Your guide to business in the
Slocan Valley
Get To Know Us
New Market Foods in New Denver
Say hello to Teresa, the proud new owner of New Market Foods, along with her husband Kieth. Born and raised in New Denver, this couple was thrilled to embark on a new business adventure in their hometown and provide this essential service to the community.
Sanderella in New Denver
Say hi to Wausa and Victor. They’re the owners of the one-of-a-kind boutique cafe, Sanderella, in New Denver. It’s the place whimsical dreams are made of and this couple loves to welcome your smiling faces.
The Valley Voice
Say hi to Jan and Dan, the owners of the Valley Voice. They’ve owned the newspaper for 19 years now but the paper itself is in its 29th year! When asked what they love most about running the only newspaper in the Slocan Valley, they replied in unison, “because it’s a lot of fun!”.
CT Auto in Slocan
This is Cam. He’s the owner of CT Auto in Slocan, a business he built from the ground up nearly 13 years ago. It really is a family affair with his mother working as the bookkeeper and his brother working in the shop.
Nuru Coffee Bar in New Denver
Meet Tamara, the owner of Nuru Coffee Bar. Not only did she create this whimsical coffee bar because of her love for coffee, at the time there was no place to get a really good espresso. What makes Nuru Coffee Bar special is it’s great espresso, baked goods and locally made products (and art!).
Maple Leaf Store in Crescent Valley
Meet Kulvinder, owner of Maple Leaf Store in Crescent Valley. He’s been running this neighbourhood gas station and convenience store for almost 11 years. Kulvinder loves running the store. 70-80 percent of his customers are regulars and he loves being able to provide a service to his community.
Sew Much More in New Denver
Say hello to Kathy, owner of Sew Much More in New Denver. It’s the “biggest little yarn shop in the Kootenays” and you can bet the shop is just as charming as Kathy is.
Handmade Heart
Meet Morgen Bardati. She’s the inspirational woman behind the Handmade Heart initiative as well as the Handmade Heart Virtual Holiday Market.
Ritual Aromatics
Meet Jess Duchart and her bulldog Blueberry. Jess utilizes the whole plant for a deeper, more complex and sustainable scent experience. Her perfumes and incense are incredibly unique and transformative.
Viva Cacao
Say hello to Beth, an innovative and passionate craft chocolate maker and founder of Viva Cacao! Viva Cacao produces and celebrates delicious small-batch dairy-free chocolate using heirloom beans, healthy ingredients, superfoods, and ethically-sourced cacao.
Slocan Valley Directory
There’s a lot more than meets the eye in the Slocan Valley. This directory should help you find what you’re looking for, whether it’s tucked away in the woods or halfway up a mountainside. #ShopSlocanValley
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Resources for Business
Get the support you need from these valuable organizations. They can help you start a new business, buy an existing business, plan for succession, finance your expansion, adopt technology or help you get into the gig-economy.
Slocan Valley Chamber of Commerce
The Slocan Valley Chamber of Commerce strives for a vibrant, diverse and healthy economy that respects the environment and community values of the Slocan Lake district. The Chamber plays a key role in advocacy, tourism, and economic development in the community.
Community Futures Central Kootenay
This not-for-profit community economic development organization is committed to helping people in the Central Kootenay region who are either operating or are planning to start their own business.
Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute
The Rural Development Institute (RDI), at Selkirk College’s Applied Research and Innovation Centre, is a regional research centre with a mandate to support decision-making by Columbia Basin-Boundary communities through the provision of information, research and capacity building support.
KAST (Kootenay Association for Science & Technology)
Since 1998, KAST (Kootenay Association for Science & Technology) has led our region’s economic development through technology and innovation. They are the only non-profit tech association serving the entire Kootenay region. Their main offerings are GLOWS, the Venture Acceleration Program and the Nelson Innovation Centre.
Columbia Basin Trust
While their range of services, programs, initiatives and financial investments is extensive, Columbia Basin Trust exists and acts for the social, economic and environmental well-being of the Basin. They address community and regional priorities in several ways, including through their funding programs and initiatives.
kootenay.jobs
kootenay.jobs is the place to post and find jobs in the Kootenays, brought to you by the Kootenay Career Development Society (KCDS). The experts at KCDS have their fingers on the pulse of employment support programs, training and education. The team puts together job seekers and employers, helping them both achieve their goals.
Basin Business Advisors
The Basin Business Advisors Program (BBA) supports entrepreneurship and builds economic capacity in existing businesses and agriculture producers.They provide free one-to-one advice to help employ technology and connect businesses with specialized consulting support.
Local Economy
The Slocan Valley's economy is unique and diverse. From backroad farm stands to quaint boutiques, from eco-tourism operators to farmers, from wellness practitioners to remote workers, we love making a living here.
Partners & Resources
Non-profit organizations are a vital thread woven into the fabric of the Slocan Valley. Wonderfully progressive local governments and non-government organizations are essential in supporting our local community.
Our Communities
The Slocan Valley is comprised of three municipalities and roughly eighteen other unincorporated communities. The distinct historical origins of each community have shaped what they are today.