Business

The coronavirus and the drastic measures put in place by government officials to try to control its spread had a severe toll on many small businesses. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

B.C. pilot program launches to help small businesses weather COVID

1,000 entrepreneurs across the province will be chosen to receive free help from experts

 

Northisle Copper and Gold map photo

Proponents see gleam of promise in North Island copper and gold mine

Northisle Copper and Gold expects to accelerate activities ‘significantly’

 

Eternity Medical Equipment’s ECAN95 masks have received Health Canada approval and CSA certification. (Eternity Medical Equipment photo)

B.C. company makes 1st Canadian-made mask to receive official CSA certification

Eternity Medical Equipment producing N95-equivalent masks out of Campbell Heights facility

 

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Vancouver, Victoria among top 10 tech markets in Canada

Tech education and industry continue to boom in B.C.

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Business owner Kristen Russell. Lia Crowe photography

Secrets and Lives and The Seven Sins with Kristen Russell

An interview with Bayside Goods boutique owner

  • Dec 28, 2020
Business owner Kristen Russell. Lia Crowe photography
Arbutus RV owners Rose and Craig Little. Photography by Lia Crowe

Sales surge for Arbutus RV

Recreational vehicles on a roll for province’s largest RV dealer

  • Dec 25, 2020
Arbutus RV owners Rose and Craig Little. Photography by Lia Crowe
Amanda Vance, executive director of the DDBIA, stands in front of Station Street Common at the opening of the food court last summer. (File photo)

Open food court may return to downtown Duncan next summer

DDBIA in discussions with City of Duncan

Amanda Vance, executive director of the DDBIA, stands in front of Station Street Common at the opening of the food court last summer. (File photo)
InnovateBC offers business owners COVID-19 recovery programming including digital skills hiring grants, no-cost business coaching, access to local connections and more.

Innovate BC offers boost to those growing their business online

COVID recovery programming includes digital skills hiring grants, no-cost business coaching and more

  • Dec 21, 2020
InnovateBC offers business owners COVID-19 recovery programming including digital skills hiring grants, no-cost business coaching, access to local connections and more.
British Bobby Restaurant proprietor, John St John, stands outside his business in Parksville. The restaurant is set to close on Feb. 13 2021, with John preparing a silent auction for the restaurant’s decor and movie memorabilia. (Mandy Moraes photo)

Vancouver Island’s iconic British Bobby Restaurant falls victim to COVID-19

Owner John St John says Parksville business will close on Feb. 13, 2021

British Bobby Restaurant proprietor, John St John, stands outside his business in Parksville. The restaurant is set to close on Feb. 13 2021, with John preparing a silent auction for the restaurant’s decor and movie memorabilia. (Mandy Moraes photo)
The Zebra group's Rus Collins - Photography by Lia Crowe

Secrets and Lives With Rus Collins

Zebra Group designer talks creativity, painting and baking during Covid-19

  • Dec 14, 2020
The Zebra group's Rus Collins - Photography by Lia Crowe
Devon Bird - Lia Crowe photograph

Fashion Forward With Devon Bird

Moden Boutique owner expands her business during Covid-19 with Moden Essentials

  • Dec 10, 2020
Devon Bird - Lia Crowe photograph
The No. 3 paper machine at the Catalyst Paper Excellence Crofton mill will be brought back into production in the new year. (Photo by Don Bodger)

58 people headed back to work as Crofton mill restarts paper machine

Nearly 60 jobs will return with the restart

  • Nov 24, 2020
The No. 3 paper machine at the Catalyst Paper Excellence Crofton mill will be brought back into production in the new year. (Photo by Don Bodger)
MNP senior economist Susan Mowbray presents the State of the Island Economic Report on Thursday night to conclude the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance’s virtual summit. (VIEA image)

Not-so-rosy State of the Island report caps off virtual summit

Vancouver Island Economic Alliance’s summit took place online Oct. 27-29

MNP senior economist Susan Mowbray presents the State of the Island Economic Report on Thursday night to conclude the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance’s virtual summit. (VIEA image)
A video message from Mrime Minister Justin Trudeau was streamed to attendees at the State of the Island Economic Summit on Tuesday morning. (Vancouver Island Economic Alliance image)

Prime minister greets Vancouver Island economic summit attendees

Vancouver Island Economic Alliance conference being held virtually this week

A video message from Mrime Minister Justin Trudeau was streamed to attendees at the State of the Island Economic Summit on Tuesday morning. (Vancouver Island Economic Alliance image)
Alistair MacGregor

Alistair MacGregor column: Let’s help small business in this tough time

This week is small business week.

  • Oct 24, 2020
Alistair MacGregor
Dinner shows in the Playbill Dining Room are keeping the Chemainus Theatre going during the pandemic. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Dinner events satisfying for the Chemainus Theatre and patrons

Small groups enjoy entertainment and the food in the Playbill Dining Room

Dinner shows in the Playbill Dining Room are keeping the Chemainus Theatre going during the pandemic. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Kendra MacDonald is CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. She is the keynote presenter at the State of the Island Economic Summit, taking place virtually Oct. 27–29, 2020. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Ocean potential takes the spotlight at the 2020 ‘State of the Island’ Economic Summit

Vancouver Island Economic Alliance’s annual summit goes digital for 2020

Kendra MacDonald is CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. She is the keynote presenter at the State of the Island Economic Summit, taking place virtually Oct. 27–29, 2020. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
A Mountain Equipment Coop, MEC, sign is seen on a store front in Montreal on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Struggling outdoor equipment retailer MEC opposes efforts to pause sale to Kingswood

MEC said it’s urgent for the sale to close before the retailer sees ‘significant weekly cash flow losses’

A Mountain Equipment Coop, MEC, sign is seen on a store front in Montreal on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
A moose in an RCMP uniform wearing a mask and a cartoon cardboard cutout of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greet customers at a store selling souvenirs in the Byward Market in Ottawa, on Sunday, July 12, 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. A new survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business suggests that businesses in Canada’s city centres are struggling more than their rural counterparts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

City-centre businesses mount slower recovery than rural areas, CFIB says

Data shows 22 per cent of businesses polled in urban cores are at normal levels of sales compared to 37 per cent in rural areas

A moose in an RCMP uniform wearing a mask and a cartoon cardboard cutout of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greet customers at a store selling souvenirs in the Byward Market in Ottawa, on Sunday, July 12, 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. A new survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business suggests that businesses in Canada’s city centres are struggling more than their rural counterparts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Animatronic dinosaurs and fossils are being auctioned off at Langley’s Abel Auctions on Thursday, Aug. 6. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)

Dinosaurs revived for animatronic auction in Langley

More than 500 robot dinosaurs, fossils, and exhibition gear are going on the block Aug. 6

Animatronic dinosaurs and fossils are being auctioned off at Langley’s Abel Auctions on Thursday, Aug. 6. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)