By Keith Powell
Kootenays: Biz Closures on the Rise?
It seems like it is an increasingly difficult environment for small businesses to operate in these days. I have noticed a number of closures in recent months. Here’s a partial list of businesses that have recently closed or announced a closure: Cranbrook — Kootenay Tack; Bubble Tea Hut, Pita Wrappit, One Stop Vape Shop, Our Cabin Cannabis, DJ Hair Salon, Happy Cow Ice Cream, The Blind Pig at the Byng, Cob Bakery, Rocky Mountain Pro Drivers and Just Cozy; Kimberley: The Nest Restaurant, Little Wild Flowers (home based business), The Creme Cheese Shop and Tommy Jane’s Boutique, Koffee Kan and Togs and Toys and Creston: The Real Food Cafe.
Kootenay Rockies: New Tourism Site Launched to Market Highway 3
Kootenay Rockies Tourism, based in Kimberley, has launched a new website to market and promote visitation and travel on BC’s portion of Highway 3. “Funding will be used to create a touring route for visitors along the Highway 3 corridor by establishing sites of interest, landmarks, and other historic and cultural markers,” stated PacificCan when the funding was originally announced. The site is similar to another tourism promotion initiative called www.cruisescenic3.com, which is supported by the Crowsnest Tourism Alliance, which includes Hope Tourism and Destination Osoyoos.
The new Hwy3bc site is a collaborative effort with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), Vancouver Coast and Mountains Tourism and Kootenay Rockies Tourism with $231,500 in funding coming from Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacificCan). www.hwy3bc.ca
Trail: Airport Advisory Committee Re-established
The Trail Regional Airport Advisory Committee has been officially reestablished. This significant step aims to elevate the airport’s services, maintaining and growing it as a vital transportation hub in the West Kootenay region. The airport is serviced by regular Pacific Coastal Airlines flights.
The committee will serve Council by providing insights, making recommendations, and fostering new community partnerships. The mission is to enhance the airport’s economic benefit to the region, as well as improve air services, facilities and advancements at the Trail Regional Airport. A commitment to transparency and accountability will guide the committee’s actions.
“The Trail Regional Airport is a great economic driver for the region,” says Councillor Thea Hanson. “We brought this committee back to embrace and expand on airport partnerships in the community, explore economic growth opportunities and establish the airport as a major commercial transportation hub in the Kootenay Region.”
Pictured: Trail Councillor Paul Butler, Airport Manager Enrico Moehrle and Councillor Thea Hanson.
Invermere: Main Street Fun and Games Relocates
Main Street Fun and Games has moved across the street in downtown Invermere to 1225 7th Avenue. They have relocated into a space next to Four Points Books. The owners have been busy making the move and announced recently on FB, “We’ve built the fixtures, painted the walls, stocked the shelves and we even have some brand new things to see and buy. Come in and take a peek.” The new location opened on Friday, April 12th.