Local Business

The Ucluelet Brewing Company reopened with new COVID-19 measures in place. (Westerly file photo)

Ucluelet Brewing Company cheers award winning ambience

Brewery wins Vancouver Island Real Estate Board’s Award of Excellence in the hospitality category.

The Ucluelet Brewing Company reopened with new COVID-19 measures in place. (Westerly file photo)
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)
Tourism Tofino’s Cox Bay visitor centre won VIREB’s Best Institutional Building and Judges Choice award this year. (Tourism Tofino photo)

Tourism Tofino celebrates success at VIREB awards

Tourism Tofino was a big winner at the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board Commercial Building Awards

Tourism Tofino’s Cox Bay visitor centre won VIREB’s Best Institutional Building and Judges Choice award this year. (Tourism Tofino photo)
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Lara Kemps is leaving her post as the executive director of the Ucluelet chamber of commerce. (Photo courtesy of Lara Kemps)

Ucluelet chamber of commerce searching for new executive director

“Lara did a phenomenal job and we will really miss her.”

Lara Kemps is leaving her post as the executive director of the Ucluelet chamber of commerce. (Photo courtesy of Lara Kemps)
With helping hands from Ucluelet Co-op general manager Laurie Gehrke and board chair Gordon Dunsmore, Ucluelet Mayor Mayco Noël cuts the red ribbon on Sept. 12 at 1 p.m in front of the food store to commemorate the completion of $4M worth of renovations. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Ucluelet Co-op celebrates major renovations

“It’s just a job well-done.”

With helping hands from Ucluelet Co-op general manager Laurie Gehrke and board chair Gordon Dunsmore, Ucluelet Mayor Mayco Noël cuts the red ribbon on Sept. 12 at 1 p.m in front of the food store to commemorate the completion of $4M worth of renovations. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Kennedy Lake is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, but more resources are needed to make sure those visiting the area are respecting their surroundings. (Westerly file photo)

Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation says more resources needed to keep Tribal Parks open during pandemic

Tribal Park Allies program needs more buy-in from Tofino businesses.

Kennedy Lake is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, but more resources are needed to make sure those visiting the area are respecting their surroundings. (Westerly file photo)
A new ‘Show your Love’ sign promoting mask-use and social distancing was installed above Ucluelet’s welcome sign at the West Coast junction last week as part of a joint campaign launched by Tofino and Ucluelet to remind tourists that the coronavirus pandemic doesn’t go on vacation. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Tofino and Ucluelet team up on ‘Show Your Love’ campaign to remind tourists that COVID-19 doesn’t go on vacation

“It’s just what has to be done,” said Ucluelet mayor Mayco Noel.

A new ‘Show your Love’ sign promoting mask-use and social distancing was installed above Ucluelet’s welcome sign at the West Coast junction last week as part of a joint campaign launched by Tofino and Ucluelet to remind tourists that the coronavirus pandemic doesn’t go on vacation. (Andrew Bailey photo)
The Raincoast Education Society launched a fundraising campaign this month in an effort to keep its programs, like Field School, running and free for participants after seeing its funding obliterated by the coronavirus pandemic. (Raincoast Education Society photo)

Field School in flux as Raincoast Education Society makes plea for donations in Tofino-Ucluelet

“Our funding model is year to year and this has just been a crazy year.”

The Raincoast Education Society launched a fundraising campaign this month in an effort to keep its programs, like Field School, running and free for participants after seeing its funding obliterated by the coronavirus pandemic. (Raincoast Education Society photo)
Is this the future or the past? Marketing VP Trina Notman and Hotel Zed Tofino GM Britt Chalmers lean on the hood of a 1970s Kingswood Estate Chevy. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Hotel Zed opens in Tofino

Tofino’s newest resort is a 1970s time capsule

Is this the future or the past? Marketing VP Trina Notman and Hotel Zed Tofino GM Britt Chalmers lean on the hood of a 1970s Kingswood Estate Chevy. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Responsibly masked-up Hudson Swann of the Ucluelet General Store stands in front of some of the store’s delicious wares on Monday. The local business announced on Saturday that customers must be wearing a mask to enter. (Andrew Bailey photo)

COVID-19: Ucluelet businesses begin mandating masks

Customers must be wearing a mask to enter the Ucluelet Co-op and the Ucluelet General Store.

Responsibly masked-up Hudson Swann of the Ucluelet General Store stands in front of some of the store’s delicious wares on Monday. The local business announced on Saturday that customers must be wearing a mask to enter. (Andrew Bailey photo)
West Coast kids celebrate 2018’s annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Tofino Botanical Gardens. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Tofino Botanical Gardens for sale

George Patterson lists iconic property for $3.75 million.

West Coast kids celebrate 2018’s annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Tofino Botanical Gardens. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Crystal Cove Beach Resort has been named Tripadvisors top family resort in Canada for the second year in a row. (Photo from Tripadvisor.ca)

Tofino’s Crystal Cove crowned top family destination for second year in a row

TripAdvisor has announced the recipients of its Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best awards.

Crystal Cove Beach Resort has been named Tripadvisors top family resort in Canada for the second year in a row. (Photo from Tripadvisor.ca)
Owner of Tofino Sea Kayaking Natasha Baert-Hockin stands in front of an array of Tribal Parks souvenirs at her kayak centre. The longtime Tribal Parks supporter says if Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation hadn’t opened their territory to tourism, her business would have had to shut down. (Nora O’Malley photo)

COVID-19: Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation asks Tofino businesses for support as emergency funding runs dry

“We need to pay for the work they do. It’s such important work.”

Owner of Tofino Sea Kayaking Natasha Baert-Hockin stands in front of an array of Tribal Parks souvenirs at her kayak centre. The longtime Tribal Parks supporter says if Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation hadn’t opened their territory to tourism, her business would have had to shut down. (Nora O’Malley photo)
The Place co-owners Ada Dougan and Dave Taron celebrate 25 years of service in this photo from 1991. (Submitted photo)

Taron retires after 43 years in business as owner of Ucluelet’s The Place furniture store

“We’ve had some trying times and some good times.”

The Place co-owners Ada Dougan and Dave Taron celebrate 25 years of service in this photo from 1991. (Submitted photo)
This jaw dropping kitchen area helped Icon Developments earn four 2020 Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards. (Photo courtesy of Icon Developments)

West Coast builder earns four VIBE awards

Icon Developments owner Jamie Carson says collaboration is key.

This jaw dropping kitchen area helped Icon Developments earn four 2020 Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards. (Photo courtesy of Icon Developments)
Ucluelet artists launch pop-up art exhibition

Ucluelet artists launch pop-up art exhibition

Heyduck & Butler opened on July 1 and will run until August 31.

Ucluelet artists launch pop-up art exhibition
Tofino and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation release joint statement welcoming ‘respectful’ tourists

Tofino and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation release joint statement welcoming ‘respectful’ tourists

“We have adapted to the new landscape and are very eager to welcome you back.”

Tofino and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation release joint statement welcoming ‘respectful’ tourists
The Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort is inviting visitors back to the beauty of Mackenzie Beach. (Lori Hall photo)

Tin Wis Resort reopens in Tofino

In June, at low tide, Mackenzie Beach stretches to rocky outcroppings and tidal pools.

  • Jun 28, 2020
The Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort is inviting visitors back to the beauty of Mackenzie Beach. (Lori Hall photo)
Mark Penney is moving on from his gallery at Whiskey Landing, but plans to remain heavily involved in the local art scene. (Photo courtesy of Mark Penney)

Ucluelet loses one of town’s oldest art galleries

Mark Penney Gallery shuts down due, in part, to Hwy. 4 closures and COVID-19 pandemic.

Mark Penney is moving on from his gallery at Whiskey Landing, but plans to remain heavily involved in the local art scene. (Photo courtesy of Mark Penney)
Tofino expands service areas for restaurants to allow social distancing

Tofino expands service areas for restaurants to allow social distancing

Liquor laws eased as well.

Tofino expands service areas for restaurants to allow social distancing