Local Business

The G.O.A.T at Wind Cries Mary. (Courtesy Wind Cries Mary)

Goat cheese? Fire? Here are seven unique cocktails to try in Greater Victoria

Horchata foam, goat cheese, fire and more to excite your palate in ways you never thought possible

Stephen "Dusty" Roberts stands among some of the rugs cleaned at his business, Luv-A-Rug Services Inc. (Courtesy Dusty Roberts)

Make a difference and get a clean rug to boot at Luv-A-Rug in Victoria

Greater Victoria business owner steps up to fulfil a dream

  • May 11, 2023
Colin McKean, one of the founders of VEC and current landlord, and Executive Director Layla Sutherland at the Victoria Events Centre. (Arnold Lim / Black Press Media)

Progressive, community-based venue VEC celebrates 20 years in Victoria’s downtown

Run as a non-profit built by the hands of many, the VEC has come a long way since it emerged from a defunct teen nightclub.

Don Denton/News staff Feb. 18, 2011 - Monday Magazine sales rep Ruby Della-Siega.

Monday says goodbye to Ruby

‘It was a privilege … every model we used, it became a success’

Don Denton/News staff Feb. 18, 2011 - Monday Magazine sales rep Ruby Della-Siega.
The Foo Fighters will be at the Save On Foods Memorial Centre on Oct. 3. (Photo by Brantley Gutierrez)

Foo Fighters include Victoria in addition of 10 new tour locations

Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre hosting hall of famers Oct. 3; tickets available as of Feb. 18

The Foo Fighters will be at the Save On Foods Memorial Centre on Oct. 3. (Photo by Brantley Gutierrez)
A woodsy backdrop sets the Local Folk Fair Summer Market at Sea Cider in Central Saanich apart from street markets. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Central Saanich market offers shopping, snacking in the woods

Local vendors range from food and farm fare to a variety of artisans

A woodsy backdrop sets the Local Folk Fair Summer Market at Sea Cider in Central Saanich apart from street markets. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
The Farm Table Inn is one of almost two dozen local restaurants and beverage producers participating. Pictured are owners George gates and Evelyn Koops. (Alec Wheeler photo)

Tourism Cowichan launches campaign highlighting local food and beverage businesses

Sip, Support, Savour Cowichan campaign now underway

  • Feb 1, 2021
The Farm Table Inn is one of almost two dozen local restaurants and beverage producers participating. Pictured are owners George gates and Evelyn Koops. (Alec Wheeler photo)
The Qualicum Beach Cafe team: from left, host owner Eli Brennan, general manager Amy Turner, host owner/chef Alan Tse, chef de cuisine Todd Bright, sous chef Jack Mitchell and pastry chef/baker Noemie Girard. (Submitted photo)

Fresh start: Qualicum Beach Cafe set to offer West Coast dining

New operators bring wealth of culinary, hospitality experience

The Qualicum Beach Cafe team: from left, host owner Eli Brennan, general manager Amy Turner, host owner/chef Alan Tse, chef de cuisine Todd Bright, sous chef Jack Mitchell and pastry chef/baker Noemie Girard. (Submitted photo)
There are many options for enjoying a meal out locally during Dine Around and Stay in Town, on now through Feb. 7. (10 Acres Commons)

Dine Around Stay in Town Victoria carries added importance during pandemic

Special menu items for eat in or takeout/delivery, staycation deals available through Feb. 7

There are many options for enjoying a meal out locally during Dine Around and Stay in Town, on now through Feb. 7. (10 Acres Commons)
Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce board president Laurie Gehrke, left, and Chamber ED Laurie Filgiano accept a grant of $9,230 from Coastal Community Credit Union’s Marc Salewski and Cindi Levine on Dec. 1. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Virtual marketplace for Ucluelet and Tofino artisans in the works

“It’s like an Etsy for the Coast.”

Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce board president Laurie Gehrke, left, and Chamber ED Laurie Filgiano accept a grant of $9,230 from Coastal Community Credit Union’s Marc Salewski and Cindi Levine on Dec. 1. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Cole Byers and Jasmine Grant are taking a leap of faith and opening The Rack Westcoast Bistro in Langford, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Langford residents making “all-in move” opening restaurant amid COVID-19 pandemic

Although The Rack Westcoast Bistro isn’t officially open yet, it’s serving anyone who wanders in

Cole Byers and Jasmine Grant are taking a leap of faith and opening The Rack Westcoast Bistro in Langford, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
This map shows the proposed location for a proposed film studio on the Interurban campus of Camosun College. (Camosun College/Submitted).

Saanich mayor holds B.C. NDP to campaign promise to fund movie studio study

South Island candidates promised $150,000 to develop business plan

This map shows the proposed location for a proposed film studio on the Interurban campus of Camosun College. (Camosun College/Submitted).
Comox Valley Tastes Good is seeing who makes the best cake this Christmas. File photo

Cake contest is next up for Comox Valley Tastes Good

With Christmas coming, the social media group is holding a battle of the batter

Comox Valley Tastes Good is seeing who makes the best cake this Christmas. File photo
The iconic and well-loved live music venue Logan’s is permanently closing its doors due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Google Maps)

Victoria pub Logan’s permanently closing its doors

Live music venue unable to weather COVID-19 storm

The iconic and well-loved live music venue Logan’s is permanently closing its doors due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Google Maps)
Online reservation service, First Table, allows Victoria diners to have dinner at half-price if they’re willing to be flexible about when they go. (Black Press Media file photo)

New reservation service allows Victoria residents to dine out at half price

First Table gives Victoria diners 50 per cent off when they book tables during off-peak hours

Online reservation service, First Table, allows Victoria diners to have dinner at half-price if they’re willing to be flexible about when they go. (Black Press Media file photo)
Can you spot all 12 Days of Christmas displays at the Butchart Gardens? Jen Blyth photo.

The magic of Christmas returns to the Butchart Gardens

Some events cancelled due to COVID-10 but 12 Days of Christmas will brighten the season

Can you spot all 12 Days of Christmas displays at the Butchart Gardens? Jen Blyth photo.
Emily Carr show wraps up Canadian Tour at Royal BC Museum

Emily Carr show wraps up Canadian Tour at Royal BC Museum

Fresh Seeing opens with exclusive addition of T’anuu

  • Oct 8, 2020
Emily Carr show wraps up Canadian Tour at Royal BC Museum
Antimatter festival adapts

Antimatter festival adapts

Hybrid model brings 100 films

  • Oct 8, 2020
Antimatter festival adapts
Mark Penney is moving on from his gallery at Whiskey Landing, but plans to remain heavily involved in the local art scene. (Photo courtesy of Mark Penney)

Ucluelet loses one of town’s oldest art galleries

Mark Penney Gallery shuts down due, in part, to Hwy. 4 closures and COVID-19 pandemic.

Mark Penney is moving on from his gallery at Whiskey Landing, but plans to remain heavily involved in the local art scene. (Photo courtesy of Mark Penney)
Crews have used Second Avenue in Qualicum Beach (pictured here in front of the old Chamber of Commerce building) to double as the main street for ‘Chesapeake Shores’. (File photo)

COVID-19: Vancouver Island film industry to gradually restart

‘Everyone is kind of baby-stepping how it’s going to happen’

Crews have used Second Avenue in Qualicum Beach (pictured here in front of the old Chamber of Commerce building) to double as the main street for ‘Chesapeake Shores’. (File photo)