As of Dec. 19, the Christmas tree lot at Berkey’s Corner had sold 369 trees so far this festive season.
Scotty Sissons, who operates the tree lot on behalf of its owner Ralph Dill, said this is the first time he had set up at Berkey’s Corner and the lot has been consistently busy since it opened on Nov. 28.
He attributed that to a good location with a lot of traffic passing by.
“Saturday, Dec. 9, was the busiest day so far despite the heavy rain that fell all day,” Sissons said.
“We sold 38 Christmas trees that day. I guess that was the day a lot of people had decided to get their tree and they weren’t put off by the weather.”
Sissons said Douglas fir trees are by far the most popular, and they come from local Christmas tree farms.
He said he expects real Christmas trees will remain popular in the coming years, regardless of the growing trend toward artificial ones.
“It’s a Christmas tradition that many people choose to stick with,” Sissons said.
“This seasons is almost done though. I expect Friday (Dec. 22) will be our last day.”
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Duncan Music, which has been in operation in the Cowichan Valley since 1995, has been sold to new owners.
As of Jan. 4, the store, located at 470 Trans Canada Hwy., will be part of the Long & McQuade family.
Manager Adam Hendershot said the owner, the last of many who have owned Duncan Music, bought it as an investment and was looking to sell when Long & McQuade, Canada’s largest music store chain, made the offer to buy it.
Hendershot said he will remain as manager, along with almost all the current staff who will also retain their positions, and the store will see one new member in the new year, an employee at Langford’s Long & McQuade location who lives in Duncan and will bring his experience and expertise to the company’s new Duncan store.
He said Long & McQuade plans to stay at the current location until this summer when it will reopen at the old Kim Wah Restaurant location on York Road.
“Long & McQuade bought that building and are in the process of renovating it in preparation of moving into that location this summer,” Hendershot said.
“We’re thinking about having a grand opening after we become a Long & McQuade location, but that’s still early in the planning stages. The staff are all excited for the change and we hope you will be too.”
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After almost a decade since closing their last local location on the Trans Canada Highway, M&M Food Market has opened another store in the Cowichan Valley.
The new M&M store, which is located at Unit 114, 2951 Green Rd., opened on Dec. 8, and manager Kevin Hilton said the store and his seven staff members have been busy ever since.
M&M Food Market, formerly known as M&M Meat Shops, is a Canadian company that has been in business for almost 44 years and has more than 340 locations across the nation.
The franchise is known as Canada’s leader in quality frozen prepared meals and online grocery shopping.
Hilton said his store offered $10 gift cards to its first 25 customers, and they were quickly given away.
“A lot of people from the Cowichan Valley would head to our stores in Nanaimo and Langford to buy our products, so now they’re happy to have a M&M store close by and they don’t have to go so far,” he said.
“I expect we’ll do well here.”
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After 15 years operating from 1400 Cowichan Bay Rd. in Cobble Hill, Dragon Yuan Chinese restaurant will be closing its doors on Dec. 23.
The restaurants Facebook page said the business truly appreciates all the support and memories the community has given it throughout the years, but decided it wasn’t sustainable in the long term.
“That being said, we are excited to announce that we are currently working at building The Dragon Yuan 3.0 in Duncan, and are looking forward to seeing familiar and new faces in the near future. Thanks again from all of us at the Dragon Yuan Restaurant.”
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The Cowichan Valley Basket Society Food Bank is getting a further $10,000 boost this holiday season from Coast Capital, the B.C.-based financial cooperative.
Tanya Smith, manager of social purpose ecosystem at Coast Capital, said that over the past year, non-profit organizations and food banks across the country have seen an overwhelming demand for their services, with a 32 per cent increase in food bank visits in 2023 compared to 2022.
She said Coast Capital is committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of people in Canada.
“Since 2000, Coast Capital has reinvested 10 per cent of its budgeted bottom line back into the communities it serves every year, focusing on organizations and causes that align with Coast Capital’s vision to build and champion more equitable access to education, employment and training and financial tools, education and advice,” Smith said.
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Get ready to jump-start your New Year with energy and excitement at the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce’s first mixer of 2024, hosted by Active Body Training, on Jan. 10.
Imagine a place where fitness meets fun – that’s Active Body Training.
It’s more than just counting calories and reps; it’s where every workout is a high-five, and every goal met is a shared victory.
“We’ve got an evening packed with vibrant energy, and the chance to check out the coolest fitness gear,” the company said in an ad for the mixer.
“Join us for an evening of laughter, networking, food and drink.”
The mixer, which is free for chamber members and their guests, runs from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Register Online, call 250-748-1111 or email chamber@duncancc.bc.ca.