TITLE: 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 six standout retailers.
Rossland’s Achillea & Co. is the first professional-grade supplement store in the Kootenays, owned by local Naturopathic Doctor Amanda Chay 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. 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.
The Rooted Table Collective features a curated selection of healthy products and intentionally sourced goods.
Located in downtown Rossland, this specialty farm, food, and goods shop is owned by Miche Warwick and Dan Hayden — farmers, entrepreneurs, and passionate food advocates.
As the co-owners of Happy Hills Farm and Flourish MicroFarm, Miche and Dan are on a mission to support other small businesses.
Their commitment to local sourcing makes shopping from small businesses easy and convenient, with 100% of their specialty goods produced right here in BC.
Curiosity Clothing & Gifts in Rossland, carries locally made, eco conscious and socially responsible brands.
Featuring a selection of stylish men’s and ladies' clothing, skincare products, and an array of unique gifts, it’s the perfect spot to refresh your wardrobe and find something special.
Quest participants praised the store for its “curated, elevated casual clothing selection” and the “very friendly staff” who they described as “super helpful and welcoming.”
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.
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 remodelled space.
The store has earned recognition, winning the 2021 and 2024 Business Excellence Award in the Retail category.
Our sixth 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 six 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.”
Learn more about the Quest businesses at www.trailchamber.bc.ca/kootenayquest.
This initiative was funded by Columbia Basin Trust in collaboration with the Trail & District Chamber of Commerce.
