Ian Smith grew tired of driving over the Malahat every day to go to his job at Victoria’s Victory Barber &Brand.
So Smith, a barber, decided to open his own Victory Barber &Brand location on Duncan’s Kenneth Street, but with a twist.
Smith’s store also boasts a full espresso coffee bar, with barista Lucas Philippson at the helm, specializing in the local Drumroaster coffee and Westholme tea brands.
Victory Barber &Brand, which also has a store in Vancouver, has its own product line, which includes everything from hair products to T-shirts. These are available at the Duncan location.
“The coffee bar was my idea, as I had the extra space in the store for it,” he said.
“Lots of people showed up at Victoria’s Victory Barber &Brand with coffee cups, so I thought I’d make it easier for them by selling it myself.”
Hobby turns into detailing business
A favourite hobby has turned into a full-time business for retired scientist Richard Walton.
Walton, who was regarded as one of the world’s leading experts in torrefaction, a thermal process to convert biomass into a coal-like material, before he retired last year, is the owner of Duncan’s new RIBA Detailing Perfection.
RIBA is a world class automotive detailing service, specialising in European luxury, sport and racing automobiles, as well as aircraft and boats, which had its grand opening on June 16.
Walton calls it an “accidental business.”
“I bought a collection of (classic) cars but couldn’t find a place to store them,” he said.
“I finally found a place and when I was there one day working and cleaning one of my cars, a person approached me, said I was doing beautiful work on the car and asked if I could detail his car. I decided to turn it into a business and now I have a shop at 2853 Robert St.”
Sign Shop celebrates 20th; keeping busy in Duncan
Mark’s Instant Sign Shop in Duncan is celebrating its 20th anniversary in business.
Opened by Mark Paetz in 1997, the store operated at 241 Kenneth Rd. until it moved into its current location at 750 Jubilee St. three years ago.
The store provides high-quality sign and graphic solutions.
Paetz said he’s still trying to decide how to celebrate his store’s anniversary.
“We’re just heads down and dealing with our workload right now,” he said.
“The bigger space at our new location is keeping us busy.”
Big year for Vancouver Island’s 49th Parallel stores
The 49th Parallel grocery store in Duncan will celebrate its 10th anniversary on June 24.
It’s not the only anniversary the Vancouver Island-based grocery store chain is celebrating this year.
The 49th Parallel store in Ladysmith is celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Cedar store is marking its 20th anniversary, and the Chemainus location is celebrating its fourth year in its new location.
“We’ll be celebrating the anniversary of our Duncan store (located at 550 Cairnsmore St.) on June 24 with specials in the store all day, and we’ll have face painting, a bouncy castle and a petting farm among other activities for families in our parking lot from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.,” said company spokesman Pat Battie.
Robert.Barron@ cowichanvalleycitizen.com