New businesses popping up on Kamloops’s North Shore

A new hardware store has opened its doors on Kamloops's North Shore, one of sixteen new businesses that have popped up in recent months in an area where reports of vandalism damage to some businesses and other crimes are common.

Sunny Aulakh and his wife opened the doors of his first business, Prime Plus Hardware, on Fortune Drive on Oct. 2. He said he is excited and exhausted after preparing for months.

“We never owned a business before and there has been a lot to learn,” he said. “It wasn’t easy. We have been very busy starting with renovations, finding suppliers and filling shelves."

READ MORE: Kamloops Tim Hortons closes its doors after street-related incident

Aulakh has worked for a decade in a hardware store and wanted to do it on his own.

“We are tired and feel like going for a break already,” he said. “I still have a couple of pallets to put away and we’re still working on pricing. We have a lot of products here from fasteners to hinges to paint supplies, and many products that are not sold on this side of town.”

Aulakh said he is encouraged by the amount of interest others in the community have shown in his new venture.

“We are getting a lot of comments,” he said. “There seems to be excitement in the community and it seems like a good opportunity for us to have this kind of store here.”

Aulakh said he has seen other businesses around him affected by crime. He has installed video surveillance and a security alarm, as well as putting blinds up over his windows. 

"So far I haven't had to move people from my back door in the morning but some other businesses (in the area) do," he said.

READ MORE: MMA business leaving Kamloops's North Shore, feel 'terrorized'

Jeremy Heighton is the executive director at Kamloops North Shore Business Improvement Association and he is excited about new businesses opening in the area.

"We are seeing a regular growth in our commercial corridor, with sixteen new businesses over the last few months, and about four closures," he said. "Businesses did not close because of crime. The Tim Hortons closed due to the new location on 8 Street having the drive through."

COVID-19 did have an impact on a few businesses, but closures related to that are minimal.

"We are open for business, with a very loyal customer base," Heighton said. "Businesses here make the effort to connect and know their customers. Commercial space is tight, due to the number of businesses here who are looking for affordable and positive opportunities."

— The headline of this story was amended at 11:03 a.m. Oct 7.

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