This is one of those good news-bad news, when-one-door-closes-another-
After 15 years in the storefront of the beautiful brick building at the corner of Bernard Avenue and Ellis Street in downtown Kelowna, Lakehouse Homestore has closed.
It's the end of an era for Ben and Sue Boschman, who brought the visually stunning, high-end cookware, bakeware, cook's tools and cookbook retail concept to Kelowna.
However, upstairs in the same heritage building at 510 Bernard Ave., Lakehouse Kitchens Cooking School is still in operation -- bigger and better than before.
"The spirit of Lakehouse is alive and thriving one floor up," said chef Travis Pye, the owner of Lakehouse Kitchens Cooking School.
"Lakehouse Kitchens Cooking School has been a completely separate and flourishing business -- sharing a name, but is a separate entity."
The space upstairs is expansive and aesthetically pleasing with cooking class work stations, each complete with its own oven, cooktop, counter space and sink.
There is Chef's Theatre where you can watch a cooking demonstration from a high-top table while you eat and drink.
There's a dining room set up.
There's also a cafe and wine bar you can drop by anytime Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm, for Italian espresso, baked goods and-or a glass of wine or a beer.
And there are cookware and kitchenware products for sale.
"Retail at Lakehouse isn't over," said Pye.
"A curated collection of chef-inspired items is being reimagined, offered alongside the cooking school."
You can also book any of the spaces for a private event, team-building experience, birthday, anniversary or any other kind of party.
It's all designed to inspire home cooks, food lovers and culinary explorers.
A quick look at the https://www.
Some August experiences are already sold out -- like junior cook sessions, Coastal Brunch, fresh-made pasta and Spanish Fiesta.
But, you can still book for the hands-on Taste of Mexico cooking class on Aug. 6, the Southern BBQ in the Chef's Theatre on Aug. 8, the mocktail masterclass on Aug. 8, Mexican Fiesta Brunch on Aug. 9 in the Chef's Theatre, the sourdough masterclass on Aug. 9 and the Moroccan dinner in the Chef's Theatre on Aug. 9.
Pye leads and teaches many of the Chef's Theatre meals and cooking classes.
However, there's also a roster of 15 other chefs that lead and teach specialty sessions.
"As a completely separate company, Lakehouse Kitchens Cooking School is focused on the next evolution of Lakehouse -- one rooted in culinary creativity, immersive experiences and warm hospitality," said Pye.
"We are actively reimagining what Lakeshouse can be in this next chapter and we're doing it with purpose and momentum. We're building something vibrant, inclusive and full of flavour."
