Misty Pines Café And Bakery Opening near Costco and Nori
MARK MACDONALD
NANAIMO – After four decades of building on Vancouver Island under the leadership of founder Greg Constable, IWCD has announced that Patrick Brandreth has assumed the role of President of the construction company. Greg, now Past President, will transition into an advisory and mentorship role as Founding Chairperson. IWCD is deeply grateful for the 40 years Greg has dedicated to building the company, as his extensive industry knowledge, business acumen and vision have provided the foundation in which IWCD continues to build on. Greg will remain a trusted source of guidance and mentorship as IWCD enters its next chapter. Patrick has been an invaluable asset to IWCD over the past 11 years. In his role as Vice-President, he has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a deep commitment to advancing the company’s growth, and IWCD has complete confidence in his ability to lead the organization into the future.
Also, IWCD has once again been named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, and welcomed back as a Platinum Club member. The program recognizes Canadian-owned companies for sustained excellence in strategy, capability, commitment, and financial performance.
IWCD President Patrick Brandreth, left, and founder Greg Constable
Doane Grant Thornton LLP is moving their accounting and advisory office from 25 Cavan Street downtown to 1825 Bowen Road, next to Frontrunners, in the summer.
Jeff Whitworth is expanding his company again, as Precise Mechanical Repairs has opened its fifth location, Precise Truck & Equipment, at 1718 Kidson Road in Nanaimo. Jeff started by buying a garage on East Wellington Road for his first full-service auto repair business which is called Precise Mechanical Repairs – Jingle Pot, and has since added Precise Mechanical Repairs – Downtown at 227 South Terminal Avenue, Precise Mechanical Repairs – Woodgrove at 6430 Hammond Bay Road, and Precise Mechanical Repairs – Parksville at 464 East Island Highway
Mary-Anne Laverman
The Port of Nanaimo is pleased to introduce Mary-Anne Laverman, CPHR, in the role of Manager, Human Resources. Mary-Anne is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) with more than 10 years of experience supporting employees and leaders across a range of industries, including retail, public accounting, and radio broadcasting, in both provincially and federally regulated environments.
Retired CIBC executive Mike Smith is back in the marketplace, as he’s been an Account Manager for manager Johann Van Rensburg at the Business Development Bank of Canada. Mike is also known as “Smith & Wesson” for his sharp-shooting skills in oldtimers’ hockey.
All Island REIT welcomes two new board members: Mackenzie Kyle and former Comox Valley MLA Don McRae. Ben Vanderhorst has retired, notes Board Chair Shelley Legin. All Island REIT started under Andre Sullivan’s Integral Wealth Securities Ltd. and holds commercial and industrial properties across Vancouver Island and in the Okanagan, expanding from $67 million to close to $300 million over nine years.
Prospera, Coast Capital, and Sunshine Coast Financial credit unions have formed an official merger that will consolidate operations and integrate systems, services, and products in the coming months. The merger completed May 6, and the new entity, led by President and CEO Gavin Toy, will be called the Coast Capital Savings Federal Credit Union family, with each member retaining their own brand in the marketplace.
Jeff and Joan Ross have opened Kidz Toys in Nanaimo North Town Centre. The Rosses operate another 18 stores on the Island through their J&J Ventures.
Former Vancouver Canucks goalie Richard Brodeur is opening an art gallery in downtown Parksville called Gallery 35, at 129 Alberni Highway.
Congratulations to developer Jim Dickinson, who along with other Vancouver Island Military Museum volunteers Angus Scully and Bruce Davison have been honoured as recipients of Canada’s Soverign’s Medal for Volunteers recently.
Wilson Transportation has added a new bus route between the Duke Point and Tsawwassen BC Ferry terminals, starting June 5.
A planned commercial and light industrial development on Superior Road has been turned aside by Lantzville council, which refused to rezone the property. Early rumors called for the site to have a sizeable big box retailer, which some speculated could have become a new home for Costco.
It’s status quo at REMAX following The Real Brokerage Inc.’s recent purchase of RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. in an $880(US) deal. notes Charlie Parker, who is Broker Owner of REMAX Professionals (based in Nanaimo), REMAX Camosun of Victoria, and REMAX Rental Pros. The new entity will operate as Real REMAX Group and is REAX on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
The Hazelwood Group of Companies has announced that it will contribute $375,000 over five years for the Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank’s free food market program. The Hazelwood name will be atop the new regional food centre on East Wellington Road that is now under construction.
Best Buy Liquor is now open on Comox Road.
Woodgrove Centre owner Ruby Liu has sold Arbutus Ridge Golf Course in Cobble Hill to Andrew Golin. Liu purchased the 225-acre, 18-hole golf course in 2019. Golin is majority owner and co-founder of Golin Cinemas which owns four theatres on Vancouver Island, in Duncan, Campbell River and two in Victoria. Arbutus Ridge opened in 1988 and the purchase includes a junior golf academy, the clubhouse and three indoor tennis courts. Liu also owns shopping centres in Tsawwassen and Mayfair Mall in Victoria.
Misty Pines Café and Bakery is opening another location in Nanaimo, beside Costco Wholesale and the extraordinary sushi making Nori Japanese Restaurant in June. Misty Pines’ other outlet is in the Wesley Square Professional Centre on Wesley Street downtown.
Jamie Wood, Director of Hockey at Aspengrove School and the father of Matthew Wood, a right winger with the National Hockey League’s Nashville Predators, has been announced as the coach of the Mid-Island Sirens in partnership with the Oceanside Minor Hockey Association, which will be joining the female Pacific Coast Elite Hockey League.
Caged Athletics has expanded its business operations by adding Caged Athletics Lacrosse, led by Andrew Bowman, the Head of Lacrosse Operations.
Congratulations to Royal LePage Island Living of Parksville for being named brokerage of the year for all of Canada, out of over 700 Royal LePage brokerages and 22,000 agents. Their brokers are Ian MacKay, Kirk Walper and Lynn Martin.
Broadmead Care Society has purchased Nanaimo long-term care home Eden Gardens on Northfield Road.
A tip of the hat to John MacDonald, who recently climbed to number 11 in the list of the top 25 individual Commercial producers for Western Canada for REMAX.
Cody Dreger of Layzell Dreger and Associates has been nominated for the Canadian Realtors Care Award 2026.
Snuneymuxw First Nation (SFN) and its economic development arm, Petroglyph Development Group, will open The Village at stlilnup at 1840 Stewart Avenue near the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal this summer. One of their initial tenants will be Yolks, a breakfast and brunch eatery that will seat over 100 guests inside and on the patio. Chef Steve Ewing started as a food truck in Vancouver in 2012, and Nanaimo’s location will be the first on Vancouver Island. There are numerous locations across the country. SFN has also acquired 100 percent ownership of the Gordon Street Courtyard by Marriott Nanaimo hotel.
Mark MacDonald is President of Communication Ink Media & Public Relations Ltd. mark@communicationink.ca
