MARK MACDONALD
NANAIMO – Congratulations to Corinne and Lyle Sharkey on expanding their Smitty’s Restaurant network, by acquiring the Smitty’s in Parksville. The popular restaurant, renowned particularly for its breakfast pancake offerings, will be open until 8 p.m. in Parksville. The Sharkey’s other locations are in Chase River at Southgate Mall, and in Rock City Centre in central/north Nanaimo.
Tracey Brown is the Director of Philanthropy at the Nanaimo Foundation. She follows in the footsteps of Laurie Bienert. The Foundation has funding available for numerous charitable causes throughout the community, as well as provides an umbrella for individuals and companies to open their own Foundation by providing an avenue to access tax receipts for donations to those foundations.
One of Woodgrove Centre’s latest additions is Mathnasium of Nanaimo, “The Math Learning Centre”, led by instructors Preeti and Palbir Atwal. It’s another non-public education option for parents desiring to see their children excel and advance in their future pursuits.
Lyle Sharkey
Former Canadian Western Bank manager Kevin Wilson, now with Ashdown Financing, has announced they’ve confirmed $7,930,000 in financing for Corporate Group Financing – Full Corporate Group, with operations across several different industries in Canada and the United States.
Vancouver Island’s first Chipotle Restaurant is opening at 1070 Douglas Street. Could a Nanaimo location be in the near future? Chipotle now has 13 outlets in B.C., with four in Surrey, three in Vancouver, and one each in Langley and Port Coquitlam. They also have 25 in Ontario.
After four decades in the hospitality industry, Paul Drummond, the General Manager at Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort in Parksville has announced his retirement.
Meat Craft Island Butchery, which has a Nanaimo outlet at 6461 Metral Drive, has opened a location at 680 Berwick Road South in Qualicum Beach.
Kevin Wilson
Managing Director Alex Stuart and CEO Dave Hayden of the Island Rail Corporation made a presentation to the Regional District of Nanaimo promoting the restoration of Vancouver Island rail service, although the price tag could be upwards of $1 billion. When I was Managing Editor of the Nanaimo Daily News a decade ago, we ran articles estimating that it would cost around $1 billion to restore the service. While claims that passenger service would be feasible on the route are disputable, the need for reliable rail for commercial and industrial purposes is very real, and an important building block in the Island’s transportation infrastructure, providing vital links for the Port of Nanaimo, as an example.
Narmada Chhetri and main cook, partner Balbir Singh, held the official opening of their new Paradise Indian Cuisine restaurant in the Southgate Mall.
U-Haul released information showing Nanaimo as being 17th on their list of Canadian growth cities in 2023. A well-known investor and commentator noted years ago that one way to identify new real estate opportunities is to see where U-Haul is growing, noting that their expansion is an indication of new residents and growth.
Nanaimo plant-based sports nutrition brand VEGAIN has announced an exclusive endorsement partnership with Ian Machado Garry, the undefeated UFC Welterweight fighter. Melissa L’Heureux-Hache and Edan Wolk area the co-founders of VEGAIN.
Joanna Buczkowska-McCumber, CEO and Principal Sustainability Strategist for the Ideas for Impact Sustainability Agency, has been awarded a contract with the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance to lead them through a comprehensive strategic planning process.
IslandLink Bus has announced that starting May 16, they will expand their routes to connect Port Hardy, Port McNeill and Campbell River to the rest of their services across Vancouver Island. IslandLink owner Philip Morgan says the connection will also provide a route to Bella Coola and Prince Rupert on the mainland through B.C. Ferries.
City council has granted a development permit to Ironclad Developments to build two buildings of five and six storey heights that will include 171 residential units on an empty lot on Watfield Road on the north side of the 500 block of Third Street.
Congratulations to Angellos Glaros for winning the Metal Supermarkets’ annual Metal My Way competition. His winning Blue Heron piece, took 425 hours to complete.
BC Assessments released the list of the highest commercial properties in Nanaimo, with Woodgrove Centre topping the chart at $218,606,000, followed by Harmac Pacific at $124,935,300.
Of the top 10 commercial properties, six were shopping centres: Nanaimo North Town Centre at $88,354,000, Country Club Centre at $75,399,000, Port Place at $45,354,00, Longwood Station at $37,677,000, Dickinson Crossing at $33,676,000 and Brooks Landing at $33,242,000.
Mark MacDonald is President of Communication Ink Media & Public Relations Ltd. mark@communicationink.ca