Local Business

Long-serving employees at Ladysmith A&W are recognized for their dedication to their jobs. Pictured are Lori Kelland, co-owner, left, Loretta Frenchy, Kelly Frenchy, Katherine Aleck and Jason Kelland, also co-owner. (Duck Paterson photo)

Longtime A&W workers in Ladysmith get well-deserved holiday

Restaurant owners reward employees for years of service

  • Oct 13, 2022
The paper facility at the Crofton mill will be under another curtailment for about two weeks. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Paper Excellence announces paper mill curtailment at Crofton

Nearly 100 employees affected with temporary layoff notices

Having overcome some ’supply chain’ obstacles and unforeseen renovation setbacks Dong Su and Jai Chen are patiently awaiting their first customers at the new Jas Cafe and Bakery on Fourth Avenue. The new residents to Ladysmith have been working for almost a year on getting their dream to becoming a reality. (Duck Paterson photo)

Jas Cafe & Bakery ready to debut in Ladysmith

By Duck Paterson Special to the Chronicle Starting in China then a…

  • Sep 7, 2022
Western Forest Products announced capital investments totalling $29 million at operations in Saltair, Nanaimo and Chemainus. (Black Press Media file photo)

Western Forest Products announces $29 million in upgrades at central Island operations

Projects underway at Saltair, Nanaimo and Chemainus facilities

Western Forest Products announced capital investments totalling $29 million at operations in Saltair, Nanaimo and Chemainus. (Black Press Media file photo)
Debbie Simmonds outside the exp Realty office on Willow Street in Chemainus. (File photo by Don Bodger)

Chemainus realtor urges those needing to sell their houses to act fast

Market conditions changing rapidly with interest rate hikes

Debbie Simmonds outside the exp Realty office on Willow Street in Chemainus. (File photo by Don Bodger)
21streetclub was dreamed up by a UVic student who dreams of helping art and design students earn money from their pieces while attending school. (Photo courtesy of Nelson Walusimbi)

University of Victoria student turns class project idea into full-blown fashion business

Website aims to help art and design students find platform to share, sell their fashion pieces

21streetclub was dreamed up by a UVic student who dreams of helping art and design students earn money from their pieces while attending school. (Photo courtesy of Nelson Walusimbi)
Software systems are susceptible to cyberattack through the recently discovered Log4Shell vulnerability. (Stock photo)

Vancouver Island cybersecurity firm ahead of global curve in arming against Log4j bug

aDolus Technology Inc. generates first vulnerability reports to thwart hackers

Software systems are susceptible to cyberattack through the recently discovered Log4Shell vulnerability. (Stock photo)
Anita’s Organic Mill co-owner Taylor Gemmel outside the Chilliwack location. (Michelle Gemmel submitted file photo)

Nature’s Path acquires majority interest in Chilliwack organic food business

Largest organic cereal and snack maker buys into Anita’s Organic Mill

Anita’s Organic Mill co-owner Taylor Gemmel outside the Chilliwack location. (Michelle Gemmel submitted file photo)
The Central Vancouver Island Rotarians will hold a sale of authentic hand woven Guatemalan scarves and clothing to raise money for access to education in Guatemala villages this month. (Photo courtesy of Gerry Beltgens/Rotary Club of Ladysmith)

Central Vancouver Island Rotaries raise funds for access to education in Guatemalan villages

Rotarians will sell authentic hand woven Guatemalan scarves and clothing to raise funds

The Central Vancouver Island Rotarians will hold a sale of authentic hand woven Guatemalan scarves and clothing to raise money for access to education in Guatemala villages this month. (Photo courtesy of Gerry Beltgens/Rotary Club of Ladysmith)
A merger between Nanaimo-based Taste of B.C. Aquafarms and Blue Star Foods of Miami, Fla., will scale up land-based fish farm steelhead production on the mid Island. (Photo submitted)

Nanaimo fish farm plans to scale up production 15 times thanks to US deal

Taste of B.C. Aquafarms was acquired by Miami, Fla.’s Blue Star Foods Corp. earlier this year

A merger between Nanaimo-based Taste of B.C. Aquafarms and Blue Star Foods of Miami, Fla., will scale up land-based fish farm steelhead production on the mid Island. (Photo submitted)
Ladysmith town council met in person on Oct. 5 for the first time since March 2020. (Chronicle file photo)

Ladysmith town council highlights Oct. 5

Council considered an OCP amendment at 1260 Churchill Place and Stocking Lake remediation

  • Oct 9, 2021
Ladysmith town council met in person on Oct. 5 for the first time since March 2020. (Chronicle file photo)
Hard-working employees Ingrid Vieira and Angela Bajich at the entrance to Sandpiper Gardens and Glass. (Photo by Don Bodger)

End of October the end of the line for garden portion of Sandpiper Gardens & Glass

Gunnell Borge decides to slow down, but family keeping property

Hard-working employees Ingrid Vieira and Angela Bajich at the entrance to Sandpiper Gardens and Glass. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Don Pigott, owner of Yellow Point Propagation, stands in front of a 1957 seed cleaner which sorts various species of seeds by size. The sorter is still in use at the Quennell Road business. (Duck Paterson photo)

Yellow Point company picks seeds for planting forests around the world

Yellow Point Propagation in the midst of seed-collecting season

  • Sep 1, 2021
Don Pigott, owner of Yellow Point Propagation, stands in front of a 1957 seed cleaner which sorts various species of seeds by size. The sorter is still in use at the Quennell Road business. (Duck Paterson photo)
Julie Stevens is makin’ bacon, lots of it, and cooking other things and pouring beer and serving and everything else at Canteen on the Green due to the labour shortage. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Shortage of workers has Chemainus business owners scrambling

Students returning to school soon likely to compound the problem of filling jobs

Julie Stevens is makin’ bacon, lots of it, and cooking other things and pouring beer and serving and everything else at Canteen on the Green due to the labour shortage. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Nanaimo Airport is starting to see business increase with COVID-19 travelling restrictions being eased, said Dave Devana, president and CEO. (News Bulletin file)

Nanaimo Airport ‘a lot busier,’ but passenger counts still far from pre-pandemic levels

An estimated 20,000 passengers travelled through YCD in July, says airport CEO

Nanaimo Airport is starting to see business increase with COVID-19 travelling restrictions being eased, said Dave Devana, president and CEO. (News Bulletin file)
Daisy & Vine is located at 32 High Street. (Daisy & Vine photo)

Daisy & Vine Vintage Design shows off a new look

Ladysmith’s latest home decor store had a grand re-opening on July 14

Daisy & Vine is located at 32 High Street. (Daisy & Vine photo)
Tseshaht Lead Beach Keeper Hank Gus says he’s looking forward to sharing the Broken Group Islands origin story with visitors. Gus has been a Beach Keeper for nine years. (Tseshaht First Nation photo)

Tseshaht First Nation re-opens Broken Group Islands with refreshed Beach Keepers Program

To help sustain the program, tour operators are encouraged to implement a $10 per day per guest fee

Tseshaht Lead Beach Keeper Hank Gus says he’s looking forward to sharing the Broken Group Islands origin story with visitors. Gus has been a Beach Keeper for nine years. (Tseshaht First Nation photo)
There are some 800 to 1,000 boats at anchor in Ladysmith at any given time. (Cole Schisler photo)

Boaters frustrated by lack of gas dock in Ladysmith

Some 800 - 1,000 boats at anchor have no place to fuel up in Ladysmith

There are some 800 to 1,000 boats at anchor in Ladysmith at any given time. (Cole Schisler photo)
Sam Elkiw is the owner of Four One One, Ladysmith’s brand new men’s and women’s clothing store at 411B 1st Avenue. (Cole Schisler photo)

New “youthful” men’s and women’s clothing store opens on 1st avenue

Four One One opens on Saturday, June 26

Sam Elkiw is the owner of Four One One, Ladysmith’s brand new men’s and women’s clothing store at 411B 1st Avenue. (Cole Schisler photo)
A conceptual rendering of the commercial plaza at 1130 Rocky Creek Road. (Town of Ladysmith/June 15 Council Agenda)

Rocky Creek commercial plaza passes public hearing

The proposed plaza at 1130 Rocky Creek Road would bring commercial activity to Ladysmith’s north end

A conceptual rendering of the commercial plaza at 1130 Rocky Creek Road. (Town of Ladysmith/June 15 Council Agenda)