News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KAMLOOPS
MINISO Canada announced its expansion with a new store opening at Aberdeen Mall in Kamloops.
A consortium of five First Nations in the region—Coldwater, Lower Nicola, Nooaitch, Shackan, and Upper Nicola—alongside Troika, a real estate and development company headquartered in Kelowna, and Canco Petrolium—are anticipated to start construction on the Gateway 286 project.
ARPA Investments is expected to start construction on an 85-unit housing development at the former Northbridge Hotel site in Kamloops next year, provided that the provincial government grants the necessary approvals.
The Tournament Inn at 1893 East Trans-Canada Hwy. has been torn down, with plans for three new buildings to replace the former motel.
Organized Life Solutions is now offering compassionate Decluttering and Death Cleaning services in Kamloops.
The BCLC Human Connection Project, a new strategy for how BCLC strengthens and helps communities has been formally launched.
Officials at Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality are actively seeking a new operator for the community’s health centre following the termination of a lease held by Supporting Team Excellence with Patients Society (STEPS).
SALMON ARM
SAPIX Innovations, a multidisciplinary engineering services business located in the City of Salmon Arm, has officially opened.
Salmon Arm’s Treble Clef has been named the winner of Municipal World’s Great Canadian Landmark Contest.
The EE Mini Ranch hopes to become one of the only miniature Highland cattle ranches in British Columbia. Additionally, the ranch will be hosting the Farmstrong Christmas Market on November 22 and 29.
The Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest member, CDC Communications Ltd., Royal LePage Access Real Estate, and CanaClean™.
The Union of B.C. Municipalities oversees the administration of the $30,000 grant from the provincial government for the City of Salmon Arm, which will assist in paying for the procurement of new boots, hoses, and other equipment for the fire department.
A Momentous Occasion – Fairy Tale Costume Ball is being hosted by the Shuswap Association for Community Living (SACL) at Song Sparrow Hall in Salmon Arm on November 29.
VERNON
Lit Up LED has been granted a license for home automation and programming in the North Okanagan and Shuswap regions.
A Free Transit for Youth Pilot Project will be the subject of discussion between the City of Vernon staff and the District of Coldstream and Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) during the impending 2025 transit fare and cost-sharing reviews, with unanimous support from the council.
The Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre will serve as the venue for the 50th Anniversary Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour, which will be hosted by Vernon Search and Rescue on December 29 and 30.
The Snac Shack has closed after operating on Shuswap Avenue for more than 20 years.
KELOWNA
John Perrott
John Perrott will assume the position of Executive Director of the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) on November 3, 2025.
Joe Baker has been appointed to the Board of Directors of TIABC.
Zandile Moyo has been appointed as the new executive director of NOW Canada, a Kelowna-based organization.
The Okanagan’s inaugural destination day retreat is set to commence construction in early 2026, with an anticipated opening in early 2027, according to Rav Soomal, CEO of Horizon Ventures Development Group.
Oak View Group Canada will assume administration of Kelowna’s Prospera Place and MNP Place in 2029.
Comfort Suites Kelowna has been awarded the Marketing Star Award at the 2025 National Awards for Property Excellence, also known as the APEX Awards, presented by Choice Hotels Canada.
Red Bull Field Marketing is currently recruiting for a new Field Marketing Specialist position in Kelowna, as they are expanding into the Okanagan region.
The Kelowna-based, government-funded WeBC, which assists women across the province start businesses, saw a 43 per cent increase in program use in 2024-25.
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) and RJA Consulting have partnered with Tourism AI Network, a CIPR Communications firm, to create TourismOps AI, a ground-breaking platform that addresses one of the major issues facing the travel industry.
The school culture and engagement platform Minga came in at number four in Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50 list’s Companies to Watch category.
SUMMERLAND
The Waterfront Resort & Spa is undergoing a transformation from November 22 to December 31, bringing about a holiday experience ideal for both locals and tourists.
BC Cancer Screening and Prevention‘s mobile mammography coach is coming to Summerland from Nov 7 – 22, at 13011 Lakeshore Dr. S, (Summerland Waterfront Resort).
PENTICTON
Ian Lindsay
Ian Lindsay, the CEO of the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation, was recently recognized as the Business Leader of the Year at the Penticton Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.
Heather Perrin has been appointed as the new General Manager of OHA Penticton by the Okanagan Hockey Group.
Alexis Esseltine from Tin Whistle Brewing has been recognized as one of Canada’s 2025 Clean50 honourees.
Après (formerly Ogos) located across from Penticton City Hall, now serves Gratify Mediterranean Salads Bowls & Vietnamese Bowls
A portion of 616 Okanagan Avenue East (Dartmouth Dog Park) is being considered by the City of Penticton as a prospective location for temporary housing.
Bloomaceuticals is coming to The Cannery Christmas Market on November 15 and 16.
OSOYOOS
The South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce has become a member of the Resort Chambers of Commerce Coalition, which represents resort municipalities throughout British Columbia.
Siya Forestry, a corporation owned by the Osoyoos Indian Band, is pioneering an innovative approach to forest stewardship by conducting its inaugural commercial thinning project. This practice is designed to enhance the health of the forest, as well as its biodiversity and cultural significance.
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