Kenny Shim named president of the OKBA

Kenny Shim, owner of the Busy Bee King Mart at 677 King St. W. in downtown Toronto, is the new president of the Ontario Korean Businessmen’s Association.

Shim, who has also served as chief operating officer for the OKBA since 2019, has been in the convenience business since October 1994.

He hadn’t planned on a career in retail. He was working in IT after graduating from the University of Waterloo when he was asked to help manage a convenience store for a sick relative.

Today, Shim is a fixture in the convenience industry and a strong advocate against contraband tobacco and supporter of getting alcohol sales in corners across Ontario. 

"I was doing a lot of work anyway," says Shim of his decision to take on the role of president. "I'm looking forward to expanding our business because it's a tough business nowadays with competing with all the chain stores."

Shim says he plans to work closely with the Ontario Convenience Stores Association and the Convenience Industry Council of Canada to "make this business more prosperous."

Shim is looking forward to bringing his technical know-how to the OKBA membership with a centralized POS system.