local business

The City of Langford is launching a new “Taste of Langford” campaign to help support local eateries. It’s an extension of the city’s “I am Langford” initiative. (Black Press Media file photo)

Langford launches new campaign to support local eateries

Participating eateries will introduce a new dish and a discount

The City of Langford is launching a new “Taste of Langford” campaign to help support local eateries. It’s an extension of the city’s “I am Langford” initiative. (Black Press Media file photo)
Russell Markel, (far right) owner of Outer Shores Expeditions, and two guests at the bow of the sailing vessel Passing Cloud. (Submitted photo)

Mill Bay’s Outer Shores Expeditions to run day tours in Salish Sea this year

Outer Shores Expeditions readjusts operations this summer to account for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Russell Markel, (far right) owner of Outer Shores Expeditions, and two guests at the bow of the sailing vessel Passing Cloud. (Submitted photo)
Elizabeth Trenholm, owner of Shawnigan Lake’s Epona’s Whisper Therapeutic Donkeys Ltd., poses with her donkeys Coco and Winnie. (Submitted photo)

There’s some donkey business happening on Vancouver Island

New therapeutic business featuring donkeys opens in Shawnigan Lake

Elizabeth Trenholm, owner of Shawnigan Lake’s Epona’s Whisper Therapeutic Donkeys Ltd., poses with her donkeys Coco and Winnie. (Submitted photo)
Amanda Vance, executive director of the Downtown Duncan BIA, stands in front of the new open-air food court that will be set up in Station Park for eight weeks. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Downtown Duncan open-air food court opens

Facility will operate throughout the summer in reaction to COVID-19

Amanda Vance, executive director of the Downtown Duncan BIA, stands in front of the new open-air food court that will be set up in Station Park for eight weeks. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Laura Cornale of Laura’s Coffee Corner currently has six employees, down from 16, because most would prefer to stay home and collect CERB, she said. (File photo)

Turning down work: CERB causing issues for some B.C. restaurants

‘It’s the most frustrating thing I’ve encountered, ever, in my life.’

Laura Cornale of Laura’s Coffee Corner currently has six employees, down from 16, because most would prefer to stay home and collect CERB, she said. (File photo)
Mike and Sue Hallatt plan to open up the new Black M restaurant at the old gas station site on Cowichan Lake Road. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Entrepreneurs adding razorback edge to Lake Cowichan burger joint

Maverick foodie opening Black M doors this summer

Mike and Sue Hallatt plan to open up the new Black M restaurant at the old gas station site on Cowichan Lake Road. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
From June 8 to Oct. 31, Government Street between Humboldt and Yates Streets will be single-lane to give pedestrians priority and more space. Between Fort and View Streets, vehicle traffic is not allowed. The initiative is to help businesses in the area affected by COVID-19. (Shalu Mehta/News Staff)

Victoria businesses voice mixed feelings over Government Street traffic changes

Business owners hope Victorians support local and shop downtown

From June 8 to Oct. 31, Government Street between Humboldt and Yates Streets will be single-lane to give pedestrians priority and more space. Between Fort and View Streets, vehicle traffic is not allowed. The initiative is to help businesses in the area affected by COVID-19. (Shalu Mehta/News Staff)
While other distillers are bottling individual sizes of sanitizer, focusing on larger-size products lets Vancouver Island’s Shelter Point serve organizations like the RCMP, Department of National Defence, Fraser Health Authority, and school districts.

Vancouver Island distillery crafts sanitizer to meet Canadian need

Local know-how, economies of scale come together in Shelter Point sanitizer

  • Jun 8, 2020
While other distillers are bottling individual sizes of sanitizer, focusing on larger-size products lets Vancouver Island’s Shelter Point serve organizations like the RCMP, Department of National Defence, Fraser Health Authority, and school districts.
Many businesses have temporarily shuttered due to COVID-19, but as owners get the green light to reopen some aren’t sure they’ll be able to afford it. (Black Press Media files)

Low profits, few customers in post-pandemic recovery says B.C. business survey

About 43 per cent of businesses say they think they will need government incentives to continue operating

Many businesses have temporarily shuttered due to COVID-19, but as owners get the green light to reopen some aren’t sure they’ll be able to afford it. (Black Press Media files)
Victoria health care worker sends plea to closed business to donate unused masks, gloves

Victoria health care worker sends plea to closed business to donate unused masks, gloves

Downtown street nurse Corey Ranger says salons, pubs, and restaurants can help even if they’re closed

Victoria health care worker sends plea to closed business to donate unused masks, gloves
The Fernwood Inn at 1302 Gladstone Ave. is closing due to COVID-19. (Facebook/Fernwood Inn)

Victoria restaurant offers its entire stock of food to staff as it closes due to COVID-19

The Fernwood Inn is closed for the foreseeable future

The Fernwood Inn at 1302 Gladstone Ave. is closing due to COVID-19. (Facebook/Fernwood Inn)
Natural Pastures’ master cheesemaker Paul Sutter (L) and operations manager Doug Smith (R), alongside two of the winning cheeses - the Buffalo Brie (top) and the Comox Camembert.

Courtenay cheese company shines at world championships

Natural Pastures Cheese Company picked up a pair of bronze medals

  • Mar 19, 2020
Natural Pastures’ master cheesemaker Paul Sutter (L) and operations manager Doug Smith (R), alongside two of the winning cheeses - the Buffalo Brie (top) and the Comox Camembert.
The building which houses Cherry Bomb Toys at 1410 Broad Street is for sale (Google Maps)

Cherry Bomb Toys, which houses the National Toy Museum of Canada, has had a rough year

The property that’s home to Cherry Bomb Toys is listed at $2.6 million

The building which houses Cherry Bomb Toys at 1410 Broad Street is for sale (Google Maps)
Cobble Hill’s Island Bakery is closing due to changing markets. (Island Bakery Facebook page)

Island Bakery in Cobble Hill to close

Cobble Hill store in business since 1982

Cobble Hill’s Island Bakery is closing due to changing markets. (Island Bakery Facebook page)
Linda and Patrick Plunkett both work for 9-10 Club Soup Kitchen. They were able to stock up on some much needed supplies at Wellburn’s Market, which was giving away all leftover food before the store is boarded up. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Victoria charities invited to take all remaining food at Wellburn’s Market

The long-standing local grocery store was forced into an early permanent closure after flooding

Linda and Patrick Plunkett both work for 9-10 Club Soup Kitchen. They were able to stock up on some much needed supplies at Wellburn’s Market, which was giving away all leftover food before the store is boarded up. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)
A sewing needle was found in food purchased from the Oak Bay Red Barn Market. It was in one of these four items, though it is not certain which one. (File contributed/ Josh Stevens)

Oak Bay woman finds sewing needle in food

Kim Stevens says she bit into needle after making a poke bowl

A sewing needle was found in food purchased from the Oak Bay Red Barn Market. It was in one of these four items, though it is not certain which one. (File contributed/ Josh Stevens)
Heidi Sherwood, owner of Sattva Spa, has decided to close down her business after months of efforts to combat the damages felt from a fire that occurred next door on May 6, 2019. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Downtown Victoria spa permanently closes eight months after devastating fire

Sattva Spa won’t reopen despite initial optimism in wake of blaze that destroyed building next door

Heidi Sherwood, owner of Sattva Spa, has decided to close down her business after months of efforts to combat the damages felt from a fire that occurred next door on May 6, 2019. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)
Scott Thompson took over W&J Wilson Clothiers from his parents. The shop has been in his family for generations, and is the oldest running family business in its original location in North America. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Victoria’s longest-running, original location business is older than Canada

W&J Wilson Clothiers is also the oldest family-run clothing business in North America

Scott Thompson took over W&J Wilson Clothiers from his parents. The shop has been in his family for generations, and is the oldest running family business in its original location in North America. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)