Local Business

Tseshaht Lead Beach Keeper Hank Gus says he’s looking forward to sharing the Broken Group Islands origin story with visitors. Gus has been a Beach Keeper for nine years. (Tseshaht First Nation photo)

Tseshaht First Nation re-opens Broken Group Islands with refreshed Beach Keepers Program

To help sustain the program, tour operators are encouraged to implement a $10 per day per guest fee

Representatives from the District of Ucluelet on a 2017 site visit to the Barkley Community Forest near Maggie Lake. (Mayco Noel Photo)

Changes coming to the Barkley Community Forest near Ucluelet

The modernization of B.C.’s forestry policy could result in a reduction of Allowable Annual Cut

EVERYTHING ELECTRIC: Ucluelet First Nation family, from left, Gordon Taylor Jr., Gordy, Kaleena, and Catherine are pumped to welcome guests to their new e-bike rental service ‘T̓iick̓in EBike’ at the Tofino-Ucluelet Junction. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Indigenous owned Ebike rental opens at the Tofino-Ucluelet Junction

T̓iick̓in (Thunderbird) Ebike Rentals takes flight on Pacific Rim

Hotel Zed staff and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations hereditary Chiefs and elders gather for a meal at Roar restaurant on June 10. (Blushing Bride Studio photo)

Hotel Zed Tofino hosts ceremony for hereditary chiefs

“We are grateful to the Nuu-Chah-Nulth peoples for allowing us to be on their land”

Hotel Zed staff and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations hereditary Chiefs and elders gather for a meal at Roar restaurant on June 10. (Blushing Bride Studio photo)
Tin Wis opening ceremony in 1993. (Submitted photo)

National Indigenous Peoples Day: Tin Wis, past, present and future

Tin Wis Tofino within Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations territory is a growing hub of economic development

  • Jun 21, 2021
Tin Wis opening ceremony in 1993. (Submitted photo)
Ocean Friendly Business certificate in hand, Ucluelet Campground maintenance manager Damien Kenyon stands in front of their old wood shed turned recycling centre. (Nora O’Malley photo)

World Oceans Day: Tofino and Ucluelet businesses commit to sustainable waste management

Surfrider Pacific Rim proudly dishes out 15 new Ocean Friendly Business certificates

Ocean Friendly Business certificate in hand, Ucluelet Campground maintenance manager Damien Kenyon stands in front of their old wood shed turned recycling centre. (Nora O’Malley photo)
NIC’s new president Lisa Domae assumed the role of president on April 12. Domae has worked at NIC since 2000, most recently as the executive vice president, academic and chief operating officer. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

New North Island College president launches draft strategic plan

Lisa Domae assumed the role of president on April 12, 2021

NIC’s new president Lisa Domae assumed the role of president on April 12. Domae has worked at NIC since 2000, most recently as the executive vice president, academic and chief operating officer. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Hotel Zed Tofino has won a Vancouver Island Real Estate Board Commercial Building Award. (Westerly file photo)

Hotel Zed Tofino wins commercial building award

Vancouver Island Real Estate Board holds virtual gala.

Hotel Zed Tofino has won a Vancouver Island Real Estate Board Commercial Building Award. (Westerly file photo)
Hotel Zed Tofino. (Westerly file photo)

Two Tofino businesses up for building awards

14th annual Vancouver Island Real Estate Board Commercial Building Awards

Hotel Zed Tofino. (Westerly file photo)
(Westerly file photo)

Resorts in Tofino butt heads with district over MRDT spending

Tofino has explored the idea of using tourist tax dollars to pay for wastewater treatment facility

(Westerly file photo)
Tofino residents expressed frustration over a recent post by Long Beach Lodge owner Tim Hackett that falsely claimed all residents have been vaccinated. (Westerly file photo)

Long Beach Lodge owner apologizes after suggesting Tofino safe to travel to

Long Beach Lodge owner Tim Hackett apologizes to community and visitors

Tofino residents expressed frustration over a recent post by Long Beach Lodge owner Tim Hackett that falsely claimed all residents have been vaccinated. (Westerly file photo)
Surfrider Pacific Rim chair Amorita Adair, left, and chapter manager Lilly Woodbury are encouraging folks to remember their water bottles and to drink the beautiful tap water Tofino enjoys from the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations territory of Meares Island, which is pictured in the background. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Surfrider Pacific Rim takes on plastic water bottles

Grassroots environmental nonprofit hopes to nix water bottles in Tofino and Ucluelet by spring 2022

Surfrider Pacific Rim chair Amorita Adair, left, and chapter manager Lilly Woodbury are encouraging folks to remember their water bottles and to drink the beautiful tap water Tofino enjoys from the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations territory of Meares Island, which is pictured in the background. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Polystyrene has been outlawed as a take-out option for restaurants in Tofino and Ucluelet. (Black Press Media file photo)

Tofino and Ucluelet ban polystyrene take-out containers

Surfrider Pacific Rim chapter manager Lilly Woodbury touted the new ban as “definitely terrific news”

Polystyrene has been outlawed as a take-out option for restaurants in Tofino and Ucluelet. (Black Press Media file photo)
Ucluelet locals Rachael, Caroline and Tom enjoy refreshments on a sunny Monday afternoon at a picnic table dining area set up by the District of Ucluelet to help residents and visitors support local businesses while staying outside. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Ucluelet chamber launches bingo contest to support local restaurants

Four Ucluelet Co-op shopping sprees are up for grabs in #Ukee2go competition.

Ucluelet locals Rachael, Caroline and Tom enjoy refreshments on a sunny Monday afternoon at a picnic table dining area set up by the District of Ucluelet to help residents and visitors support local businesses while staying outside. (Andrew Bailey photo)
The first cruise ship of the 2019 season – the Celebrity Eclipse – docks in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

Tourism spending in Canada dropped by almost 50 per cent in 2020

Tourism-related jobs dropped by almost 29 per cent

The first cruise ship of the 2019 season – the Celebrity Eclipse – docks in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)
The new Clean Cart technology makes sure carts are well-sanitized for customer use. (Michael Briones photo)

Quality Foods opens new flagship store in Parksville

Mayor: ‘City is obviously growing out this way so it’s going to be a big help to all the residents’

The new Clean Cart technology makes sure carts are well-sanitized for customer use. (Michael Briones photo)
Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel closed for three months in late 2020, early 2021, to undergo renovations in leveraging slower hotel traffic because of COVID-19 restrictions. A new report from Statistics Canada find many businesses in the accommodation and food services sector are bracing for another tough year. (Courtesy of Fairmont Empress hotel)

Survey finds Canada’s hospitality industry has low expectations for year ahead

Almost 87 per cent of businesses in accommodation and food services report lower revenues in 2020

Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel closed for three months in late 2020, early 2021, to undergo renovations in leveraging slower hotel traffic because of COVID-19 restrictions. A new report from Statistics Canada find many businesses in the accommodation and food services sector are bracing for another tough year. (Courtesy of Fairmont Empress hotel)
The former BC ferry MV Tanaka will be leaving Port Alberni’s harbour at the end of March after someone in Alaska bought it from Lady Rose Marine Services. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Lady Rose Marine Services sells former B.C. ferry, ends hopes of West Coast run

Port Alberni business had hopes of servicing car ferry to west coast before COVID-19 hit

The former BC ferry MV Tanaka will be leaving Port Alberni’s harbour at the end of March after someone in Alaska bought it from Lady Rose Marine Services. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
From left: Mint Cleaning Service founders Monika Scott and Robyn Pook, The Den founders Kristen O’Keefe and Diane Rudge, and Black Rock managers Adele Larkin and Lara Kemps celebrate their new partnership. (Jordan Dyck photo)

West Coast businesswomen empower hospitality industry to champion a zero waste, ocean-friendly future

“Always surround yourself with women who support you and challenge you.”

From left: Mint Cleaning Service founders Monika Scott and Robyn Pook, The Den founders Kristen O’Keefe and Diane Rudge, and Black Rock managers Adele Larkin and Lara Kemps celebrate their new partnership. (Jordan Dyck photo)
Nelly and Jens Heyduck hold samples of their Ahoy Bags made from discarded sails. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Ucluelet’s Ahoy Bags up for two Small Business BC Awards

German-Canadian wife and husband team transform old sails into one-of-a-kind beach bags

Nelly and Jens Heyduck hold samples of their Ahoy Bags made from discarded sails. (Nora O’Malley photo)