Duncan’s award-winning Jacquie Gordon’s Bed & Breakfast is the recipient of yet more awards.
Canada Business Awards 2022 has named the business, owned and operated by Jacquie Gordon, Vancouver Island’s B&B of the Year, and the New World Report Travel Awards 2022 named it the Best Vancouver Island Heritage B&B.
Jacquie Gordon’s B&B, which has been open for 13 years, is also a multiple-time winner of a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor.
The award celebrates excellence in hospitality and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve great reviews by their guests on TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel website.
Asked what makes her B&B stand out above other B&Bs on Vancouver Island, Gordon said it’s probably her.
She said she loves what she’s doing and really enjoys meeting new people.
Gordon said her personal brand of hospitality turns guests into friends.
“People find the B&B warm and friendly and feel a sense of peace being here,” she said.
“I strive to meet the personal needs of my guests. That means making them feel welcome and comfortable in new surroundings. I take the time to share stories over a cup of tea and at breakfast. By being a good listener, I offer a caring heart and am willing to share wisdom from my own life stories.”
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A new women’s pre-used clothing store has opened in Lake Cowichan.
Sugarwell, located at 138 South Shore Rd. #102a, opened its doors to the public on Dec. 13.
Owner Kim Motiuk, who has spent years working in the retail industry, has been selling “pre-loved” women’s clothing online for two years and, with a constantly growing inventory, she felt it was time to open a brick-and-mortar store.
“This is my first business and I’m really excited to be my own boss for the first time,” she said.
“I saw there was a great need for a pre-loved women’s clothing store in Lake Cowichan and I jumped at the opportunity when it became available.”
Motiuk said she had signs up in the store’s windows announcing that Sugarwell would be opening on Dec. 13 for some time, and a lot of people were waiting and watching for the store to open.
“We had a lot of traffic come through the store on Tuesday so we’re doing well right from the start,” she said.
Motiuk said she lives in Duncan, but has a lot of family members living in the Lake Cowichan area so it feels like home to her.
“I’m really excited to be here and look forward to the future of Sugarwell in Lake Cowichan,” she said.
The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday each week, and is closed Sundays and Mondays.
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With the holidays upon us, Western Forest Products is embracing the spirit of giving with a donation of $100,000 to help provide meals and toys this season.
By partnering with more than 30 charitable organizations, including the Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank Society and the Cowichan Valley Basket Society which each received $5,000, and First Nations communities, the financial contribution will benefit those in need across the areas where the company operates in B.C. and Washington State.
This is the third year in a row that WFP has teamed up with Chemainus Harvest House, which has been helping feed those in need while facilitating self sufficiency for more than 20 years, to support families during the holiday season.
“When our food bank opened its doors in 2002, no one imagined that 20 years later the need for our services would be greater than ever,” said Marlene Hayes, chair of Chemainus Harvest House.
“From small beginnings, we now provide weekly food distribution to individuals and families with children in four communities, and this has only been possible due to the tremendous ongoing generosity of our community, including WFP.”
Steven Hofer, WFP’s president and CEO, said the forest company is pleased to extend its year-long commitment to communities with this seasonal tradition again this year.
“By partnering with community groups across the areas where we operate, we are able to lend a helping hand to those in need,” he said.
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Original Joe’s is also marking the season of giving with a creative campaign to support local food banks amid unprecedented demand.
This month, Original Joe’s restaurants, including the one in Duncan, are hosting Jolly Beer Month in which a portion of every OJ’s Blonde Lager sold will be donated to local food banks across Western Canada.
Jolly Beer Month runs through December at more than 50 Original Joe’s Restaurant & Bar locations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and B.C.
For every 18 oz or 22 oz OJ’s Blonde Lager beer purchased, Original Joe’s will donate $3 to local food banks in those regions, with hopes of raising $100,000 in total.
To participate, customers can choose a red-coloured or original OJ’s Blonde Lager.
Regardless, the portion the restaurants channel into food banks remains the same.
“We’re launching Jolly Beer Month to help support food banks during a time of great need,” said Adam Powell, Original Joe’s vice president of operations.
“By raising a festive lager at your local Original Joe’s, you can support neighbours and families within your own community.”
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Mosaic Forest Management has announced a $100,000 donation over three years to the Kw’umut Lelum Foundation, the first Indigenous-owned and led community foundation in B.C. The financial contribution will go towards the foundation’s language revitalization and preservation initiatives, and scholarship development programs.
The Kw’umut Lelum Foundation is a wholly First Nation-owned organization whose purpose is to invest in Indigenous youth and communities, ensuring equity of access to support programs, positive outcomes in education, and increased community well-being.
The foundation is led and controlled by nine Coast Salish Nations; Halalt, Lyackson, Málexeł, Penelakut, Qualicum, Snaw-naw-as, Snuneymuxw, Stz’uminus and Ts’uubaa-asatx.
The voice of the youth is at the centre of the work they undertake.
In establishing a First Nations-owned and governed foundation, the Kw’umut Lelum Foundation is ensuring First Nations control the mission, vision, values and the resulting strategy and planning for investing in youth and community.
“Mosaic is proud to support The Kw’umut Lelum Foundation in its critical work to preserve First Nation knowledge so that Indigenous languages can thrive,” said Rob Gough, Mosaic’s president and CEO.
“Mosaic continues to work with First Nations to build capacity through scholarships and training programs.”
robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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