For over 68 and 50 years, the local Penticton and Summerland IGAs have served the South Okanagan communities with quality products, quality departments, excellent customer service, and incredible teams.

For the past 68 years, the local IGA on Government Street has been a pillar in the Penticton community, and in Summerland, the IGA has stood as a beacon of excellence for over 50 years. Both are currently owned by Colin Powell, a finalist for the Penticton 2024 Business Excellence Awards in the category Business Leader of the Year. 

“To be recognized as a finalist is obviously a proud accomplishment,” Powell says. “It kind of shows that what we’re doing is right and what people appreciate and value. Hard work in the community does pay off and does mean something to a lot of people.” 

Two years ago, Powell was awarded Business Leader of the Year in Summerland, and just last year, he also won the Community Excellence Award in Penticton. Before he knew if IGA would win the award in 2023, he brought 16 employees with him to the event because he wanted everyone on his team to be recognized for their hard work that night. When they did win, he brought all of them on stage—something he plans to do again later this month if honoured with another award.

“It’s not just about me,” he says. “It’s about my people.”

Colin Powell has had a long and distinguished career in the grocery business. At 19 years old, he started working in the Lower Mainland at a local store to help pay for university while he studied business; after graduation, he worked his way up to management and learned the other side of operations. Then, in 2006, he and his wife decided to move to the Okanagan. 

They originally landed in West Kelowna, and Powell worked at the Peachland IGA before quickly landing the position of store manager. As if the stars aligned, he learned in early 2007 that the owner of the Penticton IGA wanted to sell and Powell decided to purchase. He knew he had big shoes to fill in terms of community involvement and support because the previous owner was very engaged with Penticton residents; it was something both of them discussed in depth prior to the change-over. 

Powell became an entrepreneur and business owner all on his own. But he has no regrets. Thanks to his many years of hands-on experience at all levels of a grocery store, and his knowledge on how to put forth a solid business plan due to his schooling, he was able to balance everyday needs and the financial side of a business. In 2012, he then also purchased the Summerland location. 

Now, in 2024, all three of Powell’s children have grown up in the Okanagan. He and his wife have happily raised their family here and continue to engage as a pillar in the community.

That’s not to say that Poewll hasn’t faced his own hurdles as a grocer. Owning a store in Penticton versus a location in Langley or Surrey is a completely different experience, and provides for a different demographic and community. There are approximately 40,000 people who live in Penticton, and just over 11,000 in Summerland, with many residents that are seniors and retirees.

The Penticton location also has to face five major banners in the community: Save On Foods, Superstore, Walmart, Nature’s Fare, and Safeway. Locals have many choices for where they can shop. So how does Powell compete with big name conglomerates? For him, the key to success is good people, good customer service, and great quality products. 

“The key to our business honestly is our people,” he says. “Having good teams, good structure, putting people in positions that they’re going to be successful in the workplace. That’s what sets us apart.”

As a leader, Powell has seen many people over his 18 years as an owner become parents, start their own businesses, relocate to other cities, or head out on ventures across the world. He’s had the joy and pleasure of watching them succeed, and knowing that they worked under his leadership makes him extremely proud. 

No matter if his employees are 15-17 year old teenagers, local college students, or someone in their 50s—Powell makes sure to treat everyone fairly and engage with them about their life, their weekend, and their family. He validates his workers and provides opportunities for them to learn and try new areas of the business. 

To create a positive work environment, Powell also plans team building events throughout the year. At times he takes staff members out to a local Vees game where they can enjoy a private suite, or set up special dinners that include their spouses and family. In the summer it’s not unusual for stores to have barbecues or enjoy a Pizza Friday.

“The key to the business is people,” Powell says. “We want our people to feel validated, feel happy.”

Another aspect of his longevity and success in the South Okanagan comes from solid engagement with the community. “The more that you put into the communities,” Powell explains, “both in Summerland and Penticton, the more you get out of it.”

Powell takes pride in offering locally sourced items in his stores. In the summer you can find peaches, nectaries, apricots and cherries from nearby farms, and in the cooler months, enjoy fresh-grown squash and root vegetables. He understands that customers value businesses that support local venues. It’s why their tagline is: Home to Freshness. 

Another pillar of his business approach is ensuring that both locations have high quality departments: great meat department, fresh produce department, exceptional deli department, and a mouth-watering bakery department.

“Combining great departments, great customer service, and being very locally engaged in the community has been key to our success,” he explains. 

Both IGA locations are proud to support the community in a number of events throughout the year. Powell has been involved with fundraisers, grassroots festivals, community food banks, food drives, and more. You can find him and the team on November 1st hosting a Christmas Food Drive with Bell Media and the Penticton Vees in support of the South Okanagan Salvation Army and the Summerland Community Food Bank. From 4pm to 7pm, stop by the South Okanagan Events Centre to drop off non-perishable items for those in need.

It’s no surprise to hear that Colin Powell is a finalist for Business Leader of the Year considering all his hard work and dedication to his employees, his customers, and the quality of products that make their way into our homes. He’s been in the business since 1989, and even 35 years later, he’s proud and excited to continue this work. 

“It’s been a long journey for sure,” he says. 

Colin Powell and his team would like to thank their loyal customers for their support over the years and look forward to serving the community for fears to come.