Jul 06, GREENWOOD, BC (BG)

Downtown Greenwood is famous for the historical buildings that house our local retailers and eateries. One of the many benefits of shopping here is that everything is close together. If you don't find what you're looking for in one shop, it's a short and pleasant walk to the next one.

Being Canada's smallest city, business owners are always 'right next door' to their fellow retailers in Greenwood. And nowhere is this more true than at Sears and Tomorrow's Treasures, where husband and wife team Dave Evans and Jocelyn Nega operate their group of businesses side-by-side. And a lot goes on under that roof.

Dave and Jocelyn arrived from Calgary nine years ago. Dave had been working in the paint industry for 35 years, specializing in the technical side of paint application and paintware (all the gear used in painting). Well versed in the field, he planned to continue this work in Greenwood, and today that takes the shape of two ventures: The Paint Shop (General Paint), and Evans Painting Services.

Jocelyn was interested in opening a gift shop that would showcase art and local crafts from Greenwood and the surrounding area. Having gathered a wonderful line of artistic goods, Tomorrow's Treasures is filled with beautiful pieces in glass, rock, metal, wood other featured art and decor.

Having a love of fabrics, Jocelyn added to "her side of the store" a collection of quilting fabrics and notions, under the banner of 'The Quilt Shop'. A few years ago, wanting to fill the void for weavers and knitters in the area, she also added a high-quality line of yarns. Today, all five of these enterprises operate together as Nevans Ventures.

One can spend an interesting afternoon under their joint roof, just learning about the array of goods and services available to the community right here, in the historic Mellor Block building.

On a busy day, you'll find local customers and tourists browsing both sides of the joint storefront. While a refrigerator or dishwasher is moving out the Sears side door, an artist may be bringing new consignment works in through the other door. Fortunately, Jocelyn's professional work in Calgary included years of experience in logistics and distribution, for Whirlpool and other large companies. She knows how to keep the business flowing, on both sides of their world.

It's interesting to note that over the last nearly 115 years, the historic Mellor building has had under its roof many commercial operations -- some of them adjacent, like Sears and Tomorrow's Treasures. At one time, the building was divided into three long, narrow spaces. Over the years it's been home to a bank, telegraph office, and possibly Greenwood's first post office.

Built in 1902 by George Mellor and C.W. Winters, the building's design and decorative brickwork reflect what was a thriving business in the heart of Greenwood at the turn of the century. Mellor himself is said to have owned several paint and decor stores around the province, and a more recent owner, Merlin ('the Magician') Phelps was involved in helping to rejuvenate some of Greenwood's historic buildings. Today, Dave and Jocelyn are in much the same line of business. Funny how history has a way of repeating.

The Sears catalog store is a key part of the operation, and an important service for residents of Greenwood. Although it's a long drive to get to the 'big box' stores in our region, it's great to have access to the entire Sears store right here at home. Online, anyone can shop the full Sears catalog and have their purchases delivered to the Greenwood Sears store. Especially when buying large items, it's so convenient to have a retail outlet for pick-up.

In fact, it's smart to take advantage of the help offered directly at the Sears catalog shop. Dave and Jocelyn will be happy to pull up items for your order on the store computer, and order direct for you. Customers have the benefit of a face-to-face transaction and personal assistance (rather than help from a foreign call center). And of course, buying local means helping to keep our Greenwood business core alive and well!

Dave and Jocelyn are both well-versed in the products offered on both sides of the aisle. Whether tinting paint for the walls or combining colors of fabric and wool with interiors and artistic works, one needs a great eye for color. And they have it covered. Planning for home renovations or redecorating gets so much easier when you can look at paint colors, fabrics and artwork all within the same close space.

In addition to providing a great array of products and services at Sears and Tomorrow's Treasures, Dave and Jocelyn are some of the friendliest folks in town. Their historical storefront is a magnet for visitors driving through. All are fortunate to discover that Dave and Jocelyn are enthusiastic ambassadors for Greenwood, always willing to answer questions and point out other shops and local sites that shouldn't be missed. At Sears and Tomorrow's Treasures, 'great customer service' doesn't begin to cover it.