local business

The Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce has published results of an online survey of local business owners and consumers on their thoughts on the use and implementation of the province’s vaccine passport system. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)

Sooke chamber gets mixed opinions in survey on vaccine passports

Online poll finds businesses, consumers see issue of implementation slightly differently

 

Blighty’s Bistro, pictured here from the inside, ready to open on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 14. Under new management for the last year and a half, Blighty’s was still able to generate considerable revenue despite having to temporarily reduce its seating to 50 per cent capacity. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

New management keeps Oak Bay bistro alive during pandemic

Blighty’s makes a name for itself as a perfect date and fine dining spot

 

A new indoor mini-golf course set inside a haunted Victorian manor is coming to Victoria this fall. Haunted Manor will offer mini-golf, ping pong, food and alcohol. (@hauntedmanorvictoria/Instagram)

Haunted mini-golf, ping pong lounge coming to Victoria

Haunted Manor slated to open on Yates Street in mid-October

 

A new federal focus on Greater Victoria’s economic development is expected in the coming years after the Government of Canada announced a new B.C.-focused agency Aug. 5, with one of its regional offices in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

New economic development agency promises federal focus on Victoria

PacifiCan replacing Western Economic Diversification Canada in B.C. with nine offices

A new federal focus on Greater Victoria’s economic development is expected in the coming years after the Government of Canada announced a new B.C.-focused agency Aug. 5, with one of its regional offices in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Downtown Victoria Business Association is offering first-come, first-serve security grants to downtown businesses to help address safety concerns expressed by owners. (Black Press Media file photo)

Security grants made available to downtown Victoria businesses

Downtown Victoria Business Association grant covers 50% cost on upgrades up to $500

The Downtown Victoria Business Association is offering first-come, first-serve security grants to downtown businesses to help address safety concerns expressed by owners. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Bowker Creek Brush Up Art Show and Sale will attract hundreds of visitors as over 30 local artists show off their works and creative processes. (Black Press Media file photo)

Bowker Creek Brush-Up returns to Oak Bay Sunday

Visitors can see and buy local artwork, enjoy live music and barbecued snacks

The Bowker Creek Brush Up Art Show and Sale will attract hundreds of visitors as over 30 local artists show off their works and creative processes. (Black Press Media file photo)
Yumbrosia Fine Foods offers a wide variety of quality products imported from Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Best of the City: Yumbrosia brings a world of flavour to Oak Bay

Owner Ihsan Askar provides quality international products to Victoria and beyond

Yumbrosia Fine Foods offers a wide variety of quality products imported from Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
Head baker Brook Schaddelee, (from left), manager Michele Byrne and chocolatier Jack Schaddelee smile behind the counter at the Dutch Bakery and Diner. The establishment has operated for 65 years and the current operators still use the traditional European recipes of grandfather and founder Kees Schaddelee. (Courtesy of Dutch Bakery and Diner)

Best of the City: Third-generation owners keep Dutch Bakery recipes alive after 65 years in Victoria

Bakery thrives again after readapting business model during pandemic

Head baker Brook Schaddelee, (from left), manager Michele Byrne and chocolatier Jack Schaddelee smile behind the counter at the Dutch Bakery and Diner. The establishment has operated for 65 years and the current operators still use the traditional European recipes of grandfather and founder Kees Schaddelee. (Courtesy of Dutch Bakery and Diner)
Good Things Consignments owner Junice Da Costa Reis and staff member Terry Battersby pose in the archway of the store’s left wing on Saturday, July 10. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Best of the City: Oak Bay consignment store breathes new life into old items

Good Things Consignments has helped people find value in their items for 27 years

Good Things Consignments owner Junice Da Costa Reis and staff member Terry Battersby pose in the archway of the store’s left wing on Saturday, July 10. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
QThreadz co-founder Mady Harber runs a pop-up shop of their normally online upcycled, gender-inclusive clothing store in Royal Athletic Park. (Courtesy of Mady Harber)

Sliding-scale, upcycled and gender-inclusive: Victoria shop creates accessible retail space

There are no gender or sexuality expectations at QThreadz

QThreadz co-founder Mady Harber runs a pop-up shop of their normally online upcycled, gender-inclusive clothing store in Royal Athletic Park. (Courtesy of Mady Harber)
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has established a Business Hall of Fame to honour individuals’ contributions to the region’s economy. (Black Press Media file photo)

Business Hall of Fame established to honour contributions to Greater Victoria economy

Selected individuals will be inducted this fall, with a ceremony set for February 2022

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has established a Business Hall of Fame to honour individuals’ contributions to the region’s economy. (Black Press Media file photo)
The July 15 announcement that cruise ships will be allowed back in Canadian waters this fall was a welcome relief to Greater Victoria business associations. (Black Press Media file photo)

Return of cruise ships will buoy Greater Victoria businesses

Cruise ships return allowed by November, but region won’t feel impact until next spring

The July 15 announcement that cruise ships will be allowed back in Canadian waters this fall was a welcome relief to Greater Victoria business associations. (Black Press Media file photo)
Victoria police arrested 16 shoplifters at one downtown Victoria business in just three days during a project to prevent theft. (Black Press Media file photo)

16 shoplifters arrested at 1 Victoria business in 3 days

Arrests part of Victoria police initiative to prevent thefts

Victoria police arrested 16 shoplifters at one downtown Victoria business in just three days during a project to prevent theft. (Black Press Media file photo)
Retailers say they’re ready for the ban on single-use plastic checkout bags in Nanaimo when it takes effect July 1. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo’s single-use checkout bag ban ready to go into place Canada Day

Business operators say there’s been plenty of time to plan and prepare for bylaw that kicks in July 1

Retailers say they’re ready for the ban on single-use plastic checkout bags in Nanaimo when it takes effect July 1. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
A suspicious fire that heavily damaged a repair shop at Ajac’s Equipment on Cliff Street early Friday, June 4, is under investigation by Nanaimo RCMP. Cliff street, in downtown Nanaimo, has seen fires set recently in dumpsters and debris, including a fire started in a small pile of wood and debris between Ajac’s and a neighbouring business early Tuesday, June 8. Despite the damage from Friday’s fire Ajac’s has remained open. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Suspicious fires strike Nanaimo business twice in four days

Ajac’s Equipment hit by two fires. One caused serious damage. RCMP investigating

A suspicious fire that heavily damaged a repair shop at Ajac’s Equipment on Cliff Street early Friday, June 4, is under investigation by Nanaimo RCMP. Cliff street, in downtown Nanaimo, has seen fires set recently in dumpsters and debris, including a fire started in a small pile of wood and debris between Ajac’s and a neighbouring business early Tuesday, June 8. Despite the damage from Friday’s fire Ajac’s has remained open. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
The Atli Chip Limited Partnership team achieved an important milestone when they loaded their first barge of slash chips which will be delivered to a Paper Excellence mill. (Submitted photo)

First barge of logging waste chips successfully loaded in new First Nations partnership

Atli Resources LP is the forestry arm of the ‘Namgis First Nation

The Atli Chip Limited Partnership team achieved an important milestone when they loaded their first barge of slash chips which will be delivered to a Paper Excellence mill. (Submitted photo)
Registered nurse Jessica Hawley-MacLeod and Dr. Molly Marin are currently offering botox and dermal fillers at the Port Hardy medical clinic. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)

Pair determined to smooth out the wrinkles in Port Hardy with botox and dermal fillers

‘Our true goal is just to help people feel good about themselves’

Registered nurse Jessica Hawley-MacLeod and Dr. Molly Marin are currently offering botox and dermal fillers at the Port Hardy medical clinic. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)
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)
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)
The Valley’s award-winning Rocky Creek Winery is pleased to be part of the Island Good marketing campaign, which help shoppers easily identify local products from Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Pictured is the winery’s wine maker Mark Holford and his daughter Robin, who is also a wine maker. (File photo)

Island Good celebrating 3 years of helping local businesses

Program helping brand Vancouver Island producers and bring them together as a community

The Valley’s award-winning Rocky Creek Winery is pleased to be part of the Island Good marketing campaign, which help shoppers easily identify local products from Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Pictured is the winery’s wine maker Mark Holford and his daughter Robin, who is also a wine maker. (File photo)