Heather Scudder proudly states that her store, Khaya Home Decor, has gifts for every occasion.
Scudder is celebrating her 10th anniversary as the owner of the store, located at 107 Kenneth St. in Duncan, this summer.
She said the fact that her eclectic business, which carries home decor and furnishings, unique gifts and art by Canadian artists, deals in items no one else in the area has draws in customers from all over Vancouver Island, and beyond.
Scudder, who had extensive experience in running restaurants in the U.S. before settling in the Cowichan Valley, bought the store from an owner from South Africa, and has worked to make it her own ever since.
“I’ve always liked displaying things in my restaurants, so it was a natural fit for me to operate a store like this,” she said.
“It helps that downtown Duncan is way ahead of where it was years ago and has become a unique place for people to visit and shop, all within just three blocks,” she said.
Cowichan Green Community gets into magazine business
Cowichan Green Community is the new owner of Island Farm & Garden magazine.
The magazine has been supporting agriculture, gardening and local businesses across the Island since 2012.
Similarly, the CGC has been supporting food producers and farmers in the Cowichan Valley region since 2004
Judy Stafford, the CGC’s executive director, said the acquisition feels “like a natural fit.”
“We are excited to have the opportunity to expand our reach to an Island-wide audience, an audience that’s in tune with the values of sustainable living,” she said.
“Continuity is a goal of ours, as you will see in our first issue coming this fall.”
For more information or how you can contribute to the magazine, contact the CGC at 250-748-8506 or go to info@cowichangreencommunity.org.
Home Depot launches fundraiser for Options Society
The Duncan branch of Home Depot has kicked off its “Orange Door” fundraising campaign, with all of the funds raised going to the Cowichan Community Options Society.
Customers can donate $2 at the checkout in exchange for an orange paper door, and all donations will be used to help the CCOS provide free counselling, employment mentorship and support services for youth.
More than 180 Home Depot stores across Canada are taking part in this year’s campaign, which runs until Oct. 9.
The 10 stores that raise the most money by the end of the campaign will have their donations matched by Home Depot Canada, which will all go to the Cowichan Community Options Society if the Duncan branch is in the top 10.
“Youth homelessness is one of the most urgent social issues in Canada today,” said Jeff Kinnaird, chair of Home Depot Canada. “Together with our community, we’re building a brighter future for young people across Canada, one orange door at a time.”
Robert.Barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com