Tag Archives: Cortes Stores

Gorge Harbour Marina Undergoing Renovations

Gorge Harbour Marina is undergoing extensive renovations this year. The general store, marina and gas pump is open, but much of the resort is expected to remain closed until 2024.

General Manager Jason Johnson explained, “We had a fairly successful last season and then became even more aware  of some major infrastructure issues needing to be addressed. It wasn’t just a matter of ‘it’s a septic issue,’ or ‘it’s a water issue,’ or ‘it’s an electric issue” – it’s all of it. We are having to take a look at some major infrastructure at the Gorge with the understanding that the property has a lot of age behind it. So we really need to take a look at that and press the pause button.”

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How Gorge Harbour Road changed Cortes Island

Squirrel Cove was much more important during the first part of the 20th century. Union Steamships tied up at the long wharf twice a week. There is still a Squirrel Cove General Store and post office, but there were once log boom, a sawmill, boatyard, machine shop, community hall, church and a school. Much of this infrastructure disappeared during the years that steamships were supplanted by motor boats and floatplanes. However Lynne Jordan, former President of the Cortes Island Museum, has another explanation for Squirrel Cove’s decline.

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Cortes Island Natural Food Co-op raises wages in a bid to retain and attract staff

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

As of June 1, British Columbia’s minimum wage is the highest in Canada at $15.65 per hour. Yet businesses in urban and rural communities are struggling to meet staffing needs; some of the hardest hit are the service, hospitality and retail sectors.

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Staying alive: Small business survival 101 with Cortes Market

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

The Cortes Market has been in business for more than 30 years, all under one owner, Bertha Jeffery. She says the key to small business survival is catering to the needs of customers.

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Boat catches fire close to Refuge Cove

At 9:08 AM on the morning of February 9th, 2022, a Squirrel Cove resident phoned the Coast Guard about a fire just north of Refuge Cove, on West Redonda Island. What she thought might be a house engulfed by fire turned out to be a 34 foot wood and fiberglass boat close to the shore.

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