Our Footprints Co. Kelowna location

Image Credit: SUBMITTED / Jennifer Norman

Not all downtown Kelowna businesses are benefitting from Bernard Avenue being closed to vehicle traffic this summer.

The city's main drag turned into a pedestrian mall to help businesses expand their patios and display racks, and get their businesses back on track after being shut down due to COVID-19.

READ MORE: Bernard Avenue in downtown Kelowna will be closed to traffic this summer

Our Footprints Co. owner Jennifer Norman, who opened a zero-waste store at the former Farm Bound Zero Waste location on Lawrence Avenue, said the parking outside of the store is now being used, but it doesn’t appear to be generating foot traffic inside.

“It just seems like Lawrence Avenue is one street off from the heavy foot traffic and then closing that street has made everyone come and park and go where they’re used (to going.) All of our parking is taken up and consumed all day but it’s not for the purpose of our business,” she said.

She hopes that it will eventually drive traffic through the door.

“We’re just going to work on our exterior marketing,” she said.

Since opening at the beginning of May, the store has been experiencing spikes in traffic and completely dead times, but there doesn't appear to be a "rhyme or reason," she said.

With the lineups outside on busy days, customers will wander away after they get tired of waiting, she said.

“It’s been super challenging to open a business during (COVID-19),” she said.

With Farm Bound’s closure, Norman said they decided to open at the same location since a zero-waste store was already established in the downtown.

The location focuses on more refillery options than as the former zero-waste store.

Our Footprints Co. has locations in both Kelowna and Kamloops.

READ MORE: Successful launch of Kelowna refillery leads to first ever Kamloops location

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