About Glohaven Community Hub

Glohaven is a community-based eCommerce marketplace that makes it easier for people to explore, shop, and support local. 

THE STORY OF THE GLOHAVEN PEACH

Did you know... The name 'Glohaven Community Hub' originates from the Glohaven peach?

In 2013 Glohaven's CEO Michael Benedek was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and given a prognosis of 1 year to live. In that moment, Michael made a commitment: if and when he survived that experience he would dedicate the rest of his days to creating meaningful, impactful change in the world around him.

Someone holding a Glohaven peach in front of greenery 

On a warm summer day in August of 2014, after enduring many months of cancer treatments and all food tasting like cardboard, Michael's mother-in-law handed him a freshly picked Okanagan peach that literally changed his world. The experience of that 'Glohaven' peach was the seed that planted the idea for what has grown into Glohaven Community Hub.

Glohaven's CEO Michael Benedek holding a Glohaven peach and smiling at the camera

Michael's dream for Glohaven is to create a greater sense of community and connection to 'local', especially in the online world. Michael believes: when we all work together to make 'local' more accessible, our communities and businesses will be more profitable, sustainable, and resilient.

Glohaven's brand is a 'tip-of-the-hat' to British Columbia's agricultural roots. If you would like to experience the deliciousness of Glohaven peaches for yourself, you can find them locally, across the Okanagan Valley in mid-August. 

THE STORY OF GLOBOX™

Each Globox™ proudly features at least one Indigenous product or experience as well as a product or experience from a Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Committed Company.

Globox with cover art by Vaz Art

Glohaven first introduced Globoxes™ (tourism gift boxes) as a fundraising tool for local schools and nonprofits. Supporting the Grade 12 Grads from Kalamalka Secondary School in Coldstream, BC, our first Globox™ Raffle became the single most successful fundraising campaign in the history of the school. People loved how it was a triple win, supporting the students, local businesses, and of course the Globox™ prize winners!

Based on positive feedback and growing demand from the public, we decided to ‘soft launch’ a consumer version of the Globox™. As a result, we've since curated the Family Fun, Remarkably Loved and Indigenous Globoxes™ (currently SOLD OUT). 

THE INDIGENOUS GLOBOX™

In recognition of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, the Indigenous Globox™ launched in October 2021. Developed in partnership with Shop First Nations (SFN), and the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), the Indigenous Globox™ is a specially curated gift box featuring authentically local First Nations products and experiences from the Nlaka’pamux, Syilx, and Secwepemc peoples.,

The Indigenous Globox with cover art by Janine Lott

CUSTOM CURATIONS

We've proudly curated custom Globoxes™ for the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), SilverStar Mountain Resort, the Okanagan Indian Band, Tourism Vernon, and Destination Silver Star, featuring the products and experiences of over 40 local businesses!

Silver Star Globox featuring cover art by Vaz Art

 THE INDIGENOUS SHOWCASE 

The Indigenous Showcase is a niche tourism experience and is a celebration of Indigenous arts and culture through Indigenous films, speakers, artisans, live music, food, and beverage! Happening every 1st Tuesday of the month, this amazing event will bring together people from all different backgrounds to learn how to support reconciliation through storytelling, a retail space, and relationship building. 

The ‘Indigenous Showcase’ was created by Glohaven Community Hub and The Towne Theatre. Sponsors now include Tourism Vernon, the Vernon Chamber of Commerce, and Summerhill Pyramid Winery. We are grateful for many collaborators; reGen Media, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), Shop First Nations, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), Indigeno Travel, MemoryKPR and The Vernon Museum and Archives.