Have you ever tried Peanut Butter Captain Crunch?
How about Chubby Soda or Butter Rum Life Savers?
These brands and an assortment of other snack and soft drinks that are hard to get in Canada are now available at The Capsule, which recently opened at 51 Trunk Rd., close to Charles Hoey Park.
The store, owned by Nick Mravunac, also carries vintage clothing and memorabilia posters and toys.
Mravunac, also known as The Wiseguy in hip-hop circles, operates a music studio upstairs in the same building as The Capsule, which is short for time capsule, and saw an opportunity when the store space became available.
“I used to sell vintage clothing online so I’m very familiar with what is popular and sells,” he said.
“There’s always something new here because I’m always updating my inventory.”
Mravunac said he will host a Grand Re-opening of The Capsule on Sept. 11, with live music in front of the store from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and everyone is welcome.
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Due to a possible COVID-19 exposure, and for the health and safety of its staff and customers, Just Jakes and the Craig Street Brew Pub in Duncan closed last weekend to allow time to conduct a full assessment, and to increase sanitizing protocols at the eating establishments.
The restaurant and pub plan to open again on Sept. 10.
“The health and safety of our staff and community is our top priority and we are taking every precaution we can to assure it,” a poster in the foyer of Just Jakes said.
“We look forward to serving you soon.”
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The BC Cancer Foundation is partnering with local grocers across Vancouver Island to raise $500,000 to advance life-saving diagnostic technology that will change cancer outcomes for prostate cancer patients in the community and beyond.
From Sept. 8 to Nov. 8, The Future Cures Campaign will harness the power of community with local grocery brands uniting to save more lives in Lake Cowichan, Duncan and beyond including the local 49th Parallel Grocery and Country Grocer.
Thrifty Foods will match all donations up to $125,000 until Nov. 8.
This campaign will raise funds for PSMA-PET: state-of-the-art imaging technology used to optimize and inform treatment for prostate cancer patients.
PSMA imaging scans help pinpoint the precise location of prostate cancer and reveal if it has spread.
Funding PSMA-PET will help move this breakthrough technology into a future standard of care in B.C.
For more information about how supporters can contribute via your local stores, and to donate, visit www.bccancerfoundation.com/futurecures
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Three breweries in the Cowichan Valley can be nominated for the BC Ale Trail’s 2021 Best Brewery Experience Award.
They are Red Arrow Brewing and Small Block Brewing in Duncan, and Riot Brewing in Chemainus.
BC Ale Trail, the contest’s sponsor, said the fourth annual event encourages B.C. residents to think about what they love about their local breweries, and what makes them special.
The BC Ale Trail results from a partnership with Destination British Columbia and the BC Craft Brewers Guild.
There are 22 breweries in the competition in the Vancouver Island Ale Trail, which includes breweries north of the Victoria area, and 150 breweries in total in the 20 different Ale Trails in B.C.
“B.C. breweries work hard to create amazing consumer experiences; from the quality and variety of the beer they produce to the food they serve with it and the range of unique activities they offer alongside,” said a release.
Voting for the breweries is taking place online on BC Ale Trail’s website until Sept. 15.
Participants will also be entered to win one of two grand prizes for voting.
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An iconic and successful Chemainus business will be phasing out at the end of October.
The retail garden shop section of Sandpiper Gardens & Glass Inc. will be eliminated from the property after that time.
The glass part of the operation will be continuing to provide its wide array of services.
It’s certainly not due to a lack of customers because both aspects of the Laurel Street business do extremely well.
It’s more to do with owner Gunnell Borge’s desire to slow down, something she’s talked about for quite some time.
“We do a ton of business but it’s time for someone younger to pick up the torch and we don’t want to sell our property,” noted Gunnell.
“And it’s for a better balance in life. What we’re going to do is we’re selling things off in the garden shop till the end of October.”
Husband Scott will continue to oversee the glass segment.
There’s a great selection of fall inventory coming in, Gunnell added.
There will be winter pansies, mums, spring flowering bulbs and so much more.
“Lots of stuff on sale,” enthused Gunnell.
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Peninsula Co-op has donated $7,500 to Easter Seals Camp Shawnigan.
Easter Seals Camp Shawnigan, which opened in 1979, has been giving children and adults with disabilities on Vancouver Island a fully accessible experience at an overnight summer camp ever since.
Campers learn life changing skills, gain life-long friendships, and as important as it is for campers, it’s also an important week of respite for parents and caregivers.
“The ability to give back to our community is an important philosophy of Peninsula Co-op and we love to help the families in the local communities we operate in,” said Lindsay Gaudette, director of marketing and community relations with Peninsula Co-op.
“It is our hope to not only increase awareness for Easter Seals Camp Shawnigan, but to continue to raise much needed funds to help send more kids and adults with disabilities to this camp.”
James Gagnon, director of camps at Easter Seals, said the organization can’t thank Peninsula Co-op enough for believing in Camp Shawnigan.
“Their generous support helps us continue to provide this type of camp experience for children and adults with disabilities,” he said.
—With a file from Don Bodger, Chemainus Courier