With the closure of the Chemainus Public Market, residents of Chemainus and beyond are wondering where they can find those vendors. We’ve put together an update of what we know so far.
David Eguin has moved his specialty toy shop, Brickitty-dooda, to a new location at 303 Festubert St. in Duncan. Eguin said renovations on the space are now complete and painting is underway. Eguin hopes to be open and taking care of the Island’s Lego needs with collectible sets, minifigures, T-shirts, earrings, keychains, piece replacement and more in the coming weeks. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for details.
Broken Wing Studio by artist Jenn O’Brien has not relocated but O’Brien invites people to contact her through Broken Wing Studio's social media accounts or visit her website or on Instagram. She is also still instructing through the Ladysmith Arts Council. https://www.ladysmitharts.ca/classes
Local favourite By the Bay Lavender does not have a new storefront location but has some other exciting developments to share. In 2022, owners Kristie Anne and Sterling Aurel purchased two acres of land and created a lavender farm. They will be open for tours beginning in March and look forward to welcoming guests and events.
In an email to the Courier, the Aurels were excited to share what they’ve been working on with their farm.
“We believe we have made the largest heart in Canada and planted it with our favourite varieties of lavender. The heart is about one acre long and wide and can be seen from the skies. On our farm we have a willow forest and have been making an adventure trail through it and are developing a new running loop through lavender and willow trees.”
Once open, the farm will feature a shop where customers can purchase their all-natural products. Until then, customers can shop online and have products shipped anywhere in Canada. They will also have their products for sale at the Chemainus Visitor Centre mid-February.
The couple said they miss their local customers and hope they can find a suitable location in Chemainus to reopen a store in the spring.
Get your engines revving because The Chemainus Classic Car Club will now be holding their meets at the parking lot in front of Waterwheel Park from June 4 until Sept. 17 from 4 to 7 p.m. Follow them on Facebook to stay in the loop.
Colour Wheel Salon has found a new spot to call home at 9736 Chemainus Rd. The new location is one door to the right of Little Town Pizza. Owner and stylist Keirsten Tymko invites clients to book an appointment and check out her beautiful new spot. Call 250-533-9309 to book.
Paul Fogerty has relocated his stained glass business, Fogerty Design Studio, to a stand-alone store at 2873 Oak St. in Chemainus and will be open to customers on Feb. 5. His popular classes will be back and Fogerty looks forward to putting his decades of experience to work to create unique, custom stained glass creations for his customers.
Joyce Cloakey has kicked off a new market at Chemainus United Church and that’s where you’ll find all her tasty treats for sale under her Joyce’s Creations banner. The next market will be on Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 9814 Willow St.
The United Church will also be hosting a fundraising soup and sandwich lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and coffee and tea will be available during the market. This fun new shopping experience featuring local goods will happen once a month through November as well as the first three weeks in December. Table rentals are available for artisans and entrepreneurs who would like to sell their wares and can be booked by contacting Joyce via Facebook.
“My table at the public market has always been a fundraiser for the United Church. Now I am offering the opportunity to the community to have a place to support local artisans and entrepreneurs. I feel it is an important role for the community to have the opportunity to access all that locals are willing to share,” Cloakey said.
Fans of retro video games, silver age comics, vintage toys, rock n roll records, arcade and pinball machines and other collectibles will have to wait just a little longer to find out where Wiffle Games / Wizards Arcade will be opening. Owner/operator Shawn Orza has been working at tilt warning speed to try and get his new spot ready. No small feat considering all the products and machines he had to move, not to mention 6,000 vinyl records! Orza will be revealing Wiffle Games’ new address soon so stay tuned to his website, Facebook and Instagram accounts.
The Winning Touch Massage will be one of the vendors at this year’s Chemainus Wednesday Market, which will run May 28 through Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot in front of Waterwheel Park. Jodie Greis-Phillips will be open for 15 minute chair massages in what she’s playfully calling her “massage garage”. That’s because her spot will also host the Chemainus Classic Car Club where car enthusiasts can find t-shirts, collectibles and more. After the market, vintage, muscle, custom and club cars are welcome to roll in from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.
