s downtown. He said he has had seven vacancies in the downtown core in the last six months, and six have already been filled.
“Everybody working together, that’s what makes our town what it is.”