Local Business

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

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

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 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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Bouquets with thought are a hot topic in florals this year leading into the busiest single day in sales – Valentine’s Day. (Courtesy Brown’s the Florist)

Big, bold, personalized bouquets on trend for modern ‘all inclusive’ Valentine’s Day

Landing on a Tuesday eases delivery stress for floral outlets on busiest day of the year

Bouquets with thought are a hot topic in florals this year leading into the busiest single day in sales – Valentine’s Day. (Courtesy Brown’s the Florist)
Located at 804 Broughton St. on the second floor, Superflux (Cabana) is known for its extensive “booze” menu, casual food and a kick-ass patio scene. (Pexels photo)

Victoria restaurant known for kick-ass patio adds dizzying brunch food – and ‘booze’ – menus

Pair cocktails with fine bennies

Located at 804 Broughton St. on the second floor, Superflux (Cabana) is known for its extensive “booze” menu, casual food and a kick-ass patio scene. (Pexels photo)
Category 12 Brewing in Central Saanich has launched a new line of gluten-removed beers and is backing up that claim with per-batch independent testing published on its website. (Courtesy Category 12 Brewing)

Central Saanich brewers unleash power of science with line of ‘gluten-removed’ beer

Category 12 Brewing is also publishing per-batch independent reports on gluten content

Category 12 Brewing in Central Saanich has launched a new line of gluten-removed beers and is backing up that claim with per-batch independent testing published on its website. (Courtesy Category 12 Brewing)
WorkBC Centre Sooke hosts a career and volunteers fair on Saturday, Feb. 11, at Edward Milne Community School. (Contributed photo)

WorkBC in Sooke hosts career and volunteer fair

Event takes place Saturday, Feb. 11 at Edward Milne Community School

WorkBC Centre Sooke hosts a career and volunteers fair on Saturday, Feb. 11, at Edward Milne Community School. (Contributed photo)
From left to right: co-owners Michelle Morgan, Michael Morgan and Dirk Slot behind the bar at Mile Zero Brewing in Metchosin. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

VIDEO: New Metchosin nano-brewery’s taps now flowing after opening

Mile Zero Brewing is planning a grand opening come patio season

From left to right: co-owners Michelle Morgan, Michael Morgan and Dirk Slot behind the bar at Mile Zero Brewing in Metchosin. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Karen’s Diner is famous for its bad service and great food. (Courtesy of Karen’s Diner)

Diner to bring terrible service to Victoria

Karen’s Diner will be making its way to B.C.’s capital this spring

  • Jan 21, 2023
Karen’s Diner is famous for its bad service and great food. (Courtesy of Karen’s Diner)
TJ’s The Kiddies Shop has opened a second Greater Victoria location in Colwood on Island Highway. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Popular Greater Victoria baby store opening second location with ‘curated’ items

The Island Highway shop is debuting new initiatives for the B.C. chain

TJ’s The Kiddies Shop has opened a second Greater Victoria location in Colwood on Island Highway. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Kathryn Camfield is the general manager of The Makehouse, a Victoria sewing business that recently became employee-owned. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

PHOTOS: The Makehouse threads community, creativity at Victoria sewing studio

The fabric shop and sewing lesson business recently became employee-owned

Kathryn Camfield is the general manager of The Makehouse, a Victoria sewing business that recently became employee-owned. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
Pop-up banner image