Business

The coronavirus and the drastic measures put in place by government officials to try to control its spread had a severe toll on many small businesses. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

B.C. pilot program launches to help small businesses weather COVID

1,000 entrepreneurs across the province will be chosen to receive free help from experts

 

Northisle Copper and Gold map photo

Proponents see gleam of promise in North Island copper and gold mine

Northisle Copper and Gold expects to accelerate activities ‘significantly’

 

Eternity Medical Equipment’s ECAN95 masks have received Health Canada approval and CSA certification. (Eternity Medical Equipment photo)

B.C. company makes 1st Canadian-made mask to receive official CSA certification

Eternity Medical Equipment producing N95-equivalent masks out of Campbell Heights facility

 

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Vancouver, Victoria among top 10 tech markets in Canada

Tech education and industry continue to boom in B.C.

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Business owner Kristen Russell. Lia Crowe photography

Secrets and Lives and The Seven Sins with Kristen Russell

An interview with Bayside Goods boutique owner

  • Dec 28, 2020
Business owner Kristen Russell. Lia Crowe photography
Arbutus RV owners Rose and Craig Little. Photography by Lia Crowe

Sales surge for Arbutus RV

Recreational vehicles on a roll for province’s largest RV dealer

  • Dec 25, 2020
Arbutus RV owners Rose and Craig Little. Photography by Lia Crowe
The Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce hosts it AGM on Jan. 19. (Pixabay photo_

Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce set to host annual general meeting

New board member to be sworn-in

The Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce hosts it AGM on Jan. 19. (Pixabay photo_
InnovateBC offers business owners COVID-19 recovery programming including digital skills hiring grants, no-cost business coaching, access to local connections and more.

Innovate BC offers boost to those growing their business online

COVID recovery programming includes digital skills hiring grants, no-cost business coaching and more

  • Dec 21, 2020
InnovateBC offers business owners COVID-19 recovery programming including digital skills hiring grants, no-cost business coaching, access to local connections and more.
British Bobby Restaurant proprietor, John St John, stands outside his business in Parksville. The restaurant is set to close on Feb. 13 2021, with John preparing a silent auction for the restaurant’s decor and movie memorabilia. (Mandy Moraes photo)

Vancouver Island’s iconic British Bobby Restaurant falls victim to COVID-19

Owner John St John says Parksville business will close on Feb. 13, 2021

British Bobby Restaurant proprietor, John St John, stands outside his business in Parksville. The restaurant is set to close on Feb. 13 2021, with John preparing a silent auction for the restaurant’s decor and movie memorabilia. (Mandy Moraes photo)
The Zebra group's Rus Collins - Photography by Lia Crowe

Secrets and Lives With Rus Collins

Zebra Group designer talks creativity, painting and baking during Covid-19

  • Dec 14, 2020
The Zebra group's Rus Collins - Photography by Lia Crowe
Devon Bird - Lia Crowe photograph

Fashion Forward With Devon Bird

Moden Boutique owner expands her business during Covid-19 with Moden Essentials

  • Dec 10, 2020
Devon Bird - Lia Crowe photograph
Bob Higgins pulls the gate across on the elevator built inside his home. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Island man’s expertise earns international award with home-built elevator

Experience put to use in winning contest entry for furniture and home projects

Bob Higgins pulls the gate across on the elevator built inside his home. (Photo by Don Bodger)
The Better Business Bureau is recommending that businesses ramp up their COVID-friendly shopping options now to prepare for the holiday season. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Time to ramp up COVID-friendly shopping: Better Business Bureau

If businesses want to be successful this holiday season they need to act now, says BBB

The Better Business Bureau is recommending that businesses ramp up their COVID-friendly shopping options now to prepare for the holiday season. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
MNP senior economist Susan Mowbray presents the State of the Island Economic Report on Thursday night to conclude the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance’s virtual summit. (VIEA image)

Not-so-rosy State of the Island report caps off virtual summit

Vancouver Island Economic Alliance’s summit took place online Oct. 27-29

MNP senior economist Susan Mowbray presents the State of the Island Economic Report on Thursday night to conclude the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance’s virtual summit. (VIEA image)
A video message from Mrime Minister Justin Trudeau was streamed to attendees at the State of the Island Economic Summit on Tuesday morning. (Vancouver Island Economic Alliance image)

Prime minister greets Vancouver Island economic summit attendees

Vancouver Island Economic Alliance conference being held virtually this week

A video message from Mrime Minister Justin Trudeau was streamed to attendees at the State of the Island Economic Summit on Tuesday morning. (Vancouver Island Economic Alliance image)
A notice on the door of the Starbucks at 3849 Cadboro Bay Rd. says it closes permanently on Sunday, Oct. 25. (Google Maps)

Cadboro Bay Starbucks location to close permanently after 16 years

Residents association seeks reason for closure set for Oct. 25

A notice on the door of the Starbucks at 3849 Cadboro Bay Rd. says it closes permanently on Sunday, Oct. 25. (Google Maps)
Kendra MacDonald is CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. She is the keynote presenter at the State of the Island Economic Summit, taking place virtually Oct. 27–29, 2020. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Ocean potential takes the spotlight at the 2020 ‘State of the Island’ Economic Summit

Vancouver Island Economic Alliance’s annual summit goes digital for 2020

Kendra MacDonald is CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. She is the keynote presenter at the State of the Island Economic Summit, taking place virtually Oct. 27–29, 2020. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
The Oak Bay Village market wraps Oct. 4 behind municipal hall. (Oak Bay Village/Facebook)

Vendors come to Oak Bay Village for one last market

Final outdoor market runs Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. behind municipal hall

  • Oct 2, 2020
The Oak Bay Village market wraps Oct. 4 behind municipal hall. (Oak Bay Village/Facebook)
A Mountain Equipment Coop, MEC, sign is seen on a store front in Montreal on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Struggling outdoor equipment retailer MEC opposes efforts to pause sale to Kingswood

MEC said it’s urgent for the sale to close before the retailer sees ‘significant weekly cash flow losses’

A Mountain Equipment Coop, MEC, sign is seen on a store front in Montreal on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Russell Farm Market is open again at long last. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Island market finally reopens more than seven months after extreme flood

COVID situation lengthened an already long renovation process

Russell Farm Market is open again at long last. (Photo by Don Bodger)