Local Business

Federal minister Harjit Sajjan speaks with Dionne Laslo-Baker, founder and CEO of DeeBee’s Organics – and tries one of her company’s freezies – at a Langford event Wednesday announcing $3.25 in federal funding for three businesses, including DeeBee’s to help them expand operations. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Three Greater Victoria businesses get boost from feds for expansion

$3.25 million shared by DeeBee’s Organics, Codename Entertainment, Peloton Technologies

Federal minister Harjit Sajjan speaks with Dionne Laslo-Baker, founder and CEO of DeeBee’s Organics – and tries one of her company’s freezies – at a Langford event Wednesday announcing $3.25 in federal funding for three businesses, including DeeBee’s to help them expand operations. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Kyle Michell is among the latest beer farmers, testing grains and variants with success enough to provide quality, consistent malted product to several breweries on the south Island. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Beer Farmers: Peninsula operation brews up mega malting machine in Central Saanich

Field Five Farm malts enough grain for 4,000 litres of beer in eight months of operation

Kyle Michell is among the latest beer farmers, testing grains and variants with success enough to provide quality, consistent malted product to several breweries on the south Island. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel was third best city hotel in Canada by Travel + Leisure. (Courtesy of Fairmont Empress hotel)

Victoria hotels hit Top 10 for international travellers

Empress among a half dozen Fairmont properties on the Travel + Leisure list

Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel was third best city hotel in Canada by Travel + Leisure. (Courtesy of Fairmont Empress hotel)
My-Chosen Cafe marked 35 years in business on July 12. (My Chosen Cafe/Facebook)

Metchosin restaurant celebrates 35 years in business

My-Chosen Cafe has grown from 32 seats

My-Chosen Cafe marked 35 years in business on July 12. (My Chosen Cafe/Facebook)
Yumbrosia Fine Foods has operated as a grocer and deli, as seen here in July 2021, and served the local community with a wide variety of imported European, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern products. (Black Press Media file photo)

New ownership signals return for Yumbrosia in Oak Bay

Esquimalt local awaits business licence before reopening

Yumbrosia Fine Foods has operated as a grocer and deli, as seen here in July 2021, and served the local community with a wide variety of imported European, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern products. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Discovery Foundation’s EM3 program unites women entrepreneurs from across the province to build their networks in small groups led by experienced women tech leaders. (File - Metro Creative)

Program links successful women entrepreneurs with worthy candidates

When you’ve just started your own business, there’s nothing like an experienced…

The Discovery Foundation’s EM3 program unites women entrepreneurs from across the province to build their networks in small groups led by experienced women tech leaders. (File - Metro Creative)
Best of the WestShore Awards 2021 publication cover

Voting now open for Best of the WestShore Awards

Cast your ballot now for your favourites

Best of the WestShore Awards 2021 publication cover
Save-On-Foods opened the doors to its newest location in Colwood Thursday. (Black Press Media)

Save-On-Foods opens new location at Colwood Corners

Latest addition officially opens

Save-On-Foods opened the doors to its newest location in Colwood Thursday. (Black Press Media)
Nick and Anna Starodubtsev with their daughter in Kharkiv, Ukraine. (Anna Starodubtsev/contributed to Saanich News)

Ukrainian family fleeing war hopes to revive swimsuit business in Greater Victoria

Now settled, the family launched a fundraiser to help reboot their business, BabyLadySwim

Nick and Anna Starodubtsev with their daughter in Kharkiv, Ukraine. (Anna Starodubtsev/contributed to Saanich News)
The recently unveiled Summer on the Lawn installation at Uptown aims to be inviting to young families, shoppers looking to relax and people looking to get together. (Photo by Sarah Reynolds/Uptown)

Saanich shopping centre encourages lounging on new lawn

Uptown unveils its latest family-friendly installation on pedestrian boulevard

The recently unveiled Summer on the Lawn installation at Uptown aims to be inviting to young families, shoppers looking to relax and people looking to get together. (Photo by Sarah Reynolds/Uptown)
The City of Colwood held its first in-person business prosperity roundtable on June 22. It featured more than 20 local businesses and was held in partnership with the WestShore Chamber of Commerce. (City of Colwood/Twitter)

Colwood businesses call for more space, affordable housing to support growth

Roundtable meeting sees discussion on how to attract, retain businesses in Colwood

The City of Colwood held its first in-person business prosperity roundtable on June 22. It featured more than 20 local businesses and was held in partnership with the WestShore Chamber of Commerce. (City of Colwood/Twitter)
Brian Nairn, marketing coordinator at Lighthouse Brewing in Esquimalt, said the Langford Beer Festival offers a good opportunity for people to try out many new beers. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Breweries announced ahead of first-ever Langford Beer Festival

28 craft brewers to be serving up their unique beverages on July 16

Brian Nairn, marketing coordinator at Lighthouse Brewing in Esquimalt, said the Langford Beer Festival offers a good opportunity for people to try out many new beers. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Gustavson School of Business professor Brent Mainprize (left), co-founder of the Indigenous Advancement of Cultural Entrepreneurship program with Frank Parnell (right), then-CEO of the Tribal Resources Investment Corporation, helped celebrate the program’s 50th cohort recently at the University of Victoria. (Brent Mainprize/Twitter)

50th cohort graduates from Indigenous/UVic co-designed entrepreneurship program

714 grads, more than 230 businesses launched in 9 years of I-ACE existence

Gustavson School of Business professor Brent Mainprize (left), co-founder of the Indigenous Advancement of Cultural Entrepreneurship program with Frank Parnell (right), then-CEO of the Tribal Resources Investment Corporation, helped celebrate the program’s 50th cohort recently at the University of Victoria. (Brent Mainprize/Twitter)
Nickel Bros. move a home from the 600-block of Oliver Street in Oak Bay on June 14. (Photo by Erik Otto)

Houses on the move as recycling movement picks up momentum in Oak Bay

Nickel Bros. relocates houses across the south coast, moving more than 100 in 2021

Nickel Bros. move a home from the 600-block of Oliver Street in Oak Bay on June 14. (Photo by Erik Otto)
Direct University of Victoria activities, those of its students and alumni, added an estimated $3.3 billion to B.C.’s economy for the 2019-20 fiscal year, according to a new independent study. (Black Press Media file photo)

University of Victoria an economic driver with impact in the billions, new study finds

UVic adds $3.3 billion to provincial economy, benefits extend through society

Direct University of Victoria activities, those of its students and alumni, added an estimated $3.3 billion to B.C.’s economy for the 2019-20 fiscal year, according to a new independent study. (Black Press Media file photo)
Walmart Canada opened its newest location in Victoria after a First Nations blessing Thursday morning. (Courtesy Hillside Shopping Centre)

Walmart Canada opens newest location at Hillside Shopping Centre

New Victoria store will feature pharmacy, medical centre

Walmart Canada opened its newest location in Victoria after a First Nations blessing Thursday morning. (Courtesy Hillside Shopping Centre)
Island Good has partnered with Langford to promote locally-made and sourced products. (Courtesy Island Good)

Langford businesses can get free promotion for Island-made products

Island Good partnership aiming to improve sales, market share for Langford companies

Island Good has partnered with Langford to promote locally-made and sourced products. (Courtesy Island Good)
Finn’s Seafood, Chops and Cocktails in Victoria is one of three Vancouver Island eateries named to the OpenTable top 100 restaurants for outdoor eating. (Finn’s/Facebook)

3 Vancouver Island restaurants make top 100 for best outdoor eating

May reservations jumped 61 per cent over 2019 numbers

Finn’s Seafood, Chops and Cocktails in Victoria is one of three Vancouver Island eateries named to the OpenTable top 100 restaurants for outdoor eating. (Finn’s/Facebook)
James Martyn, vice-president of human resources for The Canadian Brewhouse, welcomes bowlers and diners to their new sports-themed restaurant, opening June 13 in Uptown. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Bowling, batting and brews: New Saanich eatery set to open in Uptown

The Canadian Brewhouse and Grill will blend recreation, dining experiences

James Martyn, vice-president of human resources for The Canadian Brewhouse, welcomes bowlers and diners to their new sports-themed restaurant, opening June 13 in Uptown. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Whistle Buoy turns three this month, and plans to make up for lost time with a bash in Market Square. (Courtesy Whistle Buoy)

Music, beer, wrestling on tap for Victoria brewery’s 3rd birthday bash

Whistlemania fills Market Square on June 25, 2 to 10 p.m.

Whistle Buoy turns three this month, and plans to make up for lost time with a bash in Market Square. (Courtesy Whistle Buoy)