Local Business

Tim Siebert, one half of the partnership behind Citrus & Cane, says opening the Douglas Street cocktail lounge during a pandemic had challenges, but the bar is ready to adapt to whatever comes next. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

New Victoria tropical cocktail lounge designed with COVID-19 safety in mind

Citrus & Cane opens in site of former Copper Owl after eight-month delay

Leah Davis, store manager at Oscar & Libby’s in downtown Victoria, sets out stock at their Fort Street location. The pandemic has changed the way this retailer and others do business, says owner Teri Hustins. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Pandemic alters holiday business strategies for Victoria merchants

Many independent merchants count on holiday shopping to get them through quiet periods

Salon owner Philip Ferreira with the PPE collection box at The Natural Hair Salon, 618 View St. (Mariah Johal photo)

Victoria salon inspires more mask recycling

Anyone welcome to drop disposable masks in bin outside View Street shop

Tourists are being asked to postpone their non-essential trips to Tofino as COVID-19 cases rise across Vancouver Island, but at least one accommodation provider is offering conflicting messaging. (Westerly file photo)

Victoria woman says Tofino Airbnb host encouraged travel despite provincial restrictions

“The only way I would get a refund is if she would be able to rebook the suite for that weekend.”

Tourists are being asked to postpone their non-essential trips to Tofino as COVID-19 cases rise across Vancouver Island, but at least one accommodation provider is offering conflicting messaging. (Westerly file photo)
Merchants along Fort Street are hosting the Winter Wander holiday shopping event Dec. 5. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Wander along Fort Street for holiday shopping experience

Merchants featuring discounts, special offerings

Merchants along Fort Street are hosting the Winter Wander holiday shopping event Dec. 5. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
A seabin is able to intercept and collect floating debris in calm bodies of water. This is one of two installed in the North Saanich Marina by a group of local businesses thanks to the proceeds from Blue Friday sales in 2019. (Provided by Maya Bellay)

Blue Friday to support more trash skimmers in Greater Victoria waters

Seabins can collect up to one-and-a-half tons of floating debris per year

A seabin is able to intercept and collect floating debris in calm bodies of water. This is one of two installed in the North Saanich Marina by a group of local businesses thanks to the proceeds from Blue Friday sales in 2019. (Provided by Maya Bellay)
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An economic recovery plan in progress since April offers various recommendations for the region to overcome the impacts of COVID-19. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Greater Victoria economic ‘reboot’ plan tackles impacts of COVID-19

Newly-formed task force looks at various sectors, industries

An economic recovery plan in progress since April offers various recommendations for the region to overcome the impacts of COVID-19. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
Linda Biggs and Jayesh Vekariya founded Victoria-based Joni period care in March 2020 with the mission of empowering menstruators. (Courtesy of Linda Biggs)

New Victoria period care company looks to empower menstruators

Joni donates one period care product for every one purchased

Linda Biggs and Jayesh Vekariya founded Victoria-based Joni period care in March 2020 with the mission of empowering menstruators. (Courtesy of Linda Biggs)
The Sidney Summer Market slips into winter mode online thanks to local businesses. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Sidney market manager crafts new online option for Christmas vendors

100 Days of Christmas runs now through Dec. 23

The Sidney Summer Market slips into winter mode online thanks to local businesses. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Uber Eats is offering half-off pickup orders on Saturdays through November. (Kevin Clark/The Herald)

Uber Eats offers 50 per cent off Victoria takeout for Small Business Saturdays

Limited number of people to get half-off order on Saturdays through November

Uber Eats is offering half-off pickup orders on Saturdays through November. (Kevin Clark/The Herald)
(Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria simplifies business licences with online option

Businesses needing more detailed reviews must still apply at city hall

(Black Press Media file photo)
Rob Grant and his one-year-old, William, took in the Christmas decorations at Uptown Shopping Centre on Nov. 14 but plan to get their gifts online. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Saanich shoppers plan to holiday shop early, online amid pandemic

COVID-19 pushes many to change their Christmas shopping habits

Rob Grant and his one-year-old, William, took in the Christmas decorations at Uptown Shopping Centre on Nov. 14 but plan to get their gifts online. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Used.ca launched its new Handmade Market section on Nov. 12 in hopes of supporting more local people and businesses through the holiday season. (Black Press Media news staff)

Used Victoria launches new section for handmade goods

The company hopes to encourage more local shopping this holiday season

Used.ca launched its new Handmade Market section on Nov. 12 in hopes of supporting more local people and businesses through the holiday season. (Black Press Media news staff)
Adam Corneil sparked the attention of all six Dragons’ Den judges after pitching his deconstruction business. (Screenshot from Dragon’s Den Oct. 29, 2020 episode)

B.C. deconstruction company ignites Dragons’ Den interest

Unbuilders deconstructs and salvages old buildings instead of sending them to landfill

Adam Corneil sparked the attention of all six Dragons’ Den judges after pitching his deconstruction business. (Screenshot from Dragon’s Den Oct. 29, 2020 episode)
The Better Business Bureau is recommending that businesses ramp up their COVID-friendly shopping options now to prepare for the holiday season. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Time to ramp up COVID-friendly shopping: Better Business Bureau

If businesses want to be successful this holiday season they need to act now, says BBB

The Better Business Bureau is recommending that businesses ramp up their COVID-friendly shopping options now to prepare for the holiday season. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Quality Foods advertising manager, Regan Beaulieu, (left) and president, Noel Hayward, (right) stand in front of the Clean Cart on its first day of testing, Nov. 12. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

View Royal Quality Foods launches innovative new cart cleaning device

The Clean Cart uses far-UV light and is the first of its kind in Canada

Quality Foods advertising manager, Regan Beaulieu, (left) and president, Noel Hayward, (right) stand in front of the Clean Cart on its first day of testing, Nov. 12. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Sequoia Coffee’s manager Alan Rainey (left) and baristas Annalise Steadman and Hannah Robertson are one week into the opening of the first coffee shop in Colwood’s Royal Bay neighbourhood. The coffee shop has a drive-thru and is made from shipping containers. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)

Royal Bay’s newest coffee shop made of shipping containers completes first week

Sequoia Coffee has temporary-use permit for three years for drive-thru, take-away

Sequoia Coffee’s manager Alan Rainey (left) and baristas Annalise Steadman and Hannah Robertson are one week into the opening of the first coffee shop in Colwood’s Royal Bay neighbourhood. The coffee shop has a drive-thru and is made from shipping containers. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)
Victoria International Airport (YYJ) along with other Canada airports has received accreditation from a program assessing health measures. (Black Press Media File)

Victoria airport earns accreditation from program assessing health measures

Victoria International Airport launched its TravelSafe YYJ program July 1

Victoria International Airport (YYJ) along with other Canada airports has received accreditation from a program assessing health measures. (Black Press Media File)
Olive Olio’s Bistro and Espresso has sat tucked in the corner of Penrhyn Street and Cadboro Bay Road for 25 years. (Photo courtesy William Hall)

Starbucks closure brings boost to Cadboro Bay bistro

Olive Olio’s has been a fixture in Cadboro Bay for 25 years, offering ‘old-school’ experience

Olive Olio’s Bistro and Espresso has sat tucked in the corner of Penrhyn Street and Cadboro Bay Road for 25 years. (Photo courtesy William Hall)
Rebecca Burrows and Donna Anderson have moved Hughes Clothing into Athlone Court in Oak Bay Village. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)

Hughes Clothing comes home to Oak Bay

Owner grateful for community’s warm welcome

Rebecca Burrows and Donna Anderson have moved Hughes Clothing into Athlone Court in Oak Bay Village. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)