Business

The Contra puzzle has no firm solution, but several creative options, says the Victoria toymaker that invented it. The puzzle is set to launch Jan. 26. (Courtesy of Aroundsquare)

Victoria toymaker’s puzzle with no solution offers ‘joy of open-ended building’

‘Because they can fit together in any arrangement there’s no frustration’

Artist Jessica Chickite stands with the mural she painted for the new Starbucks run by the We Wai Kai first Nation. Photo courtesy Starbucks Canada

We Wai Kai celebrate opening of Island’s first Indigenous-owned Starbucks

When ground broke last year, Campbell River area outlet was called the first of its type in Canada

The Bank of Canada is set to make its first interest rate announcement of the year this morning. Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem arrives for the annual meeting of federal, provincial, and territorial finance ministers in Toronto, Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

5% and holding: Bank of Canada rate unchanged, talks begin on when to drop

Rate decision comes a no surprise but analysis were looking for signs of what the future may hold

The Victoria-based Pony Communications team is passionate about what it does, even when working on a space toilet campaign. (Courtesy Pony Communications)

Space toilet for NASA: Victoria firm clinches award for unique campaign

Founder adamant team spirit earned Pony Communications an Inc. business award

The Victoria-based Pony Communications team is passionate about what it does, even when working on a space toilet campaign. (Courtesy Pony Communications)
Restaurants Canada is urging the British Columbia government to intervene in a proposed increase to the farm-level price of chicken in the province. Workers process chickens in Fremont, Neb.in a Dec.12, 2019 file photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Nati Harnik

Playing chicken? New poultry price scheme has B.C. restaurants clucking

Industry says proposed plant will mean a 10% price hike for consumers

Restaurants Canada is urging the British Columbia government to intervene in a proposed increase to the farm-level price of chicken in the province. Workers process chickens in Fremont, Neb.in a Dec.12, 2019 file photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Nati Harnik
The Oak Bay Beach Hotel’s Boathouse Spa and Baths is named to the Spas of America’s Top 100 of 2023. (The Boathouse/Facebook)

Parksville, Oak Bay spas named among best in North America

Tigh-Na-Mara’s The Grotto, Oak Bay Beach Hotel’s The Boathouse, crack Top 100

The Oak Bay Beach Hotel’s Boathouse Spa and Baths is named to the Spas of America’s Top 100 of 2023. (The Boathouse/Facebook)
The Victoria Conference Centre becomes the second-only biosphere-certified conference centre in North America. (Courtesy of Tourism Victoria)

Victoria home to 2nd biosphere-certified conference centre in North America

Victoria Conference Centre is in alignment with the COP21 Paris Agreement

The Victoria Conference Centre becomes the second-only biosphere-certified conference centre in North America. (Courtesy of Tourism Victoria)
FILE - A George Mason University fan holds up the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine at a send off for the team, Wednesday, March 29, 2006, in Fairfax, Va. The publisher of Sports Illustrated has notified employees it is planning to lay off a significant portion — possibly all — of the outlet’s staff after its license to use the iconic brand’s name in print and digital was revoked. In an email to employees Friday morning, Jan. 19, 2024, the Arena Group, which operates Sports Illustrated and related properties, said that Authentic Brands Group has revoked its marketing license. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson, File)

Sports Illustrated to lay off most or all its staff

News revealed in letter to employees after license to use its iconic brand name was revoked

FILE - A George Mason University fan holds up the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine at a send off for the team, Wednesday, March 29, 2006, in Fairfax, Va. The publisher of Sports Illustrated has notified employees it is planning to lay off a significant portion — possibly all — of the outlet’s staff after its license to use the iconic brand’s name in print and digital was revoked. In an email to employees Friday morning, Jan. 19, 2024, the Arena Group, which operates Sports Illustrated and related properties, said that Authentic Brands Group has revoked its marketing license. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson, File)
Erinn Pinkerton is the recipient of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce 2024 Award of Distinction. (Courtesy Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce)

Chamber award honours ‘titan’ in Greater Victoria’s business community

First female president, CEO of BC Transit earns 2024 Award of Distinction

Erinn Pinkerton is the recipient of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce 2024 Award of Distinction. (Courtesy Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce)
The first-ever Chipotle in Victoria is opening its doors downtown. (Courtesy of Chipotle.ca)

Vancouver Island’s first Chipotle coming to downtown Victoria

Popular restaurant chain will bring its burritos and bowls to 1070 Douglas St.

The first-ever Chipotle in Victoria is opening its doors downtown. (Courtesy of Chipotle.ca)
The first-ever Chipotle in Victoria is opening its doors downtown. (Courtesy of Chipotle.ca)

The first-ever Chipotle in Victoria will open in downtown location

The chain will open at 1070 Douglas St.

The first-ever Chipotle in Victoria is opening its doors downtown. (Courtesy of Chipotle.ca)
Alaska Airlines N704AL, a 737 Max 9 which made an emergency landing at Portland International Airport after a part of the fuselage broke off mid-flight on Friday, is parked at a maintenance hanger in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)

What to know about the Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 jet that suffered a blowout

An emergency landing by an Alaska Airlines jetliner has prompted U.S. federal…

Alaska Airlines N704AL, a 737 Max 9 which made an emergency landing at Portland International Airport after a part of the fuselage broke off mid-flight on Friday, is parked at a maintenance hanger in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Lululemon founder Chip Wilson is courting controversy with recent comments he made to Forbes. Wilson attends an announcement, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Lululemon’s diversity and inclusion efforts missing the mark says founder

Chip Wilson says people in recent company adds look ‘unhealthy,’ ‘sickly’ and ‘not inspirational’

Lululemon founder Chip Wilson is courting controversy with recent comments he made to Forbes. Wilson attends an announcement, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
U.S. President Joe Biden and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador listen to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speak during a joint news conference at the North American Leaders Summit, in Mexico City, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is calling for another NAFTA-style charm offensive to defend Canada’s trade with the U.S. ahead of November’s presidential election. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Businesses want Canada to crank up trade charm as U.S. election looms

Group wants to convince Americans Canada is a boon to the U.S. economy

U.S. President Joe Biden and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador listen to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speak during a joint news conference at the North American Leaders Summit, in Mexico City, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is calling for another NAFTA-style charm offensive to defend Canada’s trade with the U.S. ahead of November’s presidential election. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Tim Hortons says four retro doughnuts will return to its menu next week. Dutchies are photographed at the Tim Hortons test kitchen in Toronto, Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Tim Hortons unveils 3 more retro treats for its 60th anniversary

Restaurant chain reveals which three doughnuts will join Dutchie in returning to menu

Tim Hortons says four retro doughnuts will return to its menu next week. Dutchies are photographed at the Tim Hortons test kitchen in Toronto, Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Beware the Christmas Grinch and other skammers. Photo: Geoffrey Moffett/Unsplash

Better watch out: Better Business Bureau warns of top 12 Christmas scams

Shop with caution in order to avoid the Grinch from biting into your holiday joy

Beware the Christmas Grinch and other skammers. Photo: Geoffrey Moffett/Unsplash
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland rises during Question Period, in Ottawa, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has approved RBC’s $13.5-billion takeover of HSBC Canada despite calls from opposition politicians and other groups to block it.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

$13.5B RBC takeover of HSBC Canada gets federal stamp of approval

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland greenlights deal, but with some caveats attached

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland rises during Question Period, in Ottawa, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has approved RBC’s $13.5-billion takeover of HSBC Canada despite calls from opposition politicians and other groups to block it.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
A sign is put up on Rogers Sugar shelves at a grocery store in Vancouver, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Small pool of sugar refineries sweetens the stakes in B.C. labour battle

Strike at Rogers Sugar refinery in Vancouver remains deadlocked 12 weeks in

A sign is put up on Rogers Sugar shelves at a grocery store in Vancouver, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Airbnb and other vacation-rental sites are fighting new rules. (Tribune News Service)

‘Dangerous precedent’: Victoria Airbnb operators rally to fight new rules

Property Rights BC says its data indicates new regulations will do more harm than good

Airbnb and other vacation-rental sites are fighting new rules. (Tribune News Service)
FILE - The Apple logo is illuminated at a store in the city center of Munich, Germany, Dec. 16, 2020. Apple plans to suspend sales of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 versions of its popular Apple Watch for online U.S. customers beginning Thursday afternoon, Dec. 21, 2023, and in its stores on Sunday, Dec. 24. The move stems from an October decision from the International Trade Commission restricting Apple’s watches with a Blood Oxygen feature as part of an intellectual property dispute with medical technology company Masimo. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)

Apple to stop selling watches in U.S. due to international patent dispute

Latest Apple Watches will no longer be available online tomorrow and in stores on Sunday

FILE - The Apple logo is illuminated at a store in the city center of Munich, Germany, Dec. 16, 2020. Apple plans to suspend sales of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 versions of its popular Apple Watch for online U.S. customers beginning Thursday afternoon, Dec. 21, 2023, and in its stores on Sunday, Dec. 24. The move stems from an October decision from the International Trade Commission restricting Apple’s watches with a Blood Oxygen feature as part of an intellectual property dispute with medical technology company Masimo. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)