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Cowichan Bay’s True Grain Organic Artisan Bakery is celebrating its anniversary.
The bakery, known for making the most productive local, artisanal and organic breads and products in the area, has been owned by Bruce Stewart and his family for more than 16 years.
Stewart said he was a businessman, not a baker, so when he took over operations, he and his wife scoured the planet in search of an extraordinary baker and were thrilled to track down master baker Jöerg Göessl in Germany 15 years ago.
Since then, Göessl has been part of True Grain Bakery and delights consumers with its baked goods, new every day.
Stewart said the bakery’s business is booming and the bakery has had to start grinding its cereal off-site to meet the growing demand.
He said he also opened the Leeward Cafe, located next to the bakery on Cowichan Bay Road, two years ago to give his consumers a position to sit and drink coffee and eat bakery specialties, and business is booming there as well.
Stewart said he’s thrilled that his daughter Monica, 14, is now working at the bakery, with Fiona, 12, also waiting in the wings, and hopes the family business will continue after she retires.
He said anniversary celebrations continued this week and that on Friday the first 200 consumers of the day will enjoy a piece of cake.
“Like any business, we face some challenges, but we have an unwavering organization of consumers who value our values and enable us to continue successfully,” he said.
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Ladysmith’s Little Valley Restorations has been officially qualified through Certified Collision Care to have the proper tools, equipment, training, and services needed to repair attractive automaker-brand cars to the manufacturer’s specifications.
By achieving its certification, Little Valley Restorations is now an integral part of the most complex and effective network of qualified arrangements in the country.
In addition to its references, Little Valley Restorations is officially rated through Certified Collision Care, Fiat Chrysler (Mopar), Ford, Genesis, Honda.
“Consumers want the confidence and peace of mind of knowing their vehicle is being repaired through a shop that has what it takes to keep the vehicle safe,” said Leanne Jefferies, director of Strategic Accounts and Customer Care for OEC’s Certified Repair Network.
“Little Valley Restorations is officially a qualified frame care provider. They constitute the medium through which all other large frame stores are measured.
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The Synergy Foundation is intended for companies in the Cowichan area to participate in the Zero Circular Economy Accelerator project.
The program, the first of its kind in Canada, supports corporations to adopt circular economy principles, reduce waste and emissions, and scale up cutting-edge practices.
Each player conducts an in-depth on-site assessment with an advisor and receives an opportunity assessment, detailing recommended moves to integrate circular economy and waste responses, energy consumption and emissions.
Participants are also provided with environmental metrics that they can use to track sustainability performance, attract investment, and position themselves as green leaders.
The program sets the bar for a resilient localized economy in Vancouver Island’s coastal region through the facilitation of partnerships and multi-sector collaboration.
“Sometimes one company’s waste is another company’s resource,” said Georgia Lavender, director of program operations at the Synergy Foundation.
“Working with corporations allows us to create a circular ecosystem and identify opportunities for further cluster development. “
Admission to the program will continue until all seats are assigned.
Businesses can learn more and enroll in the program at www. project-zero. ca/accelerator.
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The Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre is one of 20 guest centres across the province that will receive a total of $526,000 from the province as a Visitor Experience Enhancement Grant for Visitor Services.
A press release from Destination British Columbia says visitors to communities across the province are looking for engaging, immersive, community-focused, sustainable, and inclusive reporting.
The DBC said the investment will be used in projects to inspire visitors to go further, stay longer, adopt guilty behaviors and create meaningful connections while exploring B. C.
“These projects are expected to be completed by the summer of 2025 and will play a role in the sustainable expansion of tourism across all regions and seasons, while bringing benefits to communities, local economies and residents,” the DBC said.
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