News Influencing Decision Makers in BC
Gregg Evjen
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.
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.
Azure is developing 7 Mile Renewable Fuels with Tk’emlups and Sc.wenwen Economic Development Corporation, the band’s economic development arm.
Kevin Hanna
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).
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.
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.
Manpreet Dhaliwal
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.
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.
Construction has begun on the Vernon Water Reclamation Centre Flood Mitigation project, with an anticipated completion date set for the end of November 2025.
MNP Ltd. was appointed Receiver of Woodland Equipment Inc. and Woodland Equipment (Fort St. John) Inc. on August 13, 2025, a Western Canadian dealer of heavy equipment for the forestry and construction industries, headquartered in Kamloops.
Online car retailer, Clutch, has announced the opening of its first West Coast facility at 5400 Minoru Boulevard in Richmond. The 30,500-square-foot location marks a significant milestone in Clutch’s national expansion and will support its rapidly growing vehicle acquisition operations across British Columbia. The new Richmond facility will serve as Clutch’s operational headquarters for British Columbia, powering its vehicle inspection and logistics capabilities throughout the province. It represents a key investment in the company’s vision to provide Canadians with a simpler, smarter way to buy and sell cars online from coast to coast.
A request for bids has been issued by the City of Delta for the construction of bus stop accessibility modifications at four sites. These sites include the eastbound and westbound stops at Churchill and King streets, as well as the 8600-block of River Road and 66A Street at 3rd Avenue.
Charlotte Mitha
Charlotte Mitha has officially stepped into the new role as President and CEO at BC Hydro, effective August 1.
The proposal for the Bristol master-planned project in Surrey has been revised by Bosa Properties to include six structures, as opposed to the previous five.
The fully funded, eight-week Green Energy Installer Training Program at ACE Community College will begin in Surrey on September 1st.
According to Insolvency Insider: Claire’s Stores Canada Corp., the Canadian arm of accessories and cosmetics retailer Claire’s, obtained CCAA protection on August 6 listing approximately $71.3 million in liabilities, about $71.2 million of which is owed on account of an inter-company payable. Claire’s Stores Canada operates an exclusively brick-and-mortar business from 120 leased retail store locations across 10 provinces. It currently employs approximately 700 people. All merchandise sold in the Claire’s Stores Canada’s stores is sourced by an affiliate which manages purchasing and inventory for North America. Claire’s Stores Canada records merchandise shipped to Canada as inter-company payables. The company is also dependent on its US affiliates for a broad range of administrative and operational services and is unable to operate independently. Claire’s Stores Canada is not profitable on a standalone basis and has incurred net losses of US $5.8 million for the last year. Over the past several months, Claire’s US undertook a marketing process which did not result in a deal for the business or assets on a standalone basis. At the same time, the company entered into a forbearance agreement with its ABL lenders that required it to commence Chapter 11 proceedings, which were also initiated on August 6. Claire’s Stores Canada has recently received notices of termination for 26 leases as a result of unpaid rent. The purpose of the Chapter 11 and CCAA proceedings is to engage with landlords and other stakeholders, review the lease portfolio and exit unprofitable stores, and to conduct an orderly liquidation of remaining inventory at those stores. KSV is the monitor. Counsel is Osler for the company and Goodmans for the monitor.
Snowline Autoglass has officially opened at 20691 Langley Bypass.
The Canadian Red Cross is providing financial support to qualifying small businesses and not-for-profits in regions affected by the 2021 BC Floods. Those interested in maintenance or mitigation efforts should submit their applications by August 29th.
Dr. James Mandigo
Dr. James Mandigo, the newly appointed President of the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), is set to give his inaugural address to the business community on September 16, 2025.
Abbotsford City Council has given the green light to a zoning bylaw amendment put forth by Abby Cannabis, paving the way for a fifth cannabis retail store at 31940 South Fraser Way.
The Snowbird RV Show & Sale is coming back to TRADEX in Abbotsford from September 18–21.
Two communities on Vancouver Island are receiving upgrades to their water infrastructure after a combined investment of more than $5.25 million from the federal and provincial governments and municipal partners. In the Municipality of North Cowichan, the Crofton Sewage Treatment Plant will be upgraded and the Village of Sayward.
Ryan Williams has been appointed as the Director of Construction at Anthem Properties Group Ltd.
Tim Hortons, the PWHL and Mattel, Inc. announced the launch of new Barbie® Tim Hortons® PWHL™ Dolls, which will be available starting Aug. 11 at participating Tim Hortons restaurants across Canada and online now at TimShop.ca and PWHL Shops. As part of a shared commitment to increasing access for girls in hockey, Tim Hortons will donate $5 to the Grindstone Foundation for every Barbie® Tim Hortons® PWHL™ Doll sold in participating restaurants and TimShop.ca, and the PWHL will match this with a $5 donation for each doll bought through its online store.
Spratt Emanuel Engineering Ltd., is opening a new branch in Victoria at Unit 550 – 2950 Douglas Street.
Outgoing commander Rear Admiral Christopher Robinson will be succeeded by Rear Admiral David Patchell as the new commander of West Coast navy operations at CFB Esquimalt.
Grove Outdoors has recently moved to 612 Johnson St, Victoria.
The owners of Serena’s Pizza and Hoagies will be launching a second restaurant, Coop’s Chicken and Smash Burgers, at 609 Yates St.
Square Feather Studio, a Victoria-based sign and graphics business, has recently been launched by brothers Connor and Brayden Davis.
EverLine Coatings and Services has opened their first location on Vancouver Island, at 479 John Street , Victoria.
Mackenzie Godfrey has been hired as the new Senior Development Manager at M’akola Development Services.
A new training facility for aspiring stylists, Summit Salon Academy Victoria, was opened downtown by The Natural Hair Salon.
Howl Brewing, which relocated to Esquimalt in April 2025 after being granted rezoning approval by the Esquimalt council, intends to open up a small tasting room in the fall of 2025.
FreshCo Grocery Store will open a new location within the Westshore Town Centre in early 2026
Naturally Pacific Resort is now proudly part of the Tablet Hotels x The MICHELIN Guide.
The Town of Comox is proud to be recognized as a Bee City by Bee City Canada.
The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), in partnership with K’ómoks First Nation, announced a grant of $275,580 received for the Pélxwikw/Goose Spit Climate Resiliency project. This project will complete coastal, archeological, and ecological assessments of Goose Spit to protect residential areas and critical infrastructure from flood, sea-level rise, storm surge and erosion, and to help identify mitigation options.
Joshua Hunt’s Ucluelet-based construction company, IGV Housing Ltd., disclosed plans to develop 228 condos and 11 single-family homes along the coast.
Little Wisp Kitchen is open for Business.
Bigfoot Gutter Co. recently opened in Port Alberni.
Get Kelp has announced a collaboration with the Pacific Seaweed Industry Association (PSIA).
The new Nissan dealership in Nanaimo is officially under construction, according to IWCD Ltd.
The Island Hotel in Ladysmith is currently undergoing a renovation, and it is anticipated to be completed in the spring of 2027.
The new brewpub Serious Brewing, located in the former Riot Brewing building in Chemainus Village Square, opened its doors on July 28.
Kevin Smith and Tom Silva have officially taken charge of operations at SB Windows and Doors, succeeding Scott Belton as of July 1.
Tourism Cowichan has been granted the Biosphere Certified designation, thereby becoming a member of the global Biosphere community of sustainable destinations.
The Canadian Home Builders’ Association of Northern BC is holding their President’s Dinner & 2025 AGM on September 18, 2025 at the Central BC Railway & Forestry Museum on 850 River Road in Prince George.
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