Shopping on Seventh Avenue in Keremeos is about to get spiced up.
Anna Marie Friesen throws open the doors to her new Keremeos business on Friday, May 2.
“Canadiana Spicery” opens at 623 - 7th Avenue to sell a vast array of locally grown and blended spices, amongst other things.
Friesen, who is partnering the business with husband Paul, is a former Keremeos resident who moved back to the village in February this year.
“I lived here 22 years ago,” she explained, “my son was severely injured in a car accident, and we had to move in order to look after him.”
Friesen has been selling spices for 14 years, having developed a number of exclusive blends on her own.
“It all started with Country Pepper, the first blend I made,” she said, “it sells around the world now.”
Friesen explained she was looking for something to do at home when she was given a number of herbs. She pondered what to make out of them when, in the middle of the night she got the idea to blend them with pepper. Since then, she has developed 30 different mixtures of spices., all natural.
“There are no fillers, made with the freshest ingredients I can find,” she said.
More recently, Friesen has begun making hot jellies (using habanero peppers) under the Dragon’s Breath name.
“I won a wine basket at last year’s Similkameen Sizzle,” she said, “that gave me the idea to start making wine jellies out of Similkameen wines.”
Friesen does all her cooking and preparation on site in a certified kitchen. She plans to open from 10 a.m until 5 p.m., closing Tuesday and Wednesday in order to fill orders to corner stores and restaurants that carry her products.
“I think I will fit in well with what this valley is all about,” Friesen said about her business opportunity. “I plan to support local growers as much as possible, and promote locally as much as possible. My products will be the topping on all the great foods grown and produced here. Spices can flavour food really well, and provides a healthy substitute for salt.”
Friesen has plans to sell other items in her shop, including gift baskets and other knick-knacks and “doo-dads.” She plans to make baked dog treats as well.