Local Business

Touchstones Nelson is amongst a number of arts and culture venues in Nelson that have found ways to survive through the pandemic in 2020. The sector has been particularly hard hit by tough COVID protocols and the economic downturn. Photo: Darren Davidson

BUSINESS BUZZ: 2020 from K-Z

Part 2 of the Nelson Star’s alphabetical year-end review

Sam Baio, owner of Nelson’s Valhalla Pure Outfitters, says he’s keeping his store closed on Boxing Day due to COVID-19 crowd concerns. Photo: Tyler Harper

Wary of the pandemic, Nelson businesses opt to stay closed on Boxing Day

They say the profit isn’t worth the potential of infection

It takes a village — If retail trends in outdoor soft and hard goods and motorsports are any indication, it’s going to be a busy 2021 in the West Kootenay backcountry. Ski and snowboard touring gear, snowmobiles, snowshoes — even snowblowers — have sold at a record pace. Local shopping support has been critical for businesses throughout town this year, including Main Jet Motorsports, whose staff posed for the Chamber of Commerce’s Support Local, Stay Safe campaign last week. Photo: Darren Davidson

BUSINESS BUZZ: Hey 2020. ABC-ya later

Part 1 of the Nelson Star’s alphabetical year-end review

  • Dec 15, 2020
Buddy’s wants council to expand its downtown maximum from two businesses to three cannabis businesses. Photo: Tyler Harper

Buddy’s Place to apply to Nelson council for permanent downtown status

Online presentation and survey will take place Thursday, Dec. 10

Buddy’s wants council to expand its downtown maximum from two businesses to three cannabis businesses. Photo: Tyler Harper
Nelson city council conducted an online resident survey about patios and food trucks and got over a thousand responses. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Nelson council hears results of survey on patios and food trucks

A city’s online survey got 1,130 responses

Nelson city council conducted an online resident survey about patios and food trucks and got over a thousand responses. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
In quick response to last week’s unprecedented province-wide health order, the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce distributed over 150 posters aimed at reminding residents to wear masks while in businesses and public buildings, and to Think Local. L-R: The Chamber’s Val Yowek, Denise McInnes and executive director Tom Thomson, mask up and buckle down. Photo: Darren Davidson

BUSINESS BUZZ: Stay calm and shop on, Snowwater sells Valhalla, Grey Owl gives ‘er

Columnist Darren Davidson on the latest happenings in business

  • Nov 26, 2020
In quick response to last week’s unprecedented province-wide health order, the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce distributed over 150 posters aimed at reminding residents to wear masks while in businesses and public buildings, and to Think Local. L-R: The Chamber’s Val Yowek, Denise McInnes and executive director Tom Thomson, mask up and buckle down. Photo: Darren Davidson
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L-R: Kootenay Co-op general manager Ari Derfel, grocery manager Erin Morrison, and security guard Akshay Sharma. The Kootenay Co-op has hired a security company to protect staff from abusive customers who don’t wish to wear masks. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Mask acceptance varies between different business outlets in Nelson

A small percentage of shoppers have tried flouting the rule, and Kootenay Co-op has hired a security guard.

L-R: Kootenay Co-op general manager Ari Derfel, grocery manager Erin Morrison, and security guard Akshay Sharma. The Kootenay Co-op has hired a security company to protect staff from abusive customers who don’t wish to wear masks. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
“I’d like to thank city council for trusting me in the winter patio project.” – Nick Diamond, manager of Main Street Diner in front of his sidewalk cafe that will be staying in place all winter: Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Nelson council allows four winter sidewalk cafes

The decision is a response to struggles by restaurants during the pandemic

“I’d like to thank city council for trusting me in the winter patio project.” – Nick Diamond, manager of Main Street Diner in front of his sidewalk cafe that will be staying in place all winter: Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Designed by architect Thomas Loh, a new building is under construction at the interception of Victoria and Josephine following a major fire in June. The new location will have room for two ground level businesses, and three live/work studios upstairs, two occupied by returning tenants Divine Alchemy Tattoos and Tarynn Lloyd’s pottery studio. Illustration submitted

BUSINESS BUZZ: Rising from the ashes, city eyes up to $200M in projects

Darren Davidson’s monthly column about business in Nelson

  • Sep 23, 2020
Designed by architect Thomas Loh, a new building is under construction at the interception of Victoria and Josephine following a major fire in June. The new location will have room for two ground level businesses, and three live/work studios upstairs, two occupied by returning tenants Divine Alchemy Tattoos and Tarynn Lloyd’s pottery studio. Illustration submitted
Applications for the first of three pitch competition events at the Nelson Innovation Centre must be submitted by Sept. 24. Photo: Nelson Innovation Centre

Nelson Innovation Centre to host pitch competition

Deadline to apply for the first of three events is Sept. 24

Applications for the first of three pitch competition events at the Nelson Innovation Centre must be submitted by Sept. 24. Photo: Nelson Innovation Centre
Flex on Decks: Jason Flexhaug and Georgia Bonderud of Flexy’s Okanagan Fresh Fruit, located on Nelson Avenue across from Hume School. Flexy’s turned 20 this year. Photo: Darren Davidson

BUSINESS BUZZ: COVID and cash, ATCO’s Weatherford heads Selkirk board, and more

Darren Davidson brings us the latest goings-on in the local business world

  • Aug 14, 2020
Flex on Decks: Jason Flexhaug and Georgia Bonderud of Flexy’s Okanagan Fresh Fruit, located on Nelson Avenue across from Hume School. Flexy’s turned 20 this year. Photo: Darren Davidson
SMRT1 Technologies founder Brad Pommen (right) has entered into an agreement to supply smart vending machines technology to Vancouver-based UpMeals. Photo submitted

Nelson’s SMRT1 Technologies to provide vending tech to Vancouver company

UpMeals will launch 22 machines across Canada using SMRT1’s personalized machines

SMRT1 Technologies founder Brad Pommen (right) has entered into an agreement to supply smart vending machines technology to Vancouver-based UpMeals. Photo submitted
The man was swimming near Winlaw before he disappeared in the water. Photo: Google Maps

UPDATE: Body of Slocan River drowning victim recovered

The man was swimming near Winlaw on Wednesday.

The man was swimming near Winlaw before he disappeared in the water. Photo: Google Maps
Laurie Coti on a slackline at Lakeside Park in Nelson. “It’s very relaxing. You think about nothing.” Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Balancing act: Nelson’s world champion highliner talks balance and fun in the park

Mia Noblet gives pointers and tips to aspiring slackliners

Laurie Coti on a slackline at Lakeside Park in Nelson. “It’s very relaxing. You think about nothing.” Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Kids taking part in a Wildsight outdoor education program. Photo submitted Kids taking part in a Wildsight outdoor education program. Photo submitted

Summer outdoor education for kids during pandemic

Wildsight has created dozens of online lessons, including activities, videos and more

  • Jul 16, 2020
Kids taking part in a Wildsight outdoor education program. Photo submitted Kids taking part in a Wildsight outdoor education program. Photo submitted
The Wrecking Crew — Cory Scanlon and the longtime team at Western Auto Wrecking. The business celebrated 50 years in operation last week. Not pictured: Clint Scanlon. Photo: Darren Davidson

BUSINESS BUZZ: Visitors versus the virus, Western Auto celebrates a half century, Lytle does a lot

Darren Davidson’s monthly column about business in Nelson

  • Jul 14, 2020
The Wrecking Crew — Cory Scanlon and the longtime team at Western Auto Wrecking. The business celebrated 50 years in operation last week. Not pictured: Clint Scanlon. Photo: Darren Davidson
Brent Malysh, a co-owner of Backroads Brewing Company, is one of many entrepreneurs attempting to reopen their business in Nelson. Photo: Tyler Harper

VIDEO: Not business as usual as Nelson slowly reopens

Local owners talk about the pandemic has changed how they operate

Brent Malysh, a co-owner of Backroads Brewing Company, is one of many entrepreneurs attempting to reopen their business in Nelson. Photo: Tyler Harper
West Kootenay real estate already starting to bounce back from COVID dip

West Kootenay real estate already starting to bounce back from COVID dip

In the last 14 days there have been 46 new real estate listings in the West Kootenay.

West Kootenay real estate already starting to bounce back from COVID dip
Chef James Varghese is hard at work preparing meals at The Nineteenth in Castlegar. The restaurant is filling take-out orders despite a staffing shortage. Photo submitted

Kootenay businesses struggling to find workers

People are opting to stay home and collect CERB rather than return to work.

Chef James Varghese is hard at work preparing meals at The Nineteenth in Castlegar. The restaurant is filling take-out orders despite a staffing shortage. Photo submitted
BUSINESS BUZZ: Nelson businesses keep going despite difficult times

BUSINESS BUZZ: Nelson businesses keep going despite difficult times

While many businesses have laid employees off, some are still trying to offer products and services

  • Apr 7, 2020
BUSINESS BUZZ: Nelson businesses keep going despite difficult times