The Corner House Cafe will host a Duncan Vintage – Show, Tell and Sell show on Nov. 5, beginning at 7 p.m.
Cafe owner John Lee said his family has been working and living in Duncan for decades, from running Bob’s Grill on the Trans Canada Highway in the 1960s to the cafe today, and have collected quite a bit of local memorabilia in that time.
Lee said he and his family have also met many other local people who have a penchant for collecting old and interesting things over the years, and he’s inviting them and anyone else interested to participate in his first ever Show, Tell and Sell.
“There will be old signs from stores, old gas pumps, pinball machines and just about anything that you can imagine here,” he said.
“Anyone is welcome and you don’t have bring any artifacts. You can just talk to people about the past and how Duncan used to be, or perhaps see some old faces you haven’t seen in a while.”
Two Christmas events ready to Inspire you
The Inspired Events organization will be hosting two Christmas fairs at the Cobble Hill Hall on Nov. 5 and Dec. 10.
It’s expected that there will be approximately 40 vendors at the fairs. They will be selling everything from home-baked goods to crafts. A number of community-outreach programs will also be there.
They include South Cowichan Community Policing who will be registering children with the most up-to-date child identification kits and connecting with seniors about their “friendly phone” program and safety tips.
Griffiths moving to industrial park
Griffiths Plumbing will soon be moving from its longtime location at 251 Government St. to the Duncan Industrial Park.
Owner Damon Griffiths said he expects the move should take place sometime in December, and he’s still determining exactly where the new storefront will be in the industrial park.
“We’re going to close the retail part of our operation and focus on plumbing services and installations,” he said.
“The retail side of the business has been in decline in recent years.”
Business leaders ready to strategize for future
The Cowichan Valley’s business leaders from a number of sectors will start meeting in early November to discuss strategies to promote economic development in the region.
The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures and Economic Development Cowichan will be collaborating on a series of six sector consultations aimed at bringing together business leaders in tourism, agriculture, retail, manufacturing, technology, construction and real estate.
The roundtable-style sessions, with times and places yet to be announced, will be facilitated by Ron Less, director of public sector advisory services for the accounting and consulting firm MNP LLP.
“The roundtables are a chance for businesses to share common issues and concerns and to feed this information into our collective strategies for economic development,” said Amy Melmock, the new manager at Economic Development Cowichan.
“For the benefit of our business community, we’re making a commitment to act in partnership now, and as new programs emerge.”
Gift Gallery closing in Duncan, open at the Lake
The Michaela Davidson Art and Gift Gallery in Duncan will be closing its doors for the last time as of Dec. 31.
But Davidson’s art gallery in Lake Cowichan will remain in business.
Davidson, who is semi-retiring, said the Duncan gallery will be having a half- price going-out-of-business sale so it’s a perfect time to pick up Christmas gifts.
Go to michaeladavidsonart.com for more information, and operating hours for the gallery at Lake Cowichan.
Duncan BIA boss retiring; party at the Brew Pub
MaryAnn Hartley is retiring as the manager of downtown development and member relations at the Downtown Duncan BIA after 13 years of service.
There will be a gathering in Hartley’s honour at the Craig Street Brew Pub on Nov. 10, beginning at 4:30 p.m.
People interested in attending should RVSP to Catherine at dbia@downtownduncan.ca or Ana at assistant@downtownduncan.ca