This is a compilation of business stories that have taken place in the last six months or so in the City of Kimberley. These stories, which originally appeared in Kootenay Regional Business Roundup, illustrate the dynamic nature of business in the Alpine City.
Bootleg Bike Co Cycles Over to a New Location: The team at Bootleg Bike Co in Kimberley proudly stand in their new location at 380 Wallinger Avenue in Kimberley. The bike and accessories retailer have moved over from their previous location at the foot of Howard Street. Renovations have been taking place since the summer of 2024 to get the new store ready. The crew at Bootleg Bike Co are very excited about being in the new location as of mid-February. Watch for more details as Bootleg Bike Co settles into their new shop.
New Collab Opens: A new Kimberley Collab is now open. The proponents recently announced, "We are so excited to announce the new co-working office space. The concept is to bring like minded people together in a professional but social atmosphere.." The workshare space includes: Three private offices, seven dedicated desks in an open style concept and eleven hotspot memberships. There are also two Zoom rooms and a kitchen/ lunch area.
New Owner Takes Over the Snowdrift Cafe: Lisa Takkinen is the new owner of one of Kimberley's longest established coffeehouses, the Snowdrift Cafe. The Snowdrift Cafe has been a cornerstone of Kimberley for over 30 years, and was the first coffee shop of its kind in the East Kootenay, starting up in the 1980s. Brigitte Franyo has owned the Snowdrift Cafe for the last dozen years or so. Lisa Takkinen has lived in Kimberley for the past several years, and brings with her lots of coffee house experiences from her days in Revelstoke. "We are leaving the Snowdrift pretty much the same, though we will close after the ski season for some renovations," says Lisa Takkinen. "I am excited to be part of the Kimberley business community, and look forward to building on the legacy of the Snowdrift Cafe."
Mike's Auto Wash Comes to Kimberley: Mike Ortynski has added a third car wash location with the purchase of the Marysville Car Wash. According to a social media post, “Mike’s Auto Wash now has a third location located in Marysville. Please bear with us as the Marysville location will be closed to add a new automated wash. It should be up and running again within a couple of months.” Mike's Auto Wash has car wash facilities at both the north and south entrances to Cranbrook. Mike's opened its first location on Van Horne Avenue in Cranbrook in 2014.
Longtime Sign and Engraving Business Listed For Sale: Turnkey Business: An operating home-based full service sign and engraving company is for sale in Kimberley. (BC's Best Small Town, 2022). This 35-year-old business comes with all the supplies, tools, sandblasting and engraving equipment necessary to operate successfully, along with an extensive and loyal client list. Training is available. Serious inquiries only. The business is priced for a quick sale at $49,999. Please contact the owners at 250 427 4431 for more details.
New Brewing Company Comes Online: There are now three breweries in Kimberley that are producing craft beer. The newest one is the Kimberley Brewing Company, which crafts their beer in a basement facility in the Western Lodge (formerly the Kimbrook Hotel), and is associated with the Porch Restaurant in Kimberley. Their line up of beers include: Off Piste Pilsner, Attitude Pale Ale, Hound on the Loose India Pale Ale and Jumbo Juice Hazy IPA. The active lifestyle beer has adopted the tagline, "Do Your Mountain Thing." The other two breweries are Overtime and Grist and Mash.
Two Businesses – One Location: Fantails Espresso Bar and Backcut Barbershop are two of the newest businesses to open in Kimberley's platzl. Fantails posted this upon opening up, "We’re stoked to announce the exciting collab between Backcut Barbershop & Fantails Espresso Bar. You’ll be able to enjoy fresh cuts from Ethan, great coffee by Jules and good vibes all around from our joint location in the platzl." Fantails is owned and operated by Jules MacKay.
Backcut Barbershop is owned by barber Ethan Schnell. He specializes in haircuts, beards and hot shaves. You also have to love the vintage chainsaw motif. "I moved here in 2016 after taking a job in Cranbrook with the wildfire service. Kimberley quickly became home, and I’ve worked in wildfire, tree falling and running a small chainsaw business ever since." said Ethan Schnell. "I started cutting hair a few years ago and began the transition out of the bushes and into the barbershop. Hence the chainsaw and falling inspired Backcut Barbershop."
Both businesses are located at 150 Deer Park Avenue in Kimberley's Platzl.
Ficklegrubbers Treatery New Name of La Luna Candy Shoppe: New owner Tanya Tamasi recently purchased the La Lune Candy Shoppe in the Kimberley Platzl from Elaine and Chris Moon. La Luna Candy Shoppe was founded in 2005. It has been Tanya's dream to own and operate her own shop, which she has renamed Ficklegrubbers Treatery. What's behind the new name? "I just like the way the name rolls off the tongue, I think it makes for a whimsical name," says Tanya Tamasi. While keeping the formula of the shop much the same, Tanya is looking forward to adding new lines of candies and sweets.
Covy Brings New Life To Old Store: Located in Kimberley's Downtown Platzl, Covy resides in a recently renovated & restored historic building. Originally built in 1920, 250 Spokane St has lived many lives—from a magazine and cigarette shop to a ski rental sports store—which Covy is now proud to call it home. Covy is of French origin, meaning -- people of the valley.
The unique and welcoming shop offers a lineup of women's and men's fashion clothing including sweaters, tops and bottoms, denim and accessories as well as a home goods department featuring candles and bath products.
Covy is owned by Denai and Jarret Bell, who also have the popular Arrow and Axe store. Covy is open seven days a week and is located in Kimberley's downtown platzl.
Marysville Daycare Facilities Set to Open: Construction has been completed on the new Marysville's daycare facilities which is being built by Silverado Construction of Cranbrook. The $8.8 million project will offer over 100 care spaces for children up to age 10.
The new daycare facility sits in front of the Marysville Elementary School and is funded by the Rocky Mountain School District along with the BC Government’s Child CareBC New Spaces Fund, the Columbia Basin Trust and the Summit Community Services Society.
New Apartment Complex Rises Up in Marysville: Tyee Home Builders has been busy erecting four new apartment buildings on mainstreet in Marysville. The new residential 4-plex units are fashioned after a set the company built last year on Warren Avenue. The units are built in a configuration of two four-unit buildings.
New Executive Director at Kimberley Tourism: According to the Kimberley Bulletin, Andrew McNair has been hired as Tourism Kimberley's new executive director replacing John Hamilton. The highly coveted position at the destination marketing organization garnered over 180 applicants.
Andrew McNair, who is new to Kimberley, was born in Ontario and grew up in the Maritimes; mainly in New Brunswick, with some time in Nova Scotia as well. He has an extensive professional background and a passion for the tourism and outdoor adventure industry, with his most recent position being at the Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick.
Jack Carter Lists former Automotive Dealership Location: Billed as a prime commercial real estate opportunity, Real Broker B.C. Ltd based in Cranbrook has listed this Kimberley dealership location for sale. It currently houses Jack Carter's Ghostrider Motorsports outlet. Steve Throndson, the listing broker, states, “This exceptional commercial property in Marysville BC, perfectly positioned with 7 lots over 5.05 acres, and highly sought-after highway frontage.” The location was originally Chalet GM and then Jack Carter GM, before the auto dealership was merged with Cranbrook's North Star GM. The building and property is listed for sale at $5.9 million.
Stoke Juice Opens New Production Facility: The new 10,000 square foot beverage production facility in Marysville which opened last fall will continue to support the growth and expansion of Stoke Juicery's line of cold pressed juices. The cold pressed technique of juicing allows Stoke to juice organic fruit and produce without creating excessive heat during the process. Stoke Cold Pressed Juice is owned by founder Jill Bentley Lobban and Alistar Lang. Rendek Construction Group of Creston was the general contractor on the building.
Togs at New Location: If you are looking for Kimberley's well-known consignment store Togs (formerly known as Togs and Toys), you will find it at a new location at 1975 Warren Avenue. “For 40 years Togs has been a local institution, and generations of families have taken advantage of our system. Togs is not a franchise, we are one of a kind, and a family business.” said Lisa Searle, who assumed ownership in August. “Furthermore, we have a charity program that takes your items that do not sell and distributes them to those in need.” Togs prides itself in being one of the most diverse consignment retail operations in Canada with over 3,000 consignees.
Kimberley Biz News and Notes: The popular Kimberley Dollar Store is wrapping up business and across the Platzl Little Big Studio closed permanently. A Domino's Pizza franchise is rumoured to be opening in the Royal Bank plaza in the location where Grubstake Pizza vacated in the fall and the Kimberley Bulletin newspaper has relocated to Mark Street (550 Mark Street Unit A). Laura Dixon opened a retail outlet called Character in the heart of platzl which operates under the tagline, “Pretty Good Stuff.”
Written for the Bulletin by Keith Powell
