Local Business

Knappett Projects safety manager Cori Coutts celebrates her recognition for COVID-19 safety by the B.C. Construction Association with John Knappett. (Photo courtesy of BCCA)

Victoria worker honoured for commitment to COVID safety

Safety manager Cori Coutts has helped to keep Knappett Projects jobsites COVID-free

Shearwater is located in the Great Bear Rainforest on the West Coast of B.C. (Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association photo)

Heiltsuk Nation buys central coast’s historic Shearwater Resort and Marina

Chief Marilyn Slett said Heiltsuk Nation has always valued its relationship with the company

Love A’fair explores the world of farmers’ markets and craft markets on Vancouver Island. (SCREENSHOT FROM LOVE A’FAIR TRAILER)

Film series hopes to explore Vancouver Island farmers markets, craft fairs

Love A’fair is currently in pre-production

The Lake Cowichan branch of the Royal Bank of Canada is closing. (Google)

Lake Cowichan’s RBC branch will close in November

RBC says banking needs will still be met

The Lake Cowichan branch of the Royal Bank of Canada is closing. (Google)
Gourmet donuts made by Jesus Poem and Athena Guy. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)

Italian gourmet donuts a hit in the North Island

Owners says feedback from the public has been fantastic

Gourmet donuts made by Jesus Poem and Athena Guy. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)
Garden centre manager Jack Olszewski and Chris Beaudoin say business has grown by 50 per cent at the Sooke Home Hardware Store. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)

Flower power: COVID restrictions fuel boom in Vancouver Island gardening

More people seeking flowers to add colour, says Sooke landscaper

Garden centre manager Jack Olszewski and Chris Beaudoin say business has grown by 50 per cent at the Sooke Home Hardware Store. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)
The number of passengers through the Victoria International Airport has plummeted since COVID-19 hit. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria International Airport passengers plummet to a tenth of 2019 counts

Only domestic flights allowed through YYJ in 2021

The number of passengers through the Victoria International Airport has plummeted since COVID-19 hit. (Black Press Media file photo)
Huu-ay-aht First Nations Chief Councillor Robert Dennis Sr. addresses the HFN’s new agreement with Western Forest Products at a press conference in 2018 at Pacific Coast University in Port Alberni. SUSAN QUINN PHOTO

West Coast First Nation makes $22.4M investment into traditional territory tree farm

Huu-ay-aht First Nations acquire another portion of TFL 44 from Western Forest Products

Huu-ay-aht First Nations Chief Councillor Robert Dennis Sr. addresses the HFN’s new agreement with Western Forest Products at a press conference in 2018 at Pacific Coast University in Port Alberni. SUSAN QUINN PHOTO
Pudge Bawa received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce’s 22nd Black Tie Awards on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. (Submitted)

Cowichan business community honoured with Black Tie awards

Recipients gave speeches by phone while being live-streamed on YouTube

Pudge Bawa received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce’s 22nd Black Tie Awards on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. (Submitted)
Amanda Vance, executive director of the Downtown Duncan BIA, stands in front of downtown’s open-air food court when it opened last July. (File photo)

Duncan’s open-air food court to return

But venue will have concrete picnic tables this year

Amanda Vance, executive director of the Downtown Duncan BIA, stands in front of downtown’s open-air food court when it opened last July. (File photo)
Cameron and Fiona Van Housen have reopened the iconic Dove Creek Road flower business, The Blooming Barn. Photo by Terry Farrell

Iconic Courtenay flower business reopens after 2-decade dormancy

New owners, new ideas at The Blooming Barn on Dove Creek Road

Cameron and Fiona Van Housen have reopened the iconic Dove Creek Road flower business, The Blooming Barn. Photo by Terry Farrell
Bigfoot Donuts found a special way to honour the passing of a recent friend to many in the community, Wayne Bradley. Photo by Mike Chouinard

Courtenay doughnut shop serves up sweet tribute to a friend

Proceeds honouring Wayne Bradley will help support food security group

Bigfoot Donuts found a special way to honour the passing of a recent friend to many in the community, Wayne Bradley. Photo by Mike Chouinard
Cheryl Day, a member of the management team at the Cow Café West Coast Grill, celebrates the 200 Dine Cowichan Meals the restaurant sold in support of Island Savings’ Get a Meal, Give a Meal campaign. (Submitted)

Dine & Sip Cowichan raises $10,000 for area food banks

Chamber of Commerce initiative helps provide 30,000 meals for local families

Cheryl Day, a member of the management team at the Cow Café West Coast Grill, celebrates the 200 Dine Cowichan Meals the restaurant sold in support of Island Savings’ Get a Meal, Give a Meal campaign. (Submitted)
The Scarlet Ibis in Holberg. (Scarlet Ibis Facebook photo)

Scarlet Ibis takes flight: New owners give facelift to Holberg’s old red bird

‘Running a small pub and restaurant in a remote community can be a challenge’

The Scarlet Ibis in Holberg. (Scarlet Ibis Facebook photo)
(Westerly file photo)

Resorts in Tofino butt heads with district over diverting tourism tax

Tofino has explored the idea of using tourist tax dollars to pay for wastewater treatment facility

(Westerly file photo)
Nanaimo-based Tilray has been named to Time Magazine’s inaugural list of the 100 most influential companies. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo’s Tilray makes Time Magazine’s list of 100 most influential companies

List highlights businesses making ‘extraordinary impact’ around the world

Nanaimo-based Tilray has been named to Time Magazine’s inaugural list of the 100 most influential companies. (News Bulletin file photo)
The B.C. Lottery Corporation has reached out to Saanich council in hopes of entering into discussions about the district potentially hosting the South Island’s second casino. (Black Press Media file photo)

After lengthy meeting, Saanich postpones talk of rolling the dice on casino

District expressed interest in hosting south Island’s second gaming facility in 2015

The B.C. Lottery Corporation has reached out to Saanich council in hopes of entering into discussions about the district potentially hosting the South Island’s second casino. (Black Press Media file photo)
Ryan Toso, pictured, and Cassidy McCaughan have opened Mobius Books on Argyle Street in Port Alberni. The city hasn’t had a dedicated bookstore in a couple of years. (TERESA BIRD/ Alberni Valley News)

BIZ BEAT: New bookstore opens in Uptown Port Alberni

Mobius owner following in mom’s footsteps

Ryan Toso, pictured, and Cassidy McCaughan have opened Mobius Books on Argyle Street in Port Alberni. The city hasn’t had a dedicated bookstore in a couple of years. (TERESA BIRD/ Alberni Valley News)
Surfrider Pacific Rim chair Amorita Adair, left, and chapter manager Lilly Woodbury are encouraging folks to remember their water bottles and to drink the beautiful tap water Tofino enjoys from the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations territory of Meares Island, which is pictured in the background. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Push on to ban plastic water bottles on Island’s West Coast

Grassroots environmental nonprofit hopes to nix water bottles in Tofino and Ucluelet by spring 2022

Surfrider Pacific Rim chair Amorita Adair, left, and chapter manager Lilly Woodbury are encouraging folks to remember their water bottles and to drink the beautiful tap water Tofino enjoys from the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations territory of Meares Island, which is pictured in the background. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Alice Green, the five-year-old daughter of CanAssist’s managing engineer Paul Green, tries out the pre-production Toilet Step Stool at home. (Photo courtesy Paul Green)

CanAssist engineers partner with province to give kids a step up while potty training

UVic-based team ships 1,000 free stools to B.C. daycares with $1M from children’s ministry

Alice Green, the five-year-old daughter of CanAssist’s managing engineer Paul Green, tries out the pre-production Toilet Step Stool at home. (Photo courtesy Paul Green)