Local Business

In partnership with the City of Quesnel, Community Futures North Cariboo launched the Business Support Hotline at 1-800-241-7714 in April of 2020. (File Photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)

Nearly 40% of Quesnel businesses experiencing downturn during pandemic

The results of a survey by the business support hotline were shared with city council

The first cruise ship of the 2019 season – the Celebrity Eclipse – docks in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

Tourism spending in Canada dropped by almost 50 per cent in 2020

Tourism-related jobs dropped by almost 29 per cent

Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel closed for three months in late 2020, early 2021, to undergo renovations in leveraging slower hotel traffic because of COVID-19 restrictions. A new report from Statistics Canada find many businesses in the accommodation and food services sector are bracing for another tough year. (Courtesy of Fairmont Empress hotel)

Survey finds Canada’s hospitality industry has low expectations for year ahead

Almost 87 per cent of businesses in accommodation and food services report lower revenues in 2020

Residents may remember Nathan Thiessen from the Quesnel and Williams Lake farmer’s markets. (Angie Mindus - Williams Lake Tribune file photo)

Spotlight on Business: Gold Country Donuts and Café finds a home at McLeese Lake

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Residents may remember Nathan Thiessen from the Quesnel and Williams Lake farmer’s markets. (Angie Mindus - Williams Lake Tribune file photo)
Shane Wright faced tough challenges in opening up a business during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Submitted Photo)

Business battling COVID-19 opens in downtown Quesnel

Shane Wright opened Evolve Gold and Gaming Lounge on Saturday, Sept. 19

Shane Wright faced tough challenges in opening up a business during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Submitted Photo)
Representatives from the governments of Lhtako Dené, Nazko, Lhoosk’uz, ?Esdilagh, the City of Quesnel and the Cariboo Regional District, along with staff from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD) and the BC Community Forest Association (BCCFA) met June 24, 2020, to discuss next steps in the community forest process. (Photo submitted)

New Quesnel-area community forest process moving forward

Cariboo Regional District directors heard an update at their Sept. 11 meeting

Representatives from the governments of Lhtako Dené, Nazko, Lhoosk’uz, ?Esdilagh, the City of Quesnel and the Cariboo Regional District, along with staff from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD) and the BC Community Forest Association (BCCFA) met June 24, 2020, to discuss next steps in the community forest process. (Photo submitted)
Fred and Mary Barber started Autow in 1980. They’re celebrating 40 years in 2020 (Cassidy Dankochik photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)

Quesnel towing company celebrates 40 years with old-time contest

Nearly $2,000 in prizes are availible if you know Quesnel’s business history

Fred and Mary Barber started Autow in 1980. They’re celebrating 40 years in 2020 (Cassidy Dankochik photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
The Quesnel and District Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Business Excellence Awards Oct. 2-3, 2020, with COVID-19 safety precautions in mind. Winners will be broadcast live on Facebook on Oct. 2, followed by a winners’ parade on Oct. 3 in the city’s downtown core. (Image submitted)

Nominations for Quesnel Business Excellence Awards now open

Awards to be broadcast online Oct. 2, followed by winners parade Oct. 3

The Quesnel and District Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Business Excellence Awards Oct. 2-3, 2020, with COVID-19 safety precautions in mind. Winners will be broadcast live on Facebook on Oct. 2, followed by a winners’ parade on Oct. 3 in the city’s downtown core. (Image submitted)
Recent survey results from the BC Chamber of Commerce found businesses in Northern B.C. are facing elevated challenges in re-opening. (Quesnel and District Chamber of Commerce image)

Only 54 % Northern B.C businesses using government supports, BC Chamber survey shows

A local business survey was also conducted in Quesnel

Recent survey results from the BC Chamber of Commerce found businesses in Northern B.C. are facing elevated challenges in re-opening. (Quesnel and District Chamber of Commerce image)
Sheri and Shane Marsh purchased the building at 1160 Dixon Road. They live upstairs and have their shop - Fox Mountain Urban Upcycle on the main floor. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

For the love of treasures, carving an upcycling niche in the Cariboo

Couple return to Williams Lake, start new career

Sheri and Shane Marsh purchased the building at 1160 Dixon Road. They live upstairs and have their shop - Fox Mountain Urban Upcycle on the main floor. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Nathan Thiessen of Gold Country Doughnuts can be found at the Quesnel and Williams Lake Farmers Markets this summer. (Angie Mindus photo)

Old family doughnut recipe secret to success for Quesnel Farmers Market vendor

Nathan Thiessen of Alexandria owns Gold Country Doughnuts and More

Nathan Thiessen of Gold Country Doughnuts can be found at the Quesnel and Williams Lake Farmers Markets this summer. (Angie Mindus photo)
Andrew Brown is the designer and entrepreneur behind the product and company known as Furr Dogz a fun way to both groom and clean your dog. (Patrick Davies photo - 100 Mile Free Press)

Williams Lake entrepreneur confident in success of portable pet cleaning station

Andrew Brown is the creator of Furr Dogz portable pet cleaning station

Andrew Brown is the designer and entrepreneur behind the product and company known as Furr Dogz a fun way to both groom and clean your dog. (Patrick Davies photo - 100 Mile Free Press)
A decision regarding new ownership or liquidation of C&C Wood Products specialty mill in Quesnel could be coming this week as bidding on the bankrupt company concluded on Tuesday, July 7. (Observer file photo)

Fate of C&C Wood Products will soon be determined

Bidding for the bankrupt specialty mill concluded on Tuesday, July 7

A decision regarding new ownership or liquidation of C&C Wood Products specialty mill in Quesnel could be coming this week as bidding on the bankrupt company concluded on Tuesday, July 7. (Observer file photo)
Major Randy Gatza from the Salvation Army (right) receives a $1,660 donation from Save-On-Foods on Monday, July 6 in front of the West Quesnel store. Presenting the donation to Gatza are, from left, Spencer Pattinson and Rory Parr. Save-On-Foods raised the money through its Share It Forward program. (Sasha Sefter - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)

Quesnel Salvation Army receives boost from Save-On-Foods

The food bank and soup kitchen received $1,660 through the store’s Share It Forward program

Major Randy Gatza from the Salvation Army (right) receives a $1,660 donation from Save-On-Foods on Monday, July 6 in front of the West Quesnel store. Presenting the donation to Gatza are, from left, Spencer Pattinson and Rory Parr. Save-On-Foods raised the money through its Share It Forward program. (Sasha Sefter - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Barkerville Historic town and Park has reopened with modified hours and services along with a 200 visitor occupancy limit as of Friday, July 3. (Angie Mindus - Black Press file photo)

Barkerville getting back to business

The Historic Town and Park has extended operating hours, altered public programming beginning July 3

Barkerville Historic town and Park has reopened with modified hours and services along with a 200 visitor occupancy limit as of Friday, July 3. (Angie Mindus - Black Press file photo)
The City of Quesnel is seeking Research and Innovation grant for $1.7 million through the Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction in order to develop a training school in Quesnel for single grip harvesters and forwarders over the next three years. (Observer file photo)

City seeking $1.7 million grant to train forestry workers of the future

Project would see creation of training school in Quesnel for single grip harvesters and forwarders.

The City of Quesnel is seeking Research and Innovation grant for $1.7 million through the Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction in order to develop a training school in Quesnel for single grip harvesters and forwarders over the next three years. (Observer file photo)
The Quesnel Business Support Team has helped bring nearly $3.6 million in funding support to local businesses during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Observer file photo)

Business Support Team brings nearly $3.6 million to Quesnel businesses

According to a report 60 per cent of businesses in Quesnel have reopened with normal staffing levels

The Quesnel Business Support Team has helped bring nearly $3.6 million in funding support to local businesses during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Observer file photo)
The Rocky Mountaineer train company has delayed the start of its season, which typically runs from April to October, until August 30 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Observer File Photo)

Rocky Mountaineer delays season until August 30

This is the fourth time the popular luxury train has delayed operations in 2020 due to COVID-19

The Rocky Mountaineer train company has delayed the start of its season, which typically runs from April to October, until August 30 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Observer File Photo)
Kismet Industries co-founders and managing partners Paul Baluch and Erin Josephy offer a product catalogue of 10 items available at more than 400 retail locations in Canada and the U.S. Josephy, originally from Quesnel, grew up with her family who owns and operates the Richbar Nursery Golf and Gardens. (Christine Pienaar photo)

Kismet Industries: A homegrown success story

Erin Josephy is making her mark in the world of self care products

Kismet Industries co-founders and managing partners Paul Baluch and Erin Josephy offer a product catalogue of 10 items available at more than 400 retail locations in Canada and the U.S. Josephy, originally from Quesnel, grew up with her family who owns and operates the Richbar Nursery Golf and Gardens. (Christine Pienaar photo)
Amelia Hamilton, owner of Moonshine BC Roasted Coffee in Quesnel, serves a cup of fresh brewed java to a customer at the Quesnel Farmers Market. (Barb Scharf photo)

Quesnel coffee roaster enjoys the challenge

Amelia Hamilton, a forest technician by trade, purchased Moonshine Coffee Roasters two years ago

Amelia Hamilton, owner of Moonshine BC Roasted Coffee in Quesnel, serves a cup of fresh brewed java to a customer at the Quesnel Farmers Market. (Barb Scharf photo)