– by Linda Hunter –
RETAIL & SERVICES
Opening Doors to New Beginnings
Shop the world in Christine Downing’s new LALOCA – Local & Global Fair Trade Products. The store supports local and international producers with a selection of high-quality fair trade products that pay producers a fair wage, offering consumer choice along with the guarantee of giving back to communities. Located in Sidney’s Garden Court, off Beacon, the store is open Tuesday through Saturday and features artwork, musical instruments, spices, jewelry, home décor and much more. Find them on facebook at www.facebook.com/ethicallatin or call 778-351-3844.
Al Udell and his wife have started a new chapter in North Saanich, having moved from Yellowknife to the Island. Focusing on freelance work on the Peninsula means adapting to a new and exciting future for Al, a passionate and experienced IT professional and working musician. While his primary mandate is delivering trusted and proven web design, his company Victory Point FX also specializes in traditional and digital graphic design, drafting, 3D design and modeling, video production and animation. Al’s work is client driven and home based, affording him flexibility, which means anytime is a good time to connect by email at
alanudell@gmail.com or at www.victorypointfx.com.
Need a ride? Sidney Taxi opened in May, with an orange fleet including three regular taxi vans, one fully accessible van and a focus on customer service. With full-time, in-house dispatch, Cecil Davies and his team are open 24/7. Their office is located above the Odyssia restaurant in downtown Sidney (corner of 5th and Beacon) and they take pride in offering a Sidney-based, full-service operation catering to all ages. Call for a cab at 250-656-6666.
Have you been looking for Neal Sheppard? We found him, operating his new home-based business Brentwood Micro, after years working in a local Sidney computer shop. He continues to offer friendly, efficient onsite service for all major brand names, providing both new and reconditioned computers, along with general tech support. Neal is available seven days a week from 8 to 8 and can be found on facebook at www.facebook.com/brentwoodmicro or by email at brentwoodmicro@shaw.ca.
DINING
Changing Hands
Four years on and Rob McMillan* has handed the keys to the Canoe Cove Restaurant over to new owner Joe Bourdreau. This popular eatery is the perfect fit for Joe, with more than three decades in the retail and food industry and a good move for Joe, who has recently made the Peninsula home. Open seven days a week, and located on Canoe Cove Marina, the restaurant is a favourite for many, known for quality homestyle cooking and great service. Inside or out on the patio, staff are pleased to be serving up traditional breakfasts, house-made burgers, milkshakes and fresh pie daily along with a warm handshake from Joe. Find out more at www.canoecovemarina.com or by calling 250-656-5557. *Rob is returning to his first love, mechanics and boat repair, and is now back, operating Auto Marine Service.
TOURISM
Under New Management
Morgan Jane Shaw is the new Manager of Visitor Services for the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. Peninsula born and raised, Morgan brings her home-grown passion and varied background, encompassing community involvement, volunteer management administration and work with numerous not-for-profit organizations, to her new role. This summer, the Visitor Centres are open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering a wide range of visitor services, including professional visitor counselling, community and travel information, accommodation reservation and provincial itinerary planning. Find Morgan and her friendly staff in Sidney at Beacon just off the highway, or at http://peninsulatours.ca.
