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Business notes: Thai Lum Lum opens on Station Street

The latest from Cowichan’s business community
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Nutthapong (aka Bobby) Kamoon is the owner of the new Thai Lum Lum restaurant, located at 161 Station St. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

A new Thai restaurant has opened at 161 Station St.

Thai Lum Lum opened for business on Jan. 2 by Nutthapong (aka Bobby) Kamoon, a Thai chef with decades of cooking experience, and his wife Nina who is also a chef.

Kamoon, who is also the head chef at the Thai Pinto Cuisine restaurant in Chemainus, said he will stay on at the Thai Pinto for the time being while also running Thai Lum Lum, which is his first business.

He said Thai Lum Lum carries all the curry and other dishes that are so popular at the Chemainus restaurant, and more.

The location at 161 Station St. is where the Sap Siam Bistro, another popular Thai restaurant, had operated until last month when it closed after 19 months in business.

Sap Siam’s owners Vilavan and David Richardson decided to sell the business so the couple could focus on the well being of Vilavan, who was also the restaurant’s chef, after she was diagnosed with a serious illness.

Kamoon said he knew the couple well and many of Sap Siam’s customers have returned since Thai Lum Lum opened.

“We’re also getting lots of new people who have never been here before,” he said.

“Business has been good so far.”

Thai Lum Lum is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 for lunch and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for dinner.

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Jason Finlayson, with Pemberton Holmes Ltd., was the number-one real estate agent in Duncan in 2023, according to Rate-My-Agent.com.

Rate-My-Agent.com is a rating and review platform for real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and insurance agents.

The list of the 2023 Duncan Top Ranked agents celebrates the best of the best as reviewed by their 2023 clients.

Finlayson was determined to be the best real estate agent in Duncan last year based on 16 independently triple-verified reviews.

Local realtors Caitlin McKenna and Darren Meiner came in second and third place.

“Unlike other agent ranking sites, agents can’t pay to have negative reviews removed or hidden and cannot pay to be included on the list of top-rated agents,” said AJ van Creveld, operations manager at Rate-My-Agent.com.

Van Creveld won’t disclose exactly how reviews are verified, but confirms that many agents have attempted to beat the system and been caught.

These cheaters are penalized and fined.

“What sets us apart isn’t just the triple verification process of all reviews, but our commitment to supporting worthy causes by pledging 50 per cent of our profits to organizations that prevent and end youth homelessness in Canada,” said van Creveld.

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The Island Agricultural Show will be back at Cowichan Exhibition Park on Feb. 2-3.

Begun in 2011, the Islands Agriculture Show is the only agricultural trade show serving the farm and food community on Vancouver Island, the coast and Gulf Islands.

The IAS, which is the second-largest agriculture show in B.C., provides a venue for farmers, rural landowners, farm organizations, equipment dealers, service providers and the general public to learn, connect and engage.

Participating as a sponsor or exhibitor at the show allows your business to directly engage with a diverse audience of new and experienced farmers, showcase your products or services, and build connections within a community-centric and welcoming environment.

For more information and details about the IAS, contact show manager Shari Paterson at 250-748-0822 or email cowex@shaw.ca.

••••

The Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Association will hold a member social at PlentiFILL Refillery on Jan. 25.

The free gathering is a great chance for business people to network, share ideas, and make new connections within the local business community.

The evening will be filled with lively conversations, delicious refreshments, and even the excitement of a door prize draw.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Johnna Puusa from WorkBC, who will offer valuable insights into the wage subsidy program,” said the DDBIA in a release.

“It’s a perfect opportunity to gain knowledge that could benefit your business. No need to RSVP; just bring your enthusiasm for mingling and learning.

The gathering will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at PlentiFILL, located at 163 Kenneth St.



Robert Barron

About the Author: Robert Barron

Since 2016, I've had had the pleasure of working with our dedicated staff and community in the Cowichan Valley.
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