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BUSINESS BEAT: New businesses choosing Port Alberni

BY TERESA BIRD
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Bill Collette, executive director of the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce lights up the visitor centre at the Highway 4-Redford Extension junction. The chamber is running a Christmas light up contest and tours throughout December. BOB COLE PHOTO

BY TERESA BIRD

ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS

After years of owning Parksville Jewelers and then working at a shop in Qualicum Beach, Rob Liddicoat is bringing his goldsmithing closer to home.

Liddicoat lives at Sproat Lake and has been commuting regularly in recent years. Now semi-retired, he has opened a storefront in Port Alberni three days a week.

“I concentrate mostly on jewelry repair now,” says Liddicoat, who is a goldsmith. “I still do some custom work but focus on repairing jewelry and rebuilding old pieces.”

His new store, Rob Liddicoat Jewellery Repair, is located next to Serious Coffee in the plaza at Redford Street and 10th Avenue. He is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 am to 8 pm and Wednesdays 10 am to 5 pm. His website will be set up soon. Call 778-421-3013

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Sergio Pasqua is a new chiropractor in town. Dr. Sergio uses an evidence-based approach to restore, create and improve physical function. His business, Hybrid Chiropractic is located on Roger Street, two doors down from The Pizza Factory. Call 250-724-5577.

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Hot Shots Hair Salon is also new in town. The family trio have arrived from the Lower Mainland and offer salon and barber services. They are located on Redford Street, next to Coombs Junction Furniture. 778-419-4247

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Paramedic Chris Wagnor is sharing his skills with Port Alberni residents. Chris has brought his Pair of Medics first aid training business town. Wagnor has relocated to Port Alberni from Port Hardy. He offers all levels of first aid training, and training for youth and kids, including the babysitter course. He also sells first aid supplies and emergency kits. www.pairofmedics.com.

Eco Chic Boutique is now open on First Avenue across from House of Service. Owner Anne Kille says she carries a wide variety of unique items with gift ideas for everyone. Check out the “Glitz and Glam” section! 250-731-4075.

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Port Alberni’s third Tim Hortons opened earlier this month by the Shell gas station at the corner of Highway 4/ Johnston Road and Cherry Creek Road. This Tim’s is a drive-thru much like the one at 10th Avenue and Redford Street is. Entrance to the drive-thru is via Cherry Creek Road.

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A novel by local author Anne Pley is now available at Home Hardware. Devil Child is the story of two women living on a rice plantation just before Christmas 1846 as the U.S. civil war is ending. Pley wrote and published the book in the summer through her company, Marigold Productions.

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Paulette and Roberto of Nichele Portrait Studio are retiring. After 35 years of capturing moments they are going to take some time for themselves.

“We are retiring … well that just means we will be very selective at we will do and when we will work,” says a Facebook posting. They will be selling off their negatives and digital files. Call for more info 250-724-2720.

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Looking for the perfect gift? How about the Port Alberni Forest Firefighter calendar! Now available at Blue Fish Gallery for $20 and the proceeds benefit the Women’s Resource Centre. www.bluefishgallery.info

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The Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce is once again hosting Try Home First program to encourage local shopping. More than 75 local buisneses have donated $100 gift cards for prizes that will be awarded in January.

In the meantime the chamber has purchased $25 gift cards from those same businesses. Y

ou could be shopping in a local business and be handed a $25 gift card just for shopping local. Then your name and those of shoppers nearby will also be entered in the draw for the big prizes. www.albernichamber.ca.

Teresa Bird is the Alberni Valley News publisher. Do you have a business tip for her? E-mail her at publisher@albernivalleynews.com

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Chris Wagnor is the owner of Pair of Medics, providing first aid training and sells first aid supplies and emergency kits. TERESA BIRD PHOTO