Local Business

Walter Tarnowsky, right, general manager of Catalyst Paper—a Paper Excellence Mill in Port Alberni, donates $2,000 to Ed and Naomi Nicholson for their second annual Chims Fest, happening Saturday, Aug. 6 at Chims Guest House. (PHOTO COURTESY NAOMI NICHOLSON)

Chims Fest mixes Indigenous culture, food, fashion and a love story

Education is key to reconciliation, say Tseshaht First Nation hosts Ed and Naomi Nicholson

NIC instructor Victoria Lake (left) looks on as students Olivia Shewish (centre) and Charley Frow (right) in the Seafood Processing Training Program measure oysters. Students learn about food safety and forklift training, as well as shellfish and finfish cleaning, safety and processing. Both students have now finished their training and are working for Canadian Seafood Processing Incorporated. (PHOTO COURTESY NIC)

New North Island College training program focuses on food security in Port Alberni

Program formed thanks to a partnership with city, regional district, port authority

Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions, left, Janis Joseph, centre, on behalf of the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce, presents Greg Willmon of Lady Rose Marine Services with a 2022 Business Investment award. Willmon purchased the business nearly a year ago. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News

Lady Rose Marine Services adds Sunday run to Bamfield

Business is approaching pre-pandemic levels after nine months with new owners

Bute Street Veterinary Clinic is one of 50 businesses that have taken advantage of the City of Port Alberni’s façade improvement program to freshen the look of their building. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

City of Port Alberni’s façade program popular this year

Program is oversubscribed for the first time since 2016

Bute Street Veterinary Clinic is one of 50 businesses that have taken advantage of the City of Port Alberni’s façade improvement program to freshen the look of their building. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Dragon Martial Arts and Denaye Melenius Real Estate hosted a self-defence class on June 21 as a fundraiser for Sage Haven. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Port Alberni realtor, black belt instructor team up for self-defence fundraiser

Self-defence class was offered to girls and women, with proceeds aiding Sage Haven Society

Dragon Martial Arts and Denaye Melenius Real Estate hosted a self-defence class on June 21 as a fundraiser for Sage Haven. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Inky Cauldron owner Suzy Merriam collects vintage and eclectic items in her new shop on lower Johnston Road in Port Alberni. (TERESA BIRD/ Alberni Valley News)

BIZ BEAT: Vintage collectibles store finds a home in Port Alberni

New food truck joins the ranks at Clutesi Haven Marina

Inky Cauldron owner Suzy Merriam collects vintage and eclectic items in her new shop on lower Johnston Road in Port Alberni. (TERESA BIRD/ Alberni Valley News)
Gayle Stephen-Player, left, has passed the torch to her daughter, Rebecca Palmer. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Second generation takes over at Gayle’s Fashions in Port Alberni

Business is getting ready to celebrate 40th anniversary

Gayle Stephen-Player, left, has passed the torch to her daughter, Rebecca Palmer. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
Terry Deakin of INEO Employment, third from left, presents the team at Power of Three with a COVID Resilience Award for 2022 at the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce community excellence awards, Friday, June 10, 2022 at McLean Mill National HIstoric Site. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce celebrates three years of community excellence

Three years’ worth of awards handed out at gala on McLean Mill grounds

Terry Deakin of INEO Employment, third from left, presents the team at Power of Three with a COVID Resilience Award for 2022 at the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce community excellence awards, Friday, June 10, 2022 at McLean Mill National HIstoric Site. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
The 72-metre cable repair ship IT Integrity docks at Port Alberni Terminals’ Berth 2 on Aug. 5, 2021, waiting for an assignment. The ship arrived in Port Alberni from Halifax in early July. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

PROGRESS 2022: Port Alberni’s deepsea port bursts with new tenants

PAPA’s property is only 800 metres of waterfront, but it’s packed

The 72-metre cable repair ship IT Integrity docks at Port Alberni Terminals’ Berth 2 on Aug. 5, 2021, waiting for an assignment. The ship arrived in Port Alberni from Halifax in early July. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Two 85-foot commercial fishing vessels receive final outfitting at Canadian Maritime Engineering’s facility at Canal Beach in May 2022. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

PROGRESS 2022: CME makes progress on Port Alberni waterfront

Shipbuilders talk expansion—again

Two 85-foot commercial fishing vessels receive final outfitting at Canadian Maritime Engineering’s facility at Canal Beach in May 2022. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Jan Lavertu, owner of Westcoast Home Hardware in Port Alberni, says moving to the second anchor spot at the revamped Alberni Mall was a good move. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

PROGRESS 2022: Alberni Mall thrives on reinvention

Mall is built on memories and community

Jan Lavertu, owner of Westcoast Home Hardware in Port Alberni, says moving to the second anchor spot at the revamped Alberni Mall was a good move. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Sunny days are back again for businesses feeding off Ucluelet’s Wild Pacific Trail and the other attractions of Vancouver Island’s Pacific Rim. (John McKinley photo)

`Life is getting back to normal’ for tourism in Tofino/Ucluelet area

Residents remain cautious with COVID as businesses struggle with staffing as visitors flood back

Sunny days are back again for businesses feeding off Ucluelet’s Wild Pacific Trail and the other attractions of Vancouver Island’s Pacific Rim. (John McKinley photo)
Corey Bradder, left, and Aaron Colyn show off Twin City Brewing’s national awards, while Robin Miles and Andy Richards hold up their hardware from the recent Canadian Brewing Awards. (TWIN CITY BREWING PHOTO)

BIZ BEAT: Alberni Valley brewers bring home the bling from Canadian Brewing Awards

A mom who saw a need opens new childcare centre in Port Alberni

Corey Bradder, left, and Aaron Colyn show off Twin City Brewing’s national awards, while Robin Miles and Andy Richards hold up their hardware from the recent Canadian Brewing Awards. (TWIN CITY BREWING PHOTO)
Wish Puusepp and Chris Pouget, owners of Riverbend Café in Port Aberni, celebrate their award of excellence at the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) Commercial Building awards, April 28, 2022 at the Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort in Parksville. (PHOTO COURTESY RIVERBEND CAFE)

Port Alberni businesses well represented at VIREB Commercial Building Awards

Alberni Valley winners range from affordable housing unit to renovated heritage store

Wish Puusepp and Chris Pouget, owners of Riverbend Café in Port Aberni, celebrate their award of excellence at the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) Commercial Building awards, April 28, 2022 at the Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort in Parksville. (PHOTO COURTESY RIVERBEND CAFE)
Kathleen Bodaly has opened Witchy Woman Supply Co. at Harbour Quay in Port Alberni. (TERESA BIRD/ Alberni Valley News)

BIZ BEAT: Single candle sparks new small business on Port Alberni’s waterfront

Business moves from farmers’ market to storefront

Kathleen Bodaly has opened Witchy Woman Supply Co. at Harbour Quay in Port Alberni. (TERESA BIRD/ Alberni Valley News)
Walter Tarnowksy (left), General Manager at Catalyst Port Alberni, shakes hands with Hupacasath FIrst Nation Elected Chief Councillor Brandy Lauder (right), after signing an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Hupacasath First Nation and Catalyst Paper, a Paper Excellence company. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Paper Excellence, Hupacasath First Nation sign MOU

Move is about recognizing aboriginal rights, says Alberni general manager

Walter Tarnowksy (left), General Manager at Catalyst Port Alberni, shakes hands with Hupacasath FIrst Nation Elected Chief Councillor Brandy Lauder (right), after signing an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Hupacasath First Nation and Catalyst Paper, a Paper Excellence company. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Nilo Du Plessis of Antidote Distilling Co. is looking forward to the opening of a new space on the corner of Adelaide and Johnston. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Port Alberni’s Antidote Distilling wins international awards for gin

The distillery plans for a summer 2022 opening

Nilo Du Plessis of Antidote Distilling Co. is looking forward to the opening of a new space on the corner of Adelaide and Johnston. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
The Riverbend Cafe and General Store have been nominated for a VIREB commercial building award. (PHOTO COURTESY RIVERBEND CAFE)

Five Alberni Valley developments up for VIREB commercial building awards

36 finalists from across Vancouver Island announced for April 28 live awards gala

The Riverbend Cafe and General Store have been nominated for a VIREB commercial building award. (PHOTO COURTESY RIVERBEND CAFE)
Construction continues on the new Wendy’s restaurant at Johnston Road and Cherry Creek Road in Port Alberni. The eatery will likely open at the end of April. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Port Alberni residents await official opening of Wendy’s in Alberni Mall

Construction continues at the corner of Johnston Road and Cherry Creek Road

Construction continues on the new Wendy’s restaurant at Johnston Road and Cherry Creek Road in Port Alberni. The eatery will likely open at the end of April. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Mark Anson, owner of Timber Tiles in Port Alberni, right, defends his Crystal Award from Kevin Wenstob, owner of Wenstob Timber of Sooke, the stars of the Netflix TV series Big Timber. Anson won the Manufactured Wood Products category at the 2022 Grant Thornton LLP Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards on March 17, edging out Wenstob. (DEAN KALYAN PHOTO)

San Group named Business of the Year in Vancouver Island excellence awards

Port Alberni had two more winners, various runners up named in annual gala

Mark Anson, owner of Timber Tiles in Port Alberni, right, defends his Crystal Award from Kevin Wenstob, owner of Wenstob Timber of Sooke, the stars of the Netflix TV series Big Timber. Anson won the Manufactured Wood Products category at the 2022 Grant Thornton LLP Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards on March 17, edging out Wenstob. (DEAN KALYAN PHOTO)