Category Archives: Business

Tourism, Transportation

Cortes Cruiser: A New Way To Get Around Cortes Island

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Eric Denis grew up in Quebec and is the technical operator of machines at Island Sea Farms. Melissa Steblyk comes from Alberta, is a substitute teacher at the Cortes Island School, and also manages the Gorge Marina. Last May, they launched a moped rental business called Cortes Cruiser in the Gorge.

It didn’t start out that way.

Melissa Steblyk: “Eric’s got three kids, and his oldest is almost 16. We were thinking a scooter would be a great option for him when he gets his license.”

Eric Denis: “In March, we bought that first bike. It was one of those Yamaha BWS—just a little bit of a beater. It was for my kids, so it was like, ‘We’ll fix it up.’”

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Business

Quadra Island Thrift: One Year, 30,487 Items, and a Very Well-Dressed Island

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Originally published in the Bird’s Eye

A year ago, Hannah Rohan and Shelby Mitchell stood outside a paper-covered storefront in Quathiaski Cove, grinning in front of a hand-painted sign: Thrift Store Grand Opening, Saturday, May 17. It was one of my first real cover stories as the Bird’s Eye’s new editor — two Quadra-raised locals who came home with a vision, a shared love of thrifting, and one legendary bonding bike trip behind them.

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Business, Rivers & Oceans, Tourism

Area C OCP Meeting Happening THIS Wednesday – May 13

Originally published in the Bird’s Eye

The fifth of six community meetings in the Area C Official Community Plan (OCP) review takes place this Wednesday, May 13, at 6 p.m. at the Community Centre. The topics — aquaculture, agriculture, tourism, and economic development — cover some of the most visibly changed aspects of island life, and where the most active community planning work has been occurring in parallel. 

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Indigenous Nations, Tourism

A new Restaurant at the Gorge and other updates from QXMC

QXMC, the Klahoose management company, has received a grant to build a new restaurant at Gorge Harbour Marina. They also recently purchased a former manager’s home for additional guest accommodations and are reporting the best season ever at the Klahoose Wilderness Resort.

Gorge Harbour’s old Floathouse Restaurant was torn down in early 2023 because of infrastructure issues. Now, thanks to a one-million-dollar grant from the BC Government’s Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP), a new restaurant will rise on the same site. 

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Indigenous Nations, Tourism

Wei Wai Kum Aquire Control Of Campbell River Adventure Tours

Wei Wai Kum First Nation‘s latest business venture is acquiring a majority stake in the Campbell River Adventure Tours Group, which includes Campbell River Whale Watching and Wildcoast Adventures. 

The current owners Stephen Gabrysh and Tyler Bruce will remain partners and oversee day-to-day operations during the transition to full ownership, which is anticipated in the near future.

This acquisition is another step in a broader economic strategy that includes a number of businesses operating within their traditional territory.

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