Shopping with Heart: The South Kootenay Quest
Unique Products, Personal Service, and the Power of Shopping Local
Have you ever wondered about the stories behind your favourite local stores? In the South Kootenay region, these businesses represent more than just places to shop—they’re the heart and soul of our community. From clothing and art to locally grown and made products, the South Kootenay Quest spotlighted 50 local businesses, between Rossland to Fruitvale, encouraging residents to buy local. In this new series, we’ll highlight the unique stories and offerings of these businesses, beginning with these standout retailers.
Photo credit: Nathan Smith @n8images
Rossland’s Achillea & Co. is the first professional-grade supplement store in the Kootenays, owned by local Naturopathic Doctor Amanda Chay, The Natural Path Clinic and husband Gabriel Roy-Wright, Kootenay Counselling. Removing the overwhelm, this specialized store focuses on providing a limited range of high-quality, carefully vetted products that have been scientifically backed.
Each supplement is chosen for its potency, purity, and effectiveness, reducing the risk of substandard or unnecessary products. Achillea & Co., where health meets heart, has actively participated in the Kootenay Healthy Living Fair, reflecting their commitment to helping the community lead healthier and more balanced lives. One Quest participant summed it up perfectly: ‘Lots of resources to live a holistic life, so lucky to have this in our town!’ Customers benefit from personalized service, expert guidance, and the assurance that every item in the store is selected with their health in mind.
As we head down the hill, Threads -Trail’s premier fashion lounge – is another standout Quest business.
“Threads started with a simple idea: offer remarkable clothes in an aspirational space with exceptional service” according to owner Nic Klassen, who grew up in Trail and comes by his entrepreneurial roots naturally.
This goal has certainly been attained; the Threads shopping experience is unlike anything else in the Kootenays. Whether you’re looking for the latest styles or timeless pieces, Threads has everything you need to elevate your wardrobe.
Nic describes all collections carried by Threads as unified by two qualities: an effortless appeal and a focus on fit.
If you are looking for ‘fits’ for the whole family, be sure to check out Coast 2 Coast Clothing Co. Owned by Kristin McConkey, Coast 2 Coast Clothing, is a well-known clothing store whose team knows a thing or two about outfitting Kootenay families.
Originally founded as Urban Kidz Clothing Store at Waneta Plaza, McConkey took over the business in 2019 and rebranded it as Coast 2 Coast Clothing. From 2020 to 2023, the store operated in downtown Trail, but in November 2023, it moved back to Waneta Plaza into a larger, beautifully remodeled space. The store has earned recognition, winning the 2021 and 2024 Business Excellence Award in the Retail category.
Our last feature business this week, The B-Side Record Shop, also moved this year from its original location on Cedar Avenue to a new spot at 917 Spokane Street in downtown Trail. A haven for music enthusiasts, the shop celebrates the nostalgia of physical music media, offering vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, band shirts, skateboards and more.
It’s a must-visit for music lovers, including Quest participants, with one expressing, “Love to see record shops still in business and thriving in the digital age.”
With so many fantastic shops to explore, why not spend a day discovering the South Kootenays vibrant retail scene? These retailers are just the beginning of what the region has to offer. By shopping local, you’re not only treating yourself to unique finds but also investing in the people and businesses that make our community thrive. Stay tuned for more stories from the Quest, and take a moment to re-discover your backyard.
As Buy Local BC reminds us: “Money spent with local businesses has a ripple effect that contributes to the growth and health of BC communities. Local businesses contribute to the tax base and make donations to support local events, sports teams, and charities 24 times more than multinationals.”
Follow this series of 10 stories published in the Trail Times. Learn more about the Quest businesses at www.trailchamber.bc.ca/kootenayquest.
This initiative was funded by Columbia Basin Trust and delivered by the Trail & District Chamber of Commerce.
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