Local Business

Feast your eyes on the “revolutionary” Le Petit Chef, a dining experience which made its debut at the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour’s Fire + Water restaurant on Feb. 23. (Photo courtesy of Victoria Marriott)

Victoria restaurant offers ‘immersive dining’ with 3D mapping tech

Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour introduces ‘world’s smallest chef’

Feast your eyes on the “revolutionary” Le Petit Chef, a dining experience which made its debut at the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour’s Fire + Water restaurant on Feb. 23. (Photo courtesy of Victoria Marriott)
People supporting the forestry industry walk down Shoppers Row in Campbell River. Photo by Marc Kitteringham / Campbell River Mirror

North Island hopes to create better voice for resource-based community concerns

Strathcona Regional District to set up natural resources committee, invite neighbours to take part

People supporting the forestry industry walk down Shoppers Row in Campbell River. Photo by Marc Kitteringham / Campbell River Mirror
Travis Butler, president of Butler Concrete and Aggregate, says reducing the environmental impact during the production of their products is a priority. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke company reduces environmental impact with new technologies

Butler Concrete cementing a greener way to build

Travis Butler, president of Butler Concrete and Aggregate, says reducing the environmental impact during the production of their products is a priority. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)
Andy Carrier, owner of Sooke 2 for 1 Pizza, says the timing of tax hikes hurts small businesses. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)

Greater Victoria business owner criticizes timing of tax hikes

Sooke 2 for 1 Pizza owner says January start for increases hurts small businesses

Andy Carrier, owner of Sooke 2 for 1 Pizza, says the timing of tax hikes hurts small businesses. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)
Nanaimo city council has approved application to renovate the exterior of the Sealand Market on Stewart Avenue. (dHKarchitects image)

Sealand Market on Nanaimo’s waterfront approved for face lift

Council approves development permit application exterior renovations at 1840 Stewart Ave.

Nanaimo city council has approved application to renovate the exterior of the Sealand Market on Stewart Avenue. (dHKarchitects image)
The Sooke Women’s Mastermind Group offers entrepreneurial strategies and support during bi-weekly sessions over three months beginning in April. (Shutterstock)

Sooke launches Women’s Mastermind Group for entrepreneurs

Group offers entrepreneurial strategies and support during bi-weekly sessions

The Sooke Women’s Mastermind Group offers entrepreneurial strategies and support during bi-weekly sessions over three months beginning in April. (Shutterstock)
The Red Barn Market will begin construction on its eight location this spring. (Photo courtesy of The Red Barn Market)

Red Barn Market to open its largest store with North Saanich location

This location will be 10,000 square feet and offer plenty of parking

The Red Barn Market will begin construction on its eight location this spring. (Photo courtesy of The Red Barn Market)
David Kim (right), owner of Madrone Environmental Services, said moving his business to the socially troubled highway corridor area in Duncan was a good decision. Kim is pictured with Will Arnold, owner of nearby Experience Cycling. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Duncan business pleased to move into notorious highway corridor

David Kim, owner of Madrone Environmental Services, says community has spirit

David Kim (right), owner of Madrone Environmental Services, said moving his business to the socially troubled highway corridor area in Duncan was a good decision. Kim is pictured with Will Arnold, owner of nearby Experience Cycling. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
The Very Good Butchers, a vegan butcher shop, has closed down its downtown Victoria location. (Courtesy of the Very Good Butchers)

‘So sad’: Customers mourn sudden closure of Victoria vegan butcher shop

The Very Good Butchers was once featured on Dragons’ Den

The Very Good Butchers, a vegan butcher shop, has closed down its downtown Victoria location. (Courtesy of the Very Good Butchers)
Oak Bay Marine Group owns and operates Oak Bay Marina (pictured), North Saanich Marina, Ladysmith Marina and Pedder Bay RV Resort and Marina in Metchosin as well as several restaurants. (Black Press Media file photo)

‘Labour shortages’: Iconic Oak Bay Marina eatery closing its doors

The Marina Restaurant at Spewhung (Turkey Head) closes its doors March 5

Oak Bay Marine Group owns and operates Oak Bay Marina (pictured), North Saanich Marina, Ladysmith Marina and Pedder Bay RV Resort and Marina in Metchosin as well as several restaurants. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Oak Bay Beach Hotel now has biosphere certification through the Responsible Tourism Institute. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Oak Bay hotel earns international biodiversity certification

Low flow taps to reduce wastewater to supporting local initiatives, cited as steps to biodiversity

The Oak Bay Beach Hotel now has biosphere certification through the Responsible Tourism Institute. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Co-owner Kira Frenette is gearing up to open the first Play It Again Sports Location on Vancouver Island. The Colwood store will open Feb. 27 to purchase used sports gear from the community, and expects to open fully for sales and purchases by the beginning of April. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

West Shore couple opening used sporting goods store in Colwood

Play It Again Sports will let customers buy and sell used sports gear

Co-owner Kira Frenette is gearing up to open the first Play It Again Sports Location on Vancouver Island. The Colwood store will open Feb. 27 to purchase used sports gear from the community, and expects to open fully for sales and purchases by the beginning of April. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Nanaimo Airport. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo Airport set to study potential impact of next phase of master plan

Island Coastal Economic Trust contributing to study by airport authority and PricewaterhouseCoopers

Nanaimo Airport. (News Bulletin file photo)
Russ Hamilton, location manager for the Hallmark Christmas series ‘Holidazed’ which saw sections of the production being filmed in downtown Duncan in November, said at the time that film crews did their best to not negatively impact downtown businesses. (Citizen file photo)

Duncan made more than $22,000 from the filming of ‘Holidazed’

But some businesses negatively impacted by Hallmark Network production

Russ Hamilton, location manager for the Hallmark Christmas series ‘Holidazed’ which saw sections of the production being filmed in downtown Duncan in November, said at the time that film crews did their best to not negatively impact downtown businesses. (Citizen file photo)
With the closure of Capital Iron, Victoria family business Lumberworld has added a specialty barbecue section to its Quadra Street location. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria business adds barbecue department in wake of closure of iconic Capital Iron

They even hired former Capital Iron staff

With the closure of Capital Iron, Victoria family business Lumberworld has added a specialty barbecue section to its Quadra Street location. (Black Press Media file photo)
Whistle Buoy master brewer Matt West-Patrick (left) and Isaiah Archer are brewing a new batch with an AI-generated recipe. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Victoria brewery uses AI to generate latest beer recipe

Whistle Buoy Brewing’s new hazy pale ale Robo Beer recipe developed with ChatGPT

Whistle Buoy master brewer Matt West-Patrick (left) and Isaiah Archer are brewing a new batch with an AI-generated recipe. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Kathy, left, Harmina, Wayne and Peter Richmond, former owners of 49th Parallel Grocery, gather for one of the last times in the Ladysmith store last week, a day after the sale of the 49th stores to Country Grocer was announced. (Duck Paterson photo)

49th Parallel family thankful for so many years of business and community

Richmond family says Country Grocer the right buyer for 49th stores

  • Feb 22, 2023
Kathy, left, Harmina, Wayne and Peter Richmond, former owners of 49th Parallel Grocery, gather for one of the last times in the Ladysmith store last week, a day after the sale of the 49th stores to Country Grocer was announced. (Duck Paterson photo)
A fried chicken sandwich at Smile Chicken. (Chris Campbell photo for Black Press Media)

Fried chicken wars heat up in Victoria with new restaurants

So many fried chicken options, so little time

A fried chicken sandwich at Smile Chicken. (Chris Campbell photo for Black Press Media)
Ronna-Rae Leonard, Deborah Griffiths and Pat Trask at the Puntledge elasmosaur’s 80,000,034th birthday, on Nov. 12, 2022. Photo supplied

Courtenay-Comox MLA takes next step to have the elasmosaur recognized as B.C.’s fossil

Ronna-Rae Leonard introduces private members’ bill to adopt the elasmosaur as an official symbol

  • Feb 16, 2023
Ronna-Rae Leonard, Deborah Griffiths and Pat Trask at the Puntledge elasmosaur’s 80,000,034th birthday, on Nov. 12, 2022. Photo supplied
The Chemainus 49th Parallel Grocery store location. (Don Bodger/Black Press Media)

49th Parallel Grocery acquired by Country Grocer

49th Parallel stores in Duncan, Ladysmith, Cedar and Chemainus will become Country Grocer stores

The Chemainus 49th Parallel Grocery store location. (Don Bodger/Black Press Media)