Kelowna, BC ~ As thousands of small businesses struggle to stay afloat during COVID-19, a new Kelowna business is about to open its doors in an effort to bring some levity – and British sweets – to the Okanagan Valley.

Limey, The British Shop will open to the public in Kelowna’s Landmark District on Thursday, October 8, offering authentic British merchandise not typically sold in Canada, from chocolate, to candy, and savoury products as well as authentic meat and amazing LIMEY pies.

“As an immigrant from the UK some 11 years ago, I thought it would be a lighthearted and fun opportunity to open a British store in Kelowna,” said owner Jules Galloway.

“My fiancé Lee & I felt it was something that people could enjoy right now, amongst all this doom and gloom.”

As the owner of two other businesses in Kelowna’s Landmark District, Galloway knows firsthand how challenging COVID-19 can be for small businesses, which is why she was keen to diversify and open the new retail location in record time.

In just six weeks, Limey went from a fun ‘what if?’ idea to a bricks and mortar store with bright lime green walls and products imported directly from the UK.

Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran will be at the ribbon-cutting Thursday to celebrate the local business opening during difficult times.

The social media response has already been incredible, with customers sending requests online at limeyshop.com and on Facebook and Instagram.

“Apparently everyone loves British food! I am so excited to have been able to bring this to our community and so energized by the amount of enjoyment it has brought,” said Galloway.

A ribbon cutting for Limey’s opening day will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday, October 8 at 1882 Dayton Avenue in Kelowna’s Landmark District.

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LIMEY
INFORMAL - noun: a British person.
Origin: Late 19th Century: the former enforced consumption of lime juice in the British navy to prevent scurvy.

About Jules Galloway

Jules Galloway is known as an agitator and a change maker. She is the founder/owner of Evolve Design | Build & Space Measuring and co-owner of HUB Office Furniture in Kelowna, BC. She is also an instructor at the Centre for Arts and Technology Design School and a columnist with Black Press Media.