Swan Lake Market outdoor landscape

Image Credit: Swan Lake Market

For the uninitiated, Swan Lake Market and Garden in Vernon, BC might look like a plant nursery with produce for sale at first glance — but this store is so much more. The experience is one of those pleasantly surprising times when what you anticipate is far surpassed by the fabulous reality. There is an eye-popping assortment of goods and services here set to eclipse your expectations dramatically.

This amalgamation of produce, grocery, gifts, and local crafts occurs where once was just a quaint roadside fruit stand. More than half a century later, Swan Lake Market and Garden isn't 'just a fruit stand' anymore.

The Journey From Humble Fruit Stand to Community Icon

The origin story of how a humble roadside fruit stand turned into an Okanagan institution is an unusual one. Unlike some businesses, the Market has been on a journey fuelled by the Vernon, BC community, a growth driven by friends and neighbours working together to build a cherished gathering spot.

The Market has served the local community since 1959, when founder Mike Kowaluk opened the door. The business has been slowly expanding ever since, with each iteration of change evolving in sync with the community it supports. While Swan Lake Market and Garden has changed hands over the years, that community-gathering place feel remains. Swan Lake Market and Garden's present owner is Derrick Cooke, and he recently took some time out of his day to fill me in on the span of changes the market has seen.

Swan Lake Market produce section

Image Credit: Swan Lake Market

"Swan Lake Market has always had a long history with the community," Cooke explains. "Back in 1959, the selection was smaller, but the vision was the same — to be the North Okanagan's premier garden centre and purveyor of local produce." While making that goal happen, the Swan Lake Market team has always listened to their valued customers' feedback and requests. Now the small fruit stand has grown to handle a wider range of products for every season. It has now become a fully established grocery store, offering a variety of amazing local and BC products. The outdoor fruit market and greenhouses have expanded to showcase new varieties of produce, a popular deli/cafe took root, and eventually, a thriving health and wellness section.

The secret to sustainability, it seems, has been honouring requests from their customers. "I will always keep the long legacy of the fruit stand going," Cooke says. “This is now also a community store; it has been built up by the people who shop here. There are very few independent establishments like this in the entire Okanagan, with such diversity, quality, and community care all under one roof. There’s been a gradual evolution to produce the store character we now have."

The diversity of products Cooke referenced is not to be underestimated. You need several visits to understand everything they have to offer. The business has grown into a well-rounded store that puts quality first while maintaining the small-town feel they are known for. As Cooke and I discussed the store's many hidden nooks and wide range of products, he shared an anecdote summarizing how fun it is to explore the market. "More than once, I have heard a customer who has been frequenting the store for years tell me how excited they are about something we carry that they never knew we had," Cooke says.

Being a treasured shopping spot for decades, Swan Lake Market has many long-time patrons, but their customer base continues to grow. Young families love coming to the market, for example. It is a great spot for the kids to play and explore, with hidden areas to find, fun floor maps to follow, a treasure chest hunt, and a Kids Play Zone out in the yard. Meanwhile, there is always a sandwich or a steamy hot bowl of soup in the deli or a cup of gourmet coffee and a treat to enjoy in the sunroom with stunning views. “It is the character that really makes a business," Cooke tells me, and Swan Lake Market certainly has character to spare.

Swan Lake Market's Coffee, Smoothies and Ice Cream stand

Image Credit: Swan Lake Market

Building on the market’s fabulous character is important to Cooke. "Our vision is for a local, independent community marketplace that supports BC growers and artisans, where people can get their groceries, gifts, and garden goods, have a coffee and relax. Kids can play, have ice cream, explore the hidden nooks, and everyone can feel good for a moment of their day."

Putting Locals First: Customers and Suppliers

Studying the fantastic, wide-ranging selection the store offers, I am curious how Cooke and his team decide on the items they stock. "Genuine quality is the guiding light for our procurement at Swan Lake Market," he answers. Cooke feels that the national grocery franchise strategy that focuses on selling the lowest priced product is leading our communities in the wrong direction. His viewpoint is that while customers shouldn't pay more than they have to, if quality is not the primary driver local producers and artisans will eventually find themselves eclipsed.

With that goal, Swan Lake Market aims to be a year-round outlet for products from local producers, artisans, and craftspeople. “When items are locally made and grown, it is easy to identify their purity”, Cooke adds. "We are all proud of the local community's efforts; we love supporting them wherever we can, including events for craftspeople, musicians, and artisans."

Swan Lake Market clothing for sale

Image Credit: Swan Lake Market

Cooke is talking about the main thing that makes Swan Lake Market so unique–diversity of locally-sourced products. Learn more about their products on the Swan Lake Market's website. Everywhere you look on the website, just as in the store, there seems to be 'even more' — from wind chimes to books, artisan ceramics, to toys and clothing.

With the festive winter season just around the corner, that diversity of inventory is about to blossom yet again. When the snow flies, Swan Lake Market and Garden transforms into a winter wonderland of Christmas trees, stocking stuffers, and culinary essentials — all while still maintaining its fruit and vegetable selection and 'gathering place' feel.

Swan Lake Market and Garden is, in short, a community gathering place, a treasure trove of local goods and produce continually striving to be the North Okanagan's premier garden centre and purveyor of locally-grown goods. To enjoy this feel-good place and enjoy some time out of your day, drop by Swan Lake Market and Garden at 7920 Highway 97 North, at the intersection of Highland Road, just north of Vernon. For inquiries, you can reach them at 250.542.7614, or on Facebook and Instagram.

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