Latest news with #MooseFamilyKitchen
Calgary Herald
18-06-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
'Sequestered:' Shop owners describe doing business in G7 security sanctum
Kevin Okabe recalls hobnobbing with world leaders while operating a souvenir shop in Kananaskis Village during 2002's G8 Summit. Article content Twenty-three years later, there was little of that, he said, as a much stricter security cordon descended on the venue that once again hosted those countries' VIPs for G7. Article content Article content 'They've really reined in the availability — it's completely different, it's very tight,' said Okabe who, with wife Naoko Maebashi, now operates the Moose Family Kitchen in the complex that hosted meetings and photo sessions under a tight lockdown. Article content Article content The couple weren't able to operate their business in a normal fashion but were allowed to maintain its retail side in case delegates required items such as over-the-counter medication said Okabe. Article content Article content 'We've kind of shut down, we were just here for essentials only,' he said, adding a few such sales were made. Article content When the media hordes were moving through the village, signifying the presence of G7 leaders, 'we were sequestered in the store space, we couldn't just wander around,' said Okabe. Article content In 2002, the couple, particularly Maebashi, were able to join the press corp. in snapping images of the assembled world leaders and even getting up-close photos of them as they milled around following official photo opportunities. Article content Article content At one point, then-U.S. president George W. Bush inquired if Maebashi had gotten a good photo of them. Article content This time, it was strictly the leaders' support staff who interacted with them, though when they showed photos of themselves with prime ministers and presidents in 2002, 'that certainly served as a conversation starter,' said Okabe. Article content But on the summit's last day, on Tuesday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dropped into a neighbouring store for a visit. Article content Article content Like others who work and live in Kananaskis, the couple underwent security screening head of the G7 summit while journalists required multiple passes and travelled through a series of security checks that included dogs sniffing their gear before they were allowed access to Kananaskis Village.
Ottawa Citizen
06-06-2025
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
'Prisoners for a week:' Kananaskis G7 zone turned into armed camp
Article content Article content Kevin Okabe and his wife Naoko Maebashi have seen it all before. Article content The couple, who operate the Moose Family Kitchen in the village, were swept up in the 2002 G8 when they operated a souvenir shop in one of the hotels. Article content 'There's definitely more physical barriers this time,' said Okabe, who lives nearby. Article content 'The last time, we could walk down to the see the army camp (at the Mount Kidd campground) but you can't now.' Article content On Thursday, that campground sat behind temporary steel fencing that concealed a military hub. A young Canadian soldier vetted traffic coming to its gates. Article content Even so, he admits to harbouring a sense of intrigue and gratitude. Article content Article content 'It's exciting to see what goes on. If the delegates need cigarettes or medication, we'll be the only game in town.' Article content Article content Next door to Okabe, Michelle Earls said business at her Kananaskis Outfitters store had dipped considerably weeks before the start of the summit, noting the village's hotels and area hiking trails shut down in late May. Article content 'We don't put the rental bikes out. Being closed weeks prior to (the summit) is a pretty big impact we didn't anticipate,' said Earls, who acknowledged they've been told they'll receive federal government compensation. Article content But she said businesses this year are missing out on a U.S. tourist demographic that normally travels to the area in June, before the Canadian wave of visitors hits. Article content
Calgary Herald
06-06-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
'Prisoners for a week:' Kananaskis G7 zone turned into armed camp
Article content Article content Kevin Okabe and his wife Naoko Maebashi have seen it all before. Article content The couple, who operate the Moose Family Kitchen in the village, were swept up in the 2002 G8 when they operated a souvenir shop in one of the hotels. Article content 'There's definitely more physical barriers this time,' said Okabe, who lives nearby. Article content 'The last time, we could walk down to the see the army camp (at the Mount Kidd campground) but you can't now.' Article content On Thursday, that campground sat behind temporary steel fencing that concealed a military hub. A young Canadian soldier vetted traffic coming to its gates. Article content Article content 'It's exciting to see what goes on. If the delegates need cigarettes or medication, we'll be the only game in town.' Article content Article content Next door to Okabe, Michelle Earls said business at her Kananaskis Outfitters store had dipped considerably weeks before the start of the summit, noting the village's hotels and area hiking trails shut down in late May. Article content 'We don't put the rental bikes out. Being closed weeks prior to (the summit) is a pretty big impact we didn't anticipate,' said Earls, who acknowledged they've been told they'll receive federal government compensation. Article content But she said businesses this year are missing out on a U.S. tourist demographic that normally travels to the area in June, before the Canadian wave of visitors hits.
