Skip to content

Downtown Penticton’s new BIA executive director trades in chef’s hat for suit

Brett Turner is the former owner of the successful Joy Road Catering
29555962_web1_220629-PWN-NewDPAExec_1
Former owner of the successful catering business Joy Road Catering, Brett Turner has been appointed the new executive director of the Downtown Penticton Business Improvement Association. (Submitted)

As the previous owner of Joy Road Catering, Brett Turner is making the move from restaurateur and caterer to executive director of the Downtown Penticton Business Improvement Association (DPBIA).

Turner succeeds Lynn Allin who retired last month after six years at the helm of the Downtown Penticton Association (DPA).

Turner previously sat on the board of directors of the DPA, is a current member of the Entrepreneur Organization and sat on the COVID-19 Task-Force for the City of Penticton.

“Brett is an ambitious self-starter that brings an enigmatic mix of entrepreneurial, culinary, and events-based experience to the DPBIA,” said Trevor Guerard, president of Downtown Penticton BIA in a press release.

“We’re optimistic that under his leadership, our BIA’s various strategic initiatives and family-friendly community events will continue to promote the vitality, vibrancy, and popularity of our downtown core.”

Less than one month into the job, Turner is helping organize the DPA’s first event since 2019: Canada Day celebrations at Gyro Park July 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. He’s also looking forward to bringing B.C. Day under the DPA’s organization again.

“After being on the board of directors for the past year, I have a good understanding of where our organization is at and we can get straight to work. I believe Penticton is in a transitional time and the years ahead will be both exciting and challenging from a growth point of view,” said Turner.

“As a land owner on Main Street, I understand first hand the value the Downtown Penticton BIA brings to our area and I’m looking forward to bringing fresh new ideas to our approach on supporting the stakeholders we work for.”

READ MORE: Downtown Penticton Association executive director announces retirement

Turner, along with his wife Olivia Fobert, are the bakers and makers behind Joy Road Catering.

Their business began at the Penticton Farmers’ Market selling baked goods, preserves and treats 14 years ago. Catering took a major hit during COVID as no events were taking place.

In 2021, Joy Road Catering opened up a pop-up restaurant in the 500-block of Main Street where the Craft Kitchen once was.

Recently, the couple announced they made the difficult decision to sell Joy Road Catering.

Turner and Fobert had also planned on opening Joy Road Bakeshop and B&B at 227 Winnipeg Street, which would have featured suites upstairs and a open-air dinner space.

Now, Turner said they’ve sold the lot “along with the plans for the building we designed.” As far as he knows, the new owner intends to go through with the B&B design themselves.

READ MORE: Well-known Joy Road Catering bringing bakeshop and B&B to downtown Penticton



Monique Tamminga

About the Author: Monique Tamminga

Monique brings 20 years of award-winning journalism experience to the role of editor at the Penticton Western News. Of those years, 17 were spent working as a senior reporter and acting editor with the Langley Advance Times.
Read more