Secure-Rite Mobile Storage Inc. is celebrating 14 years in business. The company was started in March, 2005 by young local born entrepreneur Lucas Griffin when he discovered a growing need for mobile storage in the city. I remember meeting and writing an article for Lucas when he started. He began in a home office with a computer, cell phone, business plan and big dreams. Shortly thereafter, five containers were purchased; he rented a tiny yard for storage and contracted out the deliveries. Now the company boasts four locations in B.C. and Alberta, eight custom tilt-trucks delivering thousands of containers each year, a well-equipped contained modification facility, 22 employees and an exciting vision for the future. This past year, the company added two new delivery trucks, enhanced their modification shop with cutting-edge tools and added seven new team members. They also donated their time, products and funds to many local charities. Sea-can containers are used by everyone from farmers to travel junkies. Rebecca King-Jones is the marketing coordinator for the company. www.secure-rite.com
Celebrating ten years in business this year, Business Finders Canada, owned by Steve Harvey, has moved locations in downtown Kelowna to 1685 Pandosy Street, just across from where they previously were located. The company connects buyers and sellers of businesses and commercial property. Stephen Rowswell has joined the sales team in Kelowna and they have also just opened their first franchise location in Edmonton, Business Finders Edmonton to Regan Brown and Ron Finch. Call 250-491-1111. www.businessfinderscanada.com.
The Bunkhouse Bar & Grill is now known as The Bunkhouse Bar & Grill and King’s Kitchen at 2777 KLO Road. When two worlds collide, you get the best of both worlds. Owned and operated by Chef’s Clem and Cindy Yung, you can still get your Bunkhouse favorite menu items and now you can also enjoy fabulous Chinese cuisine. Long-time chef, Alan Nyberg who has been at the Bunkhouse for 11 years is still cooking and enjoying every minute of it. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week with a Chinese buffet on Sunday evenings from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. Prime Rib on Friday and Saturdays for $19.99. Both menus are extensive whether you crave a steak sandwich, burger or Bunkhouse schnitzel to a full menu of Chinese house specialists, traditional favorites or a dinner combo. You are welcome to eat-in; take-out or they deliver for orders over $40.00 with the first 5km free. We have had the pleasure of enjoying the King`s Kitchen Chinese fare and it was absolutely delicious. You will not be disappointed. View both full menus online at www.bunkhousebar.ca. Call 250-862-8536.
Well-known local Chef, Stuart Klassen has joined the team at Kelly O’Bryan’s and is now the corporate executive training chef for all of Kelly O’Bryan’s Restaurants based out of their Kelowna corporate office. Stuart was formerly an instructor in the Okanagan College Culinary Arts program. Kelly O’Bryan’s is growing fast, with nine restaurants in B.C. Their newest location just opened in Courtenay. Kelly O’Bryan’s is owned and operated by partners Reg Henry and Jeff Blower. The popular restaurant has been a landmark in downtown Kelowna at 262 Bernard Avenue for over 30 years and absolutely has the best tuna salad with wasabi dressing in town.
Tourism Kelowna has a new executive committee for the Board Directors for 2019. Congratulations to Thom Killingsworth (Chair), Patricia Leslie (Vice-chair), Stan Martindale (Past chair), Joseph Clohessy (Treasurer) and Debbie Dupasquier (Secretary).
As if being the title sponsor to represent The Great Okanagan Beer Festival (GOBF) was not enough to put them straight on their tracks right now, Train Station Pub also promoted April Roy from Chef to operations manager, which brought on the hire of well-known Chef Kevin Negoro formerly of FSH to join the team as Chef. Train Station Pub is participating in Dine Around Kelowna which is happening until February 3rd. David Lindsay is the Conductor of the Train Station Pub. dlindsay@thetrainstationpub.com
Sarah Hoffman is a new front desk agent at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre. Sarah comes to the Ramada from Mark’s Warehouse and before that relocated from Williams Lake. www.rpbhotels.com
Are you interested in shared office space, especially if you could get it for free? A downtown business is allocating a portion of their lease-able space to tax exempt charitable organizations operating as a non-profit in downtown Kelowna. This modern office space offers a shared boardroom and lobby, full kitchenette, WPA encrypted Wi-Fi for each office and all the furnishings. The space is just beautiful. If you meet the criteria do not miss this amazing opportunity to grab an office space downtown. For more information contact Jay Blackford at 250-575-2070 or jayblackford@royallepage.ca.
Uptown Rutland Business Association (URBA) Business After Hours is Wednesday, February 6th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. hosted by Rutland Auxiliary Thrift Shop, 140 Dougall Road N. $10.00 per person at the door cash or cheque only.
Mike Van De Velde, CPA, CA has joined the team at KPMG LLP as audit manager. Most recently Mike worked as an accountant in Bermuda and previous to that for over four years in Winnipeg. www.kpmg.ca
Okanagan College School of Business students cruised to a first-place and two runner-up finishes in the country’s oldest and most prestigious case competition at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario for the Inter-Collegiate Business Competition. Congratulations to Rowan Nevard and Mark Fellhaur (First Place - Accounting), Ryan Buchanan and Jason Greaves (Second Place - Ethics) and Mitchell Folk and Derek Monsen (Second Place - Debate). Kudos to Jennifer Van Aller and Mindy Strugnell (Human Resources). www.okanagan.bc.ca.
The Rutland Activity Centre (programs 55 Plus) at 765 Dodd Road is now open after six months of repairs since a fire this past summer. They are looking for additional 55 plus fitness/osteo fitness and chair yoga participants. The classes are reasonably priced at $4.00 drop-in fee for all fitness levels. They are social and fun. Check it out or call 250-765-3723 for more information.
The Okanagan Xeriscape Association (OXA) is the only Canadian organization invited to join a global group of societies for people with an interest in Mediterranean plants and gardens. Alfredo Unda of Mediterranean Gardening Chile visited OXA members last year and was so impressed with the public xeriscape demonstration garden, which was the unH2O garden in front of the H2O aquatic Centre on Gordon Drive that he recommended an invitation be sent to OXA to join. OXA became a member last year after others from around the globe voted to invite them to the MGi group. MGi is a group of independent societies in the Mediterranean climate zones interested in sharing knowledge and experience of gardening and plants. Become an OXA member at www.okanaganxeriscape.org. Lisa Masini is the co-founder and secretary of OXA. Call 250-862-1931.
The Greater Westside Board of Trade has a new Board of Directors for 2019. Congratulations to Craig Garries, President (PostNet-West Kelowna); Calvin Barr, Vice-President (Ever-Clear Window Cleaning, Luxury Lake Tours); Debbie Dupasquier, Second Vice-President (Bluestar Coachlines); Sarah Sabo, Treasurer (Aries Accounting); Ray Kandola, Secretary (City Furniture); Bobby Gidda, Past President (Volcanic Hills). Directors are Andrea East (Pushor Mitchell LLP), Amber Hall (TELUS); Robert Mellalieu (F1 Computer Services), Brad Shave (Kelly O’Bryan’s Restaurant), Sean Shepherd (Nucleus Strategies) and Ed Stephens (Kelowna Airport). Karen Beaubier is the executive director.
Team Operation Dance is a dance group made up of operating room staff at KGH and will compete in Swinging with the Stars in support of COHA. The team is six surgeons, three anesthesiologists, nine nurses and one support staff. Most have no previous dance skills and will be led by choreographer Jenny Large. The team is also sponsored by Big White Ski Resort. Team Operation Dance and Big White are hosting a fundraising event on Friday. February 8th at the Okanagan College Trades Atrium. There will be food stations, silent auction, and Vegas style entertainment. Tickets are $100.00 each and available by emailing lejlakusturica250@gmail.com.
It`s party time with Dine and Chat and seniors are invited to the anniversary party on Saturday, February 2nd at the Sandman Hotel at 4:30 p.m. Gloria-Jean Seymour started Dine and Chat, which is not a dating club, with only 13 members and no membership fee. It have now grown to 300 and it is very evident that single seniors want to dine and chat. The event is $20.00 with DJ Gary LeGresley, draws and prizes. To reserve call 250-763-6495.
Birthdays of the week – John Christie (Jan. 29); Rick Potter (Jan. 31); Linda Decosta (Feb. 1); Vince Lemke (Feb. 1); Rod Romanow(Feb. 2); Jenny Krahn (Feb. 3); Rob Belanger (Feb. 4); Ross Fitzpatrick (Feb. 4); Ted Farr (Feb. 4); Pim Meere (Feb. 4); Jake Imrich(Feb. 5).
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662; E-mail maxdehart@telus.net.
