Local Business

The first cruise ship of the 2019 season – the Celebrity Eclipse – docks in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

Tourism spending in Canada dropped by almost 50 per cent in 2020

Tourism-related jobs dropped by almost 29 per cent

Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel closed for three months in late 2020, early 2021, to undergo renovations in leveraging slower hotel traffic because of COVID-19 restrictions. A new report from Statistics Canada find many businesses in the accommodation and food services sector are bracing for another tough year. (Courtesy of Fairmont Empress hotel)

Survey finds Canada’s hospitality industry has low expectations for year ahead

Almost 87 per cent of businesses in accommodation and food services report lower revenues in 2020

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

The Rossland Winter Carnival (pre-pandemic) is a brilliant reflection of its ski culture and why Rossland was named one of the 10 Best Ski Towns in North America. Photo: Jim Bailey

Q&A with Tourism Rossland and Top Ski Town ranking

Tourism Rossland from USA Today’s Top 10 Ski Town ranking

The Rossland Winter Carnival (pre-pandemic) is a brilliant reflection of its ski culture and why Rossland was named one of the 10 Best Ski Towns in North America. Photo: Jim Bailey
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
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
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
Enderby’s Starlight Drive In Theatre hasn’t yet decided if it will open for the summer season amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Starlight photo)

Drive-in theatre proposed for Grand Forks

City councillors will vote next month on whether to permit the use of the private property

Enderby’s Starlight Drive In Theatre hasn’t yet decided if it will open for the summer season amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Starlight photo)
The Kootenay Gallery has moved a couple of exhibitions online as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Facebook photo

Kootenay Gallery of Art changes operations during COVID-19 crisis

Putting exhibitions online and creating new virtual gift store some ways the gallery is coping

The Kootenay Gallery has moved a couple of exhibitions online as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Facebook photo
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
City of Rossland looks for new waste collection service provider

City of Rossland looks for new waste collection service provider

Interested applicants have until May 15 to submit their proposals.

City of Rossland looks for new waste collection service provider
Interfor’s sawmills in Grand Forks and Castlegar are scheduled to slow production for two weeks amid pandemic-related market changes. (Jensen Edwards/Grand Forks Gazette)

Interfor cuts production and staff at Grand Forks, Castlegar mills

The curtailment is scheduled to last two weeks, amid pandemic-related market changes

Interfor’s sawmills in Grand Forks and Castlegar are scheduled to slow production for two weeks amid pandemic-related market changes. (Jensen Edwards/Grand Forks Gazette)
An Air Canada jet takes off from Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Enfield, N.S. File photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS

Air Canada suspends service to Castlegar, Cranbrook in April

Company responding to COVID-19 pandemic

An Air Canada jet takes off from Halifax Stanfield International Airport in Enfield, N.S. File photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS
CMH-hotel

Heli-ski operator shuts down early amid COVID-19 concerns

CMH made the decision on the weekend

CMH-hotel
Kat Gellerman brings years of experience in the food business to her new store, Chef Sense Supplies, in downtown Courtenay. Photo by Mike Chouinard

Edible straws one B.C. entrepreneur’s latest weapon in war against plastic

Kat Gellerman has spent more than 20 years working in the food business

Kat Gellerman brings years of experience in the food business to her new store, Chef Sense Supplies, in downtown Courtenay. Photo by Mike Chouinard
Rossland Council updated on cost of fixing arena

Rossland Council updated on cost of fixing arena

It will cost $700,000+ to get job done

Rossland Council updated on cost of fixing arena
Travis Pangburn at the Kootenay Country Music Festival in July 2018. Photo: John Boivin

Promoter fundraises for new Kootenay Country Music Fest

UPDATED: Travis Pangburn has de-activated the $150,000 Gofundme campaign

Travis Pangburn at the Kootenay Country Music Festival in July 2018. Photo: John Boivin
Castlegar city council and residents celebrate Castlegar’s commitment to the 100 per cent renewable energy transition. Photo submitted

Castlegar council approves 2050 renewable energy plan

City was last holdout in region to adopt West Kootenay EcoSociety’s measure

  • Nov 25, 2019
Castlegar city council and residents celebrate Castlegar’s commitment to the 100 per cent renewable energy transition. Photo submitted