The popular Little Hobo Soup & Sandwich Shop, at 596 Leon Avenue on the corner of Leon and Bertram, celebrated their grand re-opening on Monday, January 12th, 2026. Owned and operated by husband-and-wife team, Stephen MacDonald and Crystal Dougan, the casual eatery has been closed for the past four months due to Stephen’s severe spinal surgery. Stephen and Crystal received the word that all was clear on December 30th, the best Christmas and New Year’s gift ever. Stephen and Crystal have owned and operated the Little Hobo, which is a local institution in the city for 15 years, the past 10 years in their present location. Little Hobo is also celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year. The sandwich shop started in Kelowna and now, Kelowna is the only Little Hobo left in existence. To celebrate the re-opening, they have created a new menu, along with all their old school home-made classics that everyone loves. There is a new selection of grilled cheese, dubbed the hitch hikers' guide to grill cheese, and a larger burger selection. Some of the popular daily specials are now permanently on the menu along with the freight train chicken parm sandwich, and of course, their yummy hand-cut fries. Don’t forget their famous Doukhobor borscht, Hobo soup, and their selection of gluten free options. It’s the affordable lunch place to dine. Little Hobo still has their products at local grocers, including nine home-made soups, and frozen meal items, which you can find at Lakeview Market, T-Bones and other retail grocers. Little Hobo also provides meals for Meals on Wheels and the KGH Perking Lot and Bistro. Open Monday to Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Dine-in or take-out. Check them out on Facebook.
The deadline is approaching fast for the Greater Westside Board of Trade 2025 Citizen of the Year nominations. Nominations are open until Friday, January 16th, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. www.gwboardoftrade.com
bibidi is a new Kelowna-based app that launched in the Central Okanagan this last year with a simple goal: to help people find trusted local help, while supporting the individuals and the small businesses who provide it. From dog walkers and cleaners, to tutors, yard workers, students and skilled trades, bibidi gives service providers a central place to build a profile, set availability, accept bookings, receive secure payments, and collect trusted reviews, all within their own community. Founded by CEO Tiffani Hardie, bibidi at its core, is about keeping support local, helping Kelowna residents find each other, support each other, and strengthen the local economy in the process. For residents, it means an easier, more human way to find help for everyday needs without relying on large national platforms or anonymous online forums. For providers, it is a way to build income locally and be discovered by neighbours who need their services. bibidi is welcoming independent service providers and gig workers into the platform. If you are a retired teacher wanting to teach piano, a lash tech looking to grow your clientele, a student looking to make some extra cash, or an established provider looking for an all-in-one platform, reach out to Tiffani. bibidi recently received an impressive award for their Demo Day Pitch at the Innovation Centre from Accelerate Okanagan. Contact tiffani@bibidi.ca or 250-718-9809. wwwbibidi.ca.
Southern Interior Construction Association (SICA) celebrates 25 years of industry collaboration at the 2026 CCO Conference. The 25th Anniversary of the contractors, consultants and owners (CCO) conference is February 5th and 6th, 2026 in Kelowna. This milestone event will welcome 250 industry professionals from across the Southern Interior and beyond, representing the industrial, commercial and institutional construction sector. The CCO conference is a flagship event for SICA and will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, and a robust exhibitor hall showcasing services, innovations, and solutions supporting the ICI sector. The CCO Conference has grown steadily over its 25-year history and continues to serve as a trusted forum for knowledge-sharing, relationship-building, and industry leadership within B.C.’s Southern Interior. Clifford Kshyk is the CEO of CCO. Registration is now open at Eventbrite.ca. Courtney Fedevich is the Events and Community Experience Manager for SICA.
The Kelowna office of BDO LLP at 400 - 1631 Dickson Avenue has some January promotions to celebrate, and there were many. Congratulations to Alicia Austen, Director, Cole Holowenko, Leyla Guliyeva, Ryan Roux, Sheena Sanders and Tiana Verigin, Senior Managers and Carson Bonina, Manager. Serving the community since 1987, with resources across the country, around the world and right here in Kelowna, their partner-led teams offer a comprehensive array of assurance, tax and advisory services. BDO LLP serves clients of all sizes in key industries, including real estate and construction, not-for-profit, Aboriginal, municipal, natural resources and wineries. www.bdo.ca
Enter the Central Okanagan Hospice Association’s (COHA) BC Proud: The Bucket List Adventure Raffle for your chance to win an unforgettable, all-inclusive 8-day Haida Gwaii expedition for two with Maple Leaf Adventures, valued at $30,000 or a $25,000 cash prize. Local guides, naturalists, and Haida elders who share deep knowledge of the land, sea and stories, and traditions will provide a first-hand cultural introduction on this trip of a lifetime. The $25,000 prize could help make any other bucket list dream a reality. Every ticket sold supports vital no-cost palliative care and grief support for individuals and families in the Central Okanagan. Draw is February 19th, 2026 at cohabucketlistraffle.com
ActorsStudio, owned and operated by duos Artistic Managing Director, Randy Leslie and Executive Producer, Nathan Flavel, is sharing an important update regarding their upcoming summer performances, including this year’s Pricilla Queen of the Desert. Beginning this season, performances traditionally held at the Kelowna Community Theatre will be returning to their home venue at 1379 Ellis Street. All performances will take place on the same date as originally scheduled and return to their table and rowed seating model. Subscribers’ tickets have already been moved into their traditional season seats. Randy and Nathan are very pleased to bring our summer presentations back under one roof and look forward to welcoming audiences to their home theatre. Single tickets for Priscilla Queen of the Desert are now on sale. Pretty Woman will be featured in February. kelownaactorsstudio.com
The popular Taste of Home hosted by Global Citizen Events is Saturday, February 7th, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Kelowna Events Center, 2041 Harvey Avenue. You will enjoy multicultural performances and ethnic food that savour the flavours and sounds of the world. New this year is the Ethnic Market with crafts, games, and gifts for purchase. Admission is by donation with tasting tickets $1.00 each (each food item requires 2-5 tickets). You can purchase tasting tickets online so you can get more and skip the line. Receive 22 tickets for $20.00 and a chance for a door price. Purchase at www.zeffy.com/en-ca/ticketing/
Kicking off the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce’s 120th Anniversary, the Commerce 120 ConneX is Thursday, January 22nd, 2026, at The Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre, 5:00 to 7:00p.m. presented by Rogers Business. Join them as they kick off a milestone year of connection, celebration, and business leadership in our community. As part of the special launch, attendees and members can look forward to a series of historical infographics showcasing milestones and moments from the Chamber’s 120-year history and its role in shaping the Kelowna business community. There is a teaser video for their upcoming 120th anniversary video series, featuring archival photos and historical facts that preview what’s ahead in the year to come and the launch of their dedicated 120th anniversary landing page on their website. This is where members can explore stories, highlights, and upcoming anniversary initiatives. Be part of the moment as they celebrate the past, recognize the present, and look ahead to the future of business in Kelowna. I am delighted to be the City of Kelowna Council Representative on the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Board. Register at kelownachamber.org
Birthdays of the week – Tracy Nyboe-Styles, my sister (Jan. 19); Tara O’Sullivan (Jan. 14); Brian Schjodt (Jan. 14); Madeleine Kilcullen (Jan. 14); Patti Onsorge (Jan. 14); Ron Pidskalny (Jan. 14); Al Hildebrandt (Jan. 14); James Marshall (Jan. 14); Andre Blanleil (Jan. 15); Kathy Groves (Jan. 15); Lynn Pedde (Jan. 15); Bob Thompson (Jan. 15); Gerry Ellchuck (Jan. 16); Mal Gagnon (Jan16); Jill Jandali (Jan. 16); Kevin Edgecombe (Jan. 16); Joyce Prowse (Jan. 17); Dina Kotler (Jan. 17); Ross Gilley (Jan. 17); Jean Lanoue (Jan. 17); Jim Belshaw (Jan. 17); Charlene Schafer (Jan. 18); Marie Bitner (Jan. 18); Jeannie Agostino (Jan. 19); Martin Bell (Jan. 19); Patricia Giannelia (Jan. 19); Melonie Dodaro (Jan. 19); Susan Girard (Jan. 20); Bruce Irving (Jan. 20); Norma Neustaedter (Jan 20); Lisa Jaffary (Jan. 20); Bob Evans (Jan. 20).
The Specialty Bakery Birthday Cake Winner of the Week is Gerry Ellchuck. Gerry, please pick up your Birthday Cake from any one of the four Specialty Bakery locations by Tuesday, January 20/2026.
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City Councillor and the Director of Sales at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662. E-mail max@maxinedehart.ca
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