Local Business

Victoria-based fabric artist Deb Bell is dedicated to creating pieces with love and encouraging people to shop local during the holidays. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Indigenous fabric artist encourages Victoria residents to shop local during the holidays

Deb Bell sews masks, healing scarves, change purses and more using locally purchased materials

Victoria-based fabric artist Deb Bell is dedicated to creating pieces with love and encouraging people to shop local during the holidays. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Royal Roads Cafe has closed after decades in business. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Classic Colwood cafe closing, new restaurant coming

Royal Roads Cafe, near the university, was open for decades before being sold

Royal Roads Cafe has closed after decades in business. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Sidney business will get a break on their business license fees as council waived them for 2022 in adopting its new business license bylaw. (Black Press Media file photo)

Adjusted bylaw waives business license fees in Sidney for 2022

Measure passes 5-2 with Couns. Scott Garnett and Terri O’Keeffe opposed

Sidney business will get a break on their business license fees as council waived them for 2022 in adopting its new business license bylaw. (Black Press Media file photo)
There’s plenty of options from B.C. brewers for holiday themed craft beer ideas. (Courtesy BC Craft Brewery Guild)

Holiday-themed beer recommendations crafted around the BC Ale Trail

Many new flavours, concoctions and combinations in store for the enthusiast

There’s plenty of options from B.C. brewers for holiday themed craft beer ideas. (Courtesy BC Craft Brewery Guild)
Cathy and Janice Gouk say that serving free Christmas lunches is their gift to the community that supports them all year round. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke cafe owner ‘shocked, honoured and humbled’ to win business of the year

Cathy’s Corner Cafe, Sooke Food Bank multiple winners for 2021 Business Excellence awards

Cathy and Janice Gouk say that serving free Christmas lunches is their gift to the community that supports them all year round. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Kaydence Bourque was struck in a Saanich crosswalk on Monday (Dec. 6) and was pronounced dead the following day. (Photo courtesy of Crystal Bourque/Facebook)

Fundraiser started for family of teen who died after being struck in Saanich crosswalk

Kaydence Bourque, a student at Reynolds Secondary, close to home when hit by vehicle Dec. 6

Kaydence Bourque was struck in a Saanich crosswalk on Monday (Dec. 6) and was pronounced dead the following day. (Photo courtesy of Crystal Bourque/Facebook)
Ferris’ on Yates Street and Cook Street eatery Bear & Joey are two of OpenTable’s top 100 Canadian restaurants, as rated by diners. (Ferris’ Upstairs Seafood & Oyster Bar/Facebook)

Two Victoria restaurants make reservation platform’s top 100 list

Customers rank local brunch and seafood eateries into top spots

Ferris’ on Yates Street and Cook Street eatery Bear & Joey are two of OpenTable’s top 100 Canadian restaurants, as rated by diners. (Ferris’ Upstairs Seafood & Oyster Bar/Facebook)
Greater Victoria’s unemployment rate was four per cent in November, the third-lowest in Canada. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria boasts third-lowest unemployment rate in Canada

Expert sees high housing costs in Greater Victoria as a major impediment

Greater Victoria’s unemployment rate was four per cent in November, the third-lowest in Canada. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Sooke Night Market is one of the many local attractions that could benefit from the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce's Hidden Treasures camaoign. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Chamber promotes Sooke’s ‘hidden treasures’

Business campaign showcases what Sooke has to offer

The Sooke Night Market is one of the many local attractions that could benefit from the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce's Hidden Treasures camaoign. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Canadian figure skating star Elladj Balde was the first on the holiday skating rink at Uptown on Dec. 1. (Photo courtesy of Sarah Reynolds)

Figure skating Tik Tok star wows at Saanich’s Uptown during holiday kick-off

Known for his on-ice backflips, Elladj Balde advocates for change and diversity

Canadian figure skating star Elladj Balde was the first on the holiday skating rink at Uptown on Dec. 1. (Photo courtesy of Sarah Reynolds)
Alberni Residential School survivor Kathleen Horne, right, and her husband Doug LaFortune stand by one of LaFortune’s carvings outside the First Peoples House at the University of Victoria on Sept. 24. Horne was featured in the Goldstream Gazette’s special series on Truth and Reconciliation. (Black Press Media file photo)

Goldstream Gazette’s Truth and Reconciliation series named national award finalist

Stories of Indigenous residental school survivors, Elders, changemakers featured in six-part series

Alberni Residential School survivor Kathleen Horne, right, and her husband Doug LaFortune stand by one of LaFortune’s carvings outside the First Peoples House at the University of Victoria on Sept. 24. Horne was featured in the Goldstream Gazette’s special series on Truth and Reconciliation. (Black Press Media file photo)
The All That Glitters jewelry exhibition and Victoria Hospice fundraiser runs Dec. 2 to 24 at The Avenue Gallery, 2184 Oak Bay Ave. (Courtesy of The Avenue Gallery)

Oak Bay gallery sparkles this holiday season with Victoria Hospice fundraiser

All That Glitters raises funds for end-of-life care, support in the region

The All That Glitters jewelry exhibition and Victoria Hospice fundraiser runs Dec. 2 to 24 at The Avenue Gallery, 2184 Oak Bay Ave. (Courtesy of The Avenue Gallery)
BC Ferries reported record high vehicle traffic in its second quarter ending Sept. 30, 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

BC Ferries reports record-breaking summer vehicle traffic in quarterly results

Vehicle traffic up 3 per cent from pre-COVID times in quarter ending Sept. 30

BC Ferries reported record high vehicle traffic in its second quarter ending Sept. 30, 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
Crews started seeding the seaweed farm Sidney-based Cascadia Seaweed is planting in partnership with Tsawout First Nation off James Island on Tuesday morning. (Photo courtesy of Cascadia Seaweed)

PHOTOS: Crews begin planting seaweed farm off James Island

Partnership between Tsawout First Nation and Sidney-based Cascadia Seaweed

Crews started seeding the seaweed farm Sidney-based Cascadia Seaweed is planting in partnership with Tsawout First Nation off James Island on Tuesday morning. (Photo courtesy of Cascadia Seaweed)
Art pieces, tasteful Christmas decorations and stylings can be found this month at Coast Collective’s Gifts and Wishes holiday showcase of art and fine craft. (Courtesy of Coast Collective)

Holiday shopping transforms Pendray House in Colwood

Coast Collective’s annual Gifts and Wishes show runs Nov. 27 and 28

Art pieces, tasteful Christmas decorations and stylings can be found this month at Coast Collective’s Gifts and Wishes holiday showcase of art and fine craft. (Courtesy of Coast Collective)
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce will pick up the shipping for more than 100 member businesses up until Black Friday. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria chamber picking up the cost of shipping for members until Dec. 25

Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce will fund as much as $50,000 to entice local shopping

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce will pick up the shipping for more than 100 member businesses up until Black Friday. (Black Press Media file photo)
Aboubakar Idriss speaks during a previous Employment Opportunity Exchange. The event returns on Nov. 23 with the goal of helping newcomers and employers connect and learn together. (Photo Courtesy of John-Evan Snow)

Victoria newcomer employment event returns Nov. 23

Employment Opportunity Exchange aims to facilitate networking and cultural intelligence

Aboubakar Idriss speaks during a previous Employment Opportunity Exchange. The event returns on Nov. 23 with the goal of helping newcomers and employers connect and learn together. (Photo Courtesy of John-Evan Snow)
Amelia Warren, Epicure CEO, stands outside the company’s warehouse and offices in North Saanich. (Black Press Media file photo)

North Saanich’s Epicure CEO named to top 40 under 40 list

Amelia Warren recognized with leadership award honouring achievement by those under the age of 40

Amelia Warren, Epicure CEO, stands outside the company’s warehouse and offices in North Saanich. (Black Press Media file photo)
Ian Conn, left, Duncan Blackman, Langford Mayor Stew Young, Dale Gann and Adrian Jones raise a glass at the opening of the Millstream Beverage Company on Nov. 12. (Supplied by Leanna Moss/Ironwood Studio)

Langford gets new watering hole, brewery

Millstream Beverage Company is next to the Loghouse Pub in their old brewery space

Ian Conn, left, Duncan Blackman, Langford Mayor Stew Young, Dale Gann and Adrian Jones raise a glass at the opening of the Millstream Beverage Company on Nov. 12. (Supplied by Leanna Moss/Ironwood Studio)
The Surfrider Foundation installed three sea bins to catch trash in the North Saanich Marina. (Photo by Mackenzie Duncan)

Blue Friday introduces green thinking to Black Friday

Record 34 Vancouver Island businesses pony up portion of day’s take for sea cleanup

The Surfrider Foundation installed three sea bins to catch trash in the North Saanich Marina. (Photo by Mackenzie Duncan)
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