Now you can get your java fix when you visit Cherry Lane Shopping Centre.

Blenz Coffee has moved into the old Starbucks location at Cherry Lane and people couldn’t be happier about it.

Blenz has only been open since Good Friday but already they’ve received a warm welcome from customers, said owner Eileen Byart.

“It’s been fantastic so far with lots of people saying they are so glad we are here,” said Byart. “When the weather has been nice, people have been sitting outside.”

Byart hails from Ontario, arriving in the Peach City with her son in November 2021.

“I used to own a B&B in Ontario and have been looking to move to B.C. for a long time,” she said. She liked the idea of opening a business in a small town and this opportunity at Cherry Lane mall came up.

The Starbucks closed at the mall February 2021 and that space has remained empty ever since.

READ MORE: Starbucks permanently closes at Cherry Lane mall

This Blenz is separate from and has different owners from the Blenz located in downtown Penticton.

Despite staffing shortages being experienced across Canada, Byart said she had no problems filling positions at the coffee shop.

“I’ve been really fortunate. I have some amazing ladies working here and high school students working part time who will more hours in the summer. We’ve built a really good team,” she said.

As for what she thinks of Penticton, she’s loving it.

“It’s wonderful here. I love hiking so I’ve been exploring and the gyms just started opening up so I’m hoping to start that too,” she said.

To celebrate the grand opening of Blenz, they are offering free coffee to everyone on Friday, April 22 from 2 to 4 p.m.

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