Local Business

For Mother’s Day, people are pretty open to a beautiful bouquet in a variety of blooms as long as it’s nice, bright and cheerful, says one Saanich Peninsula floral supplier. That’s a good thing with weather and supply chain shortages. (Courtesy Eurosa Gardens)

Blooms may vary this Mother’s Day: Greater Victoria floral designer, supplier

Flowers in abundance for Mother’s Day but now is the time to order

For Mother’s Day, people are pretty open to a beautiful bouquet in a variety of blooms as long as it’s nice, bright and cheerful, says one Saanich Peninsula floral supplier. That’s a good thing with weather and supply chain shortages. (Courtesy Eurosa Gardens)
Owner Kathy Banks (front), employees Kaylyn Paterson (left) and Sherry Bell (right), and Banks’ husband James Anson were all smiles earlier this spring when Sidney councillors signalled support for zoning and OCP changes that could have allowed the business to operate in an industrial-zoned space. However, a legislative reversal led Banks to seek space elsewhere. (Black Press Media file photo)

Dog grooming business digs up new home in Central Saanich

Pooch Parlour had previously operated illegally out of Sidney industrial zone

Owner Kathy Banks (front), employees Kaylyn Paterson (left) and Sherry Bell (right), and Banks’ husband James Anson were all smiles earlier this spring when Sidney councillors signalled support for zoning and OCP changes that could have allowed the business to operate in an industrial-zoned space. However, a legislative reversal led Banks to seek space elsewhere. (Black Press Media file photo)
Voting for the 2022 Best of the City awards is open until midnight on May 15. Winners will be featured in a special publication this summer. (Don Denton/Black Press Media)

Still time to vote in 2022 Best of the City awards

May 15 voting deadline for Greater Victoria favourites quickly approaching

Voting for the 2022 Best of the City awards is open until midnight on May 15. Winners will be featured in a special publication this summer. (Don Denton/Black Press Media)
Baere Bikes co-founder Nicholas Jensen with one of his company’s electric cargo bikes on Oak Bay Avenue. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Victoria cargo e-bike company ready to change how families get around town

Jensen brothers’ Baere Bikes inspired by cycling-loving, former Oak Bay mayor dad

Baere Bikes co-founder Nicholas Jensen with one of his company’s electric cargo bikes on Oak Bay Avenue. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
Alpina Restaurant at Villa Eyrie Resort on the Malahat was rated among the best brunch spots in Greater Victoria and even Canada, based on reviews submitted to reservation service OpenTable. (Photo courtesy of OpenTable)

Greater Victoria brunch spots voted among Canada’s best

Four area restaurants earn high marks from OpenTable users, make top 100 list

Alpina Restaurant at Villa Eyrie Resort on the Malahat was rated among the best brunch spots in Greater Victoria and even Canada, based on reviews submitted to reservation service OpenTable. (Photo courtesy of OpenTable)
Butler Concrete and Aggregate and Empire Hydrogen Energy Systems have announced a partnership aimed at using Empire’s technology to make concrete trucks more efficient and less polluting. (Photo courtesy of Business Wire)

Greater Victoria companies team up to make concrete more environmentally friendly

Hydrogen fuel additive system to reduce fuel consumption and emissions in trucks

Butler Concrete and Aggregate and Empire Hydrogen Energy Systems have announced a partnership aimed at using Empire’s technology to make concrete trucks more efficient and less polluting. (Photo courtesy of Business Wire)
A produce vendor awaits his next customer during the monthly market at Royal Athletic Park. Mobile food and service vendors are invited to apply for free permits to operate on two-week rotations at one of 15 spots in eight locations around Victoria this summer and early fall. (Photo courtesy North Park Neighbourhood Association)

Prime Victoria sites up for grabs for mobile vendors this summer, fall

City permits free; 15 spots available at eight locations on 2-week rotation

A produce vendor awaits his next customer during the monthly market at Royal Athletic Park. Mobile food and service vendors are invited to apply for free permits to operate on two-week rotations at one of 15 spots in eight locations around Victoria this summer and early fall. (Photo courtesy North Park Neighbourhood Association)
Guests sit on the patio of the Penny Farthing and Vis a Vis using former parking spots along Oak Bay Avenue. Council extended the temporary pilot project in line with the province’s extension to March 2023. (Black Press Media file photo)

Province patio extension means Oak Bay eateries enjoy outdoor spaces to 2023

District plans to develop a permitting process ahead of the 2023 deadline

Guests sit on the patio of the Penny Farthing and Vis a Vis using former parking spots along Oak Bay Avenue. Council extended the temporary pilot project in line with the province’s extension to March 2023. (Black Press Media file photo)
Faro at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, which was recently honoured as Employer of the Year at the 2022 Vancouver Island Tourism Conference Industry Awards. Faro was previously listed on the inaugural 100 Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining list by opentable.com. (Courtesy of Oak Bay Beach Hotel)

5 Vancouver Island tourism teams earn top accolades

Oak Bay Beach Hotel best employer, Malahat SkyWalk voted people’s choice

Faro at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, which was recently honoured as Employer of the Year at the 2022 Vancouver Island Tourism Conference Industry Awards. Faro was previously listed on the inaugural 100 Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining list by opentable.com. (Courtesy of Oak Bay Beach Hotel)
Jenna Tucker and her dad Jeff Tucker are the latest two generations to get in on the Pharmasave Oak Bay business. Jeff remembers riding bikes to make deliveries along with twin brother Tony, and Jenna continues to come back between each course of her education. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Oak Bay Avenue family business marks 60 years

Tucker family’s Pharmasave a positive place, keeping clients, staff for generations

Jenna Tucker and her dad Jeff Tucker are the latest two generations to get in on the Pharmasave Oak Bay business. Jeff remembers riding bikes to make deliveries along with twin brother Tony, and Jenna continues to come back between each course of her education. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Stephen ‘Dusty’ Roberts stands among some of the rugs cleaned at his business, Luv-A-Rug Services Inc. (Courtesy Dusty Roberts)

Victoria rug-cleaning company floored by incoming donations for Ukrainians

Luv-A-Rug refreshing donated rugs to support humanitarian efforts

  • Apr 15, 2022
Stephen ‘Dusty’ Roberts stands among some of the rugs cleaned at his business, Luv-A-Rug Services Inc. (Courtesy Dusty Roberts)
Open Ocean Robotics CEO and co-founder Julie Angus poses behind one of the company’s boats. (Photo courtesy of Open Ocean Robotics)

Saanich ocean robotics company seeing sustainability success on the open sea

Open Ocean technology monitoring marine sanctuaries, will help protect resident orcas

Open Ocean Robotics CEO and co-founder Julie Angus poses behind one of the company’s boats. (Photo courtesy of Open Ocean Robotics)
The province has extended its pandemic patio program until next spring. The patios in the 1300-block of Gladstone Avenue serve as a pilot program as Victoria explores permanently allowing street and sidewalk dining spaces. (Courtesy Build Back Victoria)

B.C. extends pandemic patio program until next spring as summer season looms

Victoria mayor applauds the move as many still easing out of COVID-19 life

The province has extended its pandemic patio program until next spring. The patios in the 1300-block of Gladstone Avenue serve as a pilot program as Victoria explores permanently allowing street and sidewalk dining spaces. (Courtesy Build Back Victoria)
London Drugs’ Harris Green Village location is heading into the future with ROLL-E, a robot that will deliver curbside orders to waiting customers. (Courtesy of London Drugs)

Victoria London Drugs location adding robot to delivery staff

ROLL-E will help deliver curbside orders to waiting customers

London Drugs’ Harris Green Village location is heading into the future with ROLL-E, a robot that will deliver curbside orders to waiting customers. (Courtesy of London Drugs)
Clipper service is set to return to Victoria April 15. (Courtesy FRS Clipper)

Clipper ferries set to ply Victoria waters come mid-April

Tickets available now for sailings between Seattle and Victoria

Clipper service is set to return to Victoria April 15. (Courtesy FRS Clipper)
The Nature Bee busy bees outside their Veyaness Road location in Keating. (Courtesy of Nature Bee)

Central Saanich beeswax wrap seller nominated for two Small Business BC Awards

Katie Gamble’s Nature Bee business built on community, sustainability

The Nature Bee busy bees outside their Veyaness Road location in Keating. (Courtesy of Nature Bee)
The Kidovate Victoria 2019 market. After two years the market returns to The Bay Centre on April 9. (File photo courtesy Beattie Tartan)

University of Victoria business school initiative inspires young entrepreneurs

Kidovate market returns to Victoria mall after two-year hiatus

The Kidovate Victoria 2019 market. After two years the market returns to The Bay Centre on April 9. (File photo courtesy Beattie Tartan)
Wesbild has transferred ownership of University Heights to Greystar. (Photo courtesy Wesbild Holdings Ltd.)

Ownership change not expected to impact redevelopment of Saanich’s University Heights

Wesbild Holdings transfers ownership of University Heights Shopping Centre to Greystar

Wesbild has transferred ownership of University Heights to Greystar. (Photo courtesy Wesbild Holdings Ltd.)
Smuggler’s Cove Pub in Cadboro Bay is seeking help finding creative names for their new cocktail menu. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich pub invites community to help brainstorm names for new cocktail menu

Outfall, Leashed Dog, Queen Alexander suggested so far for Smuggler’s Cove roster

Smuggler’s Cove Pub in Cadboro Bay is seeking help finding creative names for their new cocktail menu. (Black Press Media file photo)
Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena. Under the management of GSL Holdings, the arena’s staff will soon use third-party facial verification to gain access to several areas. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Downtown Victoria arena moving to facial verification security for staff

City facility partners with Vancouver-based surveillance technology firm on project

Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena. Under the management of GSL Holdings, the arena’s staff will soon use third-party facial verification to gain access to several areas. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)