New Starbucks on Hwy. 5

A band-owned Starbucks café and a second Petro-Canada gas station will soon occupy new storefronts in Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc’s Chief Louis Crossing development.

The development, being constructed adjacent to Swelaps Market on the corner of Highway 5 and Shuswap Road, will see the gas station and convenience store open next month. The Starbucks is expected to open in January, and will include a drive-thru.

“We’re delighted to welcome Starbucks to Chief Louis Crossing,” said Krista Stoesz, economic development officer for Sc.wén'wen Economic Development Corporation.

“This partnership underscores our commitment to creating more employment opportunities and fostering collaborations that create lasting, positive impacts for the community.”

The two new stores will be located side by side in a 5,600-square-foot building that began construction last spring.

When Stoesz spoke to Castanet last July, she said a second 7,000-square-foot building south of the gas bar is expected to be operational by the spring.

A third building, this one near 28,000 square feet over two storeys, will include office, retail and hospitality space. It is expected to open in the winter of next year.