THOMPSON OKANAGAN MOVERS & SHAKERS AUGUST 14, 2025

News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business

KELOWNA

Gregg Evjen will take over as president of KF Aerospace on September 1st, while Tracy Medve, the former president and CEO of the company, will take over as CEO of KF Capital Ltd., which is in charge of KF Aerospace as well as its other business divisions and initiatives.

Dr. Kevin Hanna has been appointed Head pro team of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at UBC Okanagan, effective August 15.

Geofferey Last, a valued Parts Advisor at Okanagan Dodge, has been named Employee of the Month.

Josh Floo has joined the Insight Planning team.

The City of Kelowna received a proposal from Vancouver’s Kainos Development to construct the 32-story Gateway Tower at 430 Harvey Ave.

The Luxe Spa, owned and run by Olivia Scarr and Susan Feng, has opened at 2655 Pandosy Street.

Café Quattro has officially opened as a new addition to the Gulfstream Restaurant at the Four Points by Sheraton (Airport).

Dr. Kevin Hanna has been appointed Head pro tem of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at UBC Okanagan, effective August 15.

Pacific Coastal Airlines is launching a new non-stop service between Kelowna International Airport – YLW and Cranbrook Airport Services Ltd (YXC).

Azure is developing 7 Mile Renewable Fuels with Tk’emlups and Sc.wenwen Economic Development Corporation, the band’s economic development arm.

The Downtown Kelowna Association is hosting the Show N Shine event along Bernard Avenue, on August 20.

Big White‘s opening day is set for November 27, 2025, with special discounts available for full-time students aged 19 and over.

Bankruptcy revealed a $2.6 million deficiency at

Lakehouse Homestore Ltd. operated as a kitchen, furniture, and home decor retailer in Kelowna and recently declared bankruptcy, showing a shortfall of $2.6 million. MNP Ltd. has been appointed as Receiver of all the assets, undertakings, and property of Lakehouse Homestore Ltd. effective August 5, 2025. The Company’s assets are being sold by way of online auction according to MNP.

Westside Smitty’s has received approval from the Westbank First Nation to start operations.

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Kelowna Chamber of Commerce 38th Annual Business Excellence Awards, and  will close on September 12th, 2025.

The Okanagan Asian Culture Festival is set to take place on August 30th, 2025, hosted by the Kelowna Taiwanese Cultural Society at the Laurel Packinghouse.

City of Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas will address Kelowna Chamber members and guests at the Coast Capri Hotel on Wednesday September 17 to kick off the fall luncheon series. Tickets must be purchased before NOON on Friday September 15, 2025 by going online at www.kelownachamber.org/events.

KAMLOOPS

Kara Stokes, general manager of Sweláps Market, has been recognized as a 2025 Star Women in Grocery Award winner in the Store-Level Star category by Canadian Grocer.

Acres Enterprises has been named a winner of the 2025 CIO Awards Canada, presented by IDC (International Data Corporation) and CIO. The CIO Awards celebrate Canadian companies that are using technology in bold, innovative ways to solve real challenges. Their winning project was the LiDAR Drone Program – a fully in-house solution that’s changed the game for how they deliver construction. According to a press release they have created a drone-enabled workflow that produces sub-1.0 cm survey accuracy in just 24 hours – three times faster than traditional methods – all while keeping thier team safer by avoiding risky terrain.

A two-day conference on building more inclusive communities will be co-hosted by the City of Kamloops and Tk’emlups te Secwépemc on October 29 and 30 at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Kamloops.

To fund four expensive projects, including a police detachment for $150 million and a property acquisition worth $16.7 million, the City of Kamloops is seeking voter approval to borrow up to $188 million.

A rezoning proposal and development permit for two Brocklehurst properties, located at 1774 and 1782 Parkcrest Ave., have been accepted by the Kamloops council. This would allow for the construction of a 20-unit rental complex.

The Tournament Capital Centre Fieldhouse is currently closed for its annual maintenance and cleansing, and will reopen on August 25.

 

PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS

Manpreet Dhaliwal, the head winemaker at Kismet Estate Winery, won first place in the 2025 All Canadian Wine Championships and the WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada.

The 2025 Public Notification and Evacuation Route Planning program, which is funded by the Union of BC Municipalities Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, has awarded the grant to the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen, the District of Summerland, the Village of Keremeos, and the Town of Osooyos.

Osoyoos Home Hardware marks a milestone, celebrating 40 years of family ownership.

The new Best Cellar Books & Tours location has opened at suite 102 at 8901 Main St., next to Diamond Steak & Seafood House.

Baby Rae’s Pizza, located in the downtown Oliver, will officially close at the end of this month.

777 Lounge & Club has officially opened off Main Street in Osoyoos on August 9.

Simply Sweet Games, a game firm based in Osoyoos, just soft launched Criss Cross Castle, their debut game.

 

SALON ARM

A grant of $200,000 will be distributed to the Columbia Shuswap Regional District in order to support their FireSmart initiatives.

The province’s electric kick scooter pilot program, which allows citizens to use e-scooters on public highways, has been approved by the municipal council of Salmon Arm.

The  Shuswap Women in Business networking event is happening on September 12 at the Rooftop of the Innovation Centre Powered by SASCU.

The Shuswap Makerspace’s Repair Cafe is scheduled on August 16th, taking place at The Mall At Piccadilly.

Evexía Massage Therapy is celebrating 9 years in business.

The Shuswap Association for Community Living (SACL) is currently in search of individuals who are community-minded and engaged to join its Board of Directors.

 

VERNON

1&2 Electric Ltd., a reliable electrical and communications contractor in Vernon and the Okanagan since 1969, has officially joined The ESL Group family and will now operate as 1&2 Electrical Solutions.

Paramedic and EMR programs run by the Justice Institute of British Columbia will soon be available at the Vernon campus of Okanagan College.

The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) is awarding the City of Vernon a $25,000 grant to facilitate the advancement of its natural asset management planning.

Construction has begun on the Vernon Water Reclamation Centre Flood Mitigation project, with an anticipated completion date set for the end of November 2025.

The Prestige Lodge in Vernon will play host to WorkBC Vernon‘s Job-A-Palooza 2025 on October 2.

On September 20th, the Mary Irwin Theatre, located at 421 Cawston Ave. in Kelowna, will host the Okanagan Historical Society‘s Centennial Celebration.

Following elected officials’ agreement to enter into a housing agreement with the Okanagan Village Housing Society, an affordable housing project at 6545 Okanagan Landing Road in Vernon is proceeding.

O’Keefe Ranch recently hosted an event organized by the National Trust for Canada and Ecclesiastical Insurance to celebrate their victory in the Next Great Save Competition, securing a prize of $50,000.

 

SUMMERLAND

Chad Wozniak, a realtor at Chamberlain Property Group, has listed Bredon Hill, a haunted residence that is renowned in the local community, for sale at $2 million. The property is located at 12405 Reynolds Ave.

Voyent Alert! and the District of Summerland have teamed up to send out alerts and messages across the community.

Send your business announcements, news, celebrations or new hires HERE