Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) at 1876 Cooper Road is opening its first permanent MEC Gear Swap store retail concept in Kelowna as part of their 10-year anniversary refresh. MEC looks to expand access to used gear and respond to the growing member's interest in resale, repair, and long-lasting equipment. The pilot is part of a broader refresh of the Kelowna store ahead of its 10th Anniversary and grand re-opening on June 20th and 21st 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This will allow members to trade-in used outdoor gear for credit, shop for secondhand equipment and access repair services through a dedicated 2,200 square foot adjacent retail space staffed by MEC experts. While resale has become more prominent across retail in recent years, gear reuse has long been part of MEC’s culture and operations. Kelowna will serve as a test-and-learn environment for the format, allowing MEC to refine operations through direct member feedback and local engagement. The MEC Gear Swap store launch coincides with a broader refresh of MEC Kelowna, with the updates designed to improve store navigation, strengthen product, and brand presentation, and better reflect how members shop across multiple seasons and activities. www.mec.ca/en/explore/mec-
Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards, owned and operated by Gordon Fitzpatrick, is celebrating 40 years of pioneering winemaking in the Okanagan. Located at 659 BC - 97S, Peachland, the wine shop is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for tasting flights on their beautiful patio. The 19 Bistro @ Fitz, operated by Neil Martens of 19 Okanagan Bar & Grill, is open for lunch and happy hour Sunday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. As they have a busy season for weddings, the Bistro is closed on most Saturdays to cater to special events; however, the wine shop is always open. Reservations are recommended for both the wine shop tastings and lunch at the bistro. The annual concert featuring the Jim Cuddy Band is Sunday, July 5, and they are featuring a Winemaker’s dinner series on June 21, July 24, August 22, and September 19. Tickets can be purchased at www.fitzwine.com. The winery has a great selection of sparkling wines and new releases. Visit Fitz and ask for the Vintner.
Kelowna entrepreneur, educator, and community leader, Manik Dhir has been appointed to British Columbia’s Provincial Child Care Council, a provincial advisory body that provides guidance and recommendation to government on childcare and early learning issues affecting children, families, educators, and communities across the province. Manik is the CEO of Stepping Stones Early Learning Centre, a multi-site early learning organization serving Kelowna families, and a professor in the Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Okanagan College. Manik has taught entrepreneurship internationally and is recognized for his commitment to the development of future business leaders and supporting community growth. Manik currently serves on the board of The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, the KGH Foundation, TELUS Interior and Northern BC Community Board and the YMCA of Southern Interior BC.
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Okanagan College is celebrating students Emily Frick and Vladyslav Usach with their standout results at the 2026 Skills Canada National Competition held in Toronto. Both brought home national hardware, Emily earning the bronze medal in Car Painting and Vladyslav capturing the gold medal in Collision Repair. Emily's bronze marked the College's first female national banner winner and it first national banner in Car Painting. Emily was a presenter on June 11th at Premier David Eby’s announcement of the details around the Look West strategy that was launched by the province last fall. B.C. is adding 5,000 trades training seats across the province in 2026/27 and 256 of those spaces will come to Okanagan College.
Local business owner, Maris Schoepp is hosting the Red Barn Lululemon + Aritzia Gently Used Clothing Sale on Saturday, June 27th from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, 28th, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. sharp. at the Okanagan Mission Community Hall. There will be 5000+ Lululemon & Aritzia gently used pieces of clothing. Maris believes that this might be the largest used collection and sale of Lululemon & Aritzia clothes in the world.
BTS Cocktail Bar & Kitchen, owned and operated by co-founders Shayne Labis and Nicole Barron at 110 – 889 Vaughan Avenue, has hired Chef Rory Kennedy to lead their kitchen and debut a brand-new menu on June 17th. Chef Rory brings more than 17 years in professional kitchen with his cooking being inspired by the seasons, local producers, and a commitment to minimizing waste while maximizing flavor. The new menu pairs with the bar’s signature cocktails, which are built with house-made syrups, bitters, Rimmers, premium spirits, and fresh-squeezed juices. www.borntoshake.ca.
Her Heart Matters Lawn Bowling Social is returning to Kelowna for another evening of friendly competition, costumes, food, prizes, and community support in the fight against women’s heart disease. After last year’s event sold out quickly, teams are encouraged to register early for the event at the Kelowna Lawn Bowling Club in City Park on July 9th, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. All the proceeds of this casual, high-energy fundraiser benefits the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined. At $40.00 per person, the evening will include a BBQ burger, chips, beverage, silent auction, cash bar, lawn bowling rounds and a short presentation from Jennifer Monaghan, local advocate, and heart health champion. No experience necessary. Register at https://tinyurl.com/
Bats for a Cause is July 18th and 19th at Mission Sport Fields in support of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. Whether you are a corporate team, community, or family group, you can sign up for this fun-filled recreational wood bat slo-pitch tournament by July 11, 2026, at Bats for a Cause Slo-Pitch Tournament 2026. www.bcchf.ca
Jamie Morgan is now the new General Manager of the popular Gasthaus on the Lake in Peachland. Jamie has been with the Gasthaus as their Director of Marketing and will also keep that role. Jamie will continue to involve the Gasthaus in support of local charities, which in the past, they have been very involved in. Call 250-767-6625 for reservations.
A free community event, the Kelowna Garden Club 29th Annual Flower and Garden Show is Saturday, June 27th, 2026, in a brand-new location at Evangel Church, Courtyard Entrance, 3261 Gordon Drive from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The new location offers a spacious parking lot and an open-air vendor marketplace that is fully accessible. All the floral exhibits will be displayed indoors in a protected, air-conditioned room, with no weather worries this year. This year the show has a special focus on community and youth participation. Local community agencies will be on hand, and kids can dig in with hands-on gardening activities. The judged show is open to both KGC members and the general public. For a full schedule and entry information visit www.kelownagardenclub.ca/
The 16th Annual Charity Golf Tournament, presented by Wilson M Beck Insurance Services, is Monday, July 20th, 2026, at the Kelowna Golf & Country Club. The event brings 144 golfers together to support the YMCA of Southern Interior BC with a goal to raise $200,000. Funds will support the Y’s low-or-no-cost child and youth programs. Sponsorship opportunities are still available including the online auction. Contact Derek Nyrose, Committee Chair at derek@kelownarealestatepros.
Gerry Deshayes has done it again. See Kelowna back in 1965 like never before with input from locals who lived the Okanagan life when there were only 10,000 residents. With the help of AI, the city comes to life with the new vintage clothing and vehicles, along with several heritage institutions that are no longer here. There is a soundtrack of the many hits back then, professionally blended into a musical epic that makes you smile and want to dance. https://youtu.be/cC1ba2gy6a4
Birthdays of the week – Happy 80th Ken Ross (June 17); Happy 80th Genevieve Zawasky (June 18); Happy 70th Bill McKinnon (June 19); Happy 70th Trixie Gaymer (June 19); Joey Hayes (June 16); Joan Niemeier (June 17); Brian Reardon (June 17); Jack Trelenberg (June 17); Cheryl Ellis (June 17); David Fuller (June 17); Jaime Briggs (June 17); Wayne Wilson (June 18); John Burns (June 18); Doug Findlater (June 18); June Lainchbury (June 18); Shirley Rothenbusch (June 18); Dave Stephenson (June 18) Sandy Missler (June 19); Virginia Reid (June 19); Gord Vizzutti (June 19); Bob Charron (June 19); Pam Prentice (June 18); Daren Williams (June 19); Lynn Deschner (June 19); Rose Topham (June 20); Tim Draper (June 20); Gareth Brown (June 20); Grant Stobbe (June 21); Gail Given (June 21); Samantha Wedlund (June 21); Michelle Nonis (June 21); Matan Volach (June 21); Prab Sandher (June 22); Marlene Proctor (June 22); Berna Shoemaker (June 22); Karen Murphy (June 22); Pooya Ebrahim (June 22); Luke Atsawin Sumpantarat (June 22); Jay Corrado (June 22); Mo Bayat (June 23); Doug Gossoo (June 23); Meghan MacDonald (June 23).
The Specialty Bakery Birthday Cake Winner of the Week is Marlene Proctor. Marlene, please pick up your Birthday Cake from any one of the four Specialty Bakery locations by noon on Tuesday, June 23 /2026.
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662. E-mail max@maxinedehart.ca
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