Campbell River Business Buzz

I’m amazed at the evolution of businesses in Campbell River. The community may have a relatively small population but don’t let that fool you for a second. We’ve got businesses for sale, new ones opening, and established businesses undergoing changes. There’s lots happening. Here’s what has caught my eye recently:  

Being the voracious reader that I am, I have to start with Ruth and Trevor McMonagle’s newest addition to our bookstore choices in town.  Stillwater Books and Art, located on Shoppers Row between the libary and Photo Tech, celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, July 11. It attracted piles of bookophiles. Open 10am to 6pm, Stillwater is a gem. Their website is www.stillwaterbooksandart.ca. Phone them at 250-850-3103. Stay tuned for more on this new business in future posts here at eZABU.com.

Plaza Bakery has undergone a name change. It’s now known as Christie’s Place. I’m hoping the vanilla slices will continue to satisfy my sometimes-indulged (!) sweet tooth.  

The Galaxy Theatre, beside Christie’s Place on 10th Ave., is for sale through Roy Grant of Coast Realty. Admission is currently $7.95 for all seats. If a home is ever needed for the popcorn popper….. 

And of course there’s the newly started construction of the 152,000 square foot Walmart across from Home Depot on the highway. Currently scheduled for opening next spring, it’s going to be larger than the Courtenay location and will offer a full grocery department in addition to the usuals.

New to Campbell River is Ardene, a Canadian-based fashion and accessories chain (belts, hats, wallets, key chains, and of course the ever-popular fuzzy dice). Find it in C.R. Common, beside Dollarama.

In addition to being a voracious reader, I’m also an enthusiastic eater of Asian food. So - imagine my delight when I discovered that The Wok Box has chosen Campbell River as home for its unique Chinese cuisine. I eagerly hoovered a lunch special at their Courtenay located recently and found it to be hot, fresh, with just the right amount of spice for this Szchewan fan. I don’t know where the Campbell River location is yet – but – finding out is a priority.

Still on the subject of food, Subway has closed in Georgia Quay but has replaced it with a fresh location beside Save-On Foods. Definitely convenient for Mariner Square employees.

I learned first hand this past week how fortunate we are to have such a high quality Shopper’s Drug Mart. I was visiting rels in Vancouver and had occasion to visit two Shopper’s, one on the North Shore and the other in downtown Vancouver.  Our book department was more extensive than both, our location has a top-notch photography department in terms of hours, product availability, as well as knowledgeable customer service peeps. And, as someone who buys cards regularly, it was a disappointment to learn that receiving a free stamp doesn’t happen at every Shoppers. Keep up the great work in the Tyee Plaza Shopper’s Drug Mart.

Celebrate your country (and eat cake too)

My dad still calls our July 1 holiday Dominion Day. It doesn’t matter to him that Parliament changed the name in 1982 to Canada Day.  The first time he referred to July 1 as Dominion Day my niece looked at him blankly,  having been born the same year the former name went the way of the dodo. She hadn’t known it as anything other than Canada Day (she’s too young to remember Flashdance too, but that’s another story).

Regardless of what you call it, regardless of what you might think of the ongoing antics of our politicans, federal and otherwise, get out and have some fun on our country’s 142nd birthday. There’s no lack of actitivities to please everybody this year, many of them free. Here’s a sample:

* Always a huge favorite are the fireworks, brought to you by Quality Foods and simulcast on radio by 97.3 The Eagle. They start precisely at 10:22pm (please note that’s not 10:20pm, nor is it 10:25pm) and are visible from Discovery Pier, the foreshore, and possibly even Willow Point, although I confess to not knowing this for sure. It’s a semi-educated guess.

*  The Tidemark’s Children’s Festival from 10am to 4pm at the Community Centre. Scope out details at www.tidemarktheatre.com. It’s free and features activities both outside and inside (in the unlikely event of rain).

* And of course don’t forget the “Spirit of the River” Canada Day parade. Bring your camera and be ready for the 4:00pm start as the floats, bands, and community organizations make their way along Shoppers Row and finish at Discovery Pier. Bring an umbrella if you don’t want to risk being hosed by the fire department.

* Not everything is happening in the downtown area. There’s a Pancake Breaky at Frank James Park in Willow Point started at 7:00am and finishing at 10:30am. It’s sponsored by Quality Foods and hosted by the Campbell River Volunteer Firefighters. Cost is by donation. Proceeds go to the BC Firefighter’s Burn Fund.

* New this year are the Belt Sander Races at Home Hardware. Preregistration and details are available by calling them at 250-287-7147 or by dropping by the store at the corner of Dogwood and 13th Ave.

* If you can’t possibly wait until evening for Canada Day cake, get thee to C.R. Common at 2:00pm for their Cake Cutting (followed by Cake Eating). While you’re there, check out the various sidewalk sales.

* The Family Fair Market from 11am to 6pm will have face painting, food booths, and other Big Fun, including a Bouncerama (to be enjoyed only before eating, please. The volunteers thank you). See it all at the Foreshore and the Pier Street area. 

* Haven’t got your fill of cake yet? Head to Willow Point for noon where  Quality Foods will provide it and the Legion Pipers will entertain you. Brought to you by the Willow Point Business Improvement Association. 

Wondering where I’ll be on July 1? Refer to the Cake Schedule.

Treasures Waiting to be Discovered

Looking for that Stretch Armstrong doll from your childhood, the one your best friend swears she didn’t steal when you were downstairs getting the two of you a snack that day she came over to your house after school? Still yearning for the made-in-China soup bowl that will complete your set? The one with the recipe on the front of it for cream of mushroom soup? Still kicking yourself for giving away that giant fake wood knife and fork set Aunt Frieda and Uncle Dave gave you from their trip to Hawaii?

Take heart. There is hope you can find what your heart desires (and maybe even things you didn’t know it did!). Check out Volunteer C.R.’s indoor garage sale this Saturday, May 23, at C.R. Common (though it will always be Ironwood Mall to me) from 9:30am – 1:30pm.

Don’t worry – I’ll be polite when I reach in front of you to nab Stretch. I’ve been looking for him for years.

Like other non-profits, Volunteer Campbell River depends on your support of fundraising activities such as this garage sale to continue to provide much needed and appreciated services in Campbell River.

Volunteer Campbell River assists organizations in town find volunteers for their events, whether short term (calling bingo at Logger Sports) or something requiring more of a commitment (a board position or working as a cashier in the Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop). And it works both ways – if you’ve got some time on your hands are are looking to donate your skills, learn new ones, meet new people and learn more about Campbell River, they can find a group that will suit you.

I can’t think of a single non-profit group that hasn’t needed the Volunteer Center to help them find the right people for the right job at the right time. The Transition House, Salvation Army, Discovery Coast Greenways Land Trust, Ocean’s Day, or the Campbell River and District Art Gallery, they all depend on the trained staff and volunteers at the Volunteer Centre.

Check out their site at http://www.volunteercr.ca/