Category: Uncategorized

Post-SBBC Support Options

  With the dissolution of Small Business BC, various organizations are well-positioned to provide support and address the needs left in its absence. From federally-backed initiatives to specialized programs for Indigenous entrepreneurs, the following organizations ensure small businesses have the tools, funding, and mentorship needed to thrive. Government of British… Read more

The Economic Power of Nanaimo’s Not-for-Profit Sector

Nanaimo’s not-for-profit sector plays a pivotal role in shaping the city’s economy and community. Often seen as providers of essential services, these organizations also contribute significantly to employment, GDP, and local spending, creating a ripple effect that touches nearly every aspect of life in Nanaimo. However, their impact goes beyond… Read more

Support Local. Build Nanaimo. Strengthen BC.

Every dollar you spend is a vote for the kind of community you want to live in.  Choosing local businesses isn’t just about convenience or creating a sense of community—it’s creating an economic powerhouse that strengthens Nanaimo, supports British Columbia, and helps create a future we can all thrive in…. Read more

Brewing Something More than just Coffee In Nanaimo

White Rabbit Coffee Co. has become a unique destination in Nanaimo, offering more than just a cup of coffee. Nestled in the heart of the city within an old train station, White Rabbit is part of a larger vision shared by owner and Creative Director, Amy Ferris. The station itself… Read more

Do Your Boss A Favour—Toss Them Off a Bridge!

Get ready to plunge to new depths for an incredible cause! The Nanaimo Brain Injury Society (NBIS) is excited to bring back the thrilling “Toss the Boss” event on Friday, October 4th, 2024, at WildPlay Nanaimo. This one-of-a-kind fundraiser is not just about adrenaline—it’s about making a tangible difference for… Read more

Our Old City Quarter: What was Old is New Again

The Old City Quarter is born from a storied past but within this community is a desire to forge a unique identity. OCQ’s Story Once the original centre of Nanaimo, the OCQ as it is known today serves as a collective of unique businesses and apartments. While the buildings date… Read more

Nanaimo on Tap: Please, Only the Good Stuff

Nanaimo on Tap: Please, Only the Good Stuff From bootleggers to macro-breweries, Nanaimo has certainly witnessed a lot in over 150 years of brewing. Besides bootleggers, Nanaimo’s brewery scene has come full circle as new microbreweries are rising once again—some literally out of the ashes.  The brewing scene started slowly… Read more

Measuring Progress Beyond GDP: What is a Well-being Economy?

  GDP is often pointed to when discussing the well-being of society, but this metric fails to explain what does not have a dollar value behind it: society extends far beyond what is merely produced and consumed. Many cities, including Nanaimo, are shifting their perspective away from a GDP-focused framework…. Read more

British Columbia’s Most Local Beer

Aside from the wild barley currently growing alongside Millstream River, Longwood Brewery sources all of its ingredients for several beers within a 100-mile radius. The Tyee – an independent, online news magazine from BC – embarked on a project to see how closely British Columbian breweries sourced their ingredients. After… Read more

Roadblock to Revitalization Removed from Nanaimo’s Downtown Core

Have you ever wondered why Nanaimo’s Downtown has struggled to revitalize? A stretch of Nanaimo’s downtown called the Terminal Corridor, or as Caleb McIntyre dubs it the “Terminal Trench”, sits over tonnes of coal tailings—a remnant of Nanaimo’s industrial past.  As a result, Nanaimo’s downtown existed in somewhat of a… Read more