Vallee Sausage: A Story of Food, Family, and Starting When It Matters Most
Some businesses open because of opportunity.
Others open because of timing.
And then there are the ones that come to life because something deeper is calling.
That’s the story behind Vallee Sausage in Chilliwack.
Find them at 45860 Alexander Ave.
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A Business Built on Heart
In 2024, Ambri met Thomas, the previous owner of Vallee Sausage; someone who had spent nearly 20 years pouring himself into the small European deli.
This wasn’t just a business to him. It was personal.
He wasn’t looking to pass it on to just anyone. He wanted someone who understood the work it would take to keep it going, and who would protect the heart of what it had become.
Ambri saw that right away. Beneath his tough exterior was someone who cared deeply about his community, about quality food, and about doing things the right way; values that immediately resonated with her.
A Personal Relationship with Food
For Ambri, food has never been casual.
Diagnosed with a serious autoimmune disease as a child and later with Celiac disease. She grew up understanding that what we eat matters.
At Vallee Sausage, everything is made gluten-free and without fillers. It’s not the easiest way to do things, but it’s intentional and rooted in making quality food accessible to people who truly need it.
The Real Inspiration
While her European heritage shaped her love of food, Ambri says the real inspiration was her mom. Cooking together wasn’t just something they enjoyed it was something they dreamed about turning into a life.
But like many families, that dream was always pushed to “later.” In 2020, her mom was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and passed away before ever getting that chance.
And with that, everything changed.
Choosing to Start Now
A couple of years later, life looked very different. Ambri was navigating divorce, raising three kids, and trying to find her footing. When the opportunity to take over Vallee Sausage came up, her first instinct was to say no. It felt like too much risk.
But the truth was the timing was never going to feel perfect.
So she said yes.
Not because it was easy, but because it mattered.
More Than a Business
Since taking over, Ambri has learned she’s more resilient than she thought.
She’s also embraced something else; that she cares deeply. About quality, integrity, and building something she’s proud of.
Because this isn’t just about running a shop.
It’s about giving back, supporting youth, mentoring young workers, and creating something that adds to the community; not just serves it.
A Reflection of Chilliwack
Ask what’s shaped the business most, and the answer is simple: the people.
In Chilliwack, conversations go beyond transactions. There’s a genuine sense of care and that’s influenced everything about how Vallee Sausage operates.
It’s a place built not just on food, but on connection.
What to Expect When You Visit
Vallee Sausage is a small shop and everything is made fresh, by hand, each week. That means selection can vary, and yes, sometimes favourites sell out. But that’s part of doing things properly.
If it’s your first time walking in, expect a warm welcome, a few samples, and a simple question: “What flavours do you enjoy?”
Because the goal is simple and that’s to make you feel like part of the Vallee Sausage family.
Support Along the Way
Like many small businesses, Ambri hasn’t done this alone.
Community Futures South Fraser has provided guidance and support as she continues to grow helping point her in the right direction and offering valuable resources along the way.
Her advice to others thinking about starting something?
Don’t hesitate.
Reach out, ask questions, and take that first step.
More Than What’s in the Case
Vallee Sausage is more than a deli.
It’s a story about resilience.
About honouring the people who shaped us.
And about choosing to start, even when the timing isn’t perfect.
Because sometimes, the right time isn’t later. It’s now.
If you’re a business in town; OR thinking to start a new business and you’re looking for resources, reach out to Community Futures South Fraser.
https://www.facebook.com/CFSouthFraser
