Local Business

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)
Grant Keefer, owner of Yellow Point Cranberries, pulls a boom into position as he rounds up cranberries floating atop the water in a flooded field Tuesday at the farm located in Yellow Point south of Nanaimo. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Cranberries a booming business at harvest time in Ladysmith

Yellow Point Cranberries floods fields for fruit-gathering

Grant Keefer, owner of Yellow Point Cranberries, pulls a boom into position as he rounds up cranberries floating atop the water in a flooded field Tuesday at the farm located in Yellow Point south of Nanaimo. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Jonathan Nolan, Michael Nolan, Hope Johnson and Willow the cutest dog hanging, out at the Kwa'lilas Hotel while they wait to be able to return home to Rivers Inlet. (Zoe Ducklow photo)

Wuikinuxv First Nation evacuation to Port Hardy extended to seven days

Rains have not slacked off, keeping landslides a present threat

Jonathan Nolan, Michael Nolan, Hope Johnson and Willow the cutest dog hanging, out at the Kwa'lilas Hotel while they wait to be able to return home to Rivers Inlet. (Zoe Ducklow photo)
The Best Western Plus Chemainus Inn is one of only 60 hotels out of more than 2,200 Best Western-branded properties in North America to receive the M.K. Guertin award. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Best Western Plus Chemainus Inn receives special honour

One of only 60 hotels in the chain to earn award

The Best Western Plus Chemainus Inn is one of only 60 hotels out of more than 2,200 Best Western-branded properties in North America to receive the M.K. Guertin award. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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)
Jimbo competed in Season One of Canada’s Drag Race and has support from a new brew at Riot Brewing in Chemainus. (Photo by Helene Cyr)

Riot unveils a colourful brew in honour of a drag queen

Variety the spice of life and with beverages for Island entertainer

Jimbo competed in Season One of Canada’s Drag Race and has support from a new brew at Riot Brewing in Chemainus. (Photo by Helene Cyr)
View of the Beachwood Estates site. (Photo by Don Bodger)

New Chemainus development offers prime building lots in a diverse neighbourhood

Beachwood Estates officially opens with interest already high due to its location

View of the Beachwood Estates site. (Photo by Don Bodger)
The staff at Little Valley Restorations (Cole Schisler photo)

Little Valley Restorations celebrates 40 years in business

Opened in 1980, Little Valley Restorations grew from a hobby to a celebrated business

The staff at Little Valley Restorations (Cole Schisler photo)
Russell Farm Market is open again at long last. (Photo by Don Bodger)

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)
Cheri and Brianne Mactier (Sani Clark photo)

Cheri Mactier celebrates 20 years in Ladysmith real estate

After 20 years in town, Mactier’s daughter, Brianne Mactier is joining the family business

Cheri and Brianne Mactier (Sani Clark photo)
The first parklet patio in downtown Ladysmith was constructed in under 12 hours (Marsh Stevens photo)

First downtown parklet patio installed on 1st Avenue

Social distancing regulations will determine the total seat count

The first parklet patio in downtown Ladysmith was constructed in under 12 hours (Marsh Stevens photo)
Donna Middlemiss pours a little beer into the batter for the fish and chips at Captain Andy’s. But don’t worry, folks, it’s the non-alcoholic variety and adds a lot of flavour. (Photo by Don Bodger)

The skipper of Captain Andy’s cooks up a storm

Middlemiss putting her extensive experience to work in new Chemainus restaurant

Donna Middlemiss pours a little beer into the batter for the fish and chips at Captain Andy’s. But don’t worry, folks, it’s the non-alcoholic variety and adds a lot of flavour. (Photo by Don Bodger)
The garlic crop looks good, as Russell Farm Market & Garden Centre’s France Bournazel points out. It’s just getting it to market that’s a bit more challenging than usual right now due to the Feb. 1 flood that shut down the market. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Crops ready, but Russell Farm Market still a month away from reopening

Garden Centre doing a blazing business with everyone taking up gardening

The garlic crop looks good, as Russell Farm Market & Garden Centre’s France Bournazel points out. It’s just getting it to market that’s a bit more challenging than usual right now due to the Feb. 1 flood that shut down the market. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Ucluelet’s Hello Nature Adventure Tours owner Kevin Bradshaw tests the plexiglass shield at the kayak launch. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Marine activities open with COVID-19 measures

“I’m just happy to get back on the water.”

Ucluelet’s Hello Nature Adventure Tours owner Kevin Bradshaw tests the plexiglass shield at the kayak launch. (Nora O’Malley photo)