Downtown market

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013 The Daily News, Kamloops S1

Wednesday, July 24 - Saturday, July 27

Shopping, entertainment, games & four days of family fun!

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Market brings downtown to life Find amazing food, great deals, lots of local produce and so much more at this year’s Downtown Merchants Market

T

he annual Downtown Merchants Market is almost upon us, the fourday sales extravaganza is by far the most anticipated event of the year with people calling for months and weeks before asking when their favourite component is scheduled for the year.

Everyone has a favourite; finding summer specials at a fraction of the original cost, sampling delectable eats from all the best downtown restaurants, trying their luck at dunking local celebrities in the Community Carnival dunk tank, eating lunch on a patio while listening to live local talent, getting a weeks worth of veggies at the extended Farmer’s Market. It is four days of sales, fun, entertainment and activity!

Merchants are the key to this event, it is them that plan their special sales and slash their prices truly making this B.C.’s biggest sidewalk sale. It is this participation that the Market is all about. After all, it is a market and ultimately it is the massive sales, markdowns and food samples which attract the hoards of people who come.

Daily news file photos

Travelling street performer, Paul Perreault, above, showed off his skills on the Cyr Wheel during the 2012 Downtown Merchants Market. Right, Fusion belly dancer Claire Lindros performed as part of the 2012 Buskers Showdown which takes place on Saturday afternoon.

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S2 The Daily News, Kamloops WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

Schedule some family fun Whether it’s the live entertainment or the Community Carnival, there’s something for everyone this week Wednesday - The Country Fair The 400 Block Victoria Street will be a pedestrian only promenade today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the popular expanded Farmer’s Market. Lots of great local produce, meats, baking and more, the Country Fair is like a Saturday Market on Wednesday! Look for the CAP Team Customer Information kiosk selling Taste of Downtown Passports on the 300 block of Victoria Street Live Entertainment 10 a.m. to noon n Keenan Wilcox – 200 Block Victoria Street n Guy Plecash – 300 Block Victoria Street n Neil Burnett – 400 Block Victoria Street 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. n Sancho the Clown 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. n Elizabeth Brown – 200 Block Victoria Street n Sabrina Weeks – 300 Block Victoria Street n Mr. M – 400 Block Victoria Street 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. n Lollipop the Clown 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. n DW Meyers – 200 Block Victoria Street n Rita Harpe – 300 Block Victoria Street

Thursday - The Taste of the Town

There are two different serving times: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Restaurant passports are only $10 with proceeds going to the local Foodbank and Live at Lunch Music Program. You will not be disappointed and you will not go away hungry. Props to anyone who can successfully visit and eat at each restaurant.

Live Entertainment 10 a.m. to noon n Max Hayes – 200 Block Victoria Street n Ben Bermiller – 300 Block Victoria

Street 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. n Sancho the Clown 11:30 to 1:30 n Crystal Star – 400 Block Victoria Street 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. n Mr. M. – 200 Block Victoria Street n Claire Carlson-Mitton – 300 Block Victoria Street 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. n Lollipop the Clown 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. n Garry Gagne – 200 Block Victoria Street n Mickael Maddison – 300 Block Victoria Street

Friday - The United Way

Community Carnival

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the 300 block of Victoria St. is open to pedestrians only. Local non-profit groups will be setting up a variety of fun Carnival games and activities for everyone in the family to enjoy.

There will also be a variety of top-quality street performances from local and international talent.

Live Entertainment 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. n Margit Bull – 200 Block Victoria Street n Madison Olds – 300 Block Victoria Street n Matt Stanley – 400 Block Victoria Street 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. n Lollipop the Clown 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. n Michele Botel – 200 Block Victoria Street n Keenan Wilcox – 300 Block Victoria Street n Jelly Switch – 400 Block Victoria Street 1 p.m. n Uncle Chris the Clown Performance – 300 Block 2 p.m.

DAily news file photo

Street Performer James Johnson performed at the 2012 Kamloops Community Carnival, this year scheduled for Friday, July 26.

n Checkerboard Guy 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. n Jodi Doidge – 200 Block Victoria Street n Shea Duncan – 300 Block Victoria Street

Saturday — Super Sidewalk Sale Spectacular & Busker’s Showdown For a third year in a row we are devoting the whole 200 block of Victoria St. into our Super Sidewalk Sale! Coupled with our Buskers Showdown and Street Performer Zone, makes Saturday our biggest day of Merchants’ Market and attracts the most people of the four-day event.

Any downtown business is also welcome to join the sidewalk sale, blow out excess inventory, and get great exposure for your business.

There will also be a Community Stage hosting a variety of entertainers and musi-

cians as well as a giant Busker’s Showdown which will see musicians and street performers competing for prizes and bragging rights.

Buskers Showdown Although there is live music all four days and street performers on Friday during the Merchant Market, it all comes together on Saturday at the Busker’s Showdown. Street performers, live musicians, magicians, clowns, and various other genres of performers will be putting on their best shows on Saturday in order to impress the judges and be crowned ultimate busker.

Bragging rights, cash prizes and ribbons are up for grabs. The real winners however are the crowds that gather to watch the amazing shows. You can’t get better entertainment anywhere else in the city. Come down and make sure to bring the family; soak up the sun, have a cold beverage and relax!

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013 The Daily News, Kamloops S3

Get a taste of the downtown There are no end of options to tempt the taste buds at the ever-popular Taste of Downtown

B

ack by overwhelming popular demand, a tasting tour of our local restaurants happens on Thursday, July 26. Each participating restaurant goes above and beyond to bring you a dining experience like you have never had before.

Also don’t forget to vote for your favourite restaurant to win the fourth annual Golden Fork Award. Awarded yearly to the restaurant with the most votes, the Golden Fork was awarded last year to Indian Aroma. Who will get the title this year?

There are two different serving times: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.. Restaurant passports are only $10 with proceeds going to the local Foodbank and Live at Lunch Music Program. You will not be disappointed and you will not go away hungry. Props to anyone who can successfully visit and eat at each restaurant.

Participating Restaurants

n Hoja Mongolian Grill 256 Victoria Street n Subway 316 Victoria Street n Mountain High Pizza 314 Victoria Street n Fudge Yeah 442 Victoria Street n Indian Aroma 340 Victoria Street n The Ploughmans Lunch and Coffee 152 Victoria Street n Mauyras Fine Indian Cuisine 165 Victoria Street n The Art we Are 246 Victoria Street n Scoopz Icecream 280 Lansdowne n Oops Café 274 3rd Ave n McDonalds 301 Victoria Street n A&W Lansdowne n Denny’s South Kamloops Columbia

daily news file photo

Gina Lloyd, left, and daughter Shawn-Elisa Lloyd sampled food from Indian Aroma during the 2012 Taste of Downtown. Indian Aroma won last year, who will win this year? Proceeds from the tasting event are donated to the Kamloops Food Bank.

n Kips Kettle Corn n The Smorgasbord 715 Victoria Street n Senor Froggy Restaurant No. 235 450 Lansdowne n Passeks Classics 120 3rd Ave

n Boston Pizza 340 Victoria Street n Caffé Motivo 229 Victoria Street n Ric’s Mediterranean Grill 227 Victoria Street n Cornerstone Sushi

561 Seymour Street n Papa Tee’s 705 Victoria Street n Blue 540 Victoria Street n Zack’s Coffee & Teas 377 Victoria Street

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S4 The Daily News, Kamloops WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

Downtown keeps getting better Walkability, coupled with vibrant, unique and independently owned businesses make Kamloops’ core ideal

By LARKIN SCHMIEDL Special to the Daily News

D

owntown Kamloops has become a complete neighbourhood unto itself — full of stable businesses, residential areas, funky shops and even free food.

And downtown is the most important part of any city, says Gay Pooler, general manager of the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association. “If you travel to another city as a visitor, you always want to go to the downtown.... That’s what your downtown should be all about, is being that vibrant heart of the city... that space where people want to be there and there are things to do, and it’s just a happening little place.”

Besides big events like the Merchants Market, Spring Festival and Art in the Park, there are of course musicians playing daily live on Victoria Street as well as Music in the Park running for two months straight.

“Our downtown has a lot of things that make it a great downtown,” says Pooler.

These include the walkability of Victoria Street, as well as, in her opinion, developing parts of the downtown like 3rd Avenue.

“We’ve got businesses there that are small, independent, interesting little businesses that are really wanting to be involved in beautification and events and things,” said Pooler. “They’ve all adopted planters this year...and they do window art, so it’s kind of this cool, artsy little funky 3rd Avenue, that is quite exciting.”

Edible planters have been growing downtown, so to speak, over the past couple of years, and this year is no exception.

In a partnership between the public produce group and various businesses, places like Urban Systems Ltd. at St. Paul Street and 3rd Avenue have created planters offering free fruits and veggies to passersby.

Pooler said in general, downtown businesses are active and satisfied with sales, and that the business base is stable.

One thing that is going to be changing downtown is parking. With a targeted

daily news file photo

Kamloops artist Kelly Wright created an acrylic nature-themed painting during the 2012 Downtown Merchants Market for the Kamloops Central Business Association Downtown Kamloops Paint the Town mini mural. The painting was displayed and then auctioned off for the Spring Arts Festival hosted by the KCBIA and the Kamloops Arts Council.

completion date of autumn, downtown’s new parking kiosks are planned to be installed, making it easier for customers to park, said Pooler.

Switching from meters to kiosks will “provide better payment options,” including paying by credit card or phone. “It also gives businesses the option of validating your parking,” she said, “so if you’re shop-

ping downtown it might not cost you anything for your parking.”

Of course more parking spaces are also on slate for downtown, with decisions yet to be made.

“We promote downtown as our neighbourhood,” says Pooler, “because it is.”

Now that Kamloops has residential spaces downtown as well as schools and busi-

nesses, the restaurants can be supported, and there is entertainment and constant activity.

“It can be your dining room, it can be your living room, it can be your office; your backyard. And it’s all right there in the centre of the city.

“It has all the elements of the perfect downtown.”

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013 The Daily News, Kamloops S5

CAP Team outdoes itself Customer Care and Patrol team has expanded its mandate and is patrolling an even bigger section of downtown

By LARKIN SCHMIEDL Special to the Daily News

T

he people in the red shirts are upping their game this summer. This year’s CAP Team has already outdone the previous, with a total of 1,407 kilometres walked and 929 cycled.

The folks downtown donning red are around to guide tourists as well as help keep downtown safe.

Timothy Crowe leads the safety team. It’s his first year on CAP, and he’ll be starting a master’s degree in molecular biology in the fall. He says this year’s team is doing more communication with the RCMP and bylaw.

“We are trying to do (meetings) more frequently... and making sure that we do patrol areas more regularly.”

“We’re like the eyes and ears for RCMP and bylaw. We’re there when they can’t be, and we just try to, if we see something suspicious... take note of it for later,” said Crowe’s teammate, Jackie Rechenmacher.

Rechenmacher leads the tourist side of the CAP Team. She’s also helping co-ordinate the Merchants Market downtown.

“I’m pretty excited for the (Merchant’s Market) to go off,” she said.

“The CAP Team is going to be a mix of patrolling the areas that are going to be blocked off, like road closures, as well as just helping out with all the event logistics.”

As a tourism management student at TRU, the job comes naturally to her.

Other parts of CAP’s agenda are expanding this summer as well. The team will be delivering a survey to people downtown, designed to gather information about shopper’s habits, that can be used to improve the neighbourhood in the future.

And there are two tours being offered this summer instead of one.

“Basically every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and every Thursday at 6:45 p.m. we meet in front of the library,” said Crowe. “We take (tourists) on about an hour-long tour.”

The walk is free and open to anyone.

He said the experience of working with CAP has opened his eyes. “It’s a great ex-

Jackie Rechenmacher, left, and Timothy Crowe on patrol in Kamloops’ downtown.

perience to be outside and interacting with people downtown,” he said. “The street people there are so kind and so nice, and a lot of people I think kind of miss that.

There are always a few bad apples that

spoil the bunch so to speak, but the people downtown are great.”

As part of a team that deals with graffiti and adds lighting to the alleys, Crowe has also gotten to know the alley murals well.

“I didn’t even realize it before I was hired, how beautiful some of them are,” he said.

The CAP team is a KCBIA initiative and will be patrolling downtown until Aug. 24 this summer.

n w o t n w Wednesday, July 24 - Saturday, July 27 o D of Events

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S6 The Daily News, Kamloops WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

4Cats educates and entertains Local art studio for children opened a year ago, and has already proved to be a resounding success

By LARKIN SCHMIEDL Special to the Daily News

M

ike and Jennifer O’Brien’s first year in Kamloops has been a good one. Opening 4Cats Arts Studio just over a year ago, the couple has seen great success in a business they’re both passionate about.

“Kids have been a big focus for a lot of my life,” said Mike. “My partner has been a longtime child enthusiast as well, and also working with a lot of young kids in her field.”

The couple have a 10-year-old of their own, which is part of the reason for them settling down after years travelling with Mike working as an animator.

With Jennifer as a self-trained artist and Mike also trained as a teacher, the pair were well-prepared to lead an art studio.

“With this franchise, (it’s) all about focusing on kids, working with the arts, and in a really fun and involved way,” said O’Brien.

4Cats started in Victoria, B.C., and now boasts stores across North America and soon in Australia.

At the Kamloops location, the O’Briens primarily offer classes. Some are artist-focused, and look at a different famous artist every month. In these kids learn not only about the artist, but how to use some of the same techniques they did.

“If we’re studying Vincent van Gogh we’re recreating some of his famous works of art, learning how to paint with dots, dashes and swirls, and some modelling paste; and if Andy Warhol, we’re doing silkscreening and watercolour. It’s a lot of fun,” he said.

The studio also offers classes on clay, sculpture, stop-motion animation, drawing and mixed media.

“Jenny is a trained sculptor, so she really works well on the painting and sculpting side,” he said. O’Brien teaches a lot of the drawing and animation classes.

And it’s not just for kids. The couple offers workshops at night for adults, teens and families too.

And they don’t shy away from community involvement. 4Cats has already participated in Art in the Park, the Children’s Art

submitted photo

4Cats Arts Studio got its start in Victoria, B.C. and now boasts several studios across North America. The Kamloops studio opened downtown a year ago, and has had a great start so far. Right, 4Cats was a huge hit at this year’s Art in the Park at Riverside Park on Canada Day.

Festival, Royal Inland Hospital’s fundraiser, and the kidney and diabetes walks.

“We’re very big on community; we really really love it.... That was the one big thing that drew us to Kamloops specifically, was the strong arts community here.”

The studio is located at 6-275 Seymour St.. For more information on classes, workshops, camps and parties, visit http:// www.4cats.com/kamloops. You can also visit the 4Cats Arts Studio Kamloops Facebook page for photos.

Great sales going on throughout merchants market n Fashion 5, 20-30-40 per cent off excluding jewelry, selected items 60 per cent off n The Look Boutique, storewide sale n Golden Buddha, everything no-tax. Clothing 20 per cent off. Sale clothing extra 10 per cent off. Costumes 70 per cent off. Psychic Fair all four days n Total Ten Studios, 20 per cent off salon products n Viva Bridal Boutique, 50-75 per cent off select styles of shoes and dresses n McAllister & Howard, 20-70 per cent off storewide n Karateristics, Jewelry sale, select items n Healthylife Nutrition, Green Sisters skin care demo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 24 n Sakred Skin & Studio, men’s tees: $27.50 or two for $50. Men’s Tanks $25. Mens shorts $50. Select ladies tops 25-40 per cent off. Dresses $50 n High Octane, discount table Saturday n Torino Clothing Co., sidewalk sale up to 70 per cent off n Arwen’s Apparel (inside Instinct Adornment), B.C. made bamboo clothing, sun tops $29.95. Giving free Bamboo sunglasses/cell phone cloths

n Eyes International, sale on all in stock sunglasses! Plus other sales n Country Garden Greenhouse n Thrift Seller, half price winter jackets, $5 bag sale on long pants. $5 bag sale on kids clothing

n Electrictree Yarns, in-store sale n Bikini Bills, 25th anniversary sale. Tops from $10 and bottoms from $2 n Psychic Georgia, psychic readings n SEACRET Direct, a “WoW” party, facials and hand scrubs

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Violin player, Braden Gates, during the 2012 Merchants Market.

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n Jardines Domaine, massive summer clearance n Tala Clothing and African Store, summer sale n Outrageous Impact Fashion, up to 50 per cent off selected items n Genesis, inventory clearance sale n Big Boot Inn, reno sale! Come see the changes and get the deals! n Essentials and Beyond, sidewalk sale n 406 Sportswear, 20-50 per cent off sale on all summer stock n Lavender Lingerie, 40 per cent off sleepwear and 20 per cent off store wide n Oronge Boardshop, flash sale n The Ruby Room, no tax from July 24- July 27, select items $5 to $20 each n Mainstreet Clothing/406 Boutique, summer sale 20 per cent to 60 per cent off n Castles & Cottages, Ciao Bella Boutique, 25 per cent off all summers shoes, 25 per cent hue tights and jeggings, 25 per cent off summer hats and 50-75 per cent off selected jewelry n The Book Place, 10 per cent off sale n Beauty Code Boutique, summer super sale! Products on clearance.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013 The Daily News, Kamloops S7

Fireside Steakhouse aims to please Recently renovated restaurant in the Plaza Heritage Hotel has a focus on supporting local beef producers

By LARKIN SCHMIEDL Special to the Daily News

M

ost Kamloops residents are aware of the Plaza Hotel and Fireside Steakhouse’s relatively recent renovations. What people might not know is that the restaurant is blazing trails in B.C. amongst hotels with its local beef focus.

“We get the animals straight from the ranch,” said hotel general manager Shatha Al-Reihani. “We don’t really go through any of the food suppliers. We have partnered with the Haughton ranch and they give us the beef, and we purchase the whole animal.”

The restaurant ages the animal for 21 to 28 days, then takes it to the butcher.

The idea began two years ago when the chefs did a survey by going out downtown and asking people on the street what they thought Kamloops needed. The options on the table were a steakhouse, a seafood restaurant or a pasta place.

And Fireside Steakhouse and Bar is the response. The Haughton beef that is used is wine-finished, and contains no added antibiotics or hormones.

And other hotels are following suit.

“In fact now we are considered the pioneers of this,” said Al-Reihani. “Quite a few hotels in Vancouver now are doing the exact same thing we’re doing.”

That trend is partly the work of the cattle association in Alberta along with the abattoirs association of B.C., which met at the Plaza and discussed how to make hotels using local beef a reality.

The restaurant serves about half beef and half seafood, according to Al-Reihani.

Business has been going “really great” since the hotel reopened last summer. “ We have tripled our revenue from last year of course. We have a better reputation now.”

She says increased awareness of the hotel is what’s leading to more business, among other factors.

With its 67 renovated and retrofitted rooms, new decor, free breakfast, and environmentally-friendly bathroom amenities, the Plaza caters to business travellers and the high-end leisure market. Meeting rooms and other business services, as well as wedding catering and receptions are also available.

Al-Reihani says, “We’re very excited.

We’ve very busy now and we are on the right track.”

Submitted Photos

The Fireside Steakhouse at the Plaza Heritage Hotel is giving customers exactly what they asked for at the recently renovated restaurant.

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S8 The Daily News, Kamloops WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

Eyes International a downtown fixture Staff embrace the Merchants Market as a way to get out and interact with customers

I

f the downtown of a city is its shining centrepiece, Kamloops’s is so bright you need shades.

Which is where Eyes International comes in. If you don’t already have a pair to get you through the Downtown Merchants Market this month, staff at the optical store can help you find the perfect pair at the annual sidewalk sale July 24-27.

Eyes International has been a part of the Downtown Merchants Market for more than a decade, dating back to its inception.

In that time the downtown core has changed drastically, but what hasn’t changed is Eyes International’s place at its centre — in the heart of the city.

“We see ourselves as a key merchant in the downtown core,” said Rino Piroddi, owner and manager of Eyes International.

“This is a huge event for the downtown, it lets merchants get out and interact with their customers.”

Piroddi and the staff at Eyes International have always embraced the Downtown Merchants Market’s sidewalk sale. He and his staff come to work in their best summer wear and enjoy the opportunity to work with customers in a more relaxed setting.

Not only does the sidewalk sale allow Eyes International to bring great deals to customers, it helps to showcase its continued commitment to consumers in Kamloops, Chase, Clearwater, Barrier and Merritt.

The Downtown Merchant’s Market has always been the place to find great sum-

“

this is a huge event for the downtown, it lets merchants get out and interact with their customers. rino piroddi, eyes international mer deals and that trend will continue with this year’s sidewalk sale. Eyes International will have its usual selection of prescription glasses available, but will also have amazing deals on Oakley, Ray-Ban, Spy, D&G, Versace, Hugo Boss, Coach and Guess prescription sunglasses. It will also bring in select non-prescription sunglasses available specifically for the sidewalk sale.

“Primarily, we’ll be focused on sunglasses and prescription sunglass sales,” Piroddi said. “Most years we generally sell out of the glasses that we bring in for the event, which are regular $20-$30. We put them on for $6.99 each or three pairs for $16.

“We also have our once-a-year-only sale on prescription sunglasses, $99.99 for a pair.”

Piroddi has enjoyed seeing the downtown grow and develop from his place at 331 Victoria St.; he says Kamloops and its businesses have changed drastically over the years and hopes they will continue to grow and prosper.

In the last decade, Piroddi has seen resi-

Eyes International has great sales and promotions going on during the annual Merchants Market, and carries a variety of name brand sunglasses, including Oakley, Ray-Ban, Spy, D&G, Versace, Coach and more.

dential housing become a bigger part of the city centre and he said it’s had a positive impact on sales downtown.

“If we track where our customers come from, most people like to shop where they

work,” Piroddi said, when asked how the changing market impacted his sales. “It’s similar to Vancouver, with Gas Town.

“Hopefully that’s a trend that continues,” he added. “It’s good for business.”

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Includes Select Oakley Frames, and RX Sun Lenses. Some RX Restrictions Apply. See Store for Details

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D001712227

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