Local Business

Werner Karsten shows one of the two turtlepod prototypes he brought with him for display at the Walk With Me event in Courtenay, on Nov. 26. The insulated, mobile pods are intended to provide safe shelter for those experiencing homelessness. Photo by Terry Farrell

B.C. man designs ‘turtlepods’ – mobile personal shelter prototypes to assist the unhoused

‘I think of it as supporting urban nomadism.’

Cherry Fernandez of SOICS took home Business Leader of the Year at the 35th Penticton Chamber awards Saturday night. (Brennan Phillips Western News)

Cherry Fernandez is Business Leader of the Year at 35th Penticton Chamber awards

Penticton businesses and people celebrated at 35th Business Excellence awards night

(Phil McLachlan - Western News File)

Penticton home to more than 3,600 businesses, 6% growth since 2021: City data

The city’s top industries of employment include health care, social assistance and retail

Slackwater Brewing represented for Penticton in a B.C. collaboration beer featuring Okanagan peaches. (Contributed)

Slackwater Brewing represents Okanagan in B.C. collaboration brew

The Explore BC Peach Farmhouse Ale features Okanagan peaches

Slackwater Brewing represented for Penticton in a B.C. collaboration beer featuring Okanagan peaches. (Contributed)
Total Restoration won Business of the Year at the 2021 Chamber Business Excellence awards gala. (Monique Tamminga Western News file photo)

99 nominees revealed for the 2022 Penticton Business Excellence Awards

Award winners will be announced at a Mardi Gras style gala Oct. 22

Total Restoration won Business of the Year at the 2021 Chamber Business Excellence awards gala. (Monique Tamminga Western News file photo)
Accelerate Okanagan is inviting companies to take part in its workforce insights salary and compensation study starting Tuesday, Sept, 13, 2022. (Submitted photo)

Okanagan salaries reveiwed in study

Accelerate Okanagan has launched its workforce insights salary and compensation study

Accelerate Okanagan is inviting companies to take part in its workforce insights salary and compensation study starting Tuesday, Sept, 13, 2022. (Submitted photo)
Penticton MLA Dan Ashton toured the new recycling service at the Wholesale Club in Penticton on opening day Aug. 17. (Contributed)

Express and Go bottle depot opens at Penticton Wholesale Club

No more sorting through recyclables at contactless centre

Penticton MLA Dan Ashton toured the new recycling service at the Wholesale Club in Penticton on opening day Aug. 17. (Contributed)
A mural featuring a scoreboard and a great blue heron is being created on The Roster. (Lacey & Layla Art rendering)

Vernon business mural gains support

97% thinks the city should approve heron mural at The Roster

A mural featuring a scoreboard and a great blue heron is being created on The Roster. (Lacey & Layla Art rendering)
The directors of the Penticton Chamber att the announcement for this year's Business Excellence Awards. (brennan Phillips - Western News)

Nominations open for Penticton Chamber Business Excellence awards

The chamber has added a new code of conduct following 2021’s controversy

The directors of the Penticton Chamber att the announcement for this year's Business Excellence Awards. (brennan Phillips - Western News)
Dahlia and Derek Millington’s Little Falls Foods has a unique warehouse-styled store to serve the community of Okanagan Falls. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

Okanagan Falls’ Little Falls Foods to close

After months of financial hardship the family is pivoting their business

Dahlia and Derek Millington’s Little Falls Foods has a unique warehouse-styled store to serve the community of Okanagan Falls. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
Former owner of the successful catering business Joy Road Catering, Brett Turner has been appointed the new executive director of the Downtown Penticton Business Improvement Association. (Submitted)

Downtown Penticton’s new BIA executive director trades in chef’s hat for suit

Brett Turner is the former owner of the successful Joy Road Catering

Former owner of the successful catering business Joy Road Catering, Brett Turner has been appointed the new executive director of the Downtown Penticton Business Improvement Association. (Submitted)
Staff from Red Bag, ethically sourced clothing store in Cherry Lane mall do the happy dance in the city of Penticton’s video Shop Local, Support Local, Love Local video. (Youtube)

Penticton small business owners caught on video doing the happy dance

The adorable video is part of the city of Penticton’s Love Local campaign

Staff from Red Bag, ethically sourced clothing store in Cherry Lane mall do the happy dance in the city of Penticton’s video Shop Local, Support Local, Love Local video. (Youtube)
McWatters sisters Darrien and Christa-Lee have won the 2021 ‘Most inspirational people in the wine industry’ award. (TIME winery photo)

Penticton Women in Business: Continuing their dad’s legacy as trailblazers

TIME Winery sisters Christa-Lee and Darrien McWatters

McWatters sisters Darrien and Christa-Lee have won the 2021 ‘Most inspirational people in the wine industry’ award. (TIME winery photo)
The indie film Invasions had a scene shot at the iconic Peach in Penticton on Wednesday, Aug. 18. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

Penticton’s Tempest Theatre seeking to boost local film industry with training

The theatre’s society will be expanding their courses

The indie film Invasions had a scene shot at the iconic Peach in Penticton on Wednesday, Aug. 18. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
A crew of volunteers have been active in replanting a habitat area at a property owned by Okanagan Crush Pad. (Photo submitted)

Summerland winery joins international industry climate action group

Okanagan Crush Pad has committed to cutting its emissions

A crew of volunteers have been active in replanting a habitat area at a property owned by Okanagan Crush Pad. (Photo submitted)
Kirsten (Fergy) Ferguson admiring the balloon display in Ukrainian colours on opening day of her new location Honey Toast on Front Street Sunday, May 1. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

Honey Toast Cafe opens in downtown Penticton to flowers, hugs and cheer

The cafe is named in honour of Fergy’s grandma’s special honey toast treat

Kirsten (Fergy) Ferguson admiring the balloon display in Ukrainian colours on opening day of her new location Honey Toast on Front Street Sunday, May 1. (Monique Tamminga Western News)
From left to right, Marriot representative Duncan Chiu, MLA Dan Ashton, developer Ron Mundi, Penticton Mayor John Vassilaki, Valley First president Steven Chen, and construction chief Parm Kandola break ground for the new Four Points by Sheraton high-end hotel in Penticton. (Brennan Phillips - Penticton Western News)

Penticton breaks ground on first North Gateway development

The new Four Points by Sheraton hotel is first project for the area’s future

From left to right, Marriot representative Duncan Chiu, MLA Dan Ashton, developer Ron Mundi, Penticton Mayor John Vassilaki, Valley First president Steven Chen, and construction chief Parm Kandola break ground for the new Four Points by Sheraton high-end hotel in Penticton. (Brennan Phillips - Penticton Western News)
Blendz Coffee is now open at Cherry Lane mall in Penticton. Grand opening celebration includes free coffee on Friday, April 22 from 2-4 p.m. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

Blenz Coffee moves in at Penticton mall

Blenz has opened where Starbucks used to be at Cherry Lane Shopping Centre

Blendz Coffee is now open at Cherry Lane mall in Penticton. Grand opening celebration includes free coffee on Friday, April 22 from 2-4 p.m. (Monique Tamminga Western News)
Wine Industry job fair at Naramata Centre April 10 from 9 to 4 p.m. (File photo)

South Okanagan wine industry hosts job fair in Naramata today

Wineries, restaurants and tour companies are hiring

Wine Industry job fair at Naramata Centre April 10 from 9 to 4 p.m. (File photo)
Wine Industry job fair at Naramata Centre April 10 from 9 to 4 p.m. (File photo)

South Okanagan wine industry hosts job fair in Naramata today

Wineries, restaurants and tour companies are hiring

Wine Industry job fair at Naramata Centre April 10 from 9 to 4 p.m. (File photo)