On August 26, D C Quinn’s Jewellers is closing its doors after 30 years of business.
“I’m retiring,” says goldsmith Dennis Quinn as he quips a little rhyme about being ‘bent and busted.’
Over the years the business has been in various locations around town.
“We started off in a small little store on Shuswap Street and we’ve evolved from there to here with a full blown gift shop,” says Lynne. There other locations included Alexander Street (where Victorian Lace is now) and across the street from their present location, where they have been for six years. Over the past decades, they have seen a few changes in jewelry styles.
“Thirty years ago it was either yellow gold or silver, there was no white gold. Over the years that has changed and now white gold is more predominate. It’s gone from traditional settings to more designer stuff,” says Lynne.
Because they have been in business this long, most of their customers have become their friends as well.
Dennis is booked solid until his final day, so he isn’t taking any more repairs, and he is adamant he isn’t doing any more work once he’s retired. Dennis and Lynne plan to spend their retirement fishing and golfing.
“Well, me not so much,” says Lynne, “I’ll be the tagalong.”
Up for Sale
Business partners Marty Bootsma and Warren Welter have their car wash for sale. They own the Petro Car Wash formerly known as Lakeshore Car Wash.
Over the past several months they have put in improvements and it’s been very successful.
“It’s a great small business, we’re enjoying it” says Marty, “but we’re looking to sell. We both have personal circumstances that have changed.”
Ecotreats
They haven’t posted an opening date but on their Facebook page Ecotreats says they’re opening soon. They will be located in the former Java Jive location at the corner of the Trans Canada and Alexander Street.
Customers can expect great organic coffee, organic baking, smoothies, paninis, breakfast burritos, and gluten free and vegan options.
They also have a location in Scotch Creek.
Tourism stats
Shuswap tourism numbers for July are down somewhat (around seven per cent drop from 2016), says Salmon Arm Chamber Manager Corryn Grayston.
“I suspect it is totally attributable to the fires and air quality issues throughout the province. However, Shuswap Tourism, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and ourselves are making concentrated efforts, through various social media channels, to ensure tourists that Salmon Arm and the Shuswap region are ‘forest fire free’ and we are well-positioned to offer tourists an amazing vacation with memorable experiences.”
Grayston says they are speaking with visitors who were intending to head into areas affected by fire about extending their stays – which has been well-received as an alternative to heading home early.
