Burns Lake
Article by Sarah Zimmerman. Photo: Camus Photography
Click here to visit the Burns Lake Chamber of Commerce website.
When summer is in full swing and the weekend nears, mountain bikers from across the northwest load up their gear, hook the front tire of their giant mountain bikes over the rear tailgate of their trucks, or lock them in position on a roof top or rear end bike rack. They aren’t headed out for a quick ride, they’re destined for Burns Lake, home to some of the best developed mountain bike trails in northern BC. Since the trail development began in earnest, it’s added to the list of outdoor recreational opportunities that already drew people to this community.
The caravans of vehicles decked out with bikes and packed with friends are a visible example of the power of the regional economy, anchored by spectacular places and outdoor recreation opportunities from fishing to hiking to biking. They’re also shopping for gas, food, supplies and gear and they’re either camping or staying in one of the many kinds of accommodations offered in Burns Lake, be it a lakeside BnB or a hotel.
Risė Johansen owner of Takysie Lake Resort says she has seen more people coming to Burns Lake to seek out an ever-widening offering of outdoor adventures. But she’s quick to add that some have come for years and are returning now with children and grandchildren. From Prince Rupert to Alberta, once people come for a visit, they often come back. From friends on fishing trips, to families looking for a regional getaway, Johansen has connected with all sort of visitors who love discovering the best of Burns Lake, especially as international travel was curbed throughout the pandemic.
“I believe that the last couple of years have shown our British Columbians the incredible opportunities they have in their own backyard that they weren’t aware of before. Of course, they have begun to look deeper and when that happens, it has an amazing effect,” says Johansen. “They linger a little longer, find appreciation in some local art, or a gift they hadn’t thought of before, or try some local cuisine that they otherwise might have missed. All these things have a profound impact on the many small businesses that thrive because of it. It also causes entrepreneurs to look into expansion or creation of a new idea…a bold thought that can blossom into a synergistic event for their community.”
Photo: Marty Clemens
Burns Lake is a friendly, welcoming place with people that really want visitors to enjoy the community they are so proud of. This becomes clear once you stop at a few places in Burns Lake. Go into just about any shop and ask for directions or a recommendation for a place to eat or shop, and local businesses are happy to refer one another, because they know what goes around, comes around.
Being part of that interconnected community is one of the reasons Bryanne White, owner of Wildroots Flowers & Gifts was so willing to return home to Burns Lake to open a new business. Originally from Burns Lake, like many people Bryanne moved away as a young adult, but when her husband got a job offer back in this lakeside community, she jumped at the opportunity to open a business in her hometown.
“There was tons of support, not only from my family and friends but the community, the town was excited to have a new store and they were incredibly encouraging,” White says, adding everyone who comes through the doors is familiar somehow, be them old or new friends. “You forget how many people you know in a small town.”
Wildroots features floral arrangements and unique giftware. For White, supporting local and regional artisans is one way she can help contribute to a growing regional economy that not only supports smaller, boutique style businesses, but gives regional artisans and craftspeople venues to sell their own wares.
All of White’s giftware is Canadian made or locally made and she also carries consignment pieces from local Burns Lake artists and BC vendors.
The interconnectedness of the artisan community across the northwest is demonstrated through her partnership with the Houston-made Artisans Cooperative – they feature some of her flowers and their artists can showcase their own wares in her store. It’s a unique partnership that gives her business a regional flavour.
“It’s a great opportunity for small businesses, home-based businesses or artists to have their work available to the public,” she says, adding it’s introduced her to regional vendors she has not heard of before. “I think in that sense we are connecting a lot more.”
Photo: Camus Photography
And according to White, she thinks there is more of a trend to shop local and support small boutique business in the wake of challenging global supply chain issues and transportation challenges. For a small community, Burns Lake has a wide range of small businesses that give visitors the opportunity to find the essentials, but also some really unique items – many of which not only endured the challenges of the pandemic, but thrived.
Burns Lake is fortunate to not only have a broad mix of local retailers, but larger industry-based members of the business community who not only spend money locally, supporting local businesses, but provide valuable employment and services to people in the community. Businesses such as Rio Tinto, Babine Forest Products, Pinnacle Pellet Plant and Decker Lake Forest Products are active members of the business community and are just as much a part of the fabric of the community as the small business sector.
Take Rio Tinto, for example. The company is a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Burns Lake and supports its annual general meeting and Business Excellence awards. It also supports programs such as the Breakfast Club of Canada program which was brought into and continued to sponsor in 14 schools in School District 91 since 2012, including Woyenne Reserve, Grassy Plans Elementary School and Lakes District Secondary School.
And whether businesses are big or small, they each contribute to supporting community events, initiatives and provide much-needed sponsorships of community organizations, sports teams and youth organizations.
For Kelli and Kevin Payne, Burns Lake has shown its commitment by supporting their antique store, Homeside Antiques for more than 15 years. The longevity of their business a testament to the support of shopping local.
“We need to keep educating the community on how important it is to shop locally,” says Kelli.
Photo: Camus Photography
Kailey Moran, owner of North Point Studio and North Point Piercing, agrees. Shopping local means creating meaningful connections with her clients. She echoes Bryanne White’s perspective that the shop becomes a place where relationships develop.
“Shopping local allows us to connect with our clients. We really get to know them as people and not just customers,” says Moran.
Risė Johansen says shopping local is a meaningful way not only to support local jobs and a thriving local economy, but to support one another on a more meaningful level as human beings.
“The last couple of years have truly shown the importance of these relationships at their most root level. The importance of knowing that even when the world seems to be a little off center, that you can rely on your community to help provide you with your basic needs…and that they can have a heart to heart,” says Johansen.
She sums up what continues to draw visitors to Burns Lake nicely.
“We are a culmination of natural beauty, spectacular lakes and waterways, picturesque landscapes and diverse and hardworking residents that are always happy to smile and welcome anyone who wants to visit or is looking to stay.
Click here to visit the Burns Lake Chamber of Commerce website.
