Local Business

The former Valley Auction site in Spallumcheen is now the home of Integrity Building Products. The official changing of hands ceremony took place Monday, Oct. 18, with Don Raffan of Valley Auction (cowboy hat, left), Mayor Christine Fraser and Jerry Myer of Integrity. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Valley Auction in Spallumcheen signs off with Integrity

In the township since 1963, Valley Auction turns property over to Alberta’s Integrity Building Products

 

A sign indicating face coverings are required by the establishment is pictured on the front door of a business in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, April 9, 2021. COVID-19 cases have been on a steady increase in the province of British Columbia over the past week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Anger, decreased sales reported by Vernon businesses over COVID-19 vaccination checks

Unpredictable customers leaves local staff and owners feeling anxious

 

Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce president Robin Cardew encourages customers to take it easy on local businesses. (Chamber photo)

Anger, decreased sales reported by Vernon businesses over COVID-19 vaccination checks

Unpredictability of customers leaves local staff and owners feeling anxious

 

Dan Proulx and Richard Rolke from the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce urge residents to vote for their favourite in the People’s Choice category for the 37th annual business excellence awards. (Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce/Facebook photo)

Nearly 400 Vernon businesses nominated for excellence awards

Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce awards now open for People’s Choice votes

Dan Proulx and Richard Rolke from the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce urge residents to vote for their favourite in the People’s Choice category for the 37th annual business excellence awards. (Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce/Facebook photo)
At least one downtown Vernon restaurant, The Fig, has stated that it will not discriminate against vaccination status, despite the latest provincial health order to come in effect Sept. 13. (The Fig Facebook post)

Vaccination passports get mixed response from Vernon businesses

Majority surveyed by Chamber of Commerce support proof of vaccination

At least one downtown Vernon restaurant, The Fig, has stated that it will not discriminate against vaccination status, despite the latest provincial health order to come in effect Sept. 13. (The Fig Facebook post)
John (from left), Brad and Al Thorlakson of Vernon-based Tolko Industries gather at the Lavington Planer Mill where it all began for the company 65 years ago in 1956. (tolko.com)

Okanagan-based lumber giant harvests 65 years

Tolko Industries began with operation at Lavington Planer Mill, now an internationally known company

John (from left), Brad and Al Thorlakson of Vernon-based Tolko Industries gather at the Lavington Planer Mill where it all began for the company 65 years ago in 1956. (tolko.com)
Nominations are open until Aug. 23 for the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. (Chamber photo)

Love sought for Greater Vernon businesses

Chamber of Commerce award nominations open until Aug. 23

Nominations are open until Aug. 23 for the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. (Chamber photo)
Gary's Woodfired Pizza got some slack on the weekend for operating an open flame in Lake Country. (Contributed)

Pizza business gets Okanagan residents fired up

Wood fired pizza truck operating with exemption, while barbecues banned in parks

Gary's Woodfired Pizza got some slack on the weekend for operating an open flame in Lake Country. (Contributed)
A case of COVID-19 has temporarily closed Vernon’s Kelly O’Bryan’s restaurant. (Morning Star - file photo)

COVID case temporarily closes Okanagan restaurant

Kelly O’Bryan’s in Vernon makes announcement on social media, answering machine

A case of COVID-19 has temporarily closed Vernon’s Kelly O’Bryan’s restaurant. (Morning Star - file photo)
The Turtle Bay Pub will be closed until July 30 due to staff exposures to COVID-19. (Turtle Bay Pub photo)

Popular Okanagan pub closed due to COVID-19 exposure

Several staff exposed to COVID-19 at Turtle Bay Pub

The Turtle Bay Pub will be closed until July 30 due to staff exposures to COVID-19. (Turtle Bay Pub photo)
The Small Axe Roadhouse in Enderby is closing for a couple days during the heatwave. (Small Axe Facebook)

Heat wave closes down North Okanagan restaurants

Jim’s Place, Kawakubo Sushi and Small Axe say it’s too hot to cook

The Small Axe Roadhouse in Enderby is closing for a couple days during the heatwave. (Small Axe Facebook)
The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce is calling on the provincial government to meet with the Interior Provincial Exhibition organization in Armstrong to help ensure the long-term viability of the annual fair, which has been cancelled the last two years due to the pandemic. (Morning Star - file photo)

Vernon chamber calls on Victoria to ensure viability of Armstrong’s fair

The annual IPE, more than a century old, has been cancelled the last two years due to COVID-19

The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce is calling on the provincial government to meet with the Interior Provincial Exhibition organization in Armstrong to help ensure the long-term viability of the annual fair, which has been cancelled the last two years due to the pandemic. (Morning Star - file photo)
Skip Bartholomew’s sons, Stephen, current production manager (left) and Josh, current controller (C) with current Wayside owner Neil Perry. Overlooking tables of memories that have been collected and preserved over the past 100 years.

PHOTOS: A century of service from Wayside in Vernon

The press and printing company, founded by Harold George Bartholomew, turns 100 in 2021

Skip Bartholomew’s sons, Stephen, current production manager (left) and Josh, current controller (C) with current Wayside owner Neil Perry. Overlooking tables of memories that have been collected and preserved over the past 100 years.
Closure of the 2900 block of 30th Avenue will allow restaurants and other businesses to extend their patios onto the street. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Green light given to downtown Vernon road closure

Single block of 30th Avenue to close over summer months to boost business

Closure of the 2900 block of 30th Avenue will allow restaurants and other businesses to extend their patios onto the street. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
(Kingfisher Boats photo)

North Okanagan business shores up top award, again

KingFisher Boats a gold standard winner for retaining Best Managed status

(Kingfisher Boats photo)
Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News Kathryn Jones, 14, left, and her brother, Anthony Jones, 12, both of Port Angeles, dine on salads at a picnic table on the patio in front of Barhop Brewing and Artisan Pizza on Thursday on the Port Angeles waterfront. Because of state-mandated restrictions on indoor restaurants because of Covid-19, many eateries have switched to offering food for carryout only in order to remain in business.

Picnic tables add to outdoor dining around Vernon

Tables coming to Cenotaph Park, Spirit Square, Harmony Park and city hall

Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News Kathryn Jones, 14, left, and her brother, Anthony Jones, 12, both of Port Angeles, dine on salads at a picnic table on the patio in front of Barhop Brewing and Artisan Pizza on Thursday on the Port Angeles waterfront. Because of state-mandated restrictions on indoor restaurants because of Covid-19, many eateries have switched to offering food for carryout only in order to remain in business.
Many Pentictonites were wondering about the the large searchlight in the sky Thursday May 20, 2021. (Jesse Day/Western News)

PHOTOS: Rare 1940s searchlight touches the sky in Penticton

Here’s the story behind what was lighting up the skies of Penticton last night

Many Pentictonites were wondering about the the large searchlight in the sky Thursday May 20, 2021. (Jesse Day/Western News)
The Roxy Cafe has extended its patio into its parking spaces in order to keep dining options open during the latest pandemic health restrictions. (Downtown Vernon Association photo)

Consultation curbs downtown Vernon road closure

Closing ‘Main Street’ may not happen this summer

The Roxy Cafe has extended its patio into its parking spaces in order to keep dining options open during the latest pandemic health restrictions. (Downtown Vernon Association photo)
Spallumcheen councillors (from left) Todd York, Gerry Popoff, Christine LeMaire, John Bakker, Joe Van Tienhoven and Andrew Casson join Mayor Christine Fraser (fourth from left) in helping to proclaim the township open for business with new signage off Highway 97A. (Township of Spallumcheen photo)

Being open for business paying dividends for Spallumcheen

Township wins provincial award, new business and building starts increase

Spallumcheen councillors (from left) Todd York, Gerry Popoff, Christine LeMaire, John Bakker, Joe Van Tienhoven and Andrew Casson join Mayor Christine Fraser (fourth from left) in helping to proclaim the township open for business with new signage off Highway 97A. (Township of Spallumcheen photo)
Downtown Vernon’s The Fig has a few bistro tables outside and will remain open for pickup during B.C.’s ban on indoor dining. (The Fig photo)

Restaurants stay ‘Okanagan strong’ through new COVID restrictions

Grab your toque and support a local patio near you

Downtown Vernon’s The Fig has a few bistro tables outside and will remain open for pickup during B.C.’s ban on indoor dining. (The Fig photo)