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Beachcomber continues to thrive in changing marketThen & Now ______________________________________________________________

Mike Straus Contributor

Ever since Kent Melvin’s parents started Beachcomber in Vernon 42 years ago, impeccable service and modern inventory have been cornerstones of the business.

And although the business started out just selling hot tubs and patio sets, the family quickly found that people loved the new styles they saw.

“Bringing in product that people like is one of the hardest things about this business,” Melvin says.

“You can see something at a show in Chicago or North Carolina and think it’s the next big thing. But every market is different, and you need to make sure (the product you buy) � ts the market.

“It’s not as easy as going to a show and saying, ‘Lets buy that.’”

The company’s winning strategy was to � nd pieces with an Okanagan � air and then bring in as much inventory as

possible. Consumers don’t want to wait for products to be special ordered, he says.

So it was critical to Beachcomber that they host inventory that consumers want.

“That’s why we expanded,” Melvin notes.

“We needed to be able to show more products. That way, when somebody buys something, they don’t have to wait.”

Having mastered the inventory dilemma, the Melvin family quickly found that another challenge arose—obscurity.

The company became well-known for selling hot tubs and patio sets, but when Beachcomber added home furniture lines, few consumers actually knew they could � nd home furnishings in the store.

“Whatever you start in, that’s what you’re remembered for,” Melvin says. “You can change it, but it’s not easy.”

With hard work and persistence, Beachcomber

broke through that barrier and started drawing customers to its home furniture section.

The business found that being able to work together productively as a family was a challenge —as is the case for many family businesses—but with strong planning and

Beachcomber is a family business for Kent Melvin, an enterprise started by his parents in Vernon 42 years ago.

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“My favourite part of operating Beachcomber is the people we work with.”

Kent Melvin, Beachcomber Home & Leisure.

delegation, the Melvins found they could act as a cohesive unit.

“It’s a tricky thing,

there’s no question about that. (We make the family thing work by) everyone having their own area

that they take care of. “There is overlap, but

when you have a lot of family involved, everyone takes a certain section and that’s what you work on.”

He notes that a signi� cant part of running a successful business involves planning for

inventory, and would-be entrepreneurs in the furniture and home leisure industry should never underestimate the importance of quality inventory and the resources it takes to acquire great pieces.

“When we go to shows and talk to suppliers, their feedback to us is that a lot of people get into the industry and don’t have the capital to buy inventory.

“If you’re going to succeed in this industry, you need to have capital behind you.”

At the end of the day, though, Kent Melvin’s strong relationships with customers and employees is what has made Beachcomber a success.

“My favourite part of operating Beachcomber is the people that we work with,” he says. “You meet a lot of great people and make some great connections.

“Anybody can bring in product. Anybody can set up a storefront. It’s all about relationships.”

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Sporting goods store spans four decades Mike Straus Contributor

The Gasser family is retiring after operating A.G. Outdoor Superstore for more than four decades.

A constant stream of new products, an emphasis on Canadian-made inventory, and a strong understanding of the market has allowed A.G. Outdoor Superstore to thrive.

In 1972, Randy Gasser started a surplus store with his mother Audrey at an intersection surrounded by orchards.

Along with a welding shop, Rutland Builders and the Dion family grocery store, it was part of a small community of businesses that would serve as the foundation of the Rutland business area.

“Every week or two, I’d take the van down to Vancouver, go to surplus dealers and product

reps, and ask them for samples,” Randy recalled.

“Every week we had new stock. Then the salvage and surplus dealers slowly got into army surplus stuff, so we got into the army business and started selling tents and backpacks.”

Randy says that older Rutland residents still remember buying their � rst tents and backpacks in the store.

Later, Randy’s sister Lorri joined the family business—and given her passion for backpacking, the store quickly entered the backpacking industry.

Kayaking and canoeing were the next ventures for the Gasser family to explore.

“For about a decade or so, my family and I were doing canoeing and kayaking trips,” says Randy.

“My dad is in his late 80s and he still goes

kayaking. “He doesn’t want to

close the store—he wants to continue on with the kayaks.”

Having founded A.G. Superstore before Rutland was part of Kelowna, the Gasser family has seen a whirlwind of change in the intervening years.

With newer technologies coming out every year, the Gassers have had to get creative in order to offer up-to-date products.

“The tools in this industry change so fast. Moving quickly enough to get a new product in—that’s a challenge,” he explained.

“A lot of the sales reps we buy from don’t have the time to learn about all the new products. The sales rep doesn’t spend three hours telling you how to sell the product, so you have to � gure that out as you go,” Randy said.

Still, with persistence and creativity, the Gassers have managed to create a sustainable business in the face of changing markets.

Randy has words of both wisdom and warning for those looking

to start a business:“You have to start

small. You have to put lots of hours into it. It takes research to really know what you’re selling —you have to use your inventory yourself.

“And you have to give

people a reason to come out and see you, and it can’t just be price.”

Now, with their retirement at hand, the Gasser family is looking forward to having the freedom to travel.

“I want to see Alaska,”

Randy said. “My parents go to Mexico every January.

“Hopefully we’ll still be able to do some kayaking, or maybe try � shing.

“Things I wanted to do earlier but didn’t have the time for.”

Audrey, Lorri and Randy Gasser with the family’s two dogs, Chai-li and Dalton.

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Then & Now ______________________________________________________________

AG OUTDOOR SUPERSTORE160 Dougall Rd. N. Kelowna (Behind Pizza Hut on Hwy. 33)

250.765.9548 • www.outdoorsuperstore.ca

OUR 44th YEAR ★ 3 FLOORS OF OUTDOOR GEAR

CLOSING OUT / OWNER’S RETIREMENT

After 44 Yearsthe Gasser Family isCLOSING the Doors!

1972 - 2015

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Save-On-Foods surpasses the century mark Then & Now ______________________________________________________________

Mike StrausContributor

A full century after � rst opening, the Overwaitea Food Group has evolved its practices for the technological era while maintaining the same service orientation it has always had.

Malcolm Robson is now the store manager for Orchard Plaza Save-On-Foods in Kelowna.

Robson � rst started working for the grocery chain at the Overwaitea store in Nakusp 40 years ago.

“Just before I started, the orders used to be done on a piece of paper,” he says.

“You had an order book. Campbell’s Soup was order 001. If you wanted a case of soup, you’d mark it down and then go through the store and spend time on the phone with the warehouse.”

He says the changes to the Save-On-Foods ordering system over the years has been astounding, with

computer-assisted ordering at the register automating the process.

And, prior to the introduction of computer systems, Save-On-Foods staff were required to know bulk prices off by heart.

“We knew that celery was 99 cents for three pounds, and you had to do the math in your head. Now, everything is based on UPC (universal product codes).

“When I started in 1975, we used to deliver groceries. The ladies in town would come in and say, ‘Please deliver this after 4.’ We had a delivery van we’d drive around in.”

Robson notes that today, the Save-On-Foods grocery delivery van has been replaced by an e-commerce system.

Lower Mainland residents can shop for groceries online and pick up their fare at the store —or have their items delivered for a small fee.

He also says that things today are more predictable than they

were in the past, naming deliveries as an example.

“In Nakusp, on a freight day we’d start work at 3 a.m. If the truck wasn’t there by 3:30, that meant he missed the 2 o’clock ferry out of Revelstoke and wouldn’t arrive until 7 a.m. Today,

we take it for granted—‘the truck will be here at 10.’ Everything is more predictable.”

And although process improvements have made things easier over the years, other factors have created new challenges.

“There’s a lot more

competition in town,” he says, “and they’ve really picked up their game.

“I think the biggest thing we’ve done to stay competitive is stay the course with our great customer service.

“We strive to give great products and great service

at great prices. “You can’t be chasing

everyone —you have to decide who you are and stick with it.”

It’s a strategy that appears to be working.

This past March, the business celebrated its 100th anniversary, with a

roster now of 145 stores in B.C. and Alberta.

And with such deep roots, Save-On has developed the resources and commitment to support local charitable organizations.

Currently, the grocery store chain is the single biggest corporate supporter of the B.C. Children’s Hospital, and has been for the last two years.

Locally, Save-On also sponsors the Kelowna Food Bank through Canstruction, the Fat Cat Children’s Festival, and a variety of other initiatives through Overwaitea sister banners Urban Fare and Cooper’s Foods.

But for Robson, it’s the staff that make the work worthwhile.

“Whenever anybody leaves this company, we miss them a lot. In 2014, we bought 15 stores from Sobey’s.

“Their employees couldn’t believe how hard we work and how much we enjoy working with each other—how much like a family it is.”

An historic photo of the very early days of what would become the Overwaitea grocery stores, which today has evolved into part of the Save-On-Foods chain, which also includes Urban Fare and Cooper’s Foods.

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JOIN US FOR A Community CelebrationTO MARK THE BEGINNING OF OUR JOURNEY

Bring the family down to enjoy a unique interactive walk down memory lane, celebrating the rich heritage of this iconic BC company. Win great prizes,

interact with local community partners, enjoy entertainment and festivities!

3 Locations To Serve You

KelownaOrchard Plaza

1876 Cooper Rd.

KelownaMission

3175 Lakeshore Rd.

WestKelowna

2475 Dobbin Rd.

www.saveonfoods.com


Winn Rentals legacy built on good planning, good people Mike Straus Contributor

Having survived two recessions and countless industry shifts, the Gretzinger family’s Winn Rentals has found sustainable success thanks to responsible business practices, a strong focus on customer service, and thorough planning.

Brad Gretzinger’s brother Bert and father Jim bought Winn Rentals in 1975, when the business was housed in a 1,400 square foot building and doubled as both a ski rental outlet and bottle depot.

“My father and my brother struggled to get things off the ground for a lot of years,” Brad said.

“Times were tight. The big recession in the 1980s was rather ugly. We were teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.

“But we made it through together.”Along with mechanic Art Meyer, Bert and Jim

worked hard to carve out a living. Kelowna was much smaller in the 1970s than it is

now, Brad says, and Winn Rentals was formed at a time when established companies had the market cornered.

Their one advantage? Rutland. In 1975, Rutland had been part of Kelowna for only two years, and Brad says appealing to the Rutland community gave the family business a much-needed foothold.

“Rutland was a very tight community back then. That’s where most of our business came from. As a new family in town, we were very well received,” he recalled.

As Kelowna continued to grow, and as major economic drivers like Big White opened, Winn Rentals found steady growth—but it didn’t come without its challenges.

The evolution of motors made the mechanical side of the business easier, Brad says, but a growing city meant there would be more demand for larger and more diverse equipment.

“We’ve always struggled to keep a balance. We’ve gone through several building booms, and we’ve had to keep our inventory up. There’s been demand for bigger pieces of equipment, which we’ve cautiously ventured into.”

The 2009 recession brought further challenges, but with careful planning and key contingencies in place, Winn Rentals—once again—survived.

“We have key employees who have helped us through dif� cult times,” Brad says.

“In 2009, we saw a 25 per cent drop in business overnight. We survived through good luck and good planning.

“My brother takes care of the business’ � nances. He’s very careful. He’s always kept an emergency fund on hand, so when the recession hit, we were able to cut back a few things and � oat through it.”

Now, though, business at Winn Rentals is brisk. “Kelowna seems to be on an upswing again,” Brad

con� rmed.He credits a strong focus on customer service as the

business’ key to success. Service seems to have become a lost art, he says.

Brad believes that would-be entrepreneurs should master customer service if they want to succeed. And of course, the value of a good employee cannot be overstated.

“The people I work with are my favourite part of working here. We have a great group of long-term employees. We love to joke around. It’s nice to come to work every day, help people, and have fun while doing it,” he said.

Winn Rentals has survived its share of business ups and downs since the business was purchased by Jim Gretzinger and his two sons, Bert and Brad. CO

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Then & Now ______________________________________________________________

“The people I work with are my favourite part of working here. We have a great group of long-term employees.

Brad Gretzinger, co-owner of Winn Rentals .

Then

Now

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Evolving form of health care Barry [email protected]

As a naturopath for more than 20 years, Dr. David Wikenheiser says his health care role remains the same.

“I’m still looking after people. Some things never change,” he says.

But the Kelowna naturopath acknowledges his area of expertise in B.C.’s health care world has evolved.

He’s seen change in the knowledge his patients acquire, valid or not, from ‘Dr. Google.’

Change in the equipment and technology his training has allowed him to access and provide for his patients.

And change, albeit slowly, in how naturopaths � t in the health care system, which is driven by how the government divides up health care dollars.

Back when he started, Wikenheiser said his practice dealt largely with seniors in Kelowna, something that continues today given the city’s

large older demographic.“Seniors are seniors

but one thing I am seeing more of is younger patients, people who have sore hips, sore knees or other sore joints who are looking for alternative ways to deal with those problems,” Wikenheiser said.

But that awareness of naturopathy, when driven by access to the Internet to � nd medical treatment solutions, can also offer challenges.

Wikenheiser said patients will come to him and ask for a speci� c treatment they might have read about online, but diagnosis of a problem isn’t that simple.

“Because of Google, everyone is more educated but sometimes the website stuff is not completely accurate, as everyone is trying to often sell a product or service,” he says.

“You have to fact check the stuff to make sure it is accurate, and you have to determine what type of treatment is appropriate for you.

“Something that works

for someone else might not work for you, and in fact could make things worse.

“So I need to work through with every patient what the problem is, what might be causing it and � nding a solution to stop it from happening again.”

The career trail that led Wikenheiser to naturopathy started in Kelowna, his hometown where he was raised and his mother was born.

A graduate of Rutland Senior Secondary in 1975, Wikenheiser went on to Okanagan College and then BCIT, graduating in 1980.

After working at “a bunch of different things,”Wikenheiser returned to high school to achieve his Grade 11/12 credits for physics, biology and chemistry, then went on to university graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree, followed by four more years to be certi� ed as a naturopath.

He returned to Kelowna to practice naturopathy for 2 1/2

years in the ’90s. He then moved to Vancouver where he co-hosted a popular weekend radio show on naturopathy and did consulting work for naturopathic health product companies before returning to Kelowna in 2003.

He moved into his present of� ce location on Hardy Street in 2004.

Since he began practicing naturopathic health care, Wikenheiser has noticed two health issue trends become increasingly prevalent.

One has to do with how we deal with stress, the other about food allergies.

Wikenheiser is a � rm believer in � nding a balance between your personal life and life at work.

“What I’ve learned in 20 years is everything has a limit,” he says. “The idea that you can work harder longer—you can’t.

“Everyone has a limit and we all � nd it within ourselves eventually. We need to all focus more on realism, on realistic expectations and take

more time to do what really matters.

“It can’t just be all about work all the time. We have to take the time to look after ourselves, take the time to exercise, eat the right things, spend time with your family, or your frustrations will grow until at some point the wheels fall off.”

While Wikenheiser says the work ethic and peoples’ drive to be successful in business is often celebrated, the rush to become a millionaire success in business isn’t in the cards for the majority of us.

“There are many

people who think that way, and good luck to them, but it’s better to be realistic and less self-destructive.”

The food allergy issue, he says, has evolved from changes to our environment, which affects the food we grow.

“I’m seeing people having reactions to foods they eat that I never saw before.”

He cites the example of a professional athlete client who came to him three months ago complaining that something wasn’t right with how he felt.

Wikenheiser tested him

for food allergies, the test results led to getting him off foods he was used to normally eating and three months later he is feeling much better.

“It was doing the test that uncovered the problem. Identify the problem, develop a way to solve it and don’t let it happen again.”

For Wikenhieser, that is the heart of naturopathy.

Don’t look for a magic pill to temporarily halt the pain or discomfort. Instead, determine what is causing the problem and take the lifestyle steps to stop it from happening.

Then & Now ______________________________________________________________

Dr. David Wikenheiser says technology has widened the scope of what he can offer as health care treatments for his patients.

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Newspaper world is one of facing new challenges daily

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When it comes to business longevity, community newspapers tend to be at the forefront of that category in most locations.

And the Kelowna Capital News is no different. In 1930, Capital News founder Les Kerry had a desire

to start his own newspaper after working for a daily newspaper in Vernon. He eyed three potential target markets for his journalism enterprise: Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton.

He ultimately chose Kelowna, feeling that community had the greatest upside for growth.

In the years since, his newspaper has evolved in staf� ng and technology, in ways he probably would never have imagined in his era.

Today, the Capital News has developed into a media centre, distributing two editions a week with a circulation of more than 45,000, along with adapting to the changing ways in which editorial content is shared via social media applications from Internet websites to Facebook and Twitter.

The inaugural edition of the Capital News was published on Aug. 30, 1930, turning it on the dining room table of McCarthy’s Boarding House, using a borrowed, hand-operated Gestetner duplicator. That � rst edition consisted of four pages on 8 1/2 by 14 inch paper.

Kerry served as his own publisher, editor, reporter, advertising salesman and press man. Some 1,700 copies of that � rst edition were printed and distributed for free. Asked why he gave the newspaper the name ‘Capital’ rather than ‘Capitol,’ Kerry said it was because “I was in it to try and make money.”

Eventually, in the 1950s, Kerry turned his newspaper over to the ownership of his daughter, Jane, and her husband, Graham Takoff.

That family connection carried on until the Takoffs sold it to Lower Mainland Publishing Ltd. in 1993, ending 63 years of Kerry family ownership which left the Capital News at that time as the largest privately owned community newspaper in Western Canada.

LMPL would eventually sell the Capital News in 2001 to a quartet of local investors led by Bruce Hamilton, the owner of the Kelowna Rockets junior hockey team.

That group then sold their interest in the business to Black Press in 2003, welcoming the Capital News into the largest community newspaper company in B.C.

In the 70th anniversary special section published by the Capital News in 1990, Takoff was quick to defer the newspaper’s growth under his reign to the newspaper’s

staff who worked under his leadership. “The highlight during the 33 years I was with the

Capital News was coming to work every day,” said Takoff, who has since passed away.

“Boy, we had some characters over the years, but we had a lot of fun as well.”

His long-time involvement with the business was also re� ected, as it still is today, with many long-time staff members.

Current publisher Karen Hill has worked 22 of the past 26 years for the Capital News, the other four years spent as publisher of the Vernon Morningstar, the Capital News’ sister community newspaper.

Hill said for her, the attraction of working for a newspaper is different challenges on a daily basis, a characteristic that you will � nd common among editorial, production and sales staff.

“No two days are alike,” Hill said. She said newspapers are a unique business in that

the start of every deadline cycle towards a printed edition is like creating a new business from scratch each time.

She says at its heart, the Capital News seeks to report stories about issues and people in the Central Okanagan from a grassroots perspective, and the staff are committed to that objective.

Teresa Huscroft-Brown began working for the Capital News in 1985, starting out in the production department as a graphic designer, and recently switching into a new career path within the newspaper as a sales representative.

“I like the deadline pressure to get something done and I like working for something that is very involved in the community,” Huscroft-Brown said.

“I like that we keep the community informed and that we have a credibility as an information source.

“Anyone can put anything on the Internet, but I think people still put a trust in what they read in a newspaper, that there is a trust of integrity and ethics that newspapers are held accountable to.”

Huscroft-Brown said she also values the opportunity to have input on new ideas for the newspaper, citing the example of her desire to provide a more accurate re� ection of what students are doing in their schools.

“It started with one school and has evolved since into a regular feature for schools in our school district.

“To see an idea like that brought to fruition and carry on is very satisfying to be a part of.”

Magda Kapp, director of communications for BrainTrust Canada (second from left) recently awarded the Kelowna Capital News staff with a commemorative paddle for supporting the recent Pihl Law Paddle for Prevention stand up paddleboard race held Aug. 9. In addition to the corporate sponsorship of the event, the Capital News Cruisers paddleboard team raised more than $2,500 in support of BrainTrust Canada and brain injury prevention and education, just one of many examples of both the newspaper and individual staff members supporting local community causes. In the photo above (from left) is Capital News of� ce manager Rachel Dekker, Kapp, Capital News advertising rep and team captain Rob Lindsay, Capital News publisher Karen Hill and Craig Eisenhut, of BrainTrust Canada. The unique fundraising event raised nearly $50,000 for the cause.

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Mon Thong thriving on great dining experienceThen & Now ______________________________________________________________

Mike Straus contributor

Local restaurateur Joe Karunyasopon got into the restaurant business by accident.

But nearly 30 years later, his restaurant Mon Thong is still serving delicious and affordable curries, stir fries, soups, salads and Pad Thai.

Twenty-seven years ago, Mon Thong owner Joe Karunyasopon was living in Vancouver with his wife when family friends invited them to become partners in a new Kelowna restaurant.

And although the Karunyasopons never thought they’d become the sole owners, the family now owns a chain of restaurants across Kelowna.

“We came up to Kelowna to help my friend open the restaurant,” Karunyasopon recalls.

“But the liquor board didn’t allow him to operate the business because he had a criminal record. So my wife and I had to take over.”

The family quickly found that the people in Kelowna were very welcoming.

With a number of great staff on hand, they worked hard to make the restaurant a success—and they found that they loved the new culture.

“The culture here is very different from Thailand’s culture,” Karunyasopon says.

“The labour laws are quite different. In Thailand, the employer has much more power.

“But here, it’s equal. I like that.”

Over the years, the family found the Thai food industry became increasingly competitive as large corporations like Costco started offering Thai dishes.

But in spite of competitive pressure, Mon Thong stayed true to its values—and found success because of it.

“Costco is a big competitor, but at Costco, the food is all pre-made. Nowadays, a lot of restaurants are serving pre-made food,” he explains.

“Not many restaurants are doing something unique—everybody copies everybody else. When you come here, you get fresh food.”

He notes that while a number of casual dining hotspots are trying to add Thai food to their menus, there are very few who

Mon Thong owner Joe Karunyasopon and his wife Sunee.

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“Not many restaurants are doing something unique—everybody copies everybody else. When you come to (our restaurant), you get fresh food.”

Joe Karunyasoponowner of Mon Thong restaurant

can actually cook a proper Thai meal.

“Thai food requires a very speci� c cooking

style,” Karunyasopon notes.

“In Thailand, mom and dad teach the children

how to cook from day one. When I was growing up, it was expected that the women would learn how to cook.

“If you bring a Thai woman into a restaurant, she can cook professionally within just a few months because she’s already learned the

basics.”He says that for would-

be entrepreneurs and restaurant owners, � nding the right people is critical.

“The restaurant business is very tough, and it’s hard to � nd people you can trust. I’m not a risk-taking person, but once you jump onto the tiger’s back, there’s no way off unless you want to get eaten. I have a big family that I need to support.

“I keep going with this restaurant because I want to help my family.”

And although Mon Thong’s fare gets top ratings on sites like TripAdvisor and Yelp, for Karunyasopon, it’s not just about the food.

“The customers are amazing,” he says. “I got into badminton because I met people at the restaurant who play badminton.

“I joke and chat with them. I love meeting new people. It’s fun.”

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Kelowna’s roots tied to cycling

Then & Now ______________________________________________________________

These archival photos show the early days of Kelowna Cycle when the business was located on Lawrence Avenue in downtown Kelowna.

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Barry [email protected]

Cycling has always been a part of Kelowna dating back to its early history as a way to get around.

And that spirit of ditching our four-wheeled vehicles for something of the two-wheeled variety continues today, whether it involves cycling to and from work, on streets or around hillsides or just to run an errand.

And Kelowna Cycle, the oldest bike shop in Kelowna, has been a part of accommodating our cycling desires, dating back to 1948 when the store opened.

Kelowna Cycle was originally located on Lawrence Avenue in the downtown core as a bicycle sales, rental and repair business.

During the colder months, Kelowna Cycle promoted winter activities and the place to go for hockey equipment and skate sharpening.

In 1952, Kelowna Cycle relocated on Lawrence Avenue, owned and operated by A. Van Dyke, who then sold it to E. Hollindsworth.

In 1970, the business was purchased by the Van den Elzen family. They relocated the store again to Doyle Avenue, which would ultimately close in 1990, as well as opening a new store on Pandosy Street in 1986.

Current owner Patrick Rosen started working for Kelowna Cycle in 1993, and bought the business in 2008.

Rosen said he grew up loving to go cycling, with one of the strongest childhood memories being the � rst time he rode his bike successfully without training wheels.

“As a young guy, my dad worked with me to learn how to ride a bike on training wheels, and then without them,” he recalls. “I remember there was quite a few falls involved, but then one Sunday I got on the bike, pushed one foot down on the pedal and started to coast forward and stay balanced. I just thought that was an amazing thing, it gave me a great sense of accomplishment.”

Rosen said his philosophy behind Kelowna Cycle is to allow his customers to have

that same experience, whether they are � rst-time youngsters or adults looking to get back into cycling for health or as a recreational pursuit.

“I’ve never been a competitive cyclist. Riding a bike for me is more about the sense of freedom it gives you,” he said, noting that Kelowna offers a wide variety of cycling challenges.

He says Kelowna offers a � at area along the Okanagan Lake foreshore for recreational cyclists, more hills and steep inclines to challenge serious road cycling enthusiasts, and opportunities in the back country and local parks for mountain or trail bike riders.

“It is becoming a more cyclist-friendly city with the creation of bicycle lanes on the road, isolated areas for cyclists to use at intersections. Motorists and cyclists are becoming more aware about being educated on how to share the road…but it does take time,” Rosen says.

Kelowna Cycle is back on its business feet after the Pandosy shop was heavily damaged by a � re in December 2011.

“The � re required us to do a complete rebuild of the store and replace all the inventory and equipment,” Rosen says.

“In the � rst week after the � re, we decided to turn a warehouse space on Sutherland Avenue we had into a retail store to keep contact with our customers while the Pandosy store was being rebuilt.”

Kelowna Cycle was rebuilt six months later, and Rosen decided to keep the warehouse space as a retail outlet, calling it The Hub.

“It caters more to the urban cyclist commuter, someone who wants a bike as a means of transportation to and from school, to and from work, or to use on a daily basis. It now has a unique product mix and a somewhat different feel from our Pandosy store.

“It’s a case of something good out of something bad. It takes a while to rebound from a � re, but little by little we have rebounded. The customers who were with us prior to the � re returned and we’ve made new customers along the

way as well.”Rosen says the goal

for his staff is to break down those information barriers and match up the appropriate bike to meet each person’s needs, whether they are a triathlete, someone who enjoys competitive mountain biking or someone who just wants to add cycling to their recreation lifestyle.

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Baths By Design overcomes industry, gender barriers

Then & Now ______________________________________________________________


Baths By Design founder Mary Ann Gill found success as a young entrepreneur thanks to her unbridled passion and the support of a loyal customer base.

When Gill started Baths By Design in 1992, her motivation was freedom.

Freedom from restrictive corporate policies, freedom to do something different, and freedom to sell bath � xtures and accessories her way.

“I was trained in plumbing back in Toronto,” she says.

“When my husband got transferred to B.C., I followed him.

“For a few years I worked for a competing plumbing and bath company, but I didn’t like their business concept.

“We could only sell

the product lines we could get. My job as a salesperson was to talk people out of what they wanted and into what we were selling.”

Gill recalls how that didn’t make sense to her.

“And at that time there weren’t any cool, neat, or innovative designs,” she continues.

“People were just starting to say, ‘Bathrooms are really cool! Let’s make them something special!’

“But the companies were only offering the same exact � xture. So I took what I learned from selling world-renowned names in Toronto and brought it to Kelowna.”

In the early years, Gill found that Kelowna’s large German and Italian populations were very supportive of her efforts.

She quickly began contacting the European suppliers she had dealt

with in Toronto. Baths By Design was

the � rst local company to carry European product lines, she says, and that’s what allowed the � edgling business to gain a foothold in Kelowna’s restrictive plumbing industry.

“At that time, I was 27 years old, and I was a woman in a male-dominated industry. People tried to force me out.

“I had to call the police two or three times because men came to threaten me at my store or tried to force me to shut down.”

Gill would later learn that Kelowna was home to an oppressive plumbing cartel.

Plumbers, she says, would refuse to sell products that weren’t a name brand carried by a wholesaler. She says that the wholesalers paid

plumbers to bring them business.

And when Gill refused to work according to the kickback system, the cartel decided to blackball her.

“The threats didn’t scare me,” she says. “I knew that the educated European residents would see through this

and stand up for what’s right. The European communities here gave me a lot of support.”

Gill notes that since Baths By Design began, � ve independent companies have come and gone.

There are only four independent plumbing companies in B.C., she

says, and Baths By Design is the only independent store in Kelowna.

Gill credits her success to her incredible passion for her work.

“I remember when I was eight years old, I kept staring at the bathtub faucet, wondering how it worked,” she says.

“Instead of playing

with toys, I’d ask if I could have a screwdriver and � gure out how the plumbing � xtures worked.

“If you want to succeed in business, you have to do something that really inspires you. You have to be into what you’re doing or else you cannot succeed at it.”

Baths By Design has adapted over the years to the changing ideas behind bathroom design to give a wide variety of design options and products to their customers.

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Promoting water use effi ciencies

Then & Now ______________________________________________________________

Modern irrigation systems have been improved with technology to provide a steady rate of water application to landscaped areas in an environmentally friendly way to reduce waste.

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Van-Kel has been serving the Central Okanagan for more than 47 years.

Van-Kel is a distributor of irrigation and landscaping equipment for its residential, commercial and industrial clients.

Irrigation is de� ned as the arti� cial application of water to land and is used to assist agriculture and landscape improvements in dry areas and during periods of drought.

Irrigation serves to maintain a steady rate of water application rather than have periods of ‘feast or famine’ which can be stressful for the plants and impact the harvest yields, trees, lawns and landscape plants.

With the irrigation in the 1960s, some of the � rst controllers operated much like an old clock with wheels, cogs and dials, we have some of these more antique controllers in the store for history if anyone would be interested.

The older valves ran by using a hydraulic tube with pressure differential. There was a distribution system that allowed pressure to different zones, whereby the controller allowed the water to discharge which then turned on the valve.

Today’s irrigation systems are very simple, using electric or hydraulic valves and pipes buried underground to provide water at intervals through a controller set to water at certain times and days .

The electric valves are operated once the controller sends an electrical signal to the valve allowing the valve to open and water to � ow. Once the signal is terminated the valve turns off.

When set up, the system requires some maintenance and upkeep. Sometimes rescheduling of the controller is required to allow for water restrictions that change or weather changes as the seasons move from cooler and wetter climate to the hot dry summer days.

One of the more recent innovations in irrigation is the introduction of climate weather sensing systems that automatically change your controller’s run times to account for the seasonal changes. No more manual changing of the system.

These systems also stop the irrigation from coming on if rainfall has been suf� cient to water without the addition of more water.

There are many brands of these add-ons so one is available to � t most irrigation systems.

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Rapid expansion for Turner Volkswagen

Then & Now ______________________________________________________________


A local family-operated dealership celebrates a rich 75-year history in Kelowna this year.

When Mervyn Motors � rst opened in the 1940s, it was a local service station and garage operated by Gil Mervin.

By 1953, the business was also the Okanagan’s � rst Volkswagen dealership.

Then in 1963, Mervin sold the business—and since 2001, the Turner family has owned and operated the dealership.

Aaron Fanslau, the general manager, says that Turner VW has seen a number of changes in the intervening years.

“Originally we were Turner Volkswagen–Audi,” he says, “but in 2013 we moved Audi out to become a standalone Volkswagen dealership. Basically, we outgrew our facility.”

That growth trend

doesn’t seem to have stopped, as Fanslau says the dealership is planning even more changes in order to accommodate increased consumer demand for Volkswagen.

“As of last year, Volkswagen is the second largest automotive brand in the world. And in 2015, it’s been the fastest growing auto brand in Canada. We employ over 40 people now, and we’re looking at an expansion in the near future.”

Fanslau notes that the Volkswagen logo is one of the top three most recognized logos on Earth, and that over the last 20 years, Kelowna has welcomed Volkswagen into the city.

Volkswagen is striving to repay that kind welcome, Fanslau says, by supporting community initiatives like the Okanagan College Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, the Kelowna Fire Department, BC Special Olympics and

the Kelowna Falcons. Turner VW also

sponsors a number of local events like the Apple Triathlon, Futures Tennis Tournament and the Kelowna Comedy Festival.

It’s the dealership’s growth that has allowed them to give back to the community, but that growth hasn’t come without its challenges.

“Rapid growth always comes with space constraints,” Fanslau says.

“Our biggest challenge has come with expanding the space. We’ve also had to hire a much higher volume of people.

“We’ve had to ensure we have the right people in the right places and the right processes.

“We’re trying to keep that small-town dealership feel where everyone is treated with value and respect. “

The brand is also planning major expansions for the near future in order to accommodate a

growing product line. Volkswagen recently updated its Golf line of vehicles with a 2015 model, and the 2015 Golf has quickly become the most awarded car in Volkswagen’s 78-year history.

Fanslau says that Volkswagen is preparing to double its Canadian

product portfolio within the next two years, with a variety of new SUVs and cars in the works.

Fanslau says that working at Volkswagen is very rewarding, and his favourite aspect of his job is the people—both clients and staff.

“We’re people who believe in our product

and in our culture. 90 per cent of our staff drive Volkswagens. I love talking with our clients.”

Fanslau says that the secret to a sustainable and successful business is sustainable and successful relationships.

“If you value people and you build a relationship, the business

comes naturally. That’s what we’re about—building relationships with people,” Fanslau says.

“We’ve always valued being part of the community.

“We’ve been here for a long, long time, and we’re excited to be part of Kelowna.”

Turner Volkswagen’s location at 1717 Harvey Ave. in Kelowna.

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KGH still expanding on its rich history Mike Straus Contributor

Dr. Cliff Henderson, the Okanagan’s � rst pediatrician, joined the Kelowna General Hospital in 1954.

He was one of the � rst doctors in the Okanagan to organize a measles immunization clinic, alongside public health of� cer Dr. David Clarke.

More than 50 years later, Dr. Henderson still remembers early health efforts in the Okanagan as one of a few remaining physicians in the area who had a personal connection with the renowned Dr. William Knox.

“Dr. Knox was one of the biggest characters around,” Henderson recalls.

“He knew everyone in the ward, even though they weren’t his patients. Everyone loved him. He had a fabulous memory. It was amazing.”

Along with Dr. Benjamin Boyce, Dr. Knox was instrumental in pioneering medical care in the Okanagan.

“Dr. Knox was the only doctor here during World War One,” Henderson says.

“He used to talk about the 1918 � u epidemic—he drove around treating patients with a First Nations man.”

Of the hospital’s original four doctors, one died a year prior to the outbreak, and two others took a leave of absence to � ght in the war.

Dr. Knox stayed behind to single-handedly treat the epidemic. On house calls a volunteer would drive while Dr. Knox slept, allowing the doctor to treat patients for up to 20 hours a day.

Dr. Knox’s efforts were impressive, but the hospital desperately needed outside help, says Henderson.

Financial statements from 1915 showed a loss of $1,693 (equivalent to approximately $35,000 in

2015). The board was on

the verge of closing the facility when nurses, merchants, and local ladies’ aid societies partnered to keep the hospital open.

Nurses agreed to accept a lower pay rate, while merchants extended the hospital’s credit terms.

After the war ended, the hospital’s � nancial situation improved—and Kelowna General bought its � rst x-ray machine for $3,000 in 1919.

Later on, the hospital added the Pandosy building to the grounds.

The original hospital was demolished, with the exception of the two-storey Annex.

The Annex housed an obstetrics and pediatric ward, although they were on different � oors.

“To get patients from one � oor to the next, they had to use a rope elevator,” Henderson says.

“That building wasn’t torn down until 1967, when they built the Strathcona building. It’s amazing how things have continued to expand over the years.”

Today, Kelowna General Hospital offers a full roster of services. The new Heart and Surgical Centre offers space for up to 600 open heart surgeries per year.

The hospital is home to 600 physicians and nearly 800 volunteers.

And with the addition of the Clinical Academic Campus in 2007, the hospital is well prepared to raise a new generation of doctors.

The Clinical Academic Campus just graduated its � rst medical class this year, Henderson says, and 30 new doctors are now entering their � rst year of medical residency.

But what sets Kelowna General Hospital apart isn’t the machines, the new buildings or the classes, Henderson explains.

It’s the dedication, expertise, and spirit of service of the hospital staff, pioneered by Dr. Knox in the early 1900s and evident throughout the hospital’s history.

And although the hospital building itself has changed greatly throughout the years, that spirit persists.

Photo of Kelowna General Hospital dating back to 1908.

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Then & Now ______________________________________________________________

“To get patients from one � oor to the next, they had to use a rope elevator. That building wasn’t torn down until 1967, when they built the Strathcona building. It’s amazing how things have continued to expand over the years

Dr. Cliff Henderson, retired Kelowna doctor.

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Keeper of our local history has a story to tell about its own evolution

Then & Now ______________________________

While the Kelowna Museums Society takes great care to preserve Kelowna’s history, have you ever wondered about the history of the museums?

THE EARLY YEARSThe Kelowna Museums

Society grew out of the Okanagan Historical and Natural History Society (OHNHS), which was formed in 1925.

The OHNHS began collecting artifacts and displaying them in various downtown businesses.

Many of the � rst artifacts in the collection were natural history specimens.

By 1944, the Central Okanagan Boy Scouts Association began overseeing the exhibitions, as the museum even became known as the Boy Scout Museum.

Their enthusiasm for history led the group to � nd a temporary home in the loft of a barn until a permanent building was

erected in Kelowna’s City Park in 1948.

By 1951, the Okanagan Museum and Archives Association (OMAA) took over managing the museum.

During this time, a new home was found on Bernard Avenue.

The OMAA collected so many additional artifacts, the association had to � nd a larger building to accommodate them.

Once the OMAA secured funding, the city helped purchase and renovate the Willow Inn Lodge, which was located along the waterfront at Mill Street and Queensway Avenue.

The of� cial opening of the new location was held on June 15, 1958.

THE 1960S AND ‘70SThanks to continued

public support and more artifact donations, the OMAA quickly outgrew the Willow Inn Lodge.

Board members and city staff found government funding to

construct a new building speci� cally for the museum at the corner of Queensway Avenue and Ellis Street, the current site of the Okanagan Heritage Museum.

What was then known as the Kelowna Centennial Museum of� cially opened on June 10, 1967, to excited crowds who were eager to see the new displays.

At � rst, the building was just one � oor. The second storey was added in 1975 to accommodate new of� ces, storage and displays as well as the Kelowna Art Gallery.

MUSEUM EXPANSIONDuring the 1980s and

‘90s, new museums were created to showcase the fascinating history of the Okanagan’s orchard and wine industries.

The Laurel Packinghouse was restored and designated one of the City of Kelowna’s � rst heritage sites. The B.C. Orchard Industry Museum opened

in 1989 and the B.C. Wine Museum and VQA Wine Shop was inaugurated in 1996.

In 1999, the Kelowna Art Gallery moved into their own dedicated building on Water Street.

RECENT HISTORYThe last 15 years have

seen many changes at the Kelowna Museums—name changes, new logos, the amalgamation of the Okanagan Military Museum (OMM).

The Okanagan Military Museum Society’s board is still active and works with the Kelowna Museums Society in many aspects of the operation of the museum, which is in the lobby of the Memorial Arena, at the corner of Doyle Avenue and Ellis Street.

In 2011, the OMM archives were named the Vince Bezeau Military Library and Archives in memoriam for a dedicated board member.

Various renovations were undertaken at the Okanagan Heritage Museum in 2001 to make room for the Kelowna Public Archives and the Ursula Surtees Conservation Laboratory.

In 2008, the Kelowna Museums Society incorporated a � fth museum, the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame, which is currently housed in a satellite location at the Capri Mall.

Today, the Okanagan Heritage Museum is undergoing an extensive renovation of its exhibitions that will bring a new level of engagement with the public. The public is invited to stop by and see the changes as the museum society continues to preserve our history and tell new stories.

This historic photo shows the construction in 1967 of

the Kelowna Centennial Museum at its present

location, adjacent to the Memorial Arena.

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Regional library legacy continues as resource centre

Then & Now ______________________________________________________________


As the Okanagan Regional Library approaches its 80th year in operation, it continues to serve as a major hub for citizens, with demand for library services increasing all across the valley.

Ever since the regional library was established in 1936, the organization has strived to create a world-class collection of books, videos, classes, and digital resources for Okanagan residents to enjoy.

And as Kelowna has grown, the library has seen multiple moves, expansions, and development of new branches in order to accommodate the community’s growing needs.

“When the library was established in 1936, its � rst annual budget was $11,125,” says Marla O’Brien, ORL’s public relations and fundraising manager.

“Some people in Kelowna might remember the old library on Queensway Avenue. (We acquired it) in 1955, and then in 1961, another half-storey addition was put on for use as an art gallery, � lm room and librarian’s of� ce.

“Then in 1967, we established our BookMobile service, which ran until 1991. That was a great way to circulate books to places that aren’t large enough to support a branch.”

O’Brien notes that the library has always been at the forefront of technological movements starting in the 1960s, when the National Film Board of Canada allowed the ORL to purchase 600 � lms.

The 1980s saw the library acquire a variety of cassette and VHS tapes, and with the expansion into DVDs and digital media, the library kept up with the new advances.

Public services manager Georgia McKay says that the library’s growth has brought challenges, speci� cally a struggle to keep up with community demands.

“There’s huge demand for the services we provide,” she says. “There’s demand for longer open hours, more branches, more resources. We’re quite creative in terms of � nding ways to provide people with services given what we have.

“For every dollar the government invests in us, the community gets about $17 worth of services.”

Community librarian Sheila Coe says that the Rutland library expansion came about when the library discovered that their old location wasn’t easily visible from the road, and few people knew the library was even there.

“While we were in the Plaza 33 mall, they kept changing the structure. Five or six years ago we moved down to the Cooper’s end of the mall because we needed windows. We were losing people,” she says.

After moving the library, Coe says that the community interest once again boomed.

“Just yesterday we had four staff, and not once did we have time to stop what we were doing. It was person after person. We get lots of young mothers in reading to their children. It’s fabulous,” Coe says.

The library still isn’t done growing, it seems, with the Kelowna downtown branch on Ellis Street looking at new options for its Great Room. The library staff say those potential options include a green screen, a sound studio or a maker space.

“Libraries are evolving to help people access technology that might not otherwise be available,” O’Brien says.

“The next evolution is high-end technology. There are libraries in Europe that have sound studios or self-publishing machines. We’re excited about what possibilities the future holds.”

The Okanagan Regional Library dating back to its early days in the late 1930s.

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“Libraries are evolving to help people access technology that might not otherwise be available.”

Marla O’BrienOkanagan Regional Library

public relations and fundraising manager .

My, how we’ve grown...My, how we’ve grown...In December 1935, a referendum was put to 60 municipalities and unorganized areas of the Okanagan asking if voters wanted to

participate in the Okanagan Union Library. With a “yes” vote, the provincial proclamation forming the library system was signed

on March 13, 1936.

Today the Okanagan Regional Library spans 59,600 square kilometres, serving a population of over 372,000 through 29 branches and online.

Over 3 million physical items are circulated each year, tens of thousands of children join storytimes and other special events, and use of our digital

collections is growing exponentially. If you haven’t been to your library lately, � nd out what you’re missing at www.orl.bc.ca


Kelowna Toyota inspires client loyalty

Longevity has its advantages

Jack Kofoed is the dealer principal for Kelowna Toyota.


Despite the early business challenges of a high overhead, a limited talent pool and a competitive auto sales market, Kelowna’s local Toyota dealership has

� ourished throughout its 45-year tenure.

Jack Kofoed remembers the early days of the Kelowna Toyota dealership, when the company offered � ve models of cars and was struggling to give domestic-friendly buyers

a reason to choose an imported car.

Back in 1970, it wasn’t easy to reach buyers in town given the dealership’s location amidst orchards and farming gardens.

But just a few years later, when the 1973 oil

crisis was in full swing, suddenly Kelownians were looking for small, economical cars—like those Toyota would become known for.

“The shop itself had enjoyed a great service business through the previous owner,” says Jack Kofoed, Kelowna Toyota’s dealer principal.

“We also offered very competitive prices. Our big break came in 1973, when the oil embargo became very apparent in North America.

“There was interest in economical cars, so people started looking to Toyota.”

Kofoed also credits a winning bid with the City of Kelowna as kickstarting the dealership’s success.

“The City of Kelowna puts out bids for little cars. We’d never before been successful in getting bids. But in 1973, we won a bid for 15 of our little Corollas. Suddenly 15 white Corollas were driving around town. That was great visibility for us.”

Combined with a

spirited print advertising strategy and shifting attitudes toward Japanese goods, winning the city contract helped the dealership to access new markets.

And when development expanded north, increased visibility further boosted the dealership’s pro� le.

“That’s when the culture changed,” Kofoed says. “People realized that the Japanese make high quality items.

“With Japanese manufacturers being very innovative, we found that we were up-to-date when it came to introducing new features like power steering, fuel injection, and sunroofs.”

As this wave of Japanese products hit Kelowna, and as the city’s population continued to expand, the dealership had to act quickly to serve its growing customer base.

Kelowna Toyota expanded their � rst building three separate times, and ultimately

ended up building a newer, larger dealership in 1994, one that would accommodate up to 15 � oor models.

Kofoed says that there’s a large demand for new cars in Kelowna. Lots of businesses are buying commercial vehicles, he says, and with the average Kelowna car being nine years old, there’s a steady demand for replacement vehicles.

Plus, with Kelowna acting as a hub city, the dealership sees a number of new customers coming from smaller towns.

But with changing times for the dealership

also came a new set of challenges. High property taxes and licensing fees contributed to large overheads, while a small talent pool—especially for managerial positions—was putting strain on the dealership.

The solution, Kofoed says, is the people.

“This is very much a people business,” Kofoed says. “Without the right people, businesses falter.

“We work very hard to earn client loyalty. People still appreciate a sincere, friendly sales experience.

“You need that welcoming attitude.”

Then & Now ______________________________________________________________

Long-time employees is a characteristic common in many Central Okanagan businesses.

People stick around with the same employer because it offers the chance to live in the Okanagan and enjoy the lifestyle, and in a small business based world they have more input on decisions affecting them.

But that may be changing with today’s generation, raising challenges for business supervisors and human resource managers, says the dean of the Okanagan School of Business at Okanagan College.

“The younger people in the workforce today have higher expectations about � exible work hours, about � nding a work/lifestyle balance,” says Dr. Heather Banham.

“The workaholics of the past, from the baby boomer generation, are not as relevant today. People

today are not only interested in working at a company for the job, but also how that � rm or organization can enable them to make a difference in their own community.

“It’s a different mindset, and raises challenges on � nding innovative ways to manage people. It’s not to say one way or another is better or worse, just different.”

Banham takes a lot of positives out of a recent survey of 2011 business school grads from OC, revealing that 93 per cent have founds jobs in their home community and 82 per cent of those jobs were related to what they studied in the program.

While that speaks highly of the business school, Banham added it also re� ects how the small business community will continue to evolve to provide jobs and allow people to venture out to pursue

entrepreneurial opportunities. “I am very optimistic about the

future for the Okanagan because our communities will continue to grow. There will be challenges along the way, as there always have been,” Banham says.

“Consumer demand and technology will always bring about change.”

Banham says the lifestyle of the Okanagan, sometimes referred to by some as a ‘career killer’ because people choose to stay here, does help to provide a skilled, local workforce.

“There is a de� nite Okanagan Valley phenomenon that says people will stay here to work rather than advancing to a new position elsewhere,” Banham says, a re� ection of the changing focus of the work/lifestyle balance that people are seeking, as opposed to the work-obsessed path to success.

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Family legacy created with laser studio

Then & Now ______________________________________________________________


Nicola Finch got an early start in the skin care and hair removal industry, taking on a position in her mother’s hair and skin spa at the age of 13.

After many successful years running two laser clinics in Vancouver, Finch and her husband relocated to Kelowna to raise their daughter, Alexandra.

And when Alexandra returned from a few years working in the world’s top cruise ship spa, the Finch family expanded their business further.

Now, having been in business for over two decades, Nicola’s Laser Studio has become part of a cultural tapestry in Downtown Kelowna that continues to evolve.

“When I started my business, I found that once the actual true

Kelownites —the people whose families have been in this town for hundreds of years—once they got to know me, my business � ourished. I’ve seen so many changes,” Finch says.

“There are so many people moving to Kelowna from other areas. What’s unique with me is that I’m now seeing the children of past clients.”

Finch credits word-of-mouth and great service for her business’ success, saying that relationships matter. Lots of people set up shop in Kelowna, she says, but few succeed.

“A lot of new businesses moving into town have tried to take over the area—a lot of laser clinics have come and gone in Kelowna. There aren’t many jobs in this town, which is why you see so many people starting businesses,” she

Alexandra and Nicola Finch.

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says. “So you have to deal

with competition trying to undercut you. I’m lucky to have been here for so many years and to have a reputation.”

She says that would-

be entrepreneurs in the health and beauty industry should never underestimate the importance of customer service.

In many cities, spas and studios don’t take the

time to understand their clientele, and Finch says that failing to understand what clients need is a deadly error.

It’s a rule that seems to be bene� ting Finch, as Nicola’s Laser Studio has

done nothing but grow. And with interesting

new developments on the horizon, Finch is eager to see what challenges the future will bring.

“Things are going extremely well,” she says. “We’re very busy, but we de� nitely want to keep it a very personal place.

“We don’t want the business to be this big, corporate thing. We want it to stay family-oriented and comfortable.”

Finch also hints that more expansion is imminent.

“I’ve also been getting into medical aesthetics,” she says. “I’m on the advisory board for the Okanagan College aesthetics program.

“Right now I teach laser hair removal through the college. For the last three years I’ve been working with them to try to offer advanced training in the medical aesthetics � eld, because there is no training in the discipline currently available in the Okanagan.”

For Finch, it seems, a successful business means strong family ties, a welcoming environment, and up-to-date training and technology.

And with three generations of Finch women in the laser aesthetics industry, it’s clear that Nicola’s Laser Studio has built a strong legacy that keeps people coming back.

“We don’t want the business to be this big, corporate thing. We want it to stay family-oriented and comfortable.”

Nicola Finch,owner of Nicola’s Laser Studio

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Younger


Okanagan College continues to expand

In 1961, B.C.’s then-premier W.A.C. Bennett announced that a vocational school would be established in Kelowna to serve the interior of the province.

Two years later, the B.C. Vocational School opened its doors on KLO Road, offering eight programs with a tiny staff of instructors.

Were he alive today, Bennett would be hard-pressed to recognize the institution that has grown from those beginnings.

The B.C. Vocational School eventually merged with Okanagan College and the rest is history—sometimes dramatic, but underpinned by growth and expansion.

Through mergers, growth and change, Okanagan College has emerged from those early days as a much larger, more integral part of the regional community.

The Kelowna campus on the site of the original vocational school has grown signi� cantly,

including a major $33-million expansion and renovation of the trades complex well beyond the half-way point. It will be complete

in early 2016.Today there are far

more international students taking an array of academic, developmental and

vocational programs on the Kelowna campus today than there were students in the � rst year of the vocational school.

Eight programs have become more than 130 at all the campuses and centres Okanagan College can now boast (14 in total, including four in Kelowna beyond the campus on KLO Road).

And the impact of the college has grown too. When it opened its doors,

the economic impact of the BC Vocational School was estimated at $6,000 a month for the region.

Today, the impact of Okanagan College in the region is estimated at close to $500 million annually—more than $57,000 per hour. (The annual impact of the 1,100-employee college in the entire province is estimated at nearly $1 billion.)

But the most important

impact is in the education that the college delivers.

Since 2005, when the region’s post-secondary environment experienced its last dramatic shift (with the transformation of Okanagan University College into UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College), the college has issued 22,934 degrees, diplomas and certi� cates.

That’s a lot of lives transformed. From the � rst secretarial

Then & Now ______________________________________________________________

The historical photo on the left is of the soon-to-be Okanagan College site taken back in 1961. From yesterday to today, the upper photo is the construc-tion site for the third � oor of the new trades building on the Kelowna campus, a facility slated to be completed early next year.

programs offered at the BC Vocational School, the college has grown to become one of Canada’s better known undergraduate business administration schools, drawing transfer students from across the country to complete their Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Kelowna. The trades have expanded remarkably, covering those basics that were � rst offered in 1963 to now include everything from RV service technician to domestic gas � tter and aircraft maintenance engineer.

The college provides opportunities for adult basic education and upgrading and provides career-focused certi� cate programs that include everything from horticulture to wine sales, from medical device reprocessing to mobile coding for Android and IOS operating systems.

And while the array of options and choices for post-secondary education has grown in B.C.’s Interior since 1963, the majority—and a growing number—of high school graduates going on to post-secondary in B.C. today choose Okanagan College.

A history of transforming lives and communities

Today Okanagan College educates nearly 20,000 people annually at four major campuses and 10 locations from Revelstoke to Oliver. Our graduates are inspired to be the next entrepreneurs and lead economic development, they provide care in our hospitals and nursing homes, they connect us by developing digital and technological infrastructures, and are the carpenters, electricians, and plumbers who build our homes and cities.

You will find our alumni everywhere, whether it is keeping our cities safe as police offers, teaching history to our youths, advancing scientific research, or ensuring the quality of our water supply.

We’ve grown from eight programs in 1963 to more than 130 now, with an annual economic impact of $500 million within the region and nearly $1 billion provincially.

The next chapter in the story of the Kelowna campus involves a $33-million renovation and expansion of the trades training complex, opening Spring 2016.

For more than five decades Okanagan College has helped people realize their career and educational aspirations.

It’s a tradition we will keep building on.

OC

RTP

2919

4

Okanagan College traces its roots to 1963, when the BC Vocational School opened its doors in Kelowna. It marked the beginning of a remarkable era of training and education that contributed to the development and growth of the Central Okanagan and B.C.’s Interior.

Take a look at us nowokanagan.bc.ca


Sticking to their guns with passion, craftsmanship

Then & Now ______________________________________________________________


Throughout their more than 27 years in business, local gunsmiths Weber & Markin have thrived thanks to a strong reputation for quality work, a loyal following of hunters and sport shooters, and an increasingly diverse product line.

For Chris Weber, the best part of owning a � rearms business is creating custom work for enthusiastic customers.

He was trained as a gun maker, during a time when custom crafting � rearms from scratch was common.

And as someone who has crafted museum-quality stock and restoration pieces for people all over the country, he’s clearly passionate about his work.

“We always have a few guns we’ve made on display in the shop,” he says.

“We have a block of wood sitting right next to them. People ask, ‘how do you make it?’ And that’s when I say, ‘It’s the Michelangelo approach.’

“You take a piece of wood and remove everything that doesn’t look like a gun stock.”

Weber notes that one of the most fascinating parts of working as a gunsmith is restoring antiques.

Many restored antique � rearms still work as well as they ever did, he says, and it’s because they’re designed with unique precision.

“It’s not uncommon to � nd hunters using � rearms that are 100 years old or more,” he says.

“There aren’t any parts that really wear out

Kootenay native Steve Markin of Weber & Markin Gunsmiths, an artistic craftsman of rare talent, hold-ing one of his resurrection projects—a Savage 1899 from 1910.

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if they’re looked after properly.

“The average shooter doesn’t � re enough rounds to damage a gun.”

Weber likens antique � rearms to antique cars, noting that � rearms actually have better longevity.

“If you bought a mid-1970s 350 small block engine and put 20,000 kilometers on it every year and you did your oil changes as prescribed, that engine would probably still be working 40 years later,” he says.

“(It’s the same thing with) � rearms. But what’s

most remarkable in the � rearms industry is the Mauser 98.

“Among custom gun builders, it’s an accepted truth that the pinnacle of development in bolt-action repeating � rearms was reached in 1898, when Mauser released the Mauser 98. It’s 117 years old, and nobody has come up with anything better.”

Now in its 28th year in business, Weber & Markin have thrived in spite of a changing market.

“About 30 years ago, every one of my customers was a hunter,” Weber says.

“But now, we get a lot of sport shooters. We’ve had to change the kinds of � rearms we had for sale, as sport shooting � rearms are different from hunting � rearms.”

Weber also notes that the introduction of tighter

� rearms legislation in the 1990s prompted many � rearms owners to quit the hobby, which Weber says had a near-fatal effect on the gun industry in general.

“We survived because we had a very loyal

following of historical � rearms collectors,” he says, noting that offering gunsmithing services also buoyed the shop.

“They continued to have those � rearms restored. We’re not really as reliant on retail sales as other gun shops.”

For Weber, it’s clear that gunsmithing isn’t just a trade—it’s an art and a passion.

“No two � rearms are ever exactly the same,” he says.

“I love the bench time. When I actually create something—whether it’s a restoration or a new build—that’s satisfying.”

“About 30 years ago, every one of my customers was a hunter. But now, we get a lot of sport shooters. We’ve had to change the kinds of � rearms we had for sale, as sport shooting � rearms are different from hunting � rearms.

Chris Weber, Weber & Markin.

“People ask, ‘how do you make it?’ And that’s when I say, ‘It’s the Michelangelo approach.’ You take a piece of wood and remove everything that doesn’t look like a gun stock.”

Chris Weber

HUNTING SEASON KICK OFF & CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY

Saturday, August 29, 2015 10:00am-6:00pm

Gift Certificates Always Available for our quality gunsmithing services and the expanded product line currently including:

Remington, Ruger, Winchester, Browning, Tikka, Sako, CZ, SKS, Glock, S&W, Baikal, Marlin, Mossberg, Norinco, Beretta, Perazzi,

Mauser, H&K, Blaser, FN, SIG-SAUER, Savage, Colt, Girsan, Benelli, Parker-Hale, Weatherby, Henry, Walther, etc.

Lifetime Professional Members American Custom Gunmakers Guild

#4-1691 Powick Road., Kelowna, BC

Phone: 250-762-7575 • Fax: 778-478-0595 • [email protected]

“Your Friendly & Competent Gun Shop for over 27 Years”


Iconic lumber outlasts economic ups and downs Mike StrausContributor

One of the Okanagan’s largest employers, Gorman Bros. Lumber Ltd. has thrived throughout multiple � res, industry changes and an increasing scarcity of raw material.

And one big reason for that business longevity is due to the dedicated work of its employees.

It’s a story well known all over the Okanagan: A menacing � re broke out in Glenrosa in 2009, quickly ravaging the mountainside and charging toward the Gorman Bros. sawmill, where 400 families were dependent on the mill’s continued operation. When the evacuation order came, every employee on staff the day the � re broke out, disobeyed.

Mary Tracey, daughter of mill co-founder Ross Gorman, says that the mill employees worked well into the night and the following day, keeping the � re away from the sawmill along Highway 97.

“Without exception, every single employee said, ‘We’re not leaving. We are going to save this mill.’ We have amazing pictures of people with forklifts moving � aming piles of lumber away from the main building,” Mary re� ects.

“I remember my husband called and said, ‘We’re really hungry here.’ So I went to Wendy’s, and they put extra staff on to make hundreds of hamburgers to feed us.”

The � re story is just one example of the Gorman family’s people-� rst philosophy. Tracey says that one of the major lessons she’s learned in her years with the company is that putting employees � rst is always a smart strategy.

“My dad and my uncle didn’t take a wage for a long, long time—they took what was left over. I think nowadays, we have it backwards. If you genuinely put the business and the people ahead of your own desires, you’ll succeed,” she says.

It’s that drive and that belief in people that motivated the whole Gorman family to work hard to make the sawmill operation a success.

Tracey’s mother was the mill accountant for 15 years. Ross and co-founder John Gorman’s wives, Eunice and Edith, served as critical support � gures for the brothers. It’s these close family ties that Tracey cites as the best part of working for the company.

“My dad just passed away in October, and the number of letters and emails and cards we got was just astounding. There were great memories from 30, 40, 50 years ago. It just shows it’s hard to separate the business from the personal life. When my dad passed away, it was nice to know that we gave people steady employment.”

The family-oriented environment at Gorman Bros. was immediately obvious to employees and even visitors, particularly in the sawmill’s early days. Tracey says that the mill made accommodations for its employees out of a deep-rooted respect and personal connection.

“During the early days, it was local people who worked when they could. If it was hunting season, everyone would take the day off and go hunting. Or if someone was an orchardist and they had to take a few days off to pick their cherries, it was no big deal. It was a casual, family-oriented environment.”

Still today, that family environment is still evident among the Gorman Bros. employees.

Then & Now ______________________________________________________________

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The sibling tandem of John and Ross Gorman founded Gorman Bros. Lumber 63 years ago; sawmill worker Lloyd Currie (left photo) at the West Kelowna mill.

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“If you genuinely put the business and the people ahead of your own desires, you’ll succeed.”

Mary Traceydaughter of Gorman Bros. co-founder Ross Gorman

Gorman Bros Lumber was founded in 1951 by John and

Ross Gorman. � e small venture started as a fruit box

business as a temporary measure to provide a second income a� er a harsh winter

killed many of their apple trees. By 1953 the brothers

expanded their business and started a small sawmill in

Glenrosa.

64 years later, our annual production is 190 million

board feet of high quality appearance grade boards and we ship to 28 di� erent countries. We have become

one of the largest, non-union, family-owned wood

products operations in British Columbia.

We are now made up of � ve divisions throughout

the southern interior of BC and northern

Washington State. As of 2015, the Gorman Group

of Companies employs 1000 employees, and is still run by the

Ross Gorman family.

Proud to be part of the Westbank community for over 64 years! Visit our website and learn more!

gormanbros.com

Gorman Bros Lumber was founded in 1951 by John and

venture started as a fruit box

measure to provide a second

board feet of high quality

Gorman Brothers Lumber would like to recognize and congratulate the Capital News, on 85 years in the Okanagan,

and for many more years to come!

John & Ross (1950’s)

We are now made up of � ve

2015, the Gorman Group of Companies employs 1000

employees, and is still run by the Ross Gorman family.

products operations in British


Heritage and family play role in Quails’ Gate success

Quails’ Gate winery owner Tony Stewart checks out the grape harvest.

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Spectacular view overlooking Okanagan Lake from the Old Vines restaurant terrace at Quails’ Gate Family Estate Winery in West Kelowna.

The Stewart family has been farming in the Okanagan since 1908 when Richard Stewart Sr. settled in the Kelowna area and founded one of the valley’s most successful nursery businesses.

His son, Dick Stewart, continued in his father’s footsteps, becoming a fruit and grape framer and bought 125 acres of property on the west side of the lake in 1956 to begin his fruit farming business.

Dick planted tree fruits as well as eating grapes to start, and in 1961 plated his � rst wine grapes, Chasselas, which are still grown on the property today.

In 1978 Dick’s eldest son, Ben, returned home with the shared dream of starting a winery.

The two spent the next 10 years extensively researching and planting different European vinifera on the Mount Boucherie site, now

Quails’ Gate Family Estate Winery.

“We made our � rst bottle of wine, a Pinot Noir, in 1980, and it was at that moment when I tasted it that I knew we had the potential to make excellent wine here in the Okanagan,” recalls Ben today.

Over the years, the Stewarts transitioned from growing fruit trees to planting vineyards

and in 1989 Quails’ Gate winery produced its � rst vintage.

To offer visitors a place to taste and buy their wine, Quails’ Gate opened an old cabin built on the property in 1873—Allison House.

This quaint cabin was formerly the home of John and Susan Allison and their 14 children.

The Stewarts had previously been using the

cabin for farm storage, but felt it would serve as the perfect place to welcome guests.

In 1990, the old cabin was restored and housed a wine shop.

Today, the wine shop has been moved to a larger location on site where the winery is able to host a variety of wine tasting and sensory experiences.

Meanwhile, the little log heritage home remains open during the summer months, offering winery visitors the chance to step back in history while enjoying a glass of wine and light picnic.

“I don’t think it was on either of our radar screens that the whole industry would be what it is today. And for us to be on the leading edge of it is rewarding, and mine boggling at times,” says Ruth Stewart, Ben’s wife.

“Ben was con� dent that we could stand on our own two feet as a New World wine, and he

was right.” Still family run today,

Quails’ Gate wines are sold across North America, China, Japan and Europe.

In 2014, Quails’ Gate celebrated its 25th harvest as the Stewarts continue to carry forward the pursuit of excellence, product service and hard work that their family has championed for more than a century.

“It’s that � rst milestone that allows us to re� ect back on what we’ve done. What we’re really trying to do is establish

that Quails’ Gate is one of Canada’s leading brands, today and in the future,” says Tony Stewart, who joined his brother at Quails’ Gate in the early ’90s.

One of the most unique ways to experience Quails’ Gate and all it has to offer is to be part of the wine club called the Cellar Door Club.

Today, the club has grown to offer its members three distinct programs to receive shipments of wines, including rare back

vintages pulled from the family’s cellar; host dinners in the vineyard and get discounts off wine; and access the new lake front accommodation.

“We feel privileged when people come and visit us here. We want them to arrive and be greeted with a smile and feel like they’re being appreciated,” says Tony Stewart.

“My mom always said ‘be a good host’ and that’s something that everybody at Quails’ Gate believes in.”

Then & Now ______________________________________________________________

Discover the privileges behind the Cellar Door.

• Wine delivered to your door

• Receive 3 shipments a year

• Choose the tier that is right for you: Explore, Indulge or Barrel Club

• Discounts on wine & exclusive library selections

• Club parties: pick up your order, enjoy some wine, and meet other members

• Member only events, such as dinner in the vineyard, special winery events, and exclusive tastings

• No annual fees

Quails’ Gate wine club benefits:

To find out more contact the club concierge

[email protected]

250-769-2502


2014

2003

1993

1982

1978

1970

1960

1950s

1941

1930Les Kerry published the � rstedition of the Capital News1,700 copies were printed and delivered free of charge

In 1941 readers paid for the Capital News, due to the cost and dif� culty of getting newsprint during the Second World War.

In the early 1950’s, Kerry handed over the reigns of thenewspaper to his son-in-law, Graham Takoff.

Les Kerry made a $20,000 donation to the City of Kelowna in memory of his wife Evelyn,

to refurbish the park we now call Kerry Park.

Graham Takoff sold the Capital News to Lower Mainland Publishing.

The current ownership group Black Press, purchased the Capital News.

The Capital News changed publishing days back to twice per week.

A Classi� ed Word Ad cost 30¢ for 10 words or 75¢ for 3 insertions.

The Capital News moved to a twice per week publication.

The Capital News began publishing

3 days per week

A 3 bedroom home on Morrison Ave. cost $8,400.

sold the Capital News

BANNISTER KELOWNA

250-860-7700


2727 HIGHWAY 97 N.

Dea

ler

#400

20

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THE HATCH STARTED BY YOUNG

TRIO OF ENTREPRENEURS ON

BOUCHERIE ROAD ............... A17

OKANAGAN SUN

ON A ROLL

IT’S A 4-0 START FOR THE BCFC

SQUAD AFTER 32-13 THRASHING

OF LANGLEY RAMS ..............A21

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Kelowna General Hospital courtyard. See story on A16.

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news




NEW WINERY IN

WEST KELOWNA

THE HATCH STARTED BY YOUNG

TRIO OF ENTREPRENEURS ON

BOUCHERIE ROAD ............... A17

OKANAGAN SUN

ON A ROLL

IT’S A 4-0 START FOR THE BCFC

SQUAD AFTER 32-13 THRASHING

OF LANGLEY RAMS ..............A21

TIME TO

MOVE ON

RICHARD MONTGOMERY TO STEP

DOWN AS APPLE TRIATHLON

PRESIDENT ............................

PRESIDENT ............................

PRESIDENTA20

RAFTING TRAGEDY

LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER

DROWNS IN KICKING HORSE

RIVER ............................

............A5





Kelowna General Hospital courtyard. See story on A16.See story on A16.









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Friday, August 21, 2015 • kelownacapnews.com

CAPITAL news

Kathy [email protected]

Tucked behind KLO Middle School, life is emerging from what was once little more than a sterile stretch of concrete and grass.

A newly meandering portion of Fascieux Creek, � t with a tiny pond, is home to birds of all different kinds, an incubation ground for turtle eggs, and a pathway for � sh to snack en route to Okanagan Lake. Counting up all the creatures

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Shining a light on the art world in KelownaThen & Now ______________________________________________________________

Barry [email protected]

Kelowna has a lot to offer when it comes to art in our city.

And for Martina Kral, art has offered what has become for her a dream business opportunity—an art gallery of her own.

Kral has been the owner of Tutt Street Gallery in the Lower Mission since 2009.

The gallery’s history dates back to 1984 at the same location, when it began as a gallery/framing shop owned by Judy Johnson.

Kral’s grandfather was an artist so she grew up around the world of art, and studied art history in university before going on to work in other career areas.

“Judy had sold the gallery and retired when she called me about an opportunity of the gallery being offered for sale. Within 10 days I had the keys to the gallery in my hand,” Kral recalls.

Johnson was a partner with Kral at the onset, “as

she knew all the artists and the ins and outs of running a gallery, so she was a great mentor to me,” Kral says.

She got her initiation as an art gallery owner during a dif� cult time, in 2009, as an economic recession was about to hit country.

“For awhile there, I was asking myself the question, ‘What did I get myself into?’ But my whole working life prior had been in sales and management and I was successful for other people and I thought this

was a great way to stand on my own, the successes and the failures would be all mine.

“I’m at the point now where I can’t imagine doing anything else,” Kral says. “I guess it is all happenstance. The pieces fall into place. I didn’t start out wanting to buy an art gallery. Even the recession was a good thing in that you appreciate the successes that much more.”

Kral had an established stable of artists when she acquired the gallery, and she has taken on new

Photos (above and right) re� ect the art work on display inside the Tutt Street Gallery.

CON

TRIB

UTE

D

“Paintings give off an energy, they bring light and colour and joy to a space that perhaps needs uplifting. “

Martina Kral, Tutt Street Gallery owner.

ones as some of that original group has moved on in the years since, as she tries to stay in tune with the changing trends in the art world.

Kral says art is a thriving cultural characteristic of Kelowna with plenty of art clubs in existence which regularly

showcase their artists. The growth of the

winery industry has also offered a natural � t with the local art community.

“Usually people that appreciate a good glass of wine will also appreciate � ne art so there is a lot of opportunity for cross-promotion between the

two.”Kral says the challenge

for her art gallery moving forward is to bring that appreciation of art to a younger generation.

“When I bought the gallery I was fortunate to acquire a loyal clientele but it has also been important to welcome

new patrons to the gallery. I am always grateful when someone says they have never been into the gallery before but are glad they stopped by.

Kral says the beauty of any art is always in the eye of the beholder, a bonding relationship between the art rendering and its owner.

“When you buy a piece by an artist, it is something personal and unique, a one-of in your home, “ she says.

“You fall in love with it. You are the only one who owns it, it becomes part of your space.

“Paintings give off an energy, they bring light and colour and joy to a space that perhaps needs uplifting. It’s hard to put that experience into words, but it’s an emotional response that you get when you look at a painting.”

�� TUTT STREET GALLERY

ESTABLISHED 1984� � Featuring original art from some of Canada’s fi nest artists

#9 3045 Tutt Street Kelowna 250.861.4992 [email protected] www.tuttartgalleries.ca

H.E. Kuckein

Cameron Bird

Rod CharlesworthMin Ma

Capital News Friday, August 28, 2015 www.kelownacapnews.com ZPB Z24 www.kelownacapnews.com Friday, August 28, 2015 Capital News

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