Pigeon Lake is a beautiful community full of wonderful people! Take a look at some of the businesses and people I have had the pleasure of working with, buying from and becoming friends with over the years.
Be sure to check back as we add more People of Pigeon Lake!
Meet Your Lake Life Community
Eco Cafe' ~ Owners: Tim & Elle Wood
Established in 1997, the ECOcafé continues to build a solid reputation for innovation, quality, and leadership. Believing in "Food as a Community" - which means supporting our rural community sustainability through our supply chain of Independent local farmers who share our vision about the environment and the philosophy of eating healthy safe foods. ECO believes in preparing natural food to bring a wholesome & unique meal to your table.
Through the years ECOcafé has enjoyed widespread media attention across Canada and won various awards. The ECOcafé has worked with University students participating in mentorship and internships, as well as school lunch programs, cooking classes, complimentary yoga classes, speaking engagements, volunteer programs, fundraising and a host of other programs.
When dining at the ECOcafe' you will enjoy organic wines, beers and beverages. As well, the ECOcafe' makes all of their own breads, desserts, meat and fruit pies which are available to purchase and take home from the café.
At the heart of this restaurant are owners Tim & Elle Wood along with Tim's sister Tammy Wood. The ECOcafe's perseverance in the slow winter months truly shows how their food is unique and enjoyed by all who enter the establishment. Living and working in the area, Tim has made it his mission to deliver high quality cuisine at a fair price.
PH: 780-586-2627
Check out their website https://www.ecocafepigeonlake.com/
the clothing store ~ Owner: Beverly Vold
The Clothing Store is a contemporary women's fashion boutique in the Village at Pigeon Lake that carries clothing, bags, accessories, and jewelry from brands around the world, such as Spain, Denmark, Australia, and Italy. Although, they mostly support Canadian brands, such as Sympli, UCHUU, and Neon Buddha, because local designers produce exceptional products, and it's all for the love of fashion.
The Owner, Beverly Vold, focuses on classic, casual, and special occasion clothing. Beverly has run her business for over 20 years and her unique style shines through in every curated piece within her store. The Clothing Store is where women can create and hone their unique personal style in an environment that is rush free, relaxed and filled with joyful self-discovery.
Being an independent retailer, The Clothing Store has hand-selected items that you won’t easily find in city shops. It's not about the label, but HOW YOU FEEL after finding that perfect outfit. In talking with one of the knowledgeable sales consultants, you will be able to curate a custom look that’s unique to YOU. Like a personal stylist, these ladies take the time to get to know YOUR preferences and how YOU want to feel.
PH: 780-586-0789
Website:http://theclothingstore.net
Facebook: @theclothingstoreca
Westerose Greenhouse ~ Owners: Ben & Tasha Meuser
Westerose Greenhouse, located across from the Village at Pigeon Lake, has been serving the local community since it was founded in 1978, by Bud and Deb King. For the last forty-three years it has been owned and operated by the family. Ben and Tasha Meuser represent the third generation of growers and are excited to be a part of this thriving community.
Tasha’s first love is photography and she has been running a successful photography business for the past decade - this continues to bring her enjoyment and inspiration, taking her across central Alberta throughout the summer. Regarding taking on a greenhouse operation she had this to say:
“I am in awe of the opportunity to reconnect with nature and further explore my creativity in the greenhouse. It is truly inspiring.”
Ben has his roots in the performing arts and spent eight years travelling across Canada as a stage actor before settling into education. The enrichment of minds has now parlayed into the nourishment of plants. Ben grew up around botanicals, watching his parents build Birch Hills Greenhouse; a successful operation that they ran in the Peace Country until 2008.
Westerose Greenhouse carries a wide variety of flowers, bedding plants, calla lilies, grasses, herbs, vegetables, trees and shrubs. They have specialized in hardy roses and Weeks tea roses in the past and are introducing new varieties each year. New to the business is your ability to order custom planters and hanging baskets. Tasha has an eye for detail and always recommends the best flowers to make your garden design shine!
PH: 780-237-7673
Website:https://www.westerosegreenhouse.com/
Facebook: @westerosegreenhouse
Backstreet Antiques ~ Maureen & Elona
In 1999, Maureen and Elona opened Backstreet Antiques. Backstreet Antiques is a family run operation nestled just outside of the charming Pigeon Lake community. Here you will find a unique retail shop with a wide array of antiques, new furniture, giftware, baby items, jewelry, and more! As decor enthusiasts Elona and Maureen gain a tremendous amount of joy in seeking out eclectic pieces that liven up any room. Elona and Maureen have not only worked in the area but also grew up near Pigeon Lake; spending their days enjoying the natural sandy beaches and pristine lake waters. Be sure to check their building out back as the showroom was once the United Church at Ma-Me-O Beach. That very church is where Maureen’s mother Gladys Sundquist was married, which truly shows their passion for bringing new life to timeless pieces of history. The items in Backstreet Antiques are acquired from around the globe to ensure that you are truly getting a one-of-kind piece. With such a large collection, you are sure to walk out of the store with something you adore.
PH: 780-586-0733
Website:https://www.backstreetantique.com/
Facebook:@backstreet.antiques
Mortgage Broker ~ Yvonne Wilchewski
Yvonne chose her career in mortgage brokering over 30 years ago and she loves what she does! She offers a very diversified work experience. During the course of her 30 year career she has been a successful Realtor, she has held a lending position for many years that required her to do her own appraisal work, she has worked for a major Alberta bank and is now happy having her own Broker Business for the last 15 years.
She has many happy clients and some pretty special client success stories. She has experience in aiding clients in making big life decisions, and creating ease of mind. She has a full team behind her to help with any areas she is not specialized in. Her team offers as many resources as possible to help clients get the best advice possible while planning their real estate-mortgage projects!
Making big decisions about mortgages can be overwhelming. Buying a second property, upgrading, downsizing, or refinancing all need careful consideration. As a Mortgage Broker for many years Yvonne has helped hundreds of clients with many diverse mortgage needs!
Yvonne loves her work, and absolutely loves helping people succeed in buying their dream property. There is nothing more exciting than helping people plan and build a real estate portfolio. Yvonne has experience in building and owning a second home at Pigeon Lake and has enjoyed the benefits of Lake Life in rural Alberta for over the last 15 years. No matter where you choose to live or play, she can help you put your financing needs together.
Website: www.mymortgagelinealberta.ca
Email: yvonne@mymortgageline.ca
PH: 780-918-2179
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mortgageline
The Village Emporium ~ Kathleen Payne
The Village Emporium was born after a long series of events and experiences in Kathleen’s life.
Take a walk with Kathleen on her journey in her words:
I never consciously intended to end up in retail but looking back I think it was in the cards all along. My jobs always seemed to end up in retail. From high school when I took a business class with Mr. King (at Bonnie Doon High School in Edmonton) and worked in the school bookstore and also did a few weeks working at Woodward’s in the record department for credit. Then to my first job working summers at Sunwapta Falls (starting as a waitress and ending up in the gift shop), to working in Grand Forks BC at a clothing store in customer service and clothing alterations and repairs, to helping friends in Maple Ridge BC open a children’s shoe store. There were other retail positions in between as well.
In 1995, I worked part time for my mother Donna Payne at the Country Sampler in Edmonton. That should have been another hint. In 2001, my parents decided they were going to close the Edmonton store and move permanently to Pigeon Lake. At that time I started working for HBC with the opening of Home Outfitters. I was there until 2010, when HBC laid off many managers across Canada. That turned out to be a blessing in disguise. My husband and I had already purchased a plot of land at Pigeon Lake and we decided it was time to start building.
Now, onto how I came to own The Village Emporium. My mother opened an incredible store called the Country Sampler in 1987. When her brother Terry Myers developed The Village at Pigeon Lake, it was just natural that he would ask her to open a store. Originally, she opened a small Country Sampler & Village Emporium. They expanded quickly and eventually became one large store which included furniture and clothing. She sold the furniture part of the business and it became Mia Casa. She also sold The Clothing Store to Beverly Vold.
My mother Donna Payne, put her heart and soul into the Country Sampler over the years and it was a favourite destination shop for people for many years. In 2008, my parents sold the Country Sampler to enjoy a well deserved retirement.
By 2012, my husband Tom and I had finished building our home in this great community and were looking for a retail opportunity at the Village. When the Country Sampler space suddenly became available, we jumped in with both feet and the rest is history. With significant help from my whole family the Emporium was up and running. My mother did most of the “buying,” my brother built all of our fixtures and the rest of us put in lots of sweat equity. We opened the doors on March 21, 2013, and have never looked back.
The store has evolved and changed so much over the years. Luckily for us we have had my sister-in-law Michelle Payne with us since day one; bringing her many years of experience in retail.
Last year we decided to rebrand and bring in footwear. We are now the Village Emporium/Lifestyle Boutique. Although the Village Emporium has changed and evolved over the years, our core values and ideals have never changed. It was always important to us to have something that would appeal to everybody and to have unique and special items. We also feel it is crucial to be involved in our community and to give back when we can. What will the next years bring? Perhaps more growth and of course change. That’s what keeps us young, unique, interesting and vital.
PH: 780-586-6213
Website: https://villageemporium.ca/
Facebook: @villageemporium.ca
Instagram @village_emporium