Local Business

The number of passengers flying in and out of Victoria International Airport dropped significantly in April 2020. This West Jet flight leaving Victoria International in April had only six passengers. (Courtesy of Kate Korte).

Pandemic nearly grounds passenger count at Victoria International Airport

Passenger volume down 98 per cent at Victoria International Airport in April

The number of passengers flying in and out of Victoria International Airport dropped significantly in April 2020. This West Jet flight leaving Victoria International in April had only six passengers. (Courtesy of Kate Korte).
Ucluelet’s Hello Nature Adventure Tours owner Kevin Bradshaw tests the plexiglass shield at the kayak launch. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Marine activities open with COVID-19 measures

“I’m just happy to get back on the water.”

Ucluelet’s Hello Nature Adventure Tours owner Kevin Bradshaw tests the plexiglass shield at the kayak launch. (Nora O’Malley photo)
CITTA Construction began building the mass timber warehouse in Langford at the end of May. (Courtesy of Studio 321 Architects)

New mass timber building popping up in Langford

Construction to house one of Canada’s largest plumbing supply companies

CITTA Construction began building the mass timber warehouse in Langford at the end of May. (Courtesy of Studio 321 Architects)
Rhonda Graham poses beside a vacant salon chair on May 30. Graham has decided not to re-open the bricks and mortar Cedar & Rose studio, but said she will be available for ensuite bookings. (Nora O’Malley photo)

End of an Era: Tofino hair studio closes shop

“We were getting excited to start ramping up and then all of sudden we had to close our doors.”

Rhonda Graham poses beside a vacant salon chair on May 30. Graham has decided not to re-open the bricks and mortar Cedar & Rose studio, but said she will be available for ensuite bookings. (Nora O’Malley photo)
The Lakes Restaurant assistant manager Renee Barone (left) and general manager Holly Langlais are looking forward to opening the pool deck turned patio to restaurant guests. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Pool deck turns patio as Saanich restaurant cooks up creative outdoor seating options

District supports local businesses such as The Lakes Restaurant in creating seating

The Lakes Restaurant assistant manager Renee Barone (left) and general manager Holly Langlais are looking forward to opening the pool deck turned patio to restaurant guests. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Colwood will be organizing a roundtable discussion to give business owners a chance to talk about their re-opening plans amid COVID-19 on Friday, May 29 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (Black Press Media File Photo)

Colwood hosts pandemic recovery roundtable discussion

Attendees must RSVP for virtual meeting on May 29 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Colwood will be organizing a roundtable discussion to give business owners a chance to talk about their re-opening plans amid COVID-19 on Friday, May 29 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (Black Press Media File Photo)
Arne Jackson, owner of the Anytime Fitness Franchise in Sidney, predicts that various measures designed to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the fitness industry will continue for some time. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Long wait to reopen is over for Sidney gym

Owner of Sidney’s Anytime Fitness expects safety measures to be in place for some time

Arne Jackson, owner of the Anytime Fitness Franchise in Sidney, predicts that various measures designed to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the fitness industry will continue for some time. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Society for Arts on the South Island (SASI) board members Kathryn Fudge (left), Sheryl Parsons and Niki Green are packing up the remainder of the Coast Collective Art Centre in Colwood. Their operation has come to an end due to the pandemic. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)

Colwood art centre shuts its doors indefinitely

Board members look for new location when feasible, continue online

Society for Arts on the South Island (SASI) board members Kathryn Fudge (left), Sheryl Parsons and Niki Green are packing up the remainder of the Coast Collective Art Centre in Colwood. Their operation has come to an end due to the pandemic. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)
Look for the results of the 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards in a July edition of the Peninsula News Review. (Black Press Media file photo)

Vote for your favourite Peninsula businesses

Voting extended for annual Readers’ Choice Awards

Look for the results of the 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards in a July edition of the Peninsula News Review. (Black Press Media file photo)
Tim Quocksister sits on a 1954 Mercedes Benz originally designed to be a race car. (Sarah Schuchard/ News Staff)

Victoria dealer sells Batmobile replica at Arizona auction

Tim Quocksister sells Batmobile replica for $165,000 US at auction in Scottsdale, Ariz.

  • May 25, 2020
Tim Quocksister sits on a 1954 Mercedes Benz originally designed to be a race car. (Sarah Schuchard/ News Staff)
The Crossing at Belmont sold to Killam Apartment REIT, one of Canada’s largest publicly traded real estate companies. (Courtesy Beattie Tartan)

Ledcor sells Crossing at Belmont to company specializing in multi-family residential properties

Killam Apartment REIT, is one of Canada’s largest publicly traded real estate companies

The Crossing at Belmont sold to Killam Apartment REIT, one of Canada’s largest publicly traded real estate companies. (Courtesy Beattie Tartan)
After a double lung transplant, Langford barber understands importance of safety precautions

After a double lung transplant, Langford barber understands importance of safety precautions

West Shore Barber Shop reopens with extra safety measures

After a double lung transplant, Langford barber understands importance of safety precautions
Oak Bay Beach Hotel opens new pizza restaurant

Oak Bay Beach Hotel opens new pizza restaurant

Faro pizzas now ready for takeout

Oak Bay Beach Hotel opens new pizza restaurant
Pavlo Sdrakas of Maria’s Souvlaki Greek Restaurant says he is not sure yet whether he will allow inside dining at his restaurants. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney businesses cautiously reopen their doors

New phase in COVID-19 pandemic sees businesses contend with host of new restrictions

Pavlo Sdrakas of Maria’s Souvlaki Greek Restaurant says he is not sure yet whether he will allow inside dining at his restaurants. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
A woman with a mask on walks across View Street in Victoria. The streets of downtown Victoria are quieter than usual in the wake of physical isolation mandates from the provincial and federal governments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Arnold Lim / Black Press)

Greater Victoria businesses set to reopen Tuesday, heading into phase two of B.C. restart plan

Some businesses back in action, along with provincial parks and some recreational areas

A woman with a mask on walks across View Street in Victoria. The streets of downtown Victoria are quieter than usual in the wake of physical isolation mandates from the provincial and federal governments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Arnold Lim / Black Press)
Jake Armstrong and Fiona De Lange work at Ottavio Italian Bakery which has remained open by serving goods from the parking lot. Ottavios is adding a daily coffee window on Tuesday as the province moves cautiously closer to reopening restaurants. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)

Businesses look to reopen along Oak Bay Avenue

Non-essential stores await Restart Plan green light

Jake Armstrong and Fiona De Lange work at Ottavio Italian Bakery which has remained open by serving goods from the parking lot. Ottavios is adding a daily coffee window on Tuesday as the province moves cautiously closer to reopening restaurants. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)
Makoha Farms in Saanich has started the Community Food Project to drop off food bags to those in need. (Courtesy of Amy Lobb)

Greater Victoria businesses pivot to help community with funds, food

Businesses change up operations amid COVID-19 pandemic

Makoha Farms in Saanich has started the Community Food Project to drop off food bags to those in need. (Courtesy of Amy Lobb)
Best of the City 2019. (Black Press Media file photo)

Readers gain more time to vote for Victoria’s Best of the City

Vote for your favourite elements of the community by June 15

Best of the City 2019. (Black Press Media file photo)
Bear Mountain is open to the public again as of May 1 with strict protocols in place as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. (Courtesy of Rob Larocque)

West Shore golf courses open to the public with strict protocols

Bear Mountain donates percentage of green fees in May to Langford COVID-19 response

Bear Mountain is open to the public again as of May 1 with strict protocols in place as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. (Courtesy of Rob Larocque)
Hundreds of people wait in line to enter Costco in Toronto on Monday, April 13. Canadian Costco stores are not requiring shoppers to wear face masks in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, despite changes in policy south of the border. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)

Langford Costco shoppers not required to wear face masks

Face mask requirements come into effect for U.S. stores May 4

Hundreds of people wait in line to enter Costco in Toronto on Monday, April 13. Canadian Costco stores are not requiring shoppers to wear face masks in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, despite changes in policy south of the border. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)