A thrift store and café in Summerland, British Columbia, known as Twisted Whiskers, is set to permanently close its doors in December after facing two challenging years in business. Owner Jules Zest announced that the decision was influenced by a difficult summer tourism season, which was severely disrupted by the Bald Range wildfire.
Business Challenges Preceding the Wildfire
Zest revealed that she had already been contemplating the closure of Twisted Whiskers before the wildfire incident. The challenges posed by this summer, particularly the impact on tourism, accelerated her decision. “It was on the burner already. I was already thinking I needed to close,” Zest stated.
When Zest opened Twisted Whiskers, her vision was to create a welcoming space for the community where people could shop, socialize, and engage in artistic activities. “I really wanted this place where people could come and hang out and have friends and do art,” she expressed.
The Importance of Summer Sales
According to Zest, the summer season is crucial for small businesses, as strong sales during this period are essential for sustaining operations throughout the rest of the year. “The summertime supports the rest of the year. If you don’t make money during the summer, you might not survive,” she explained.
Unfortunately, the wildfire struck during this vital time, leading to her evacuation and concerns about the future of her business. Zest noted that while many had promised to support Summerland during the fires, the expected influx of customers did not materialize after the danger had passed. “During the fires, everyone was saying how they will come and support Summerland. Now that the fires are over, no one is here,” she lamented.
Impact of Tourism on Local Businesses
Many of Zest’s customers have traditionally come from outside the Summerland community, highlighting the importance of tourism for her business. “When I asked customers who shopped here over the last two years, it was almost always people not from Summerland,” she noted.
Brett Ziegler, a volunteer at Twisted Whiskers and a member of the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce, echoed Zest’s sentiments, stating that the store’s struggles are not unique. “I have seen many businesses close, open, close, open, close. It’s a conundrum,” he remarked.
Local Support and Economic Challenges
Ziegler emphasized the need for genuine local support, stating that merely encouraging people to shop local is not sufficient. “Hearing shop local support, it isn’t enough to say it. We need to figure out how we can do that more,” he urged.
For local shoppers, economic constraints are making it increasingly difficult to support local businesses. South Okanagan resident Michelle Raynier shared her experience, saying, “People are very money conscious right now and that’s what I find hard about shopping local.”
Despite these challenges, local leaders are advocating for community support. Amelia Boultbee, MLA for Penticton Summerland, encouraged residents to take advantage of the summer season and support local businesses, stating, “It is summer, we are open, we have a beautiful area with lots to offer. We hope everyone can come out and support local.”
Final Days of Twisted Whiskers
Twisted Whiskers will continue to operate as a thrift store and café until the end of September. Zest plans to host glass fusing workshops in October, November, and December before the business closes permanently.
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