Business

Randi Page, senior marketing consultant with Victoria News, is among those named to Editor and Publisher Magazine’s inaugural class of Sales Supernovas. (Black Press Media photo)

Victoria News marketing lead named superstar by North America trade magazine

Sales Supernovas list recognizes 15 people from across North America

Randi Page, senior marketing consultant with Victoria News, is among those named to Editor and Publisher Magazine’s inaugural class of Sales Supernovas. (Black Press Media photo)
Lindsay Krieg Photo by Darren Hull

Salt of the earth

Relaxation, self-care and well-being at Room + Pillar Spa

  • Jan 31, 2022
Lindsay Krieg Photo by Darren Hull
Mike Menard, the owner of Menard Plumbing and Heating, was sworn in to the board’s top position on Jan. 25, taking over from Karen Mason, who held the position since 2020. (Contributed - Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce)

Sooke chamber elects new president

Mike Menard takes reins from Karen Mason

Mike Menard, the owner of Menard Plumbing and Heating, was sworn in to the board’s top position on Jan. 25, taking over from Karen Mason, who held the position since 2020. (Contributed - Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce)
Elle Jolie - Photo by Shawn talbot

Secrets and Lives with Elle Jolie

Shifting from cooking to training

  • Jan 26, 2022
Elle Jolie - Photo by Shawn talbot
With Victoria’s new green takeout plan, customers purchase an $8 container at a participating business. The food comes packed in the reusable container. The customer brings the clean reusable container when ordering takeout from any participating business and receives it in a new container. (Courtesy Bread & Butter Collective)

Victoria restaurants launch reuseable takeout container program

City estimates 75,000 single-use items are trashed every day

With Victoria’s new green takeout plan, customers purchase an $8 container at a participating business. The food comes packed in the reusable container. The customer brings the clean reusable container when ordering takeout from any participating business and receives it in a new container. (Courtesy Bread & Butter Collective)
The Bosley’s by Pet Valu crew participated in the Sooke Santa Claus parade in December. Store owner Ashley Kilpatrick said the biggest challenge in 2021 was keeping up with the changes in provincial health guidelines. ((Contributed - Bosley’s by Pet Valu)

Sooke businesses weather COVID storm

Local merchants appreciate community support

The Bosley’s by Pet Valu crew participated in the Sooke Santa Claus parade in December. Store owner Ashley Kilpatrick said the biggest challenge in 2021 was keeping up with the changes in provincial health guidelines. ((Contributed - Bosley’s by Pet Valu)
Lower business licensing fees for cannabis retailers will be considered by Victoria councillors on Jan. 13. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)

Victoria looks at major drop to city cannabis retailers’ license fee

Staff recommend lowering $5,000 fee to $280; other changes would reduce enforcement duplication

Lower business licensing fees for cannabis retailers will be considered by Victoria councillors on Jan. 13. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods)
The District of Central Saanich is addressing how its businesses have been impacted by the pandemic through hosting free, educational workshops. (Photo by Janis Jean)

Central Saanich offers free workshop series to help local businesses recruit, retain employees

Online series begins Jan. 20 from 7 to 8 p.m.

The District of Central Saanich is addressing how its businesses have been impacted by the pandemic through hosting free, educational workshops. (Photo by Janis Jean)
Canada’s 100 highest-paid CEOs had their second-best year ever in 2020, even as the COVID-19 pandemic left this country in the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. (File photo by The Canadian Press)

Top CEOs in Canada were paid at second-highest level ever during the pandemic

Country’s highest-paid CEOs earned an average of $10.9 million in 2020

Canada’s 100 highest-paid CEOs had their second-best year ever in 2020, even as the COVID-19 pandemic left this country in the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. (File photo by The Canadian Press)
The Bay Centre in downtown Victoria set a record with gift card sales in November. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Gift cards rule retail as mall shops work around supply chain issues

Shopping anywhere is a boutique experience right now, says Victoria mall general manager

The Bay Centre in downtown Victoria set a record with gift card sales in November. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
General manager of Stone Ground Pizza, Morgan Watson, shows off their stone-fired pizza oven, a feature of their new location inside the Doubletree Hilton Hotel in downton Victoria. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

New Greater Victoria food businesses ready to ring in the new year

Newcomers range from fast-food chicken to cheese and wine bistro

General manager of Stone Ground Pizza, Morgan Watson, shows off their stone-fired pizza oven, a feature of their new location inside the Doubletree Hilton Hotel in downton Victoria. (Megan Atkins-Baker/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)
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)
Mohamed Zeid (second from left) with staff members at Pharmasave Sooke, next to one of the three Christmas wish trees. (Bailey Moreton - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke pharmacy making Christmas wishes come true

Gifts go to Ayre Manor residents, Sooke Christmas Bureau and the women’s transition house

Mohamed Zeid (second from left) with staff members at Pharmasave Sooke, next to one of the three Christmas wish trees. (Bailey Moreton - Sooke News Mirror)
Shauna Grobowsky photographed by Lia Crowe

Secrets and lives with Shauna Grobowsky

Passionate Blooms owner doesn’t put limits on dreams or ideas

  • Dec 6, 2021
Shauna Grobowsky photographed by Lia Crowe
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)
Justin Kandola - Lia Crowe photography

Life and style with Justin Kandola

Modern Furniture GM appreciates the unique

  • Dec 3, 2021
Justin Kandola - Lia Crowe photography
Stuart Setch, director with Nanaimo Craft Beer Society, left, Jonny Ludtke, Bayview Brewery brewer, Harley Smith, Longwood Brewery partner, Tasha Ballantyne, Longwood assistant brewer, and Alfred Elviss, Bayview Brewery brewer, hold cans of 7 Belles Saison ale recently released to praise the efforts of health-care workers during the pandemic. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo Craft Beer Society raising 7 p.m. pints in praise of health-care workers

Non-profit partners with Longwood Brewery on 7 Belles Saison ale

Stuart Setch, director with Nanaimo Craft Beer Society, left, Jonny Ludtke, Bayview Brewery brewer, Harley Smith, Longwood Brewery partner, Tasha Ballantyne, Longwood assistant brewer, and Alfred Elviss, Bayview Brewery brewer, hold cans of 7 Belles Saison ale recently released to praise the efforts of health-care workers during the pandemic. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
The stage is set for a full season of theatre again in 2022 at the Chemainus Theatre with the current fundraising campaign that's underway supported with substantial contributions from Gregg Perry, left, and Dr. Don Hilton. The Holiday Jubilation concert for Christmas will be a stepping stone. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Funding campaigns help popular Island theatre stage a comeback

Matching donations go a long way toward a 2022 full season Chemainus Theatre reopening

The stage is set for a full season of theatre again in 2022 at the Chemainus Theatre with the current fundraising campaign that's underway supported with substantial contributions from Gregg Perry, left, and Dr. Don Hilton. The Holiday Jubilation concert for Christmas will be a stepping stone. (Photo by Don Bodger)
October 22, 2021 - Tracy Arden from Redefined Clothing in Duncan for S&L in Boulevard Central Island . Don Denton photo

Secrets and lives with Tracy Arden

Redefined Clothing Boutique owner fills a fashion niche in the Cowichan Valley

  • Nov 29, 2021
October 22, 2021 - Tracy Arden from Redefined Clothing in Duncan for S&L in Boulevard Central Island . Don Denton photo