local business

Dianna Rivard with other founders and leaders at Quality Foods. submitted

The local grocer is more than just a store — it’s a meeting place, and even a wedding venue!

Grocery stores are a social hub in many communities, and play an…

  • Mar 20, 2023

 

Andy Carrier, owner of Sooke 2 for 1 Pizza, says the timing of tax hikes hurts small businesses. 
(Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)

Greater Victoria business owner criticizes timing of tax hikes

Sooke 2 for 1 Pizza owner says January start for increases hurts small businesses

 

Becoming a veterinarian has been a life-long dream come true for Dr. Martin Klein.

New vet clinic designed to make visits less stressful for pets + pet parents alike

Yes, brushing fido’s teeth really does make a difference to his health+prevents unwanted vet bills

  • Mar 6, 2023

 

Renovation work on historic Sooke Harbour House is expected to continue over the next several months. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Renovation work on historic Sooke Harbour House is expected to continue over the next several months. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
The former Capital Iron store in Victoria is seen in October, 2022. The brand is set to be revived under a new owner and business model after Fred Aram purchased the rights to the business after it closed its doors in December, 2022. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Iconic brand returning to Victoria under new ownership

Fred Aram of West Coast Appliance Gallery has purchased the storied Capital Iron brand

The former Capital Iron store in Victoria is seen in October, 2022. The brand is set to be revived under a new owner and business model after Fred Aram purchased the rights to the business after it closed its doors in December, 2022. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Ebus will be taking over the route through Williams Lake to run an inter-city service between Prince George and Kamloops. (Contributed)

Inter-city bus route Kamloops to Prince George to be taken over by Ebus

Adventure Charters announced Dec. 21 they would no longer be offering the service

Ebus will be taking over the route through Williams Lake to run an inter-city service between Prince George and Kamloops. (Contributed)
Cook Street is home to many businesses, including a dance shop, coffee and ice cream shops, thrift stores, restaurants and more. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

Victoria stores struggle with ‘business as usual’ amid homeless crisis

Local shops seeing theft, disruptions and filth, but groups offering services say they are listening

Cook Street is home to many businesses, including a dance shop, coffee and ice cream shops, thrift stores, restaurants and more. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Award-winning actress Queen Latifah has made a post on Instagram encouraging people to visit Duncan’s PlentiFILL store. (Screen shot)

Queen Latifah encouraging people to shop at Duncan’s PlentiFILL

Instagram post part of Lenovo Evolve Small initiative

Award-winning actress Queen Latifah has made a post on Instagram encouraging people to visit Duncan’s PlentiFILL store. (Screen shot)
The Malahat SkyWalk has a roster of fun holiday events planned at the attraction. (Andrea Rondeau/Citizen)

Malahat SkyWalk bringing the Holiday Magic to the holiday season

South Island attraction offers December line-up of fun and festive activities for all to enjoy

The Malahat SkyWalk has a roster of fun holiday events planned at the attraction. (Andrea Rondeau/Citizen)
Pepper’s Foods management and staff celebrate their bronze Independent Grocer of the Year small surface award, placing it in the top three independent grocery stores in Canada in its category. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Independently owned Saanich grocery store makes top 3 in all of Canada

Pepper’s Foods named third best independently owned grocery retailer in small surface category, again

Pepper’s Foods management and staff celebrate their bronze Independent Grocer of the Year small surface award, placing it in the top three independent grocery stores in Canada in its category. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Corey Gillon has been named the new CEO of Peninsula Co-op, and is set to officially start on Nov. 14. (Corey Gillon/Linkedin)

Corey Gillon named new CEO of Peninsula Co-op

Gillon spent 18 years with Walmart, among other previous positions

Corey Gillon has been named the new CEO of Peninsula Co-op, and is set to officially start on Nov. 14. (Corey Gillon/Linkedin)
Long-serving employees at Ladysmith A&W are recognized for their dedication to their jobs. Pictured are Lori Kelland, co-owner, left, Loretta Frenchy, Kelly Frenchy, Katherine Aleck and Jason Kelland, also co-owner. (Duck Paterson photo)

Longtime A&W workers in Ladysmith given well-deserved holiday

Restaurant owners reward employees with trip to resort in Mexico

  • Oct 13, 2022
Long-serving employees at Ladysmith A&W are recognized for their dedication to their jobs. Pictured are Lori Kelland, co-owner, left, Loretta Frenchy, Kelly Frenchy, Katherine Aleck and Jason Kelland, also co-owner. (Duck Paterson photo)
Saravanan “Sammy” Periyasamy, 45, takes a break from his work in Yumbrosia Fine Foods He and his family were set to reopen the business Monday (Aug. 15) after its closure last December following the sudden death of owner Ihsan Askar. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Yumbrosia reopening in Oak Bay after months of closure

Southern Indian family works to preserve late owner’s legacy and business model

Saravanan “Sammy” Periyasamy, 45, takes a break from his work in Yumbrosia Fine Foods He and his family were set to reopen the business Monday (Aug. 15) after its closure last December following the sudden death of owner Ihsan Askar. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
People purchase ice cream from one of Meedo Falou’s Rainbow Ice Cream trucks, in Tsawwassen, B.C., on Monday, August 1, 2022. Much of Canada has been sweltering, but that’s cold comfort for ice cream truck vendors like Falou, who says inflation and high fuel costs are melting away his profits. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

VIDEO: B.C. ice cream truck operator says inflation is chilling business, despite summer swelter

Rainbow Ice Cream owner says cost of sweet treat has gone up 60 per cent

People purchase ice cream from one of Meedo Falou’s Rainbow Ice Cream trucks, in Tsawwassen, B.C., on Monday, August 1, 2022. Much of Canada has been sweltering, but that’s cold comfort for ice cream truck vendors like Falou, who says inflation and high fuel costs are melting away his profits. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Roberta Glennon stands in the men’s section of her Government Street shop, Roberta’s Hats. Glennon has run the business for 30 years since moving from Vancouver with her husband Brian in 1992. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Hats off to Victoria’s renowned hat store of 30 years

Roberta’s Hats continues to cap local industry with funky shopping experience

Roberta Glennon stands in the men’s section of her Government Street shop, Roberta’s Hats. Glennon has run the business for 30 years since moving from Vancouver with her husband Brian in 1992. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
Corey Bradder, left, and Aaron Colyn show off Twin City Brewing’s national awards, while Robin Miles and Andy Richards hold up their hardware from the recent Canadian Brewing Awards. (Courtesy of Twin City Brewing)

From lagers to IPAs, Island beers take top honours at Canadian Brewing Awards

9 Island breweries bring home prizes from 2022 Canadian Brewing Awards

Corey Bradder, left, and Aaron Colyn show off Twin City Brewing’s national awards, while Robin Miles and Andy Richards hold up their hardware from the recent Canadian Brewing Awards. (Courtesy of Twin City Brewing)
Our Place Society offered vulnerable women donated cosmetics, costume jewelry, nail polish, hair accessories and cosmetic bags and the handiwork of volunteer hairdressers and estheticians for its 13th annual Beauty Day on May 20. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Beauty Day at Our Place allows women to shine

Event returns after COVID-hiatus to make female ‘oasis of beauty,’ says program manager

Our Place Society offered vulnerable women donated cosmetics, costume jewelry, nail polish, hair accessories and cosmetic bags and the handiwork of volunteer hairdressers and estheticians for its 13th annual Beauty Day on May 20. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
Victoria City Council approved the expansion of the Downtown Victoria Business Association’s boundaries on May 12. (Black Press Media file photo)

Downtown Victoria Business Association expands boundary

The decision automatically makes new members DVBA funders and was made after a reverse petition

Victoria City Council approved the expansion of the Downtown Victoria Business Association’s boundaries on May 12. (Black Press Media file photo)
Nanaimo author Josh Gillingham has created the Vancouver Island Coffee Tour website that includes a map with directions to a growing list of more than 50 independent coffee roasters across the Island and Gulf Islands that tourists and residents can follow to find the region’s best brews. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo author’s online ‘coffee tour’ an added perk for visiting Vancouver Island

Residents and visitors can follow guide to more than 50 Island-region coffee roasters

Nanaimo author Josh Gillingham has created the Vancouver Island Coffee Tour website that includes a map with directions to a growing list of more than 50 independent coffee roasters across the Island and Gulf Islands that tourists and residents can follow to find the region’s best brews. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation Ravi Kahlon
 was chided by Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce president Ken Dennis in a Friday, March 18 letter, for making what Dennis termed a ‘misleading’ statement about provincial government benefits for business during the pandemic. (file)

B.C. minister chided for ‘misleading’ statement about pandemic benefits for business

‘Our members have not been filling their pockets with free public money’

Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation Ravi Kahlon
 was chided by Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce president Ken Dennis in a Friday, March 18 letter, for making what Dennis termed a ‘misleading’ statement about provincial government benefits for business during the pandemic. (file)
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