FEATURED BUSINESS
LOCAL – A FERNIE STORE
A true pandemic success story , the Local store on Fernie ’ s 2nd Avenue is the newest initiative from Wildsight Elk Valley . Following one of their core objectives – to support and promote the production and consumption of local produce – this new addition to Fernie ’ s retail scene offers a collection of local produce , staples and select specialty goods like Polar Peak Popcorn and skincare Highland Springs Soap Company from Cranbrook .
With just one paid employee – Jennifer – and a team of dedicated volunteers , Local is starting out small but has big dreams for the future . Following a month of trial pop-up stores and experience learned from the Mountain Market , the organisers followed careful strategies to ensure the ongoing success of the venture .
Just eight months into the life of the store , Dawn Deydey , head of the Mountain Market and one of the founders of Local , says the response from the public has been both enthusiastic and generous . Small local producers like No Fences Farming in
Sparwood have been able to go from a casual to a regular fresh egg supplier thanks to consistent orders , and shoppers love the convenient access to locally raised meats from Jaffray-based Bolter Farm plus delicious frozen meals from local caterers .
Fresh fruit , vegetables , herbs and salad staples arrive almost daily and are grown as locally as at the Fernie Eco Garden and at other local micro growers , or from organic and natural farms including No ’ s Orchard in Creston . Store cupboard staples include sourdough pasta from Kaslo ’ s Pasta Fermentata , a variety of flours from heirloom grain and seed stocks from Treasure Life Flour Mills and much more !
Shop in person or pre-order online and pick up during opening hours . Sign up for Fresh Picks and get first access to all the newest items before they hit the shelves .
632 2nd Ave | Tues to Sat , 2 – 6pm . Wildsight . ca / branches / elkvalley / local /
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