Romeo’s restaurant in Duncan has reopened under new ownership.
Natalie Johnny and Quinn Smith, a couple who met while working at Romeo’s, are now co-owners of the restaurant, along with Johnny’s mother Stephanie Peter and grandmother Barb Paquette.
After many decades serving the Cowichan Valley Italian cuisine and other dishes, Romeo’s in Duncan closed on May 31 when its former owners, brothers Nick and Chris Kamaretsos, decided to focus on their Romeo’s location in Langford.
Both Johnny and Quinn had been working at the restaurant for years in a number of roles, including as servers, hosts, delivery drivers, and dish washers.
Quinn, who is 23 while Johnny is 19, said it was Johnny’s idea to take over the restaurant, the first business either of them has ever owned.
“She said, let’s give it a shot and here we are,” Quinn said.
But the couple invested a lot of time and effort taking on major renovations at the restaurant, located at 180 Trans Canada Hwy., before they reopened on Dec. 1, which included a major paint job, new floors and a complete makeover of the kitchen.
The renovations are continuing however, so customers are required to pick up their food or have it delivered until they are complete.
Johnny said most of the original workers at Romeo’s have agreed to come back, including the head cook and kitchen manager, but they are still looking for some cooks.
She said she’s really excited to be a young entrepreneur.
“It just doesn’t seem real yet,” Johnny said.
“I love meeting new people and many of our customers have become my friends over the years. It feels like home here.”
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The Surepoint Group will be hosting a Christmas Toy Drive on Dec. 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the parking lot of Red Arrow Brewing, located at 5255 Chaster Rd. in Duncan
The Surepoint Group, a local electrical contractor specializing in renewable energy, industrial applications, residential, commercial installations and services, has partnered this year with Heronwood Custom Cabinetry to host the annual Toy Drive.
Surepoint spokesman Andrew Gudmundseth said all the toys and proceeds from the Toy Drive will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters Cowichan Valley.
He said new and used toys will be accepted, as long as the used toys are in good condition and not broken or missing pieces.
“Also, we will be accepting new or used kids books and non-perishable food items,” Gudmundseth said.
“Last year was a great success and we hope to carry that momentum into this year.”
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Time is quickly running out to take part in London Drugs’ eighth annual Stocking Stuffers for Seniors program.
Duncan’s London Drugs store has been identified as one of the more than 80 participating London Drugs’ locations with the most unclaimed tags left, so it has extended the Stocking Stuffers for Seniors program until Dec. 14.
Customers are invited to make a meaningful impact in local seniors’ lives by visiting London Drugs and selecting a tag from the Stocking Stuffers for Seniors Christmas tree, each bearing a senior’s gift wish.
Customers are encouraged to purchase the item listed on the tag (it doesn’t need to be purchased from a London Drugs store) and return it to the same location, by the date provided, and gifts will be delivered to seniors ahead of the holiday.
“For many local seniors in long-term care, they’ve celebrated Christmas every year of their lives, but no longer have family to celebrate with,” says Tom Arnold, executive director of Eldercare Foundation.
“It’s amazing to see their wonder and surprise on Christmas morning when a gift arrives from the Stocking Stuffers for Seniors program, and how decades of happy holiday memories come flooding back to them.”
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The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Holiday Online Silent Auction has raised $7,500 for the Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre, which will enable continuous, outstanding services to its 30,000 annual visitors.
The funding will directly assist in enhancing the centre’s visitor services, helping it to continue providing valuable information and resources to those exploring the Cowichan region, as well as supporting the centre’s ongoing efforts to promote local businesses and attractions, contributing significantly to the community’s vibrancy and appeal.
“A huge thank you to everyone who donated items and to those who participated in the bidding,” the chamber said.
“Your contributions play a crucial role in supporting the Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre, and strengthens our ability to be an effective hub for tourists and locals.”
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Western Forest Products, which has a number of sawmills and other operations in the Cowichan Valley, is sharing wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season with a number of local charities.
The Chemainus Harvest House Society, Cowichan Valley Basket Society and Ladysmith Resource Centre Association are each receiving $5,000 from the forest company.
The financial support for the local organizations from WFP, which is donating a total of $100,000 this festive season to support several Indigenous communities and community-based organizations in the areas where the company operates in B.C. and Washington State, will assist communities and charitable organizations provide meals and toys for those who would otherwise go without.
“The holiday season can be a difficult time for many and we are grateful to be able to play a part in spreading some joy and support to the communities where we live and work,” said Steven Hofer, president and CEO of WFP.
“This contribution is one of the ways WFP strives to make a positive difference in our local communities.”