Vanderhoof
Article by Sarah Zimmerman. Photo: Camus Photography
Click here to visit the Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce website.
With Vanderhoof being located so close to Prince George, it can sometimes feel like the bigger city just 45 minutes down the road can steal a bit of the spotlight, but there is a reason many people make Vanderhoof a destination for shopping and a chance to get away.
Not only is Vanderhoof located a stone’s throw from the north’s largest city, it boasts a tight-knit community that has built a reputation for unique, innovative businesses both boutique, and larger, that give chain stores a run for their money in terms of offerings that you just can’t find anywhere else.
Vanderhoof is not only home to gorgeous walking trails, a beautiful riverside campground and newly developed biking trails, it’s also got centrally located boutique shops that feature a lot of hidden gems.
Photo: Camus Photography
According to the Government of BC’s Small Business Report 2021, there are more small businesses per capita, that employ a larger share of the workforce, and where self-employment is more common in BC than in any other province in Canada. In fact, 98 per cent of businesses in BC are small businesses – and in Vanderhoof, that entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well.
Threading its way through town from Hwy 16 is Burrard Ave., and branching off of that main artery is Stewart St., home to a host of small businesses, many of which have been in the community for decades.
“I think that someone may want to come to Vanderhoof to walk up Stewart St and Burrard Ave. for shopping as we have some unique boutiques that sell cute home décor,” says Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce manager, Julianna Brooker.
Places such as House of Hope Vintage Décor and Furniture, The Country Cupboard, Goat River Folk Art all carry a variety of items carefully curated and sourced for their businesses.
Eateries and restaurants are also on the menu, like Bakkerij Lobelle, a Stewart St. stop that you don’t want to miss. Specializing in Belgian/Canadian baking, the good folks there serve breads, pastries, fresh donuts, cookies, squares, soups and sandwiches, and specialty coffees.
Even as COVID took hold, Bakkerij Lobelle managed to weather the turbulent waters stirred up by the storm that was the pandemic. Despite ever changing public mandates and evolving safety plans, the bakery forged on and is bustling safety restrictions soften.
That resiliency and entrepreneurial spirit is what sparked Amy Chase to go into business on her own in May of 2020. That’s when she opened Bacchus Wines (formerly Bacchus Vine Creations). Building on nearly two decades of business through the previous owner, Chase saw an opportunity to buy an established business and build on it to make it her own. It may have been her first foray into business, but she’s no stranger to the Vanderhoof business community.
Photo: Camus Photography
“This was my first business venture of my own, but my dad has always been a business member in this town,” says Chase. “I’m extremely happy that I rolled the dice.”
Despite opening her doors during the pandemic, business is thriving. It’s not only continuing to serve long-time clients, but has welcomed new customers wanting to purchase their own wine making kits, or take advantage of having wine made in the store.
“My customers are fantastic,” Chase says, adding she’s grateful for their support.
Business owners like Chase, who are embracing the talents and creativity of others in their community, are contributing to a more robust economy by also curating goods from other local or regional suppliers.
In addition to selling wine kits and accessories, Bacchus Wines also carries other Canadian-made items and locally made goods such as soaps and honey that comes from Vanderhoof-based makers, ensuring that the web of businesses opportunities extends beyond her own shop.
Creating a cultural shift to shop local, may be easier given the challenges the pandemic posed around global supply chain issues and delays in shipping goods to rural communities. She says people are starting to realise that Vanderhoof has a greater variety of offerings than people might first guess.
“I think the people that DO try to do their shopping locally, they really appreciate the customer service they get in small town stores,” says Chase, adding if you can’t find it in Vanderhoof shop owners such as herself, are always willing to go the extra mile and try to bring those unique items in.
That includes stores that feature popular brands that once upon a time, many people had to leave the community to find. California Dreamin’ was established more than a decade ago and is Vanderhoof’s go-to boutique surf, ski and snowboard shop that features popular brands. Like Amy Chase, Richard Wruth has his roots in Vanderhoof and sought to create opportunities for his family and his community by establishing a store that brings big city and backcountry vibes to the community.
Photo: Camus Photography
And like many other business, California Dreamin’ shut its doors for a few months during COVID, but the community support of his and other shops who were hit by the pandemic was a testament to the community’s commitment to shop local.
California Dreamin’ underwent a pandemic expansion in June 2020 allowing the store to increase the number of brands it offers, and a need for more space saw yet another expansion in May of 2021. Business is good and it’s attracting the attention of shoppers from the greater region.
“With the newest expansion, we have now seen Prince George residents and beyond starting to make the trip to town to shop at many of our local stores and to go out to the local restaurants,” says Wruth, adding that with California Dreamin’s expansions complete, he’s now eying up another new venture to open later in 2022.
Knowing that shopping local means you are supporting that person and their family, right there in your own community, is an easy connection for people who want to support their neighbours. And that’s what starts to create a cultural shift from ordering from a faceless vendor out of town, to supporting the neighbours we see on the street, in our parks and in the grocery store line-up.
And when we support local, those businesses support our community through donating to fundraisers, contributing to community events and giving back to the people who support them. That spirit of giving is embodied by businesses such as Wallace Studios, that have been in business for decades. Not only do they capture people’s most precious moments through photography, owners Kevin and Laurie Wallace take pride in giving back to the community through supporting fundraisers, community events and supporting causes near and dear to their hearts.
Richar Wruth agrees that supporting local is a direct way to have a positive impact on your own community.
“The benefits are huge to shopping local. We sponsor many events and donate to many causes in town and the surrounding areas. If you don’t support the stores that support your cause they won’t be able to donate in the future.”
So the next time you hit the drive through as you are coasting through Vanderhoof, take the turn off the highway and discover the hidden gems Vanderhoof has to offer. You’ll be glad you did.
Click here to visit the Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce website.
Article by Sarah Zimmerman. Photo: Camus Photography
