Your guide to business in theSlocan Valley
Get To Know Us
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.
Ice Creek Lodge
Say hi to Courtney and Russell, owners of Ice Creek Lodge! This summer, you’ll be able to rent paddle boards from their Col Guesthouse in Slocan, as well as book their main summer offering - a guided three-day hike on the Valhalla Traverse from Drinnon Pass to Ice Creek Lodge.
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.
Raven’s Nest in New Denver
Say hello to Marsh of Raven's Nest. Raven's Nest carries Nomads Hemp wear, quality books, journals, cards, eco-wool blankets, jewelry, toys, and gifts for all ages. Marsh, alongside his mother-in-law Taeka (the owner), work hard to bring the Valley superb customer service at this unique gem of a store.
Mama Sitas in Winlaw
Introducing the Mama Sita’s dream team owners: Helen, Steve and Lee. These three passionate new business owners all used to work at Mama Sita’s and when the previous owner decided to sell...they banded together to save the restaurant and all of their jobs.
Mountain Valley Station in Slocan
Mountain Valley Station is a bottle depot, home to Purolator and Ace couriers, a convenience store with camping supplies and people tell them all the time they have the best fishing wall in the Valley.
Slocan Village Market
The Slocan Village Market is a true community hub with a full market and an expanded natural foods section to serve the needs of their community. The Slocan Village Market is the largest employer in the Village with over 15 full-time employees.
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.
Flaca’s Bakery & Bistro in Slocan
Meet Diane. She’s the owner of Flaca’s Bakery & Bistro in Slocan. Not only is her cafe and eatery a pillar of this beautiful lakeside town.
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.
Financial and Business Supports
Your guide to financial and business supports available to West Kootenay businesses.
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
Explore new business opportunities
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.