Biz. welcomes return to school

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

The 24/7 Convenience Store in Penticton

Like parents and teachers, Penticton business owners are looking forward to school starting up again in the near future.

Several say business has been slow during the ongoing labour dispute and it will be good to see it pick up.

"We count on them, (students), to come in and spend money during the school day, usually we have line ups of kids at lunch,"  said Lorie Michaels, an employee at the 24/7 Convenience Store near Penticton Secondary School. "So I am happy they are coming back. I miss them."

On Thursday, 86 per cent of teachers voted yes to accept the tentative deal from the province. In total, 31,741 teachers voted, 27,275 voted yes and 4,392 voted no.

Patti Bacchus, chair of the Vancouver School Board, tweeted that school boards still have to ratify the deal for it to be final.

The most recent information regarding School District 67 Okanagan Skaha is available in a letter to parents on the district website.

Byron Smith, owner of Penticton Pizza and Subs, says it impacts his business, located near Penticton Secondary, when school kids aren't there for lunch or after school.

"We depend on the school kids, so we are happy this has been resolved and things can get back to normal," he said. "And that's from a parent's standpoint as well."

The owner at Sushi Genki, across the street from the high school, said business has been a little down but not a big problem.

"We are very happy the kids will be back at school," he said. "We will be busy at lunch again."

Some business owners, however, said they haven't noticed a difference one way or the other.

The owner of the Cleopatra Cafe near Queen's Park Elementary School said it was business as usual.

An employee at Foodland grocery store near the school said it was no different than any other September.

"We always get more kids during the summer, but it hasn't felt any different. It feels like the kids have been in school," she said.

A manager at the Blenz Coffee in downtown Penticton said it has been normal for this time of year.

"It hasn't had much of an effect on business," she said.

The owner of the Cupcake Lady Cafe, also downtown, said business was wonderful this summer.

"I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary, except for something wonderful, the economy picked up," she said. "Also when times are difficult, such as during a labour dispute, people still come for comfort food and a treat."