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Fresh Air Kelowna Celebrates 40 Years of Community Partnership
(KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA) Sept. 7, 2021 — Forty years ago, Jim and Karen Bates started Fresh Air Kelowna with one goal in mind: to create a sports store that did so much more than sell gear. They needed to be a meaningful community partner with a social conscience. Now, four decades later, the family business is celebrating its 40th anniversary and couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve accomplished.
Fresh Air Kelowna first opened its doors in May 1981, but in order to maintain safety during the pandemic, current co-owners Ryan and Amie Olar and Marty Tymm delayed the celebrations to September 7, 2021. Now they're kicking off the 40th anniversary with celebratory sales all month long:
- 30% off of previous season’s alpine skis
- 30% off of previous season's snowboards, boots, and bindings
- 25% up to 70% off of assorted alpine skis, snowboards, winter outerwear, and accessories like helmets, goggles, and gloves
- 40% savings on wetsuits
- 50% off swimwear
- 25% up to 50% off of bike gloves, helmets, and clothing
- Up to $1100 off of select e-bike models
Local athletes can expect more exciting surprises to come from Fresh Air and their partners to mark the occasion.
“We’re so proud and excited to be able to celebrate,” said co-owner Ryan Olar. “Going back to the start of the pandemic, that gave us a chance to reflect on our business,” he said. “We took the family first approach.” The team altered work schedules to be able to provide their staff with more freedom to enjoy all that the Okanagan has to offer and now close on holidays and offer four-day workweeks. The shop even sponsored one of its team members to cycle across Canada.
“When you respect the staff and treat them like family they want to come to work,” he said. “The team gets stronger every year.”
That family-first philosophy is at the core of what Fresh Air has been doing since the beginning. “We’ve created such a positive, fun environment that I love coming to work every day. That’s what makes me smile,” said co-owner Amie Olar. “We have a great team, it’s a big extended family.” Amie, along with her husband Ryan and Marty Tymm purchased the business from founders Jim and Karen Bates in 2019 after over a decade of working as employees — keeping Fresh Air a family business.
The succession was not by chance. Jim and Karen wanted to keep Fresh Air in the family and in the community. When he and Karen opened the sports store in 1981 they wanted to create a business with an added purpose that goes beyond selling sports equipment. “We’re not just a retail store,” Jim explained. “We’re really proud. We’ve made a sincere contribution to the community.”
Over the last 40 years, Fresh Air has helped to uplift Kelowna residents by founding races, clubs, and fundraisers — like the YMCA Okanagan Strong Kids program that raises tens of thousands of dollars each year to give vulnerable children access to sports programs. Other initiatives include co-founding the Kelowna Running Club, co-founding the Kelowna Apple Triathlon, and founding the Fresh Air Experience Women's 5 and 10K that has raised over $100,000 raised for community charities.
About Fresh Air
Fresh Air has been bringing Kelowna residents the gear and expertise needed to run, bike, and ski their best for forty years. They’re also a proud community partner, playing a founding role in many races, clubs, and charitable initiatives in Kelowna throughout the years.
Contact
You can contact the owners, Ryan & Amie Olar using their emails ryan@freshair.ca & amie@freshair.ca respectively.
Fresh Air Harvey is located at 18-2070 Harvey Ave, Kelowna, BC V1Y 8P8, and you can call them using the number: 1-250-763-9544
Fresh Air Pandosy is located at 555 Groves Ave, Kelowna BC V1Y 4Y8 and you can call them using the number: 1-250-763-3425
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