Local Business

The first cruise ship of the 2019 season – the Celebrity Eclipse – docks in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

Tourism spending in Canada dropped by almost 50 per cent in 2020

Tourism-related jobs dropped by almost 29 per cent

Ladysmith’s In the Beantime Cafe has cleared the tables for their lobby following new public health orders that prohibit indoor dining. (Cole Schisler photo)

Restaurants blindsided by public health orders

‘It was definitely a circuit breaker’ local cafe owner says

The new Clean Cart technology makes sure carts are well-sanitized for customer use. (Michael Briones photo)

Quality Foods opens new flagship store in Parksville

Mayor: ‘City is obviously growing out this way so it’s going to be a big help to all the residents’

Indigenous Bloom’s Oyster Bay store is now open to the public. (Indigenous Bloom photo)

Indigenous Bloom and Stz’uminus First Nation partner to provide First Nations cannabis opportunities

Stz’uminus First Nation is a 51 percent owner of the Oyster Bay store

Indigenous Bloom’s Oyster Bay store is now open to the public. (Indigenous Bloom photo)
Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel closed for three months in late 2020, early 2021, to undergo renovations in leveraging slower hotel traffic because of COVID-19 restrictions. A new report from Statistics Canada find many businesses in the accommodation and food services sector are bracing for another tough year. (Courtesy of Fairmont Empress hotel)

Survey finds Canada’s hospitality industry has low expectations for year ahead

Almost 87 per cent of businesses in accommodation and food services report lower revenues in 2020

Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel closed for three months in late 2020, early 2021, to undergo renovations in leveraging slower hotel traffic because of COVID-19 restrictions. A new report from Statistics Canada find many businesses in the accommodation and food services sector are bracing for another tough year. (Courtesy of Fairmont Empress hotel)
Plantitude’s ‘Stargazer Bubbles’. (Plantitude photo)

Plantitude offers ‘stargazer bubble’ dining experience

The 10 foot by seven foot bubbles can seat up to six people

Plantitude’s ‘Stargazer Bubbles’. (Plantitude photo)
Chemainus Festival of Murals Society president Tom Andrews displays the Chemainus Dollars $10 bill with the same scene on it as The Native Heritage mural. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Chemainus Dollars revert to being strictly souvenirs on April 5

Unique currency spendable in Chemainus becoming a collectible only

Chemainus Festival of Murals Society president Tom Andrews displays the Chemainus Dollars $10 bill with the same scene on it as The Native Heritage mural. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Jim Girvan. (Submitted photo)

Ladysmith’s Jim Girvan honoured with forest industry award

Girvan was recognized by the Association of BC Forest Professionals

Jim Girvan. (Submitted photo)
A seaweed farm installation in Klahoose First Nations Territory by Cortes Island. (Cascadia Seaweed photo)

Seaweed farming opens world of opportunity for coastal B.C.

“It’s projects like this that can show what true reconciliation is about.”

A seaweed farm installation in Klahoose First Nations Territory by Cortes Island. (Cascadia Seaweed photo)
Cruise ship arrives at Victoria Harbour, a prime source of international tourism that has been suspended in the COVID-19 pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria small businesses hoping to survive extended cruise ship ban

Greater Victoria Harbour Authority supports extension, but says losses will follow

Cruise ship arrives at Victoria Harbour, a prime source of international tourism that has been suspended in the COVID-19 pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)
Patricia Berry with Jeff Knadle from Magpies. The relationship with the vendors at the Chemainus Public Market is one of the key components of Patricia Berry’s job. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Berry brings marketing experience to the market

Co-owner putting her stamp on the Chemainus business

Patricia Berry with Jeff Knadle from Magpies. The relationship with the vendors at the Chemainus Public Market is one of the key components of Patricia Berry’s job. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Dina Stuehler stands in front of the Duncan location prior to its opening in 2019. (Ironworks Cafe & Creperie/Facebook photo)

Ironworks Cafe & Creperie opens new location in Nanaimo

The Nanaimo location is expected to open Friday, December 18

Dina Stuehler stands in front of the Duncan location prior to its opening in 2019. (Ironworks Cafe & Creperie/Facebook photo)
A mobile app, from a small central Vancouver Island medical software company, gathers a cell phone’s GPS data that can be used for contact tracing when people are exposed to COVID-19. (Photo submitted)

Vancouver Island medical software company creates COVID-19 contact tracing app

Creators of GPS-based app say it could save lives at a critical time in the pandemic

A mobile app, from a small central Vancouver Island medical software company, gathers a cell phone’s GPS data that can be used for contact tracing when people are exposed to COVID-19. (Photo submitted)
After a brief closure, Roberts Street Pizza will reopen with an updated COVID-19 safety plan. (Cole Schisler photo)

Roberts Street Pizza reopens December 3

The store closed for a few days to update their COVID-19 safety plan

After a brief closure, Roberts Street Pizza will reopen with an updated COVID-19 safety plan. (Cole Schisler photo)
Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce has worked to support businesses throughout the pandemic. (File photo)

Ladysmith Chamber reflects on a challenging 2020

For small businesses looking to adapt to the challenges of COVID-19 one…

Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce has worked to support businesses throughout the pandemic. (File photo)
49th parallel was an early adopter of Plexiglas shields, and required staff to wear face masks. (49th Parallel photo)

49th Parallel continues to grow in spite of pandemic

The biggest challenge of the pandemic has been keeping shelves stocked at 49th Parallel stores

49th parallel was an early adopter of Plexiglas shields, and required staff to wear face masks. (49th Parallel photo)
Homes ranging from $400,000 to $700,000 are the fastest sellers. (File photo)

High demand and low inventory drive a competitive housing market in Ladysmith

VIREB’s Susan Perrey said buyers are looking to take advantage of low interest rates

Homes ranging from $400,000 to $700,000 are the fastest sellers. (File photo)
The first $300 shopping spree winner, Carol Travis. (Cole Schisler photo)

LDBA and Ladysmith Credit Union sponsor local shopping sprees

Don’t miss your chance to win a $300 local shopping spree

The first $300 shopping spree winner, Carol Travis. (Cole Schisler photo)
Nanaimo Airport’s terminal building. (File photo)

Nanaimo Airport faces steep decline in passenger counts

Nanaimo Airport CEO Dave Devana says it will take years to return to 2019 levels

Nanaimo Airport’s terminal building. (File photo)
Nick McMaster working on a painting at Cinder and Sea. (Cole Schisler photo)

Nick McMaster combines his passions for tattoos and art at Cinder and Sea

Cinder and Sea is a tattoo and fine art studio on Willow Street in Chemainus

Nick McMaster working on a painting at Cinder and Sea. (Cole Schisler photo)