News Impacting Southern Vancouver Island Business
VICTORIA
Cathy Scott
Cathy Scott, owner of Departures Travel, a 40-year-old Victoria agency, and Niche Travel, which specializes in custom Vancouver Island and women’s tours worldwide, received the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce‘s 2025 Award of Distinction.
South Island Prosperity is expanding the region’s economic alliance with the addition of Doane Grant Thornton.
Daniel Lapp will perform a special celebratory show at the Alix Goolden Performance Hall in downtown Victoria on Saturday, May 31 at 7:30 p.m. to mark the debut of Woodbox Records and his first fiddle music album in over two decades. Quinn Bachand, Adrian Dolan, and Adam Dobres will also join Lapp onstage.
Harbour Air‘s direct flights between Victoria and Salt Spring Island are scheduled to resume on May 2.
The RBC Foundation has generously supported the recently announced BC Marine Energy and Decarbonization Hub, a joint venture between the University of Victoria and COAST.
BC Transit will soon launch its first electric bus, which will travel from Vancouver to Victoria. Buses will keep arriving until the fall of 2025.
Kimberley Hughes
Kimberley Hughes, Delta Hotels by Marriott, Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort, was awarded Hotelier of the Year.
Oso Cookies, which offers a range of pastries, coffee, hot chocolate, and other items, launched a second shop in Mayfair Mall.
Roast will relocate to the Phillips Tasting Room at 2010 Government St. on May 12, as the Victoria Public Market is scheduled to close shortly.
A new Kinton Ramen restaurant is set to launch in May at 813 Wharf St. in Victoria.
Experience Victoria Gift Shop has opened a new retail storefront at 911 Government Street.
An expanded ranking of North America’s 50 finest bars, which now covers the top 100, has placed Humboldt Bar at number 69 in Canada.
Artemis Whisky Bar received the most votes during Victoria Cocktail Week and was named the Best Shaft in Victoria.
Conexus Events presents, internationally-acclaimed, award-winning Indian classical singer, Mahesh Kale, Live at the McPherson Theatre in Victoria for one-night only, May 22, 2025 at 7:30pm.
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest members, Optimind Clinic, Dockside Physiotherapy, Fusionrise.ca, and Artemis.
Be a Beacon of Hope, an inspirational video campaign, has been launched by Beacon Community Services in honour of their 50th anniversary.
Whisk & Yolk Kitchen recently opened for business at 808b Viewfield Rd., Victoria.
Sean Valikosky celebrates 6 years of dedicated service at Highland Pacific Golf.
OK Tire Saanichton, has just been recognized with the National Store of the Year Award.
Langford officially opened Porcher Park on Tuesday, April 22, at 822 Wren Place. Porcher Park will enhance Langford’s downtown centre with open green spaces, a children’s play area, and a community garden on the way.
Hansbraun Investments, the owner of the Royal Oak Shopping Centre, is urging Saanich to expand its rezoning vision in light of Saanich’s intentions to construct housing on adjacent municipal land.
At least one of the required parking spaces in all new residences zoned R-1 through R-5 must have an energized EV outlet that can provide a minimum level-two charge, according to a district resolution to amend its parking facilities bylaw.
The Green Thimble celebrated its grand re-opening on April 26th at #400-2950 Douglas Street.
McDonald’s on Langford Parkway is back in business following renovations.
CFAX 1070 AM has officially moved its broadcasting operations to Park Place in Esquimalt. The station is now located in a newly constructed office complex situated next to Esquimalt’s town hall and above the public library.
The new delivery service offered by Islands West Produce begins on April 27.
Arbutus Landing is scheduled to break ground in on May 6th.
The Capital Regional District (CRD) SEAPARC Recreation division has started an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to seek elector approval for the borrowing bylaw to replace the and SEAPARC Recreation Centre‘s mechanical equipment with heat recovery funds. Both projects cost $3,150,000.
Refire Kitchen relocated to a larger location at 2506 Beacon Ave. in Sidney.
The West Coast Grill Sidney located at Van Isle Marina is officially opened for business.
Whole New World: A Concert of Movie Musicals’ Greatest Songs comes to Sidney at the Mary Winspear Centre, on Thursday, May 22.
Lobsterfest, a partnered event of Rotary Club of Sidney by the Sea and Saanich Peninsula Community Foundation, will take place on Saturday, June 7.
Public input on the future of transportation on the West Shore, the Peninsula, and Sooke is being requested by BC Transit and the Victoria Regional Transit Commission. The public input period will end on May 2, 2025.
The Peninsula Streams Society’s efforts to restore salmonid habitats on southern Vancouver Island have earned them the Conservation Organization of the Year Award.
West Shore Bikes is celebrating 15 years in business.
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