Local Business

Small Business Spotlight columnist focuses on a Vernon cornerstone: Vernon Teach and Learn. (Sam McNair - Contributed)

Small Business Spotlight: Vernon shop educates through fun

Vernon Teach and Learn is a community cornerstone for education resources… and ice cream

  • Apr 12, 2021
A bee pollinates the creamy yellow flower of a haskap berry plant. (Contributed)

Vernon berry farm keeps bees buzzing

Organic haskap berries bloom thanks to busy little bumbles

Soil microbiologist Kris Nichols is coming to the TRU Campus in Williams Lake on May 24 to discuss soil, farming and other related topics at a seminar. Black Press File Photo.

Vernon organics business looks to harvest Dragon’s Den dollars

BlueSky Organics lawn and garden products a popular product as COVID-19 prompts many to grow their own food

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)
Sun Country Cycle lead mechanic Josh Koble presents the newly installed tool station in Ranger Park to Shylo Orchard, Vernon BMX track president Friday, on March 26. (Caitlin Clow - Morning Star)

WATCH: Tool station keeps Vernon BMX riders on track

Sun Country Cycle installs fourth fix-it station at Ranger Park

Sun Country Cycle lead mechanic Josh Koble presents the newly installed tool station in Ranger Park to Shylo Orchard, Vernon BMX track president Friday, on March 26. (Caitlin Clow - Morning Star)
Teeter Totter Toys in Vernon has held steady despite staffing and supply shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic, largely on the back of three-dimensional games such as puzzles and board games. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Too much COVID screen time? This Vernon business has your kids covered

Kelowna optometrist finds worsened eyesight in children during pandemic; Vernon’s Teeter Totter Toys aims to help

Teeter Totter Toys in Vernon has held steady despite staffing and supply shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic, largely on the back of three-dimensional games such as puzzles and board games. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Ray Morin and Janet Cody are the owners of Olive Us Oil and Vinegar Tasting Room in Vernon, Lake Country and Salmon Arm. (photo submitted)

Vernon olive oil shop’s move online a hit amid pandemic

Olive Us Oil and Vinegar Tasting Room has shops in Vernon, Lake Country and Salmon Arm

Ray Morin and Janet Cody are the owners of Olive Us Oil and Vinegar Tasting Room in Vernon, Lake Country and Salmon Arm. (photo submitted)
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)

Vernon 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)
Armstrong restaurants like the Station Diner on Pleasant Valley Boulevard have received the support of the city and Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce to use city sidewalks and parking spaces for patio service until April 19 in wake of the provincial health order update Monday, March 29. (Facebook photo)

Armstrong OKs sidewalk patios in wake of new orders

City throws support behind restaurants to allow expansion through to April 19

Armstrong restaurants like the Station Diner on Pleasant Valley Boulevard have received the support of the city and Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce to use city sidewalks and parking spaces for patio service until April 19 in wake of the provincial health order update Monday, March 29. (Facebook photo)
Donna Koch empowers women to stop holding back, and particularly stop being hard on themselves, as pictured at a 2020 Vernon Women in Business meeting. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Vernon coach empowering women to shed self-sabotage

After 31 years in the corporate world, she put her fears aside and is leading her best life

Donna Koch empowers women to stop holding back, and particularly stop being hard on themselves, as pictured at a 2020 Vernon Women in Business meeting. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Vernon’s Canadian Tire new owner Jack D’Amico with his daughter Melissa, who works in administration are loving their new hometown, coming from Ontario. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

New owner rolls into Vernon’s Canadian Tire

Family falls in love with the area, and their sixth store

Vernon’s Canadian Tire new owner Jack D’Amico with his daughter Melissa, who works in administration are loving their new hometown, coming from Ontario. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Summit Tiny Homes, located in Vernon, has been named as a finalist for a provincial small business award. (Summit Tiny Homes)

Vernon company a People’s Choice favourite

Summit Tiny Homes among five finalists in People’s Choice category in Small Business BC awards

Summit Tiny Homes, located in Vernon, has been named as a finalist for a provincial small business award. (Summit Tiny Homes)
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)
Tucker’s Restaurant on Okanagan Street in Armstrong is for sale. (Photo submitted)

Popular Armstrong restaurant for sale

Tucker’s Restaurant on Okanagan Street put up for sale by family who are moving on to next adventure

Tucker’s Restaurant on Okanagan Street in Armstrong is for sale. (Photo submitted)
WorkBC’s Wage Subsidy program is designed to help North Okanagan employers receive funding to hire employees and grow their business. (Black Press file photo)

Wage subsidy program helps North Okanagan employers

Program offered through WorkBC

WorkBC’s Wage Subsidy program is designed to help North Okanagan employers receive funding to hire employees and grow their business. (Black Press file photo)
The Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce has created a five-point COVID-19 recovery plan for its businesses and not-for-proft organizations. (Black Press file) The Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce has created a five-point COVID-19 recovery plan for its businesses and not-for-proft organizations. (Black Press file)

Armstrong-Spallumcheen chamber rolls out recovery plan

Five-point plan is aimed at local businesses and not-for-profits impacted by COVID-19

The Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce has created a five-point COVID-19 recovery plan for its businesses and not-for-proft organizations. (Black Press file) The Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce has created a five-point COVID-19 recovery plan for its businesses and not-for-proft organizations. (Black Press file)
An Armstrong store owner alerted RCMP after a man used a fake $10 bill March 9, 2021. (Nicole Ramsey - Contributed)

Phoney $10 used in Armstrong shop a reminder to check cash

Bill emblazoned with Chinese characters stating its for training purposes

An Armstrong store owner alerted RCMP after a man used a fake $10 bill March 9, 2021. (Nicole Ramsey - Contributed)
Ashley Ramsay of Yeti Farm Creative. (Phil McLachlan - Capital News)

Ashley Ramsay runs Yeti Farm Creative

In this edition of Women in Business, women were interviewed who are…

Ashley Ramsay of Yeti Farm Creative. (Phil McLachlan - Capital News)
(Phil McLachlan - Capital News)

Christina Camilleri: Making holistic health care accessible

Christina Camilleri founded and operates Healthy Essentials Clinic

(Phil McLachlan - Capital News)
Mya Kondor, owner and trainer of Canines and Co. in Kelowna. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

VIDEO: Kelowna dog school offers puppy socialization classes amid COVID-19

Canines and Co. has adapted to the pandemic to provide training essential to puppies’ development

Mya Kondor, owner and trainer of Canines and Co. in Kelowna. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)