If you’ve spent any time browsing Canadian home and kitchen retailers, there’s a good chance the name Lakehouse Home Store has crossed your radar, and for good reason. Tucked into the heart of downtown Kelowna, British Columbia, this family-owned lifestyle destination has built a genuine following among design lovers, home cooks, and anyone drawn to the relaxed, lake-life aesthetic the Okanagan region is known for. In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly what Lakehouse Home Store offers, the story behind the brand, and what makes it worth a visit, whether you’re shopping in person or browsing online.
What Is Lakehouse Home Store?
Lakehouse Home Store is a family-owned and operated lifestyle retailer based in downtown Kelowna, British Columbia. Founded in 2011 by Ben and Sue Boschman, the store was built around a simple but distinct vision: bringing together the best of home and cottage living under one roof.
Rather than focusing narrowly on a single product category, Lakehouse curates a genuinely broad selection spanning gourmet kitchenware, furniture, home décor, wine and bar essentials, and giftware. The store’s name and overall aesthetic draw directly from the imagery of lake life itself, think relaxed evenings on the dock, shared meals with family, and the easygoing sophistication associated with the Okanagan region’s lake culture.
- Family-owned and operated since 2011
- Located in downtown Kelowna, BC
- Offers a curated mix of kitchenware, furniture, décor, and giftware
- Brand identity rooted in relaxed, lake-inspired lifestyle imagery
The Story Behind the Lakehouse Brand
Understanding the inspiration behind Lakehouse Home Store helps explain why its product selection and overall vibe feel so distinct compared to typical big-box home retailers.
The store was specifically designed to reflect the spirit of the Okanagan Valley, a region known for its lakes, vineyards, and laid-back social culture. Founders Ben and Sue Boschman built the concept around the idea of “live well, cook beautifully, entertain often,” positioning Lakehouse not just as a place to buy products, but as a genuine lifestyle destination for people who care deeply about design, food, and gathering with others. This intentional, story-driven approach to retail has helped the brand stand out in a crowded home goods market, particularly within the broader Canadian retail landscape.
- Inspired by the Okanagan’s lake culture and lifestyle
- Built around the philosophy of living well and entertaining often
- Positioned as a genuine lifestyle destination, not just a retail store
- Reflects a distinctly Canadian regional identity within its branding
What You’ll Find at Lakehouse Home Store
One of the biggest draws of Lakehouse is the sheer breadth of its product offering, spanning several distinct categories that together create a genuinely cohesive home and lifestyle shopping experience.
Gourmet Kitchenware and Cookware
At its core, Lakehouse is widely known for its extensive kitchenware selection, carrying respected international brands including Le Creuset, All-Clad, Wüsthof, Vitamix, Jura, SMEG, and Shun. The store is also recognized as one of Canada’s select in-store demonstration locations for Breville, giving shoppers a chance to see and test premium kitchen appliances firsthand before purchasing.
Furniture and Home Décor
Beyond the kitchen, Lakehouse Home Interiors offers a curated selection of furniture and décor sourced from both Canadian and international brands, including names like Gus, American Leather, Ethnicraft, Jaipur, Loloi, and Cattelan Italia. This portion of the store covers everything from dining tables and sofas to bedding, rugs, and art, giving shoppers the ability to furnish an entire home rather than just accessorize it.
Wine, Bar, and Giftware
Rounding out the offering, Lakehouse also stocks a thoughtfully selected range of wine and bar essentials alongside giftware, tying directly into the entertaining-focused lifestyle the brand promotes. This makes it a popular destination not just for home goods, but also for finding genuinely distinctive gifts.
- Premium kitchenware and cookware from globally recognized brands
- Curated furniture and home décor from Canadian and international designers
- Wine, bar, and entertaining essentials
- Thoughtfully selected giftware for a variety of occasions
The Lakehouse Cooking School Experience
One of the most distinctive features setting Lakehouse apart from typical home goods retailers is its dedicated, multi-million-dollar cooking school, located on the upper level of the store.
Opened in December 2022, the Lakehouse Kitchens Cooking School was designed by leading Okanagan chefs and built to rival some of the best culinary education spaces in North America. The school offers a wide range of classes covering cooking, baking, cocktails, and wine education, allowing participants to work hands-on with premium tools from brands like Le Creuset, All-Clad, Wüsthof, and Breville under the guidance of expert instructors. This addition transforms Lakehouse from a purely retail experience into something closer to a genuine culinary destination.
- A state-of-the-art cooking school opened in December 2022
- Offers classes in cooking, baking, cocktails, and wine education
- Hands-on instruction using premium kitchen brands
- Available for private events, team-building, and corporate gatherings
Where to Shop: Locations and Online Access
Lakehouse Home Store currently operates two physical locations in downtown Kelowna, giving shoppers flexibility depending on what they’re looking for.
The original flagship location sits on Bernard Avenue in downtown Kelowna, housed in a beautiful brick, heritage-inspired building offering roughly 14,000 square feet of kitchenware and culinary tools. A second location can be found on Cannery Lane, expanding the brand’s footprint within the same downtown core. For those outside the Okanagan region or simply preferring to shop remotely, Lakehouse also maintains a robust online store, allowing customers across Canada to browse and purchase from the same curated product selection available in-store.
- Flagship location on Bernard Avenue in downtown Kelowna
- Second location on Cannery Lane
- Online shopping available for customers across Canada
- In-store experience includes live product demonstrations and a dedicated cooking school
Recognition and Reputation
Beyond its physical footprint, Lakehouse Home Store has earned notable recognition within the broader retail and housewares industry over the years.
In 2016, the store received the prestigious IHA Global Innovation Award at the Chicago International Housewares Show, a competitive recognition celebrating outstanding creativity and innovation in retail, with winners selected from entries representing more than 40 countries worldwide. This kind of industry recognition reflects the store’s genuinely thoughtful approach to curation and customer experience, setting it apart from more generic home goods retailers. Like any well-established retailer, customer experiences can vary, and it’s always worth reading recent reviews or visiting in person to get a feel for whether the store’s specific selection and service style align with your personal expectations.
- Winner of the 2016 IHA Global Innovation Award
- Recognized internationally for retail creativity and innovation
- Known for a high-end, carefully curated product selection
- Customer experiences, as with any specialty retailer, can vary by visit
Is Lakehouse Home Store Worth Visiting?
For shoppers specifically drawn to premium kitchenware, thoughtfully curated home décor, and a genuinely distinctive lifestyle shopping experience, Lakehouse offers something that’s fairly hard to replicate at larger, more generic retailers.
The combination of a beautifully designed physical space, an in-house cooking school, and access to globally respected brands makes it a particularly appealing destination for serious home cooks, design enthusiasts, and anyone looking for higher-end gifts. That said, given its focus on premium and luxury brands, it may not be the best fit for shoppers specifically seeking budget-friendly basics, since pricing tends to reflect the quality and exclusivity of the brands carried throughout the store.
- Best suited for shoppers interested in premium, curated home goods
- A strong destination for unique, higher-end gift shopping
- Particularly appealing to home cooking and entertaining enthusiasts
- May not be the ideal fit for strictly budget-conscious shopping needs
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Lakehouse Home Store sell?
Lakehouse Home Store offers a curated selection of gourmet kitchenware, furniture, home décor, wine and bar essentials, and giftware, sourced from both Canadian and international brands.
Where is Lakehouse Home Store located?
Lakehouse Home Store operates two locations in downtown Kelowna, British Columbia, one on Bernard Avenue and another on Cannery Lane, along with a full online store serving customers across Canada.
Does Lakehouse Home Store offer cooking classes?
Yes, Lakehouse features a dedicated cooking school that opened in December 2022, offering hands-on classes in cooking, baking, cocktails, and wine education using premium kitchen brands and equipment.
Is Lakehouse Home Store a Canadian-owned business?
Yes, Lakehouse Home Store is a family-owned and operated Canadian business, founded in 2011 by Ben and Sue Boschman in Kelowna, British Columbia.
What brands does Lakehouse Home Store carry?
The store carries a wide range of respected brands across its categories, including Le Creuset, All-Clad, Wüsthof, Vitamix, SMEG, and Breville for kitchenware, alongside furniture brands like Gus, American Leather, and Cattelan Italia.
Final Thoughts
Lakehouse Home Store has carved out a genuinely distinctive place within Canada’s home and lifestyle retail landscape, blending premium kitchenware, curated furniture, and an immersive cooking school experience into one thoughtfully designed destination. Whether you’re planning a visit to downtown Kelowna or simply browsing online from elsewhere in Canada, Lakehouse offers a shopping experience built around quality, design, and the relaxed spirit of lake-inspired living, making it well worth exploring for anyone passionate about home and entertaining.
