Your city hall is really getting into the plant game
Good morning from the Okanagan — the lake is calm, the vines are growing, and we have things to discuss.
Okay, but here's the thing nobody talks about: your Kelowna City Hall is quietly becoming a major player in the *plant* business. I'm not talking about vineyards, though we all know those are everywhere. According to the recent business licences I've been sifting through, there's been a real uptick in plant-related ventures.
### More Green Thumbs Than Ever
It's not just a couple of new flower shops. We’re seeing a diverse mix:
* **Four new nurseries opened** just last month, from the Lower Mission all the way up to Glenmore. One of them, "Okanagan Roots & Shoots," even has plans for a community garden space near the Mission Creek Greenway. * There's also a significant increase in **landscaping companies** getting licensed, 12 in the last two quarters alone. This really suggests that residents are investing more in their outdoor spaces. * One new business, "Hydroponic Haven," opened on Bernard Avenue, focusing on indoor gardening systems. This is a bit of a departure from our usual agricultural scene, hinting at a shift towards more urban and sustainable growing practices.
This isn't just about pretty gardens. It speaks to how people are using their homes and how businesses are adapting. Are we seeing more people getting into home growing, perhaps? Or is the demand for green spaces just skyrocketing as Kelowna grows? It's worth watching how these new businesses integrate into our local economy and if this trend continues.
That’s the latest from City Hall, and for the MiTL Sports Desk, I’m Nina Papadimitriou.
You know Keith and the gang are already dissecting this over on the morning show — tune in at mornings.live.