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BUSINESS BEAT: Vancouver Island's Torch award nominees making business better

Two Greater Victoria companies to be honoured with 50-year certificates at Better Business Bureau's annual celebration
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Aldyne Kerrigan

Most companies that belong to the Vancouver Island Better Business Bureau already are committed to quality service.

The more than 100 businesses nominated for the bureau’s annual Torch Awards have shown they’re willing to go the extra mile.

“It not only says that they are good, but they did something extraordinary for a customer,” says Rosalind Scott, bureau president.

The stories told by the consumers who have written nomination letters over the years give a sense of what she means.

In one, a masonry company managed to install an entire chimney without disrupting the frequent nap schedule of the client’s baby.

Another told of a pet store clerk helping a mother and her young child find a new goldfish to replace one that died. He took plenty of time to make sure they found just the right one, not once but multiple times.

A Thrifty Foods store was nominated by an elderly gentleman who stated he was a Holocaust survivor. “He wrote his nomination on a crumpled piece of paper with a pencil,” Scott says. “He said he feels like they care that he is walking into the store.”

The awards are split into four categories: trustworthiness, community engagement, ethical decision making and customer service excellence. Those four are also split into industry sub-categories of life improvements and professional services, trade services and support, and construction and renovation.

Receiving special 50-year accreditation awards are Butchart Gardens and Phil Ballam Plumbing and Heating Co.

The nominees are listed at vi.bbb.org and winners will be listed following Friday’s (Nov. 8) ceremony at the Union Club.

Call 250-386-6348 for more information on the bureau or awards night.

Construction underway on Steamship bldg. eatery

The Steamship Grill and Taphouse, along with an adjoining Starbucks café, is taking shape in the CPR Steamship building. The restaurant, part of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority’s vision for the structure, is expected to open sometime next month. It is being designed and developed by Extra Mile, a team led by long-time B.C. restaurateur Wayne Holm and including renowned chef Jim Romer and Vancouver seafood restaurant operator Kelly Gordon, who will serve as director of operations.

Local housing picture painted at conference

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation is hosting ‘Housing Outlook Conference Victoria – trends, transitions and new realities,’ Monday, Nov. 18 at the Delta Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa. The morning session (7:30 a.m. to noon) brings together top housing industry professionals to explore housing demand and supply in the current economy and offer market forecasts for 2014. Registration is $85 and can be done online at cmhc.ca/conferenceregistration or by calling 1-800-668-2642.

Body positive fashion show offers products, talks

Curvalicious Boutique and Sheer Essentials lingerie are teaming up Thursday, Nov. 21 to host Strut, a night focusing on body positivity and self beauty care for plus-size women. The adult-only event features a fashion show, fashion and artisan vendors, curvy girl burlesque by Wilde Riote, and talks from Julie Sweeney of Insight to Action counselling and others about overcoming body shaming thoughts and building confidence. Door prizes are also up for grabs. Strut happens at the Ambrosia Event and Catering Centre, 638 Fisgard St. Visit on.fb.me/1aITtO5 on Facebook for more information or call 250-590-2799.

Names in the news around the region

Filmmaker Hilary Pryor, founder of May Street Productions, is the newest board director with the Cridge Centre for the Family. Returning executive members are president Val Fuller, vice-president Colin Moorman, secretary Claudia Dorrington and treasurer Del Phillips … New to the Maritime Museum of B.C. board are North Saanich resident J.E. “Ted” Smith and Vancouver lawyer David K. Jones.

Send your business news to ddescoteau@vicnews.com.