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This week’s column is dedicated to Jim Haire, long-time employee of Sears (retired) and a good friend of the Ramada Hotel. He passed away one day after his 65th birthday on June 11.
Well-known businessman and huge community supporter, John Tietzen of Wendy’s Restaurants has sold all his Wendy’s in the Southern Interior. The new owner of his company, Inland Restaurants, is Ken Park of Grand Prairie, who has four Wendy’s in Alberta and now, with this huge purchase, will be the largest franchisee of Wendy’s in Canada. Park is going to keep the Inland Restaurants name and all the staff. Along with that, he is also going to continue on with all of John’s charities, the most well-known being “Wendy’s Annual Dream Lift Day” with all proceeds donated to the Sunshine Dream Foundation. So, what is John going to do now? He is on his way to Vancouver for shoulder surgery. After that he will be spending time at his joint venture business “Township 7 Vineyard and Winery” in Naramata, which he and his partner, Mike Raffan have owned since 2006.
"Lisjen Marketing & Store Supplies” owned and operated by Cheryl Park and Randey Ferster has opened a showroom at 103-1641 Commerce Avenue (behind Trail Appliances). The store, open to the public, is really unique, offering a variety of fixtures and supplies to set up and operate a complete retail outlet. Some items they carry are a variety of slatwall and gridwall panels and accessories, pricing and tagging guns, garment tags, tissue paper, labels, bags, mannequins and acrylic brochure holders. The list goes on and on. Basically, they are the “store for stores”. A new addition to their ever evolving inventory are parade supplies, carrying a fantastic supply of top quality pom poms, metallic and vinyl twist or fringe, floral sheeting and vehicle and bicycle decoration; everything to make your parade and float spectacular. Open Monday-Friday. Call 250-763-1690 www.lisjen.ca
Tigerlily Fashions, owned and operated by Jan Johnson and Lori Burns have opened a new store in the rear of their existing building at 575 Bernard Avenue. Through the years, the gals have built up many great contacts for clearance merchandise and they decided to bring these deals to you. “Alleycat Fashion Outlet” will be a fun place to find amazing deals on women’s fashions, being the only shop of its kind downtown, featuring fabulous funds, including designer labels such as INC, Jones NY, Gilmour, Anne Klein and Renuar, all at deep discount prices. You never know what wonderful things you will find at Alleycat – it will be a new store each week. The Tigerlily building will be accessible from both Bernard Avenue and the alley behind, enabling people to park on Lawrence, moving freely between Tigerlily and Alleycat. Call 250-762-8384 or [email protected]
Congrat’s to well-known businessman Mel Kotler on receiving a prestigious Rotary Paul Harris, presented by Lois and Cliff Serwa of the Mission Rotary Club.
Lesley Moore is the new executive director of The Kelowna Museums Society. Relocating from the Lower Mainland, she most recently was senior cultural analyst with the Federal Department of Canadian Heritage in Vancouver, and prior to that worked in a variety of positions, including curator of archaeology, curator of a golf museum, director of a municipal museum and manager of a heritage village.
Eco Clean Dry Cleaning Centres has opened their new production facility at 1620 Water Street (across from the Fire Hall) offering complete dry cleaning and laundry service. They are now one of the Okanagan's largest environmentally-friendly dry cleaners and do not use PERC. You can still pick up and drop off your items at Spall Plaza, their most well-known location. Bart Dyck is the vice president and co-owner of Eco Clean. Call 778-484-5844 (Downtown) or 250-762-2879 (Spall). www.eco-clean.ca
Sarah Badger is the new manager of George Richards Big & Tall Menswear at 2339 Highway 97 N in the Dilworth Centre (beside Staples). Sarah formerly worked for Tip Top Tailors for 10 years, the brother store of George Richards in various locations including the Orchard Park Mall. They are having a sidewalk sale until June 17th to celebrate the anniversary. Call 250-979-1435
After a full month of stocking and consignments, Game Changers Sports Consignment, owned and operated by Jane Fletcher at 110-1854 Kirschner Road is open for business. Check out their mini hockey rink, soccer pitch and basketball courts at the back of the store. Browse the varied selection of sports gear (water, ice, snow, grass, pavement and games) and bring in your unused, unwanted or outgrown sports gear for them to sell for you. Open Tuesday-Saturday. They will be open longer in the winter to accommodate skate rentals. Call 778-753-5635 www.gamechangerssonsignment.com
Tammie Watson, partnership specialist for Canadian Blood Services for the past five years has accepted a position in the funds development department within the BC Cancer Foundation and has left Canadian Blood Services.
Amy Zurrer is the new communications coordinator for The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. Amy has 12 years’ experience in public relations, media, journalism, marketing and publishing. Call 250-861-3627
Three new businesses have opened in the Towne Centre Mall on Bernard Avenue. Ten Fashions Bridal Boutique owned by Rosemarie Gottsch and Mavazi Apparel, owned by Amanda Zais are both store-front locations facing Bernard Avenue. Jeffrey Paulsen’s Kelowna Website Design was the third business to open.
Leitha Costentino has left Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School and has relocated to Calgary. The school is actively looking for a replacement.
Loren Desautels is celebrating his 25th Anniversary as a financial advisor with Mutual Life/The Mutual Group/Clarica/Sun Life at 2139 Springfield Road. The company has changed its name several times, but Loren has been there the entire time. Call 250-860-6403.
The Downtown Kelowna Association has a new board of directors for 2012. They are president, Dallas Gray (K96.3 Newcap Radio); vice president, Dustin Sargent (Davara Enterprises); treasurer, Rob Collins (Grant Thornton); secretary, Dan Allen (Doc Willoughby’s); and past president, Andrew Brunton (Pushor Mitchell LLP). Directors are Luigi Coccaro (La Bussola); Perry Freeman (Colliers International); Heather Farris (Delta); Brett Lobson (Imperial Parking); Brice MacDermott (MacDermott’s); Trevor Neill (Mosaic Books); Jan Johnson (Tigerlily Fashions & Alleycats), Renee Wasylyk (Troika Developments) and David Knapp (CIBC). Luigi Coccaro and Brice MacDermott are the only new directors. www.downtownkelowna.com
Andrew Carter, formerly of Kelowna Mercedes has joined the team at AutoSport Kelowna at 1210 Leathead Road. Call 250-491-9348 or [email protected]
Minit Market on Dilworth Drive (beside Liquor Store) is rebranding their name to “Havana Room at Minit Market”. Owners Jonathan and Rhonda Wright boast the only walk-in humidor with controlled temperatures for cigars. They offer the largest selection of cigars in the valley, including the brand “My Father” which is from Nicaragua and has a rating of 95 by Cigar Aficionada Magazine and rated the number three cigar in 2009. Havana Room is one of only four stores in B.C. that carries My Father cigars. They will also be carrying a large selection of Stanwell, Peterson and Brigham pipes and accessories. Melonie Dodaro of Top Dog Social Media is helping with the rebranding. Call 250-762-3737.
Lawn FX is a business that strictly deals with taking care of your lawn. Owned and operated by John Kilsby for the past several years, they help you achieve that beautiful lawn your neighbour has, but you struggle to get every year. They offer power raking, aeration, over-seeding and top-dressing, which is their main specialty; all of which are extremely important to that perfect lawn. They are not a one-time quick fix solution as they help you with your lawn by doing yearly much needed maintenance, using Natures Gold exclusively. Call 250-215-7210 www.lawfx.ca
Personal congratulations to Senator Ross Fitzpatrick, founder of CedarCreek Estate Winery on receiving an Honorary Doctoral Degree from UBC Okanagan. He also served in the Senate of Canada, representing the Okanagan–Similkameen from 1998 to 2008.
Speaking of CedarCreek Estate Winery, at 5445 Lakeshore Road, Chef Christopher Thomas will be leading the culinary team and restaurant this season at the winery which is open June 15 – September 23. Thomas is currently the executive chef at his concept restaurant the “Bullwheel” and opened the extremely popular” 6 Degrees Bistro” at Big White. With over 10 year’s national and international experience, he was recently cooking for Cirque du Soleil, touring various countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Korea and China. This year the Vineyard Terrace will serve brunch on Saturday and Sundays with a “Yoga and Brunch” package also. Call 250-764-8866 (107).
Country fans now have a new station. Starting on Monday at 10 a.m. Country 100.7 (CIGV-FM) is welcoming CMT’s Casey Clarke to their on-air line up. Country 100.7’s program director and Okanagan Mornings co-host is Troy Scott with Roo Phelps. The Casey Clarke Show will air every weekday on 100.7 right after Okanagan Mornings with Troy Scott and Roo Phelps.
Andrew Thomson has relocated from Vancouver and is the vice-president, senior investment advisor of Canaccord Wealth Management, #602 - 1708 Dolphin Avenue. Call 250-979-1112 or [email protected]
www.dineinkelowna.com is now up and running. Owned and operated by Nicholas Lucier, the site now has 70 restaurants, menus, locations, hours of operation, beverage menu, links to Facebook and entertainment around town. It’s local only and very reasonable. Take a look. If you like what you see and would like to be added to the site, contact Nicholas at [email protected]
Long-time Kelowna residents Ed and Roanne Collier are both taking early retirement and moving Nova Scotia. Ed worked for Argus Properties for 17 years and Roanne was at the Rec Centre for 12 years. Roanne and I worked together at Scotiabank on Bernard Avenue in the early 80’s. They are riding their motorcycle across Canada to Nova Scotia, leaving Kelowna on June 22. Roanne’s 60th is July 21 and Ed’s was April 30th. Call them at 250-860-1336.
The Kelowna Falcons are teaming up with Kelowna Firefighters to raise money for the BC Professional Firefighters Burn Fund on Thursday, June 21st at Elks Stadium at 6:35 p.m. (Falcons vs. Walla Walla) with all gate proceeds going to the fund. Bring the whole family to enjoy a night of food, fun and fundraising for a great cause. The Firefighters dedicate their time and skills to support burn survivors and increase the public’s knowledge about fire and burn safety issues. Tickets are only $10 (kids under six free) and can be purchased at the Main Fire Hall on Enterprise Way or by calling Pat at 250-317-7431 or at the gate.
Birthdays of the week – Jeff Gilbert, Kelowna Chrysler, (June 11); Nova Tourney, Ramada Hotel (June 11); Al Horning (June 11); Don Makela (June 11); Wayne Judiesch, Macdonald Realty (June 12); Brian Burnell (June 14); Vern Burnell (June 19); RCMP Super Bill McKinnon (June 19); Brian Tapp, Jamieson Vitamins (June 18); Carol Chapell (June 18); Dr. Ian Leitch (June 18); Rose Topham (June 20).
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546, fax 250-860-3173, E-mail [email protected] and web-site www.welcometokelowna.com (click on Columns and then Maxine DeHart)
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