Local Business

Man Up Demolition crew Donald Share (front), Paul Packer, Murray Klaassen and David Slemin are open for business in Sooke. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)

New Sooke businesses popping up, amid turbulent market

‘I’m not quitting on these guys’, says company owner

Man Up Demolition crew Donald Share (front), Paul Packer, Murray Klaassen and David Slemin are open for business in Sooke. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)
King’s Auto is giving away a silver 2004 Chevrolet Malibu to someone in need for free. Nominate someone you think deserves a free car by Sept. 30. (Courtesy of King’s Auto)

King’s Auto hosts free car giveaway for someone in need

Giveaway is a partnership with Cool Aid Society and Black Press Media

King’s Auto is giving away a silver 2004 Chevrolet Malibu to someone in need for free. Nominate someone you think deserves a free car by Sept. 30. (Courtesy of King’s Auto)
Victoria would be an ideal place for e-scooters, according to company executives. (Photo by Kris Krug)

Victoria is a ‘no brainer’ for e-scooter program, say company executives

The best place for an e-scooter – which can travel up to 20 km/h – is in a bike lane

Victoria would be an ideal place for e-scooters, according to company executives. (Photo by Kris Krug)
Jill Fitz Hirschbold in Side Street Studio on Oak Bay Avenue, which offers works from 200 different B.C. artists. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)

Online sales steady the ship at Oak Bay’s Side Street Studio

34-year-old store now sells work of 200 B.C. artists

Jill Fitz Hirschbold in Side Street Studio on Oak Bay Avenue, which offers works from 200 different B.C. artists. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)
Victoria-based mask-making business, The Kindness Project, has outgrown the founder’s home office and is moving into a new workshop on Hillside Avenue. (The Kindness Factory website)

Victoria mask business outgrows home office, expands into new workshop

The Kindness Factory started in founder’s home, thrives amid pandemic

Victoria-based mask-making business, The Kindness Project, has outgrown the founder’s home office and is moving into a new workshop on Hillside Avenue. (The Kindness Factory website)
Cascadia Seaweed chairperson Bill Collins and CEO Mike Williamson grill up some salmon and seaweed burgers. Along with plans to manufacture marine products for other industries, the Sidney-based company has decided to produce and sell its own food products. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Sidney seaweed company grills up plans to grow and sell its own food products

Cascadia Seaweed hopes to reach international markets

Cascadia Seaweed chairperson Bill Collins and CEO Mike Williamson grill up some salmon and seaweed burgers. Along with plans to manufacture marine products for other industries, the Sidney-based company has decided to produce and sell its own food products. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
Loss of storage space leads to 25-cent bargains for Victoria comic book fans

Loss of storage space leads to 25-cent bargains for Victoria comic book fans

Nostalgic customers take a trip back to their youth as downtown shop owner unloads boxes of comics

Loss of storage space leads to 25-cent bargains for Victoria comic book fans
The Victoria Foundation has been investing in organizations that strengthen communities since 1936. (Photo courtesy of the Victoria Foundation)

Victoria Foundation steps up in challenging times

Funds assist organizations dealing with a range of issues

The Victoria Foundation has been investing in organizations that strengthen communities since 1936. (Photo courtesy of the Victoria Foundation)
Orca punting seal spotted by Greater Victoria whale watching company

Orca punting seal spotted by Greater Victoria whale watching company

Five Star Whale Watching captured images of the encounter

Orca punting seal spotted by Greater Victoria whale watching company
Kevin Hall has been selected to take over as the president of the University of Victoria in November. (Photo courtesy of the University of Victoria)

New University of Victoria president to take over leadership role this fall

Kevin Hall selected to lead institution for five-year term

Kevin Hall has been selected to take over as the president of the University of Victoria in November. (Photo courtesy of the University of Victoria)
An artist rendering of the atrium and exterior of the proposed Wintergarden Hotel submitted to the City of Victoria in a development application. (Renderings by D’Ambrosio Architecture)

20-storey hotel proposed for downtown Victoria

Wintergarden Hotel proposed for block of Blanshard Street between Fort and View streets

An artist rendering of the atrium and exterior of the proposed Wintergarden Hotel submitted to the City of Victoria in a development application. (Renderings by D’Ambrosio Architecture)
Omar Aziz, centre, with mom Fatima Aziz, are opening their Wrap and Roll store at 1885 Fort St. from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday to raise money for the victims of the Beirut explosion. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)

Family restaurant to hold Saturday fundraiser for Beirut blast

Wrap and Roll will donate all sales to victims of blast

Omar Aziz, centre, with mom Fatima Aziz, are opening their Wrap and Roll store at 1885 Fort St. from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday to raise money for the victims of the Beirut explosion. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)
KABU, a ride-hailing app, has launched in Victoria. (KABU/Facebook)

Ride-hailing app KABU launches in Victoria

Customers required to wear masks at all times in vehicles

KABU, a ride-hailing app, has launched in Victoria. (KABU/Facebook)
Protesters staged a ‘noise demo’ at the Lifestyle Market on Douglas Street on April 16. (Photo by Mike Graeme)

Lifestyle Market workers get hazard pay, paid sick days after voting in collective agreement

Agreement ends months of negotiations amid pandemic

Protesters staged a ‘noise demo’ at the Lifestyle Market on Douglas Street on April 16. (Photo by Mike Graeme)
Craig Little, owner of Arbutus RV & Marine Sales, shown here enjoying a family getaway, said it’s been a record summer for sales. (Photo contributed)

COVID-inspired RV sales soaring on West Shore and beyond

Health restrictions, recommendations keep Vancouver Island vacationers closer to home

Craig Little, owner of Arbutus RV & Marine Sales, shown here enjoying a family getaway, said it’s been a record summer for sales. (Photo contributed)
The Merchant General Store held its grand opening March 12 only to shutter March 18. The business shifted to offer essential groceries and reopened May 1. (Courtesy Sandy Black)

Victoria program helps businesses shift swiftly in wake of COVID-19

Bring Back Victoria helps businesses open patios, create welcoming, safe spaces for customers

The Merchant General Store held its grand opening March 12 only to shutter March 18. The business shifted to offer essential groceries and reopened May 1. (Courtesy Sandy Black)
Hastings Martial Arts in North Saanich first opened in December but was forced to close temporarily due to COVID-19. The studio reopened in June and is now offering classes with increased safety protocols in place. (Photo contributed/Cory Hastings)

Peninsula businesses launch amidst COVID-19

New music school, martial arts studio, pet food store, welcomed with warm community response

  • Aug 2, 2020
Hastings Martial Arts in North Saanich first opened in December but was forced to close temporarily due to COVID-19. The studio reopened in June and is now offering classes with increased safety protocols in place. (Photo contributed/Cory Hastings)
The West Coast Trail Express is operating along the Victoria - Port Renfrew route daily but has been hit hard by charter cancellations and the closure of the West Coast Trail. (Facebook/West Coast Trail Express)

West Coast Trail shuttle operator struggles with closure

Buses now operating Victoria-Port Renfrew route

The West Coast Trail Express is operating along the Victoria - Port Renfrew route daily but has been hit hard by charter cancellations and the closure of the West Coast Trail. (Facebook/West Coast Trail Express)
MD Charlton Co. in Central Saanich, is ringing in its 40th year, and owner Alec Rossa hopes there are many more to come. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Three Peninsula businesses celebrate longevity

MD Charlton in North Saanich celebrates 40th anniversary this year

  • Aug 2, 2020
MD Charlton Co. in Central Saanich, is ringing in its 40th year, and owner Alec Rossa hopes there are many more to come. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Denny Warner, executive director of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, says the local business community has proven resilient against the backdrop of COVID-19. (Submitted)

Saanich Peninsula business proves resilient during pandemic

2020 Readers’ Choice celebrates local businesses and organizations

Denny Warner, executive director of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, says the local business community has proven resilient against the backdrop of COVID-19. (Submitted)