Blush Vintage, a home and lifestyle store, has moved from Chemainus to 38 Station St. in Duncan.
The store, which opened up in its new location on Nov. 3 after about a year in operation in Chemainus, sells everything from hand-made local products like candles, jewelry and self-care products to greeting cards, art prints and vintage Boho furniture.
Owner Danielle Gaudet, who was born and raised in Shawnigan Lake, said the lease on the store in Chemainus had come up, so she moved quickly to take over the spot on busy Station Street when she saw it was available on a walk through the downtown core.
She said she was a silversmith before she opened Blush Vintage and attended a number of craft fairs to sell her products, but then the COVID-19 pandemic began that shut down most of the craft fairs and she knew she had to find something else to make a living.
“So far, so good,” Gaudet said after being open in her new location for several weeks.
“Christmas is coming and I expect we’ll see a lot of business then because of how busy this area is. The business community here has been great to us. We’ll be having our grand opening on Dec. 7.”
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The Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Area’s annual Christmas Kick-Off event is back.
The event will be held in Downtown Duncan on Nov. 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Featuring live music, vendors selling treats, shopping local, and a spectacular fireworks finale, Christmas Kick-Off is the perfect opportunity to fill your cup.
Bring the whole family and enjoy complimentary photos with Santa, vintage holiday movies on a giant screen, face painting, and balloon twisting.
You’ll also find a small town with big Christmas spirit ready to celebrate the return of the DDBIA’s holiday shindig.
Two separate stages will showcase the wealth of talent in the Cowichan Valley with musical performances from Super Christmas, The Cowichan Valley Concert Band, The Jam Factory, Jim Scales and more, and dance numbers from Carlson’s School of Dance and Judy Hogg’s Celtic Rhythm Dancers.
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The Mill Bay Shopping Centre’s Lights! Music! Santa! event will be held at the centre on Nov. 26, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The afternoon includes a visit with Santa after Santa arrives at 5 p.m. on a Mill Bay fire truck.
The jolly elf will be inside Brugo’s until 6 p.m. so drop by and say hi.
There will also be a barbecue on the deck by the Mill Pizza and Grill, and all donations will go towards the food bank.
There will also be free hot chocolate and popcorn, and entertainment at the event will be by Phil Newns and Shelley Vaags.
The shopping centre will also hold Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus events on Dec. 3, 10 and 17 out front of The Third Edition Gifts & Toys from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.
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Island Return It, the family owned recycling business that has locations in Duncan and Cobble Hill, is looking for local groups to be the Charity of the Month.
Owner Sophy Roberge said that ever since the company began in 1995, it has striven to give back to the community by sponsoring sports teams, being part of music festival recycling programs, pick-up bottle drives, and the Charity of the month donation program.
She said all donations that are collected at Island Return It’s Duncan location, Bings Creek, Peerless, and Meades Creek CVRD Recycling Centres are donated to 12 selected groups over 12 months.
Roberge said groups applying for the donation program have to be a registered charity, non-profit organization or a group that gives back to the Cowichan Valley.
“We had the Big Brothers and Sisters of the Cowichan Valley, SPCA, Bring Back the Bluebirds, Wildsafe BC and many more as part of the Charity of the Month program,” she said.
“To be eligible, the organization has to fill out an application form that is on our website at islandreturnit.com/fundraising-opportunities, and tell us who you are and why you should be added to this program. The deadline is Dec. 5, 2022.”
Roberge said there are lots of organizations in the Valley that need a little boost to continue to make a difference and Island Return It is there to help.
“To apply for the Duncan location, one representative of the selected group will have to be present on one Saturday of the month to promote their organization,” she said.
“That way, our customers learn more about the program. Our South Cowichan location has a smaller program with their donation bin, but still generates great funding to local charities. If you are closer to this location, please apply by emailing your filled application form to them.”
robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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