Local Business

Ellie and Mike Hadley of Port Alberni will open Maehem Spirits distillery in a new building on Cherry Creek Road later in 2021. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

BUSINESS BEAT: Businesses are all about lifting spirits in the Alberni Valley

New distillery coming to Port Alberni, and more news from the business community

  • Feb 24, 2021
The North Island College campus in Port Alberni is located on Roger Street. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

North Island College plans tourism networking event

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on Vancouver Island’s tourism industry

Chemainus Festival of Murals Society president Tom Andrews displays the Chemainus Dollars $10 bill with the same scene on it as The Native Heritage mural. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Chemainus Dollars revert to being strictly souvenirs on April 5

Unique currency spendable in Chemainus becoming a collectible only

A new sign went up at Port Alberni’s food hub in mid-January 2021. (TWITTER PHOTO)

Port Alberni food hub opens commercial kitchen space

Businesses, charitable organizations and individuals can use the facility

A new sign went up at Port Alberni’s food hub in mid-January 2021. (TWITTER PHOTO)
The proposed location of the new liquor store at Quality Foods. (SCREENSHOT)

New liquor store proposed for Quality Foods lot in Port Alberni

Virtual public hearing set for Tuesday, March 9 at 6 p.m.

The proposed location of the new liquor store at Quality Foods. (SCREENSHOT)
A seaweed farm installation in Klahoose First Nations Territory by Cortes Island. (Cascadia Seaweed photo)

Seaweed farming opens world of opportunity for coastal B.C.

“It’s projects like this that can show what true reconciliation is about.”

A seaweed farm installation in Klahoose First Nations Territory by Cortes Island. (Cascadia Seaweed photo)
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Cruise ship arrives at Victoria Harbour, a prime source of international tourism that has been suspended in the COVID-19 pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria small businesses hoping to survive extended cruise ship ban

Greater Victoria Harbour Authority supports extension, but says losses will follow

Cruise ship arrives at Victoria Harbour, a prime source of international tourism that has been suspended in the COVID-19 pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)
NIC wildfire students learn about water delivery, pump operation and parts of a wildfire fighting kit in Campbell River in 2019. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

North Island College offering wildfire training in Port Alberni

Skills training program will prepare students to work on wildfire fighting crews in B.C. and Alberta

NIC wildfire students learn about water delivery, pump operation and parts of a wildfire fighting kit in Campbell River in 2019. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Helma Swinkels, left, from Bibi J’s is all smiles as she makes her first donation under the new business name to Ellen Frood from Alberni Community and Women’s Services (ACAWS). In 18 sales days, Swinkels was able to donate $3,000 to the transition house. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Bibi J’s in Port Alberni makes first donation to non-profit

Alberni Women and Community Services to benefit

Helma Swinkels, left, from Bibi J’s is all smiles as she makes her first donation under the new business name to Ellen Frood from Alberni Community and Women’s Services (ACAWS). In 18 sales days, Swinkels was able to donate $3,000 to the transition house. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Rik Abel has opened Rik’s Picks, a vintage record shop on Johnston Road. (TERESA BIRD / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

BIZ BEAT: Port Alberni businesses get innovative during pandemic

See what’s new in the Port Alberni business community

  • Jan 20, 2021
Rik Abel has opened Rik’s Picks, a vintage record shop on Johnston Road. (TERESA BIRD / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
Marc Bodin is general manager of Paper Excellence Canada’s paper mill in Port Alberni. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Port Alberni paper mill capitalizes on convenience food trend

Diversification was needed for the mill to thrive, says G.M.

Marc Bodin is general manager of Paper Excellence Canada’s paper mill in Port Alberni. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
The Mountain View Kitty Cottage in Beaver Creek was specifically designed and built to care for cats. (Facebook photo)

BIZ BEAT: New ‘cat cottage’ opens in Beaver Creek

Water taxi service offered to Della Falls, plus more Port Alberni business news

  • Dec 30, 2020
The Mountain View Kitty Cottage in Beaver Creek was specifically designed and built to care for cats. (Facebook photo)
Chances RimRock Gaming Centre is located at 4890 Cherry Creek Rd. (AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)

Coulson Group buys Chances RimRock Gaming Centre

Non-profit Alberni Valley Gaming Association sells after 12 years

Chances RimRock Gaming Centre is located at 4890 Cherry Creek Rd. (AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)
Hotel Zed Tofino is offering free rooms to First Nations members and frontline workers wanting to self-isolate due to COVID-19. (Westerly file photo)

COVID-19: Hotel Zed Tofino offers free rooms to local First Nations and frontline workers to self-isolate

“It’s about being good neighbours.”

Hotel Zed Tofino is offering free rooms to First Nations members and frontline workers wanting to self-isolate due to COVID-19. (Westerly file photo)
Cory and Kris Gunter-Smith are the new owners of Alberni Christmas Trees on Airport Road. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Christmas tree farm magic continues in the Alberni Valley

Alberni Christmas Trees has new name, new owners

Cory and Kris Gunter-Smith are the new owners of Alberni Christmas Trees on Airport Road. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
‘TIS THE SEASON Wade Addy from Addy Power Ltd. in Errington hangs Christmas lights across the bottom of Johnston Road in Port Alberni on a stormy Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Port Alberni readies for holiday with festive street lights

Christmas lights have been going up all around town

‘TIS THE SEASON Wade Addy from Addy Power Ltd. in Errington hangs Christmas lights across the bottom of Johnston Road in Port Alberni on a stormy Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
The North Island College campus in Port Alberni is located on Roger Street. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Community mental health worker program coming to Port Alberni

North Island College partnering with Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council

The North Island College campus in Port Alberni is located on Roger Street. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Dave Heinrichs, general manager of Alberni District Co-op, and Paulette Schwartz, manager of the Liquor Depot. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Co-op buys Liquor Depot in Port Alberni

Co-op members in Port Alberni will soon be able to enjoy their benefits when purchasing liquor

Dave Heinrichs, general manager of Alberni District Co-op, and Paulette Schwartz, manager of the Liquor Depot. (ELENA RARDON / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
Victoria artisan Tina Neurauter, right, used to shop at Pot Luck Ceramics with her daughter from Port Alberni. Now Neurauter is selling her handmade soaps and bath products at Bibi J’s, a new enterprise in the former Pot Luck Ceramics building on Gertrude Street in Port Alberni. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Former Pot Luck Ceramics location reimagined as Bibi J’s

Owner Helma Swinkels revives social enterprise with new name, vision

Victoria artisan Tina Neurauter, right, used to shop at Pot Luck Ceramics with her daughter from Port Alberni. Now Neurauter is selling her handmade soaps and bath products at Bibi J’s, a new enterprise in the former Pot Luck Ceramics building on Gertrude Street in Port Alberni. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Andy Richards of Dog Mountain Brewing demonstrates their new canning machine. (FACEBOOK PHOTO)

BIZ BEAT: Local businesses need support during holidays

Bosley’s helping pets out during holiday season

  • Nov 25, 2020
Andy Richards of Dog Mountain Brewing demonstrates their new canning machine. (FACEBOOK PHOTO)