Yahoo! Old Navy is opening in Orchard Park Shopping Centre (Pear Entrance, formerly the Tommy Hilfiger location) on Wednesday, July 23, 6 to 9 p.m. with a “soft opening.”
The grand opening of the 13,000-sq.ft. store will be Saturday, July 26, 9 a.m., with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Old Navy offers affordable family clothing for newborns, toddlers, teens, children, men and women up to size 18. The store also features maternity wear, purses, accessories and some shoes. Kelowna will be the 11th Old Navy store to open in B.C. Brittany Bourassa is the local store manager.
Both area manager/stylist Jean Lanoue and stylist Linda Frisby of The Salon at Hudson’s Bay have been awarded The Salon at Hudson’s Bay Star Awards for their work in 2013. The Star Award is reserved for the top 10 per cent of their professional staff every year. The award designates them as top performers and the company’s most valued associates. Along with Lanoue and Frisby, award winning stylist Terry Hoogewoonink (my stylist for many years) is part of the shop’s team. The salon has been located in The Bay for 32 years with Jean working there 29 years, Linda 24 years and Terry joining them four years ago. Call 250-860-7792 to book an appointment.
After 33 years at 129-1889 Springfield Rd., Rapid Printing has moved into new premises on the same street, 1980 Springfield Rd. Owned and operated by Phil Walker, the company required more room to accommodate its expansion plans and wanted to freshen up the premises. Rapid Printing accommodates all types of printing including signs and banners. Call 250-860-2200.
Tammy Jurczak is the newest member of the leadership team for the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust (SIDIT) as senior portfolio manager. Formerly, a senior commercial banker in the mid-market/large corporate space for HSBC, Jurczak will be responsible for working with SIDIT’s existing and new Southern Interior business clientele, helping them grow their businesses and achieve their goals. Luanne Chore is the CEO of SIDIT, which was created under legislation adopted by the provincial government in 2006. SIDIT received a one-time allocation of $50 million designated to strategic investments in sustainable economic development initiatives throughout the Southern Interior of B.C. It is managed by an independent board of 13 directors, eight elected and five provincial appointees from the region. Call 250-548-6829; website www.sidit-bc.ca.
This is great customer service. Every Friday from noon to 1:30 p.m., Arby’s on Harvey have hired 12-year-olds Zach Rivard and Tylan Lahti to offer complimentary window washing for drive-thru customers. It is a fun customer service enhancement opportunity for the summer months. Rob Belanger is the general manager of Arby’s.
Formerly with ICBC for many years, John Graves has joined the Global Warranty Company as their new dealer account manager for the Okanagan and B.C. Interior, a professional sales person and business coach with 25 years in the industry. Global Warranty is an industry leading vehicle warranty protection provider delivering a high level of customer service, peace of mind and worry-free driving for today’s driver. Yes, it’s true that you can purchase a warranty on your next used vehicle from a local auto dealership. Graves is responsible for managing and growing the automotive warranty business for Global Warranty which includes a new RV warranty program for trailers and motorhomes, as well as credit insurance for life and disability protection for automobile customers. The Global packages are guaranteed and fully insured. For more information email jgraves@globalwarranty.com.
Sun Country Furniture, owned and operated by Carol Dodge, at 160-2463 Highway 97 N (Kelowna Crossings Centre), will close its doors at the end of September. Dodge is moving on and plans to retire. The store now has up to 50 per cent off everything and there is plenty to choose from, as they just received a large container of furnishings last week.
The popular Entertainment Book has gone completely digital with offers being printed off your computer or downloaded to your smart phone with the same great products, only a lot more of them. Also, Entertainment has launched a rewards/loyalty program Sweet Rewards, which allows businesses to thank customers or encourage new clients by giving them access to all of Entertainment’s offers throughout Canada with the company’s branding including web-site, logo and picture. It has become extremely popular with realtors, car dealerships and other companies that have a data base, as the memberships are sent to their e-mail address and are good for one year. Tom Keitel is the local senior account executive of Entertainment Book. Call 778-839-6208; email tkeitel@entertainment.com.
Congrats to locals Devinder Randhawa and Ross McElroy, of Fission Uranium, both finalists in the Entrepreneur of the Year contest provided by accounting firm Ernst and Young. They are in the mining and exploration category for the Pacific Region. Fission discovered and is developing two major uranium deposits in Canada’s Athabasca Basin.
Corinne Snape, an executive assistant for 25 years, is the owner of a unique new business called The Executor’s Assistant. Her business idea is to help executors and families with the disbursement of household assets. Her service does not provide legal advice but rather helps to disburse household assets on behalf of the executor, estate or family. Working cost-effectively and efficiently, Snape works to gain the greatest monetary return for the estate. Specializing in household asset disbursement, she offers customized service plans, prepares the property for sale and coordinates professionals. She will clean the property, do the yard maintenance, provide regular property checks and coordinate professional painters and carpet cleaners. She has established a network of social agencies in Kelowna which are very appreciative of any unsold items. It’s a great service if the executor does not live in the area or if the executor is an appointed professional who does not have the time or experience to disburse the assets involved. Additionally, Snape is great assistance if someone does not know where, or how to begin the difficult process of downsizing or to a family that requires a third party to “keep the peace” within the family while disbursing assets. Call 250-863-2630; email info@executor-assistant.ca; website www.executor-assistant.ca.
McScoot’s Motorcycle and Scooter Rentals/Tours, owned and operated by Phil and Diane McAllister, is located between Kelowna Yamaha and the One Boardshop on Highway 97, across from Staples. Just as the name says, they rent motorcycles (Harleys) and scooters until the end of September. Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 250-763-(HOOT) 4668; website www.mcscoots.com.
Amanda Belan is the owner of Fun-Fit-N-Active, a company which offers rentals and sales of fun health and fitness products.
Located in downtown Kelowna at Cawston Avenue and Cannery Lane (outdoor under the tent), she is open Wednesday to Sunday from 7:30 a.m. until noon and then 5 until 8:30 p.m. She has purchased a product called Elliptigo (the world’s first elliptical bicycle) and brought it to the Okanagan. This bicycle allows the user to cross-train both indoors and out while standing up in a natural stance (a bicycle with no seat). It’s a substitute to running and riding a bicycle especially for those with injuries, as it combines the best of running, cycling and the elliptical trainer. There is no pressure or pain on the body and it strengthens the gluteal muscles by using the mid-foot and heel and engaging your core muscles. Models come with the option of different gears, have an adjustable stride length and can hold up to 250 pounds. Rentals vary from $20 to $30 per hour (ID and deposit required and includes helmet, storage bag, locks, bells and lights on units). Groups are welcome. To purchase and for sales info, either drop-in to see Amanda or call 250-859-9319; email funfitnactive@gmail.com.
Thanks to Max Soewen, with RW & Co. in Orchard Park Mall. I was redeeming an old paper gift certificate for a piece of merchandise. Although old, the gift certificate did not have an expiry date, so Max diligently went through a process to make sure I could use it. Great service and I will be back to that store.
The Okanagan Historical Society will host its annual Family Pioneer Picnic behind Parkinson Recreation Centre on Sunday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year the picnic will be recognizing the arrival of Rutland families to the area. Everyone is welcome. Bring a bag lunch. Refreshments, cake and ice cream will be provided. Society publications, Kelowna Street Names—Their Origins, as well as the society’s annual historic reports will be available for purchase. For more info call L. Marshall at 250-717-6765; email klmarshall@shaw.ca.
The 2014 Buy Local, Buy Fresh Okanagan map published by Buy Local BC and the Okanagan Greens Society is now out in the marketplace. It has 35 firms and 20 local food outlets on the map and also lists events and local attractions that are all about Okanagan food and drink. www.BuyLocalOkanagan.ca.
Don’t forget, the Snowbirds are coming to Kelowna. For tickets to the VIP dinner call Peter Schultz at rotarykelowna5060@gmail.com. The show is Wednesday, July 30, 5 to 5:45 p.m., over Okanagan Lake. Best vantage point will be from Waterfront Park area.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 65th to Kelowna city councillor Robert Hobson, (July 13); happy 65th Dave Libbretch (July 20); happy 65th John Dawson, Eagle Eavestroughing (July 21); happy 65th Doug Moffatt, (July 7); Ben Lee (July 17); Linda Yandel (July 17); Bill Jack, Club Wine Tours (July 17); Dave MacLean (July 18); retired RCMP Ken Green (July 18); Pastor Don Richmond (July 18); Phil Parker, Canada Bread (July 19); Alistair Waters, Capital News (July 20); Garrett Tanner (July 22); Jim Gray, Miskanaw Golfers (July 23).
