Local 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’

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 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

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)

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)
Canada’s first 42’ cruiser to be equipped with Yamaha Quad 450HP Outboards. Photo courtesy EagleCraft

Campbell River boat builder makes Canadian maritime history

First 42’ Cruiser with Yamaha Quad 450HP Outboards in Canada

  • Dec 6, 2023
Canada’s first 42’ cruiser to be equipped with Yamaha Quad 450HP Outboards. Photo courtesy EagleCraft
Wildfires created extended closures on Hwy. 4 near Cameron Bluffs over the summer. (Alberni Valley News file photo)

Alberni, Tofino and Ucluelet chambers collaborate on Hwy 4 closure report

Business leaders investigate impacts of Hwy. 4 closures due to wildfires near Cameron Bluffs

Wildfires created extended closures on Hwy. 4 near Cameron Bluffs over the summer. (Alberni Valley News file photo)
The Tofino Distillery is excited to be releasing its new West Coast Whiskey after five years in the making. (Photo from tofinocraftdistillery.com)

Tofino Distillery ready to pour new West Coast Whiskey five years in the making

Tofino Distillery’s West Coast Whiskey arrives just in time to add a festive spirit to the season.

The Tofino Distillery is excited to be releasing its new West Coast Whiskey after five years in the making. (Photo from tofinocraftdistillery.com)
The McDonald’s drive thru had a long lineup on Wednesday afternoon. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)

First McDonald’s in North Island history opens in Port Hardy

McDonald’s opened bright and early at 6 a.m. on Wednesday morning

The McDonald’s drive thru had a long lineup on Wednesday afternoon. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)
Shannon Whissell, director of development with Threshold Housing Society, offers information during a community event. (Courtesy Threshold Housing Society)

Tea, candles shine a light on youth homelessness in Greater Victoria

Threshold Housing Society expands winter campaign to include Cowichan company

Shannon Whissell, director of development with Threshold Housing Society, offers information during a community event. (Courtesy Threshold Housing Society)
The Chemainus Public Market has undergone an ownership change back to Warren Goulding. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Goulding returns as Chemainus Public Market’s owner

Original co-owner of the project moving forward with some previous ideas

The Chemainus Public Market has undergone an ownership change back to Warren Goulding. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Noel Erickson, James Garry and David Wong battle rats in Victoria. (Photo by Tim Collins)

Company committed to keeping rats from making themselves at home in Victoria

Victoria named the fourth rattiest city in the province

  • Nov 5, 2023
Noel Erickson, James Garry and David Wong battle rats in Victoria. (Photo by Tim Collins)
Whether you’re looking for a sweet treat to complete your holiday traditions or something to put under the tree for someone special, you’ll likely find it at a craft fair in Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

Craft Fair Roundup: Get a jump on the holidays at a Greater Victoria event

Support local businesses while finding something for everyone on your list

Whether you’re looking for a sweet treat to complete your holiday traditions or something to put under the tree for someone special, you’ll likely find it at a craft fair in Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)
Debate online regarding residents’ pride in Victoria started on Reddit when a user posed the question of what their favourite part of living in the region is. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

‘Arguably the best neighborhood in Canada’: Victorians highlight their pride

Debate sparked online regarding what makes residents so proud to call Victoria home

Debate online regarding residents’ pride in Victoria started on Reddit when a user posed the question of what their favourite part of living in the region is. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Riot Brewing Co.’s bronze award for its Working Class Hero dark mild is celebrated, from left, by: co-owner Aly Tomlin; brewer Jesse Grass; co-owner Ralf Rosenke; and manager Shay Kuhnert. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Beer peers honour Riot Brewing crew with another award

Bronze for Chemainus Brewery’s Working Class Hero dark mild in the Canada Beer Cup

Riot Brewing Co.’s bronze award for its Working Class Hero dark mild is celebrated, from left, by: co-owner Aly Tomlin; brewer Jesse Grass; co-owner Ralf Rosenke; and manager Shay Kuhnert. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Karlee Friesen introduces one of her many insect friends at work. (The Victoria Bug Zoo/TikTok)

Zoo staffer elevates Victoria #bugsoftiktok with Taylor Swift kitty trend

Swifty kitty trend prompted debate over whether critters outside the cat kingdom qualify

Karlee Friesen introduces one of her many insect friends at work. (The Victoria Bug Zoo/TikTok)
Brants were once an abundant bird in North America until overhutning led to their decline (Courtesy of —- Victoria Harbour Bird Sanctuary) Brants were once an abundant bird in North America until overhutning led to their decline (Courtesy of —- Victoria Harbour Bird Sanctuary) Brants were once an abundant bird in North America until overhutning led to their decline (Courtesy of —- Victoria Harbour Bird Sanctuary)

Victoria bird sanctuary celebrates 100 years keeping nature alive in city

The sanctuary occupies the marine front yard of Greater Victoria.

Brants were once an abundant bird in North America until overhutning led to their decline (Courtesy of —- Victoria Harbour Bird Sanctuary) Brants were once an abundant bird in North America until overhutning led to their decline (Courtesy of —- Victoria Harbour Bird Sanctuary) Brants were once an abundant bird in North America until overhutning led to their decline (Courtesy of —- Victoria Harbour Bird Sanctuary)
The Greater Victoria Green Team members volunteer their time to clean up the environment. (Courtesy of Greater Victoria Green Team)

‘Green, clean, invasive plant-removal teams’: Victoria Green Team’s history

‘The idea is that change can’t happen without people caring,’ said project manager Kaitlin Warren

The Greater Victoria Green Team members volunteer their time to clean up the environment. (Courtesy of Greater Victoria Green Team)
Victoria has a flourishing underground music and, according to Gabriel Bettey, that culture is growing as each year passes. (Photo: Wendy Wei/Pexels)

‘Victoria rave squad’: Electronic music lovers cultivating healthier culture

Victoria’s underground music culture has developed over the years, becoming less about drugs

Victoria has a flourishing underground music and, according to Gabriel Bettey, that culture is growing as each year passes. (Photo: Wendy Wei/Pexels)
Naloxone nasal spray comes in a device with two prongs that can fit into a nostril to administer the medication to someone who has overdosed. (Darryl Dick/The Canadian Press)

Red Cross wants to increase access to internasal naloxone in Greater Victoria

Doctors are suggesting people are more comfortable administering the internasal version

Naloxone nasal spray comes in a device with two prongs that can fit into a nostril to administer the medication to someone who has overdosed. (Darryl Dick/The Canadian Press)