From City Hall to our banking institutions, more women than ever are conducting business in Merritt.

Bringing a fresh perspective and working to keep the downtown core vibrant many of Merritt’s new and established businesses are owned or run by women.

“Many of the businesses are being opened by women whose husbands are bringing home a steady income,” says Merritt Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Karen Irving.

“This is allowing for a more long term perspective to be taken.”

Many of the traditional businesses for women like hairdressing and clothing shops are thriving however women are also commanding less traditional roles such as bank management and the administration of the city.

Clara Norgaard, Merritt’s first female mayor and co-owner of Norgaard Ready-Mix Ltd., says that in the last ten years Merritt has seen quite a turn around for women opening new businesses.

“Women are very suited to business as many have traditionally managed their house hold budgets and are very good at multi-tasking,” says Norgaard.

Two things all of the women business owners share is their commitment to the community and their vision for the long-term sustainability of their chosen ventures.

“The more we provide the less people have to shop out of town,” says Treehouse Health Foods owner Lonni Warren.

Warren is one of the newest businesses to set up shop in Merritt and owns another store in Hope, which she runs with her husband.

“Business is unbelievable,” say Warren.

With Merritt’s downtown core experiencing a downturn in the last ten years, prices for rent or buying properties outright have never been more affordable.

“I have always wanted to open a store in Merritt,” says Sellution Vintage Furniture co-owner Paddy Kelly.

“We are open minded and looking at ways we can showcase and sell the products from the huge talent Merritt has to offer, says Kelly.

“I see the downtown definitely turning a corner and I am happy to be a part of keeping the downtown alive,” say Wild Cactus Boutique owner Michelle Thompson.