Vernon91裸聊视频檚 pick of the crop fruit market for 60 years is going back to its roots.
Swan Lake Nurseryland has been a staple for North Okanagan families, supporting North Okanagan farmers, since 1959.
91裸聊视频淒ad and mom started it in the late 91裸聊视频�50s and my brother in law and sister were with them. And then I joined a few years later. I was probably around 25,91裸聊视频� said Mike Kowaluk, 86, sitting in the old lunch room that used to be reserved for tour bus drivers.
When the fruit market and garden centre first started it was a seasonal operation, and several factors have led the business to the decision to once again close for the winter in its sixth decade.
91裸聊视频淥bviously the demand for gardening drops in the winter and supply of local produce diminishes over time,91裸聊视频� said Kirk Hughes, Kowaluk91裸聊视频檚 son/third generation employee. 91裸聊视频淲ith increased competition and all the different options offered to shoppers these days we have been finding that winter revenues have been declining and costs increasing. We have chosen to return to our roots so to speak and really focus our attention on our strengths.91裸聊视频�
Swan Lake will close Oct. 31 with plans to reopen in February to prepare for the 2020 season with all the services, including bakery and deli, floral and tropical products and convenience groceries.
The fruit market and garden centre has grown substantially since Kowaluk91裸聊视频檚 parents first started the small fruit stand.
91裸聊视频淚t was a shack,91裸聊视频� said Kowaluk, in the now two-storey building blooming with produce and products, not to mention the enormous greenhouses and garden centre.
He remembers selling cherries for 29 cents a pound 91裸聊视频� compared to this year91裸聊视频檚 price of $3.99, which Kowaluk says is actually cheap.
While prices have grown with the times, so too have the customers.
91裸聊视频淥ver the years traffic increased. We enjoy a huge customer base from Alberta and other parts of the country. We draw a lot of traffic from Oliver and Osoyoos to Revelstoke to Kamloops,91裸聊视频� he said, adding that in 1989, the family decided to remain open year-round.
Tragedy hit the store July 6, 1993, when a fire broke out in the store, burning it to the ground. That same day, the man who built the landmark cedar building died.
Since then, growth has continued at the store.
Even with parking for almost 80 cars, 91裸聊视频渋t91裸聊视频檚 not enough for maybe 10 or 12 weekends of the year,91裸聊视频� Kowaluk said.
It91裸聊视频檚 a popular spot for locals as well as tourists.
91裸聊视频淲e used to have a lot of tour busses, at their peak there were 22 in one day,91裸聊视频� said Kowaluk, noting they only see about half a dozen a day now.
It91裸聊视频檚 the local community that keeps Swan Lake busy, as more and more people seek out locally-grown produce, which benefits both the grower and the retailer.
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91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e really very conscious of buying and selling local product. Over the years, there91裸聊视频檚 more local product available.91裸聊视频�
Plus there are the generations of people who continue to make Swan Lake their go-to stop.
91裸聊视频淲e enjoy that customer that grandma used to shop here and now the daughters and younger kids do.91裸聊视频�
But times have changed, with one struggle remaining consistent over the years and continuing today.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a challenge. Over the years it91裸聊视频檚 staffing, and now it91裸聊视频檚 even more difficult,91裸聊视频� said Kowaluk, who said younger generations only want to work on their terms.
Swan Lake employs up to 70 people during peak periods and 25 in the winter months.
While the decision to return to a seasonal shop will put some out of work in the winter, the nurseryland will remain a prominent feature at the north end of Vernon.
Just like another local staple, the Vernon Winter Carnival, which is also marking its 60th anniversary in 2020.
91裸聊视频淭here91裸聊视频檚 not too many events that have survived that long,91裸聊视频� said Kowaluk, who remembers chairing the carnival back when it was only half-a-dozen years old.
Surrounded by scrap books of old newspaper advertisements, Kowaluk is proud of the growth at his shop, as well as Vernon in general.
91裸聊视频淚 think it91裸聊视频檚 growing in an orderly fashion, not helter skelter,91裸聊视频� he said, adding that the near future will likely see on overpass on the westside.
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jennifer@vernonmorningstar.com
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