Local Business

An all-in-one web based virtual queuing, people counting, and contact tracing solution is now available to Cowichan businesses at a subsidized cost. (Submitted)

Web-based solutions for businesses to meet social distancing protocols now available

Community Futures Cowichan providing access to the WAIT Queue Management System

Nanaimo Airport. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo Airport coping with low passenger counts, uncertain recovery

Airport CEO Dave Devana says it will take years to return to pre-pandemic passenger levels

Sophia Seward-Good and Aunalee Boyd-Good of Nanaimo’s Ay Lelum – The Good House of Design are showcasing their latest collection Yuxwule’ Sul’sul’tun – Eagle Spindle Whorl at Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto. (Photo courtesy Helena Lines)

Nanaimo’s Ay Lelum makes Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto debut

Clothing design company showing new collection, Yuxwule’ Sul’sul’tun – Eagle Spindle Whorl

Linda Biggs and Jayesh Vekariya founded Victoria-based Joni period care in March 2020 with the mission of empowering menstruators. (Courtesy of Linda Biggs)

New Victoria period care company looks to empower menstruators

Joni donates one period care product for every one purchased

Linda Biggs and Jayesh Vekariya founded Victoria-based Joni period care in March 2020 with the mission of empowering menstruators. (Courtesy of Linda Biggs)
A spokesperson for the Peninsula Country Market is upset that their third and final Winter Market won’t happen this Saturday in Central Saanich’s Centennial Park following moves by the municipality. (Facebook/Peninsula Country Market)

Central Saanich postpones weekend Winter Market, organizers upset

Lorea Tomsin said municipality’s move runs counter to provincial direction

A spokesperson for the Peninsula Country Market is upset that their third and final Winter Market won’t happen this Saturday in Central Saanich’s Centennial Park following moves by the municipality. (Facebook/Peninsula Country Market)
Campbell River city council recently held a roundtable meeting with leaders from the aquaculture and forestry industries to discuss how they can be part of a post-COVID economic recovery in the region.

North Island officials holding roundtable on aquaculture, forestry

Will go forward with quarterly meetings involving industry leaders to address issues in the sectors

Campbell River city council recently held a roundtable meeting with leaders from the aquaculture and forestry industries to discuss how they can be part of a post-COVID economic recovery in the region.
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Leah Davis, store manager at Oscar & Libby’s in downtown Victoria, sets out stock at their Fort Street location. The pandemic has changed the way this retailer and others do business, says owner Teri Hustins. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Pandemic alters holiday business strategies for Victoria merchants

Many independent merchants count on holiday shopping to get them through quiet periods

Leah Davis, store manager at Oscar & Libby’s in downtown Victoria, sets out stock at their Fort Street location. The pandemic has changed the way this retailer and others do business, says owner Teri Hustins. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Aerial view of Two Eagles Lodge in Union Bay. Photo by Thomas Rauber

Union Bay bed and breakfast ranked among top 25 B&Bs in Canada

More accolades for Two Eagles Lodge

Aerial view of Two Eagles Lodge in Union Bay. Photo by Thomas Rauber
North Island College student research assistant Avalon Kline-Smith holds up a piece of dried Alaria marginata, also known as Pacific wakame or winged kelp. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

North Island College researching seaweed processing possibilities

New research partnership is between NIC and Cascadia Seaweed Corp.

North Island College student research assistant Avalon Kline-Smith holds up a piece of dried Alaria marginata, also known as Pacific wakame or winged kelp. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Salon owner Philip Ferreira with the PPE collection box at The Natural Hair Salon, 618 View St. (Mariah Johal photo)

Victoria salon inspires more mask recycling

Anyone welcome to drop disposable masks in bin outside View Street shop

Salon owner Philip Ferreira with the PPE collection box at The Natural Hair Salon, 618 View St. (Mariah Johal photo)
Larry Ferguson of Sidney looks inside Sidney’s Truth + Alibi Cannabis Co. The business formerly known as Happy Buddha Cannabis plans to ‘open very soon,’ something Ferguson welcomes. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney business formerly known as Happy Buddha Cannabis bears new name

Business now known as Truth + Alibi Cannabis Co. plans to ‘open very soon’

Larry Ferguson of Sidney looks inside Sidney’s Truth + Alibi Cannabis Co. The business formerly known as Happy Buddha Cannabis plans to ‘open very soon,’ something Ferguson welcomes. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
An economic recovery plan in progress since April offers various recommendations for the region to overcome the impacts of COVID-19. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Greater Victoria economic ‘reboot’ plan tackles impacts of COVID-19

Newly-formed task force looks at various sectors, industries

An economic recovery plan in progress since April offers various recommendations for the region to overcome the impacts of COVID-19. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
The No. 3 paper machine at the Catalyst Paper Excellence Crofton mill will be brought back into production in the new year. (Photo by Don Bodger)

58 people headed back to work as Crofton mill restarts paper machine

Nearly 60 jobs will return with the restart

  • Nov 24, 2020
The No. 3 paper machine at the Catalyst Paper Excellence Crofton mill will be brought back into production in the new year. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Tourists are being asked to postpone their non-essential trips to Tofino as COVID-19 cases rise across Vancouver Island, but at least one accommodation provider is offering conflicting messaging. (Westerly file photo)

Victoria woman says Tofino Airbnb host encouraged travel despite provincial restrictions

“The only way I would get a refund is if she would be able to rebook the suite for that weekend.”

Tourists are being asked to postpone their non-essential trips to Tofino as COVID-19 cases rise across Vancouver Island, but at least one accommodation provider is offering conflicting messaging. (Westerly file photo)
Coombs Country Candy founders Lenore Bailey and Murray Lawlor, left, manager Leanne Hewitt, Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot executive director Lori Camire and CFAC board chair Susan Payne celebrate the sale of the famed candy shop to CFAC on Nov. 1, 2020. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Coombs Country Candy sold

Unique deal with Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot will ensure store stays open

Coombs Country Candy founders Lenore Bailey and Murray Lawlor, left, manager Leanne Hewitt, Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot executive director Lori Camire and CFAC board chair Susan Payne celebrate the sale of the famed candy shop to CFAC on Nov. 1, 2020. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
A seabin is able to intercept and collect floating debris in calm bodies of water. This is one of two installed in the North Saanich Marina by a group of local businesses thanks to the proceeds from Blue Friday sales in 2019. (Provided by Maya Bellay)

Blue Friday to support more trash skimmers in Greater Victoria waters

Seabins can collect up to one-and-a-half tons of floating debris per year

A seabin is able to intercept and collect floating debris in calm bodies of water. This is one of two installed in the North Saanich Marina by a group of local businesses thanks to the proceeds from Blue Friday sales in 2019. (Provided by Maya Bellay)
A sign outside Ucluelet’s Blue Room on Monday morning advises patrons that the restaurant has gone back to take-out only. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Some Ucluelet restaurants heading back to take-out only as COVID-19 concerns rise

Ucluelet mayor Mayco Noel urges residents to be respectul of business owners’ decisions.

A sign outside Ucluelet’s Blue Room on Monday morning advises patrons that the restaurant has gone back to take-out only. (Andrew Bailey photo)
This Union Bay beach area shows iron staining at low tide from March 2010. Photo, JET Productions

Commercial marina again proposed for Union Bay

A previous proposal was denied due to sediment contamination

This Union Bay beach area shows iron staining at low tide from March 2010. Photo, JET Productions
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps (far left) joins developers in breaking ground on Tresah, a mass timber residential development in the Burnside-Gorge neighbourhood. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Ground breaks on mass timber condo buildings in Victoria

Development kicks off Midtown neighbourhood, says Victoria mayor

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps (far left) joins developers in breaking ground on Tresah, a mass timber residential development in the Burnside-Gorge neighbourhood. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
Chef Lisa Ahier of Tofino’s Sobo Restaurant makes her pitch in The Dragons’ Den on Nov. 12. (CBC image)

Tofino chef strikes a deal on CBC’s Dragons’ Den

Lisa Ahier brought endorsements from Sarah McLachlan and Terry David Mulligan.

Chef Lisa Ahier of Tofino’s Sobo Restaurant makes her pitch in The Dragons’ Den on Nov. 12. (CBC image)