Local Business

Jesse Brown (second from right) is joined by partners Darion Odell (left) and Joel Rybachuk (right) in purchasing Cidel Moving and Storage, and rebranding as Browns Transport. The trio bought the business from the Zoethout family, represented by Rick Zoethout (second from left) and Art Zoethout (third from left). (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Longtime Vernon moving firm delivered to new partners

Browns Transport purchases Cidel Moving and Storage

 

Vernon’s Dörte Kargut, originally from Germany, successfully found work in her new hometown thanks to the efforts of WorkBC. (Contributed)

Vernon woman journeys from kitchen to administration with Interior Health

Dörte Kargut took a job working in a kitchen to help get familiar administrative position

 

A plan to ban drive-thrus in Vernon’s city centre neighbourhood will not move forward. (Google Street View)

Vernon curbs drive-thru ban plan

Council goes against staff recommendation to change zoning bylaw

 

Business owners: Daina Bull (top left), Anna’s Vitamins Plus; Dawn McLean, Snac Shac; Melissa Knutsvik, Touch of Elegance; AlyssaWiens PMU & Aesthetics (top right); Kiley Routley, Back to Earth. (Contributed)

Women-led North Okanagan businesses up for awards

Five Vernon, Lumby and Coldstream female entrepreneurs up for B.C. honour

Business owners: Daina Bull (top left), Anna’s Vitamins Plus; Dawn McLean, Snac Shac; Melissa Knutsvik, Touch of Elegance; AlyssaWiens PMU & Aesthetics (top right); Kiley Routley, Back to Earth. (Contributed)
Kingfisher Boats has been able to fill a labour gap thanks to the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot through employees like Sandro Araujo from Brazil. (Rhythm Productions photo)

Project brings multiple employees aboard Vernon boat company

Kingfisher Boats hires eight workers for positions through Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

Kingfisher Boats has been able to fill a labour gap thanks to the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot through employees like Sandro Araujo from Brazil. (Rhythm Productions photo)
350 Bakehouse and Cafe is experience short shortages, forcing them to stop their hot breakfast and lunch options for the time being. (350 Bakehouse Cafe/Facebook)

Kelowna’s 350 Bakehouse ending grill options due to staff shortage

Cafe will focus on grab-and-go and deli items, as well as baked goods

350 Bakehouse and Cafe is experience short shortages, forcing them to stop their hot breakfast and lunch options for the time being. (350 Bakehouse Cafe/Facebook)
Cory Petty of Cory Petty Construction (left) has tapped into the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Project to permanently land skilled workers like Luiz Fernando de Paula from Brazil. (Contributed)

Vernon business nails down skilled employees through immigration project

Cory Petty Construction able to permanently land three qualified workers thanks to RNIP

Cory Petty of Cory Petty Construction (left) has tapped into the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Project to permanently land skilled workers like Luiz Fernando de Paula from Brazil. (Contributed)
Retired Vernon businessman Wayne Klippert has rediscovered a love for painting. His current works can be found hanging in the windows of Legacy Photo and Framing on 30th Avenue. (Contributed)

Retired Vernon businessman draws back on painting hobby

Legacy Photo and Framing displaying seniors’ works in windows

Retired Vernon businessman Wayne Klippert has rediscovered a love for painting. His current works can be found hanging in the windows of Legacy Photo and Framing on 30th Avenue. (Contributed)
Kids had fun checking out the zamboni at the 2022 Chamber Expo. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Greater Vernon Chamber Community Expo set for April

Big day for businesses and organizations will be held Saturday, April 22, Kal Tire Place North

Kids had fun checking out the zamboni at the 2022 Chamber Expo. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Community Futures North Okanagan has launched a new loans program to help newcomers to the North Okanagan settle into the community. The loan is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. (Contributed)

Loans help newcomers settle into North Okanagan

Community Futures program aimed at helping make life easier for those new to the region

Community Futures North Okanagan has launched a new loans program to help newcomers to the North Okanagan settle into the community. The loan is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. (Contributed)
Kelowna’s newest brewery, Buffalo Rouge Brewing, is set to open in the spring. (@buffalo.rouge.brewing/Instagram)

Kelowna couple sets down roots in turning vegetarian food truck into brewery

The Wagon food truck was a staple at the Kelowna Farmers Market since 2018

Kelowna’s newest brewery, Buffalo Rouge Brewing, is set to open in the spring. (@buffalo.rouge.brewing/Instagram)
Vernon’s Canadian Tire at the Village Green Centre is slated to re-open this month after being forced to close following a suspicious fire in a locked compound beside the store in November 2022. (Google Maps)

Vernon Canadian Tire ready to roll

Business set to re-open this month following November fire

Vernon’s Canadian Tire at the Village Green Centre is slated to re-open this month after being forced to close following a suspicious fire in a locked compound beside the store in November 2022. (Google Maps)
The Lift Caddy is a solution to the problem of having to lift your heavy e-bike up onto a bike rack. (Bowen Assman/Black Press)

VIDEO: Vernon businessman has the perfect ‘lift’ for your e-bike

The Lift Caddy is an electric elevator that makes it safe and easy to load your bike on a rack

The Lift Caddy is a solution to the problem of having to lift your heavy e-bike up onto a bike rack. (Bowen Assman/Black Press)
Former Vernon JCI chapter president Sue Solymosi became the first person from the chapter to be named to a vice-president position of JCI's World Congress. (Heath Fletcher photo)

Former Vernon JCI chapter president elected to international post

Sue Solymosi is vice-president of JCI World Congress, elected in late 2022 in Hong Kong

Former Vernon JCI chapter president Sue Solymosi became the first person from the chapter to be named to a vice-president position of JCI's World Congress. (Heath Fletcher photo)
The Downtown Vernon Association has requested funds from the City of Vernon for the 2900 Plaza, which sees the 2900 block of 30th Avenue shut down to motorized traffic from July to September, replaced with a pedestrian corridor. (Wayne Emde photo)

Downtown Vernon Association looks for 2900 Plaza funds

Closure of 2900 block of 30th Avenue from July to early September planned again in 2023

The Downtown Vernon Association has requested funds from the City of Vernon for the 2900 Plaza, which sees the 2900 block of 30th Avenue shut down to motorized traffic from July to September, replaced with a pedestrian corridor. (Wayne Emde photo)
Kristina Klein got her start in the kitchen at the young age of three or four when she'd help in the family restaurant in Oliver. (Caitlin Clow - Vernon Morning Star)

UPDATE: Busy breakfast cafe in Vernon sold to staff

Chicken ’n waffles to stay as new owners take over EATology

Kristina Klein got her start in the kitchen at the young age of three or four when she'd help in the family restaurant in Oliver. (Caitlin Clow - Vernon Morning Star)
A fire at Vernon's Canadian Tire early Saturday morning, Nov. 19, 2022, has been deemed suspicious. (Vernon Fire Rescue Services/Instagram)

Online shopping rolls out at Vernon’s Canadian Tire following fire

Store remains closed but customers can shop online Jan. 23

A fire at Vernon's Canadian Tire early Saturday morning, Nov. 19, 2022, has been deemed suspicious. (Vernon Fire Rescue Services/Instagram)
John (left) and Jaron Chasca have announced the rebrand of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services to Cypress Funeral and Cremation Services. (Heath Fletcher/Sproing Creative photo)

New name, same quality service for Okanagan funeral company

Alternatives becomes Cypress Funeral and Cremation Services

John (left) and Jaron Chasca have announced the rebrand of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services to Cypress Funeral and Cremation Services. (Heath Fletcher/Sproing Creative photo)
James Stuart of Uplift Aero Greens (left), Conspiracy Cosmetics’ Olive Butler and Sean Ling-Allen of Centred Pilates are the 2022 Enterprize Challenge champions. Registrations for the 2023 Challenge are now being taken. (Celena S Photography)

Budding businesses nourished by North Okanagan Enterprize Challenge

Entrepreneurs have chance to grow business, win big prizes

James Stuart of Uplift Aero Greens (left), Conspiracy Cosmetics’ Olive Butler and Sean Ling-Allen of Centred Pilates are the 2022 Enterprize Challenge champions. Registrations for the 2023 Challenge are now being taken. (Celena S Photography)
Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce general manager Dan Proulx (right) presents Toni Schroeder of Coldstream with $1,000 in gift cards as winner of the chamber’s Rally The Valley shop local campaign Dec. 6-23. (GVCOC photo)

Coldstream resident tallies Valley rally prize

Toni Schroeder wins Greater Vernon Chamber’s Rally the Valley shop local campaign

Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce general manager Dan Proulx (right) presents Toni Schroeder of Coldstream with $1,000 in gift cards as winner of the chamber’s Rally The Valley shop local campaign Dec. 6-23. (GVCOC photo)