Risk taking, that stepping into the unknown, requires vision, skills and the drive necessary to achieve success. Such is the case with entrepreneurs Dawn and Doug Lennie, the Naramata-based couple who have made their mark not only in their community, but the community at large.
Their latest venture gaining momentum is the Naramata Supply Co., a boutique plant nursery with an organic and sustainable flower and herb farm, greenhouse and their soon-to-be residence on a three-acre property on the site of their former distillery, Legend Distilling (which they closed at the end of 2023). It is a 360-degree pivot from alcohol production to farming. While still a construction site, the couple have set up a lovely cart-on-wheels farm stand at the roadside, accented with red umbrellas to shade the sun. Find an ever-growing supply of what鈥檚 to come from their new vision: beautiful bouquets created with flowers grown on-site, native perennials and culinary plants for the garden, bundles of herbs, packs of edible flowers, herb-infused culinary salts, and produce. There are big dreams and long-term goals for this tiny farm, including a shed shop 鈥 a weather-proof space to sell their wares through the fall-winter months 鈥 and next year, the promise of lounge-like seating and the return of their lavender lemonade, a non-alcoholic favourite from their distillery days.
The couple's history as entrepreneurs in this region started when Dawn moved from Victori in 2005. She had previously met Doug, through her brother and sister-in-law, Del and Miranda Halladay while he was renovating their winery production facility at Elephant Island.
The two joined forces and purchased the former Hillside Grocery on Vancouver Avenue in Penticton. Inspired by the fine food deli canon of Vancouver鈥檚 Meinhardt, the couple gave birth to The Bench Market, a caf茅/coffee shop/deli/grocer and happy meeting place. (Fun facts: while getting up and running, Okanagan chefs Cameron Smith and Dana Ewart 鈥 ex-Joy Road Catering and current Grist Microbakery 鈥 helped them open. Doug made a 鈥減retty mean latte鈥 while Dawn worked in the kitchen until her son was born in 2008. A chef named Stewart Glynes joined the team in 2010. The Lennies enjoyed a successful eight-year run, but with a new idea to open a distillery, they sold the business to Stewart and Heather Glynes in 2013.)
Looking for land for their next venture, they purchased a Naramata property from a physician 鈥 one of their gins was called Doctor鈥檚 Orders 鈥 and taught themselves the art of distilling, followed by more building and renovations, before launching Legend Distilling in 2014.
Fast forward to the COVID years, that killed a lot of entrepreneurial spirits. The couple struggled during those years but their resiliency was awe-inspiring. They first looked to move their business, but tiring of the bureaucracy involved and wanting to keep their property, they sold the brand, equipment and inventory to Heritage Acres Distilling in Abbotsford in 2024. 鈥淔arming is the very opposite,鈥 explains Dawn, referring to said bureaucracy. 鈥淲e can grow whatever we want, whenever we want. There鈥檚 a lot more freedom.鈥
The couple are currently growing on 1-1/2 acres, in a greenhouse below the construction site, and Dawn鈥檚 goal is to grow and propagate trees. 鈥淲e need more trees in general,鈥 she says, 鈥淸particularly] native trees that really thrive.鈥 She currently has 185 Catalpa tree seedlings, a flowering drought-tolerant and beautiful shade provider. Her green thumb and environmental goals will also encompass perennial shrubs such as elderberry, mock orange and lilacs.
They鈥檝e saved their original kitchen shack, where several chefs led the culinary charge to deliciousness in the Legend days. This allows Dawn to stretch her creative side, making culinary salts and lavender shortbread, sold in cute boxes at the Wednesday Naramata Farmers Market, where she also sells her flowers and plants. Not one to rest on her laurels, she is also the marketing and media manager for Discover Naramata, a non-profit, member-run organization for the community.
The name of the couple鈥檚 newest venture came through a friend, who discovered that the original Naramata Supply Co, was started in 1908 by John Moore Robinson, the pioneer, entrepreneur and founder of the town of Naramata. Finding that the business name was available, the Lennies registered it, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Dawn鈥檚 obsession with plants started in 2020, at a time when everyone started gardening or making sourdough to cope with COVID restrictions. She started a big veggie and flower garden at her then home. But truth be told, she comes by it naturally. Her father, a retired wildlife biologist, an amazing gardener and garden designer who knows the name of every single plant, taught her 鈥渢ons鈥.
鈥淕etting outside and growing stuff,鈥 says Dawn, 鈥渋s very therapeutic.鈥 With a keep-on-keeping-on mindset, husband Doug is busy renovating and building their new business and two-bedroom home. And you can support their new bed of roses 鈥 aka the Naramata Supply Co 鈥 with their daily flora from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 3005 Naramata Road, and at the Naramata Farmers Market, Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m.
Fresh Sheet: On July 17 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., the Naramata Bench Winery Association will hold Savour Summer, an evening soiree on the lush grounds of the Naramata Inn for French-bistro-inspired canapes from Bistro Lapin Perdu, paired with exceptional wines from over a dozen Naramata Bench wineries.
For tickets and information, go to .