Best in the west New owners
It’s a winning combination of gourmet health-food grocery store and vitamin and supplements emporium. For getting the combination just right, Vernon-based Nature’s Fare Markets has won the award for retail excellence in Western Canada from the Canadian Health Food Association for a sixth time.
It’s quite a way for the company to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
“We are honoured to be recognized, once again, as a leader in retail excellence for our industry,” said Nature’s Fare co-owner Alexa Monahan.
“This award belongs to every member of our team, who give their very best in the care and service of our valued customers, every day. We are lucky to have them and grateful thei efforts are recognized. We invite everyone to visit any of our locations to experience the difference they make.”
In keeping with this praise, Nature’s Fare called up all employees at the awards ceremony at the Vancouver Convention Centre to accept the best retailer trophy.
Nature’s Fare has a store and head office in Vernon and outlets in Penticton, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Kamloops, White Rock and Langley.
Nature’s Fare prides itself on earning the trust of suppliers and customers for ethical and sustainable practices, rigourous quality standards and support of local farmers and artisans.
The company also advocates caring for employees so they can care for customers, products and the planet.
Nature’s Fare regularly puts on seminars at its stores, all aimed at nourishing body and mind.
Last year, Nature’s Fare won the Canadian Health Food Association sustainability award and in 2013, it was the first Canadian retailer to be certified by U.S.-based B Corp for its social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.
West Cabs
Arrive in a Lexus sedan, a BMW or Mercedes SUV.
Or, it you need more room, a jet-black Honda or Toyota minivan will do.
All 12 vehicles in West Cabs fleet are used for what the company calls “luxury service at regular prices.”
“We saw an opportunity in the Central Okanagan market to uplift the standard of service and vehicle for the same price of a regular taxi,” said Pawen Aulakh, who owns and operates West Cabs with five other partners.
West Cabs started eight months ago with five vehicles and quickly expanded to 12.
The busy launch and rapid growth meant the company didn’t have time for a grand opening.
However, West Cabs made time this week for an official grand opening at The Cove Resort in West Kelowna to show off its fleet to invited guests from the business community and media.
Vernon Square and Dilworth Shopping Centre in Kelowna have been sold in a deal worth $85 million.
RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust sold the two properties to Peterson Group and Premise Properties.
RioCan is selling off about 100 properties in its portfolio as part of a strategy to get out of smaller and secondary markets.
“We think both these assets do have good long-term value upside,” said Peterson’s director of investments Darren Wong.
“Vernon does have some vacancy today, but I think we can lease up and add value that way.”
The eight-acre, 98,000-square-foot Vernon Square is home to London Drugs, Prospera Credit Union and White Spot.
The same development also includes a Safeway, but it is owned separately and is not part of the sale.
Dilworth is on 14 acres and has 200,000 square feet of space and has tenants such as Safeway, Staples, TD Bank, Boston Pizza and JYSK.
Steve MacNaull is The Okanagan Weekend’s business and wine reporter and columnist. Reach him at steve.macnaull@ok.bc.ca.