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Who are the Best of the Valley?
You’re reading the seventh edition of Best of the Valley, the Citizen’s reader’s choice awards celebration of the thriving and diverse Cowichan business community.
With the help of Citizen readers, we’ve identified more than 150 winners in 165 categories. It wasn’t an easy task. As soon as the contest was announced, nominations began flowing in with customers and clients of businesses from Shawnigan Lake to Chemainus, Lake Cowichan to Ladysmith anxious to support their favourite businesses.
In many categories competition was fierce and there were some tight races as the nominations came in.
“We couldn’t be happier with the response from our readers,” commented Citizen publisher David van Deventer. “And it was gratifying to see that so many people are so positive about what the Cowichan Valley has to offer in terms of goods, services and just plain fun things to do.”
Publisher David van Deventer
Best of the Valley provided a vivid reminder that the Cowichan Valley is emerging as not only a significant shopping region, but one that continues to offer a selection of unique, owner-operated stores that make us different from larger urban areas.
That fact was abundantly clear in most categories with locally owned businesses prominent in the winners’ list. Most likely, it has something to do with small business owners’ dedication to their enterprise as well as friendly, reliable service. The Cowichan Valley Regional District’s economic development department points out that the retail sector is the largest employer by industry in the region with direct ties to tourism and hospitality. The synergy that results attracts visitors and customers from Victoria and elsewhere on the Island, the CVRD points out.
Congratulations to all the businesses that were nominated!
david.vandeventer@blackpress.ca
Editor Andrea Rondeau
editor@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
Cowichan Valley Citizen
251 Jubilee St., Duncan, B.C., V9L 1W8
Phone: 250-748-2666
Director of Sales
David van Deventer
david.vandeventer@blackpress.ca
Circulation circulation@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
Newsroom 250-748-2666, extension 235
Advertising 250-748-2666, extensions 223, 227, 228, 229
Sales
Darin Lashman
Lauri Meanly
Vi Moffat
Editorial
Robert Barron
Chadd Cawson
Sarah Simpson
Bernie Dinter of Dinter Nursery stands inside one of the business’s greenhouses. Dinter Nursery won Best Outdoor Garden Centre. (Citizen file)
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Romeo’s restaurant in Duncan takes top spot
Robert Barron
The owners of Romeo’s restaurant in Duncan have been working hard to have the business provide the best dining experience in the Cowichan Valley with consistently good food since they took over operations in 2023.
Their hard work seems to be paying off as Romeo’s placed high in a number of categories in the Cowichan Valley Citizen’s annual Best of the Valley awards.
The restaurant, located at 180 Trans-Canada Hwy. in Duncan, took top honours in the Best Pasta and Best Mediterranean Food categories, was awarded second place in the Best Family Restaurant category and came third in the Best Pizza category.
Stephanie Peter, who owns the restaurant along with her daughter Natalie Johnny, Johnny’s partner Quinn Smith and her stepmother Barb Paquette, said she’s delighted Romeo’s has done so well in Best of the Valley, and the fact that the winners are chosen by the newspaper’s readers.
Peter, whose main job is home deliveries, said she gets a lot of positive feedback about the food at Romeo’s on the doorstep, but it’s great to see the restaurant receive such accolades from the community in the contest.
She attributed it to the great teamwork of her approximately 40 staff members, and the enthusiastic and effective management of the restaurant, which is run by Johnny and Smith, who are in their early 20s.
“We’re also very lucky to have our head chef, Nikos Theodoris, who was here for 11 years before we took over, stay with us,” Peter said.
“We call him Hercules because he can do everything and he creates consistently good food for our customers. He has taught Natalie and Quinn how to cook in all areas of the kitchen. A lot of our serving staff are high-school students who have high energy and are enthusiastic so we have a mix of people with experience, like Nikos, and the young who are eager to learn, and that makes for a great combination.”
As for taking second place in the Best Family Restaurant category, Peter said that’s very special to her because there are so many other family restaurants in the Cowichan Valley.
She said Romeo’s is a nice place for grandparents because the booths provide a quieter space as they are spread apart, and the restaurant also provides Etch-a-Sketches for the toddlers.
“Mothers’ Day is our busiest day of the year because people like to come here with their families,” she said with a smile.
Stephanie Peter, a co-owner of Romeo’s restaurant in Duncan, is delighted that the business has done so well in this year’s Best of the Valley awards. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Jac’s on Queens hitting its groove
Wednesday and most Saturdays, have proven to be quite successful at Jac’s on Queens.
It’s not just about serving drinks for the staff at Jac’s on Queens Sports Bar, but also about creating a fun and festive atmosphere where everyone feels welcome.
The bar has been rewarded for that philosophy by their customers by placing in a number of categories in the Cowichan Valley Citizen’s annual Best of the Valley awards, which is decided by the newspaper’s readers.
Jac’s on Queens took the top spot in the Best Karaoke category, and second place in the Open Mike Jam Sessions and the Music Trivia categories.
Staff member Stephen Bishop said the bar has to have something to draw people in, especially in the current economy, and Jac’s on Queens has proven to be very good at that, especially under the ownership of Mckayla Vancoughnett, who took over the business, located at 60 Queens Rd. in Duncan, in September, 2024.
Vancoughnett said at the time that she was determined to rejuvenate Jac’s on Queens, which has been in operation for more than 35 years, by “refreshing the bar into a place where people can dance and have fun.”
Karaoke Nights, which are held every
Bishop said the crowd creates their own entertainment on those nights.
“Those are very popular events here and people are drawn out of their shells and sing their hearts out,” he said.
“The point is to have fun and you don’t even need to be a good singer. We always try to have the best hosts for Karaoke Nights as well. They have to have to have a lot of energy and be personable. We always get a big crowd for Karaoke Nights.”
Bishop said Open Mic Nights, which are held every Thursday, have also become very popular at the bar.
He said it’s an evening where people can get up on stage and play their instruments, tell jokes or stories or do whatever they like, as long as it’s within reason.
“It’s always good fun and we encourage people to come to the bar on Thursdays and they’ll see why Open Mic Nights have become so popular here. Mckayla inherited a solid team of staff when she took over and, while we had to show her some ropes in the beginning, she soon came into her own and began implementing her own plans and designs for the bar and it’s been very good.”
Drew Hobday and Stephen Bishop, staff members at Jac’s on Queens Sports Bar, say that the secret of success at the bar is creating a fun atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Robert Barron
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
3-time winner Arbutus RV drives the competition in best sales and services
Arbutus RV drove into the lead among contenders for ‘Best of the Valley’ in the categories in of ‘Best RV Servicing’, and the ‘Best Place to buy an RV’ and ‘Best Place to buy RV parts.’
“That’s amazing, and is an incredible honour,”said Cobble Hill branch manager Kent Fortin. “We really work hard to try and get to that level as far as taking care of our guests and ensuring that they are handled well.”
The Cobble Hill location is the original of now six locations that Craig Little started 38 years ago in what was once an RV park. Fortin, who has been in the RV industry for many years, is pleased to be the branch manager of the Cobble Hill head office. They have 30 staff and Fortin says the best part of his job is the staff and the customers. There are 150 staff across all six locations.
“It’s just a fun friendly atmosphere,”
said Fortin. “We’re selling a lifestyle, so when guests visit us they are excited and happy to be here because this is their holiday. It’s just a great industry to be in.”
Aside from being the head office, the Cobble Hill location is also tops in its service department — the highest rated out of all six locations over the last three years, which Fortin credits to their handson approach and efficiency and overall customer service.
“Their parts department is top notch and are on it when they need to be, there is no lag and excel in great communication,” said Fortin. “That is what makes them number one.”
Fortin says their location typically sells 150 RVs a year with bunk models for families being most popular.
“We are seeing a trend with full time living,” said Fortin. “We sell a lot of big fifth wheels for people who want to live in them full time, so that’s nice.”
Arbutus RV in Cobble Hill is top contender for this year’s ‘Best of the Valley’ in the categories of ‘Best RV Servicing’ and ‘Best Place to buy an RV and parts’. Branch manager Kent Fortin stands outside one of their RV models at their head office in Cobble Hill. (Chadd Cawson/Citizen)
Chadd Cawson
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
ZZA’s Pizza picked as Best Pizza in the Valley
Robert Barron
ZZA’s New York Style Pizza has won top prize in the Best Pizza category in the Cowichan Valley Citizen’s annual Best of the Valley awards.
ZZA’s, which operates from a small kitchen with a take-out window adjacent to the The Old Farm Market just south of Duncan, is owned and operated by business and life partners Maddy Stefani and Travis Johnson who opened the restaurant in December, 2023.
The couple are from Victoria where Stefani worked as a child, youth and family counsellor, and Johnson was employed as a cement-finishing foreman before they decided to quit their jobs and start ZZA’s.
“We were looking for a change,” said Johnson.
“We were getting pretty burnt out and we’re looking for any opportunity to do something together. We know Chris Steel (general manager of The Old Farm Market) quite well and he told us that the market had recently bought pizza-making equipment and had a space available to rent so we jumped at it.”
Stefani said the couple had no official training in commercial cooking, but they would occasionally invite Steel to their home for dinner and he liked the meals they prepared.
“So we learned to make pizza from an authentic Italian
guy and then we taught ourselves to put our own twist to it,” she said.
“I’m Italian so I thought learning to make good pizzas would be a way of honouring my ancestors. We’re honing our craft as we go and people are liking it.”
Johnson said the secret to making a good pizza is starting with a good foundation, and the special flour that ZZA’s uses is shipped in from Italy, as well as the San Marzano tomatoes that are used, which are considered the best tomatoes in the world.
“It takes a few days to work with the dough to make it special. All the rest of the produce we use to make our pizza comes from The Old Farm Market because it’s fresh and is as local as we can get,” he said.
“It takes a lot of time, effort and love to make our pizzas. It’s been quite a journey since we opened almost two years ago, and we’re still learning as we go.”
The couple said they are delighted to have won in the Best Pizza category in the Best of the Valley awards, and the fact that the winners are chosen by the newspaper’s readers.
“It’s really exciting and we can feel the love,” Stephani said.
“We are proud to make a good product that makes people happy.”
Maddy Stefani and Travis Johnson are the owners of ZZA’s New York Style Pizza. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
BEST ART GALLERY
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Winner: Station Street Gallery & Frame Shop
Second Place: Cowichan Valley Arts Council
Runner Up: Excellent Frameworks
BEST KARAOKE
Winner: Jac’s on Queens
Second Place: MC Bexstar
Runner Up: Lion Rampant
BEST MUSIC TRIVIA
Winner: CVI Pub
Second Place: Jac’s on Queens
Runner Up: MC Bexstar
BEST OPEN MIC / JAM SESSION
Winner: Duncan Showroom
Second Place: Jac’s on Queens
Runner Up: The Hub - Cowichan Station
BEST PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL
Winner: Adage Dance Studio
Second Place: Steps Ahead
Runner Up: Carlson’s School of Dance
BEST PLACE FOR BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Winner: Duncan Lanes
Second Place: Cowichan Aquatic Centre
Runner Up: White Spot
BEST PLACE FOR LIVE BANDS
Winner: 39 Days of July
Second Place: Cobblestone Pub
Runner Up: Laketown Ranch
BEST PLACE TO DANCE
Winner: Adage Studio
Second Place: Cobblestone Pub
Runner Up: Carlson’s School of Dance
BEST THEATRE COMPANY
Winner: Chemainus Theatre
Second Place: Cowichan Musical Society
Runner Up: Brentwood College
BEST APPETIZERS/TAPAS
Winner: Craig Street Brew Pub
Second Place: Brass Bell Pub
Runner Up: Maya Norte
BEST ASIAN FOOD
Winner: Dragon Yuan
Winner: Craig Street Brew Pub
Second Place: The Cook and Butcher
Runner Up: CVI Lounge + Pub
BEST CINNAMON BUNS
Winner: Old Town Bakery
Second Place: True Grain
Runner Up: Hank’s Bakery
BEST CURRY
Second Place: Guangzhou Garden Restaurant
Runner Up: Kim Wah
BEST BAKERY
Winner: True Grain
Second Place: Hanks Bakery
Runner Up: Westfalian Bakery
BEST BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
Winner: Brunch on Third
Second Place: The Dog House
Runner Up: Cobblestone Pub
BEST CATERING BUSINESS
Winner: Gibbys @Berkeys
Second Place: Duncan Garage
Runner Up: Thrifty Foods
BEST FAMILY RESTAURANT
Winner: The Dog House
Second Place: Vancouver Island Catering
Runner Up: Barnes & Maracle
Second Place: Romeo’s
Runner Up: Bonnie Martin Restaurant
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
BEST HAMBURGERS
Winner: Cobblestone Pub
BEST FARMERS’ MARKET
Winner: Old Farm Market
Second Place: Duncan Farmer’s Market
Runner Up: Great Greens
Runner Up: Valley Roots
BEST FAST FOOD
Winner: A & W
Second Place: Phat Bastard Eats
Runner Up: Lee’s Chicken
Runner Up: Mad Eats
BEST FISH & CHIPS
Winner: Salty’s Fish and Chips
Second Place: Cobblestone Pub
Runner Up: West Coast Fish and Chips
BEST FOOD TRUCK
Winner: Little Corner Sandwich Shop
Second Place: Taco Revolution
Runner Up: The Brazen Fork
BEST FRENCH FRIES
Winner: Just Jakes
Second Place: The Little Corner Sandwich Shop
Runner Up: Mad Eats
BEST GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS
Winner: Wild Poppy Market
Second Place: Moo’s Pizza
Runner Up: Original Udder Guys Ice Cream & Candy Ltd
Second Place: Phat Bastard Eats
Runner Up: A&W
Runner Up: Cowichan Bay Pub
BEST HAPPY HOUR
Winner: Cobblestone Pub
Second Place: Brass Bell Pub
Runner Up: CVI Pub
BEST ICE CREAM & GELATO
Winner: Drifter’s Creamery
Winner: Original Udder Guys Ice Cream and Candy Ltd
Runner Up: Italian Kitchen
BEST KIDS RESTAURANT
Winner: White Spot
Second Place: The Dog House
Runner Up: A & W
Runner Up: Boston Pizza
BEST LUNCHES
Winner: Arbutus Cafe
Second Place: Gibby’s
Runner Up: Cowichan Valley Inn
BEST MEDITERRANEAN FOOD
Winner: Romeo’s
Second Place: Royal Bistro
Runner Up: Mosaic Kitchen and Bar
BEST NACHOS
Winner: Craig Street Brew Pub
Second Place: Brass Bell Pub
Runner Up: Just Jakes
BEST PASTA
Winner: Romeo’s
Second Place: The Italian Deli
Runner Up: Boston Pizza
BEST PATIO RESTAURANT
Winner: Merridale Cider
Second Place: Unsworth Vineyard
Runner Up: The Vine
BEST PIZZA
Winner: Zza’s Pizza
Second Place: Moo’s Pizza
Runner Up: Romeo’s
BEST PLACE FOR COCKTAILS & SHOTS
Winner: Old Firehouse
Second Place: Craig Street Brew Pub
Runner Up: The Cook and Butcher
BEST NANAIMO BARS
Winner: Duncan Garage
Second Place: Thrifty Foods Bakery
Runner Up: Country Grocer Cobble Hill
BEST PLACE TO BUY CRAFT BEER
Winner: Red Arrow Brew Co.
Second Place: Craig Street Brew Pub
Runner Up: Deadhead Brewery
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Continued from Z11
BEST PLACE TO BUY MEAT
Winner: Duncan Butcher Shop
Second Place: Thrifty Foods
Runner Up: Cobble Hill Country Grocer
Runner Up: Cowichan Valley Meat Market
BEST PLACE TO BUY PRODUCE
Winner: Old Farm Market
Second Place: Duncan Farmer’s Market
Runner Up: Sweet Meadows Market
Runner Up: Thrifty Foods
BEST PLACE TO BUY SEAFOOD
Winner: Mad Dog Crabs Seafood Market
Second Place: Thrifty Foods
Runner Up: Country Grocer
BEST PLACE TO BUY WINE
Winner: Beverly Corners
Second Place: Unsworth Winery
Runner Up: Blue Grouse Winery
BEST PLACE TO MEET FOR COFFEE
Winner: The Fishbowl Cafe
Second Place: Duncan Garage
Runner Up: Coffee on the Moon
BEST PUB
Winner: Cobblestone Pub
Second Place: Craig Street Brew Pub
Runner Up: Brass Bell Pub
BEST RESTAURANT OVERALL
Winner: Cook and Butcher
Second Place: Genoa Bay Cafe
Runner Up: The Doghouse
BEST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT
Winner: Genoa Bay Cafe
Second Place: Unsworth
Runner up: The Cook & Butcher
BEST SANDWICH/SUB
Winner: Hank’s Bakery
Second Place: Saigon Subs
Runner Up: Old Farm Market
BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Winner: Salty’s Fish and Chips
Second Place: The Cook and Butcher
Runner Up: Genoa Bay Cafe
BEST SPORTS BAR
Winner: Cobblestone Pub
Second Place: CVI
Runner Up: Brass Bell Pub
BEST STEAKHOUSE
Winner: The Cook & Butcher
Second Place: Mr Mikes
Runner Up: Craig Street Brew Pub
BEST SUSHI
Winner: The Sushi House
Second Place: Mill Bay Sushi
Runner Up: One More Sushi
BEST TACOS
Winner: Taco Revolution
Second Place: Taco Papi Taq-eh-ria
Runner Up: CVI Pub
Runner Up: Taco Hole
Runner Up: Taco Time
BEST TAKE OUT FOOD
Winner: A & W
Second Place: The Little Corner Sandwich Shop
Runner Up: Phat Bastard Eats
BEST VEGETARIAN FOOD
Winner: Duncan Garage
Second Place: Aastha Devotional Indian Restaurant
Runner Up: Thrifty Foods
BEST ACCOMMODATIONS
Winner: Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay
Second Place: Best Western Chemainus
Runner Up: Cowichan Valley Inn
BEST LOCAL CAMPGROUND
Winner: Gordon Bay
Second Place: Country Maples
Runner Up: Cowichan River Campground
Runner Up: Lake View Campground
BEST PLACE FOR A PICNIC
Winner: Stoney Hill
Second Place: Bamberton
Runner Up: Waterwheel Park
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Continued from Z14
BEST PLACE FOR PADDLING
Winner: Cowichan Bay
Second Place: Cowichan Lake
Runner Up: Shawnigan Lake
BEST WALKING / JOGGING / HIKING SPOT
Winner: Cowichan Valley Trail (Kinsol Trestle)
Second Place: Cowichan Sportsplex
Runner Up: Cobble Hill Mountain
BEST PLACE TO MOUNTAIN BIKE
Winner: Mount Tzouhalem
Second Place: Maple Mountain
Runner Up: Cobble Hill Mountain
BEST PLACE TO SWIM OUTDOORS
Winner: Lake Lake Cowichan
Second Place: Shawnigan Lake
Runner Up: Cowichan River
BEST PLACE TO TAKE GUESTS
Winner: Kinsol Trestle
Second Place: Raptor Centre
Runner Up: Hand of Man Museum
BEST PLACE TO WALK YOUR DOG
Winner: Cowichan Valley Trail
Second Place: Chemainus Lake Off Leash Park
Runner Up: Trans Canada Trail
BEST PLACE TO WATCH BIRDS
Winner: Cowichan Estuary
Second Place: Raptors
Runner Up: Cobble Hill Mountain
Runner Up: Maple Mountain
BEST PLAYGROUND
Winner: Centennial Park
Second Place: McAdam Park
Runner Up: Bev Lashman Playground at Chesterfield Park
BEST TOURISM ACTIVITY/ADVENTURE BUSINESS
Winner: Skywalk
Second Place: The Tube Shack
Runner Up: Ocean Ecoventures (Cowichan Bay)
BEST VIEW OF THE CITY
Winner: Mount Prevost
Second Place: Mount Tzouhalem
Runner Up: Maple Mountain
BEST ACCOUNTING FIRM
Winner: McPhee Tax & Accounting
Second Place: Budget Pharmacy
Runner Up: The Pulse Accounting Services
BEST AUTO DETAILER
Winner: Island Auto Spa
Second Place: Exin Custom Vehicle Detailing
Runner Up: Dante’s Auto Detailing
BEST AUTO SERVICING
Winner: OK Tire
Second Place: Sheppards Auto
Runner Up: H&M Auto Repair
BEST BANKING INSTITUTION
Winner: Island Savings
Second Place: RBC
Runner Up: CIBC
BEST BARBERSHOP
Winner: Vancouver Island Barber Co.
Second Place: The Society
Runner Up: Hicks Barber Shop
BEST BEAUTY SALON OR SPA
Winner: Matisse Day Spa
Second Place: Ritual
Runner Up: The Guild
BEST CARPET CLEANERS
Winner: Bud’s Carpet Cleaning
Second Place: Chris’s Carpet Cleaning
Runner Up: Ding’s Pro Clean
BEST CELL PHONE REPAIR
Winner: Ultimac
Second Place: Seaside Computers
Runner Up: Best Buy
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Continued from Z18
BEST CHILDCARE SERVICES
Winner: Jitterbugs Childcare Services
Second Place: Parkside Academy
Runner Up: Kidz Co
BEST CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC
Winner: Young Health Management
Second Place: Footsteps Chiropractic
Runner Up: Chemainus Chiropractic
BEST COLLISION REPAIR / AUTO BODY SHOP
Winner: Cowichan Collision Ltd
Second Place: Isherwood
Runner Up: Dobson Glass
BEST COMPUTER SALES & SERVICE
Winner: Seaside Computers
Second Place: VIPC Builders
Runner Up: Best Buy
BEST DENTAL CLINIC
Winner: Reflexions Dental
Second Place: Cobble Hill Dental
Runner Up: Island Dental Health
Runner Up: Warmland Dental
BEST DENTURE CLINIC
Winner: Beautiful Smiles
Second Place: Duncan Denture Clinic
Runner Up: Osborne Bay Dental Health Centre
BEST ELECTRICAL COMPANY
Winner: The Surepoint Electric Group
Second Place: HB Electric
Runner Up: 3D Electrical Services
BEST ENGINEERING FIRM
Winner: Eagle Engineering
Second Place: Kyle Engineering
Runner Up: Higginson Consulting Ltd.
BEST ESTHETICIANS
Winner: Matisse Day Spa
Second Place: Ritual
Runner Up: Luxe Inc
BEST EXTERIOR CLEANING COMPANY
Winner: All Washed Up Exterior Cleaning
Second Place: Options Exterior Cleaning
Runner Up: RKC Exterior Cleaning
BEST FINANCIAL PLANNING BUSINESS
Winner: RBC
Second Place: CIBC
Runner Up: Island Savings
BEST FITNESS / EXERCISE COMPANY
Winner: Valley Health and Fitness
Second Place: Pure Fitness – Nicole Morgan
Runner Up: Forever Fit
Runner Up: Olympic Fitness
BEST HAIR SALON
Winner: The Loft
Second Place: The Guild
Runner Up: Mint Hair
BEST HEALTHCARE CLINIC
Winner: The Coleman Clinic
Second Place: Festubert Family Practice
Runner Up: Shawnigan Village Family Practice
BEST HEARING CLINIC
Winner: Connect Hearing
Second Place: Resonance Hearing
Runner Up: Beltone
BEST HEATING BUSINESS
Winner: 360 Comfort Systems
Second Place: Fireside Heating Solutions
Runner Up: Hometown Heating and Cooling
BEST HOME BUILDER
Winner: Made to Last
Second Place: Plante Homes
Runner Up: Barnes Custom Homes
BEST HOME RENOVATION COMPANY
Winner: Made to Last Custom Homes
Second Place: Trimlight Van Isle Inc.
Runner Up: Collaborative Build
Runner Up: Southall’s Construction
Runner Up: Whidden Contracting
BEST INSURANCE AGENCY
Winner: Hub Insurance
Second Place: Westland
Runner Up: Coastal Community Insurance Services
BEST INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS
Winner: Style Sense Furniture
Second Place: Helen Faustino
Runner Up: Root Down Interiors
BEST JANITORIAL / HOUSEKEEPING SERVICE
Winner: Cleaning by Kari
Second Place: Cowichan Valley Cleaning
Runner Up: Cowichan Valley Housekeeping
BEST LANDSCAPING BUSINESS
Winner: Living Stones Landscaping
Second Place: Killen’s
Runner Up: Green Thumb Gardener
BEST LAW FIRM
Winner: Stonebridge Law
Second Place: Ridgeway & Co
Runner Up: Scott Gately Law Corporation
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Continued from Z20
BEST MASSAGE CLINIC
Winner: Purely Wellness
Second Place: Patricia Kocurek RMT Services
Runner Up: Focus Massage Therapy
BEST MORTGAGE BROKER
Winner: Laura Funk – Coast Capital
Second Place: Lighthouse Mortgage
Runner Up: RBC
BEST MOVING COMPANY
Winner: We Move You
Second Place: Easy Move
Runner Up: Minute Men Moving & Storage
BEST NAIL SALON
Winner: Matisse Day Spa
Second Place: Jota Nails & Spa
Runner Up: H’s Nails
BEST NOTARY SERVICES
Winner: Heartwood Notary
Second Place: Pat Thompson Notary
Runner Up: Cory Towriss Law Corporation
BEST OIL CHANGES
Winner: Great Canadian Oil Change
Second Place: OK Tire
Runner Up: Jiffy Lube
BEST PAINTING COMPANY
Winner: Abbott Painting
Second Place: Black Sheep Painting
Runner Up: Maple Valley Painting
BEST PERSONAL TRAINING BUSINESS
Winner: Pure Fitness - Nicole Morgan
Second Place: Forever Fit
Runner Up: Active Body Training
Runner Up: Taproot Personal Training
BEST PEST CONTROL SERVICES
Winner: Island Pest Control
Second Place: Cowichan Valley Pest Control
Runner Up: Sentry Pest Control
BEST PET GROOMING BUSINESS
Winner: Julia’s Pet Salon
Second Place: Duncan K9 Grooming
Runner Up: Island Canine Care
BEST PHARMACY
Winner: Budget Pharmacy
Second Place: London Drugs
Runner Up: Mill Bay Pharmasave
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER
Winner: Devon Gillott
Second Place: London Drugs
Runner Up: K Thompson Photography
BEST PLUMBING BUSINESS
Winner: Vortec Plumbing
Second Place: Gideon
Runner Up: Doran
Runner Up: Griddin Plumbing
BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT / TEAM
Winner: Little Property Group
Winner: Jason Anson Personal Real Estate Corporation
Runner Up: Pemberton Holmes
BEST RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
Winner: Sherwood House
Second Place: Kiwanis Duncan
Runner Up: Wedgewood House
BEST ROOFING COMPANY
Winner: High Definition Roofing Ltd.
Second Place: Top Pair Roofing
Runner Up: Cowichan Valley Roofing
BEST RV SERVICING
Winner: Arbutus RV
Second Place: Galaxy RV
Runner Up: Traveland RV
BEST SECURITY COMPANY
Winner: Footprints Security
Second Place: Imperial Security
Second Place: Thorn Security
BEST STORAGE COMPANY
Winner: Extra Storage Now
Second Place: Easy Move
Second Place: Quamichan Self Storage
BEST TANNING SALON
Winner: Bloom Beauty Studio
Second Place: Summer Haus
Runner Up: Wolf Willow Collective
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Continued from Z22
BEST TATTOO STUDIO
Winner: Station Street Tattoo
Second Place: Modern Tradition
Runner Up: Siren’s Ink
BEST TRAVEL AGENCY
Winner: Expedia Cruises Duncan
Second Place: Send me a Postcard – Camille Hillis
Runner Up: Marlin Travel
BEST TREE SERVICE
Winner: Godolphin Tree Service
Second Place: Competition Tree Service
Runner Up: Jason Closson Tree Services
BEST VETERINARY CLINIC
Winner: Duncan Animal Hospital
Second Place: Cobble Hill Veterinary Clinic
Runner Up: Prevost Veterinary Clinic
BEST WINE MAKING STORE
Winner: Mcbarleys
Second Place: Valley Vines to Wines
Runner Up: Grapefully Yours
BEST YOGA STUDIO
Winner: Yoga with Kim
Second Place: Duncan Hot Yoga & Fitness
Runner Up: We Flow
BEST BIKE SHOP
Winner: Experience Cycling
Second Place: Cowichan Cycles
Runner Up: Cycle Therapy
BEST COMMUNITY MINDED BUSINESS
Winner: Mission Thrift Store
Winner: Nourish Cowichan
Runner Up: Moo’s Pizza
BEST CONSIGNMENT OR THRIFT STORE
Winner: HATS
Second Place: Mission Thrift Store
Runner Up: Chemainus Hospital Auxiliary
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
Winner: Mission Thrift Store
Second Place: Country Grocer
Runner Up: Ram Appliances
BEST FLOOR COVERING STORE
Winner: Valley Carpet One
Second Place: Mastercraft Flooring
Runner Up: United Floors
BEST FLOWER SHOP
Winner: Thrifty Foods
Second Place: Willow & Orchid
Runner Up: Country Grocer
BEST FURNITURE STORE
Winner: Style Sense Furniture
Second Place: Merit Furniture
Runner Up: Demxx (Cobble Hill)
BEST GAS BAR
Winner: Peninsula Co-op
Second Place: Shawnigan Garage
Runner Up: Canco
BEST HOME / KITCHEN APPLIANCE STORE
Winner: Ram Appliances
Second Place: Home Hardware
Runner Up: Best Buy
BEST HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE
Winner: Adams Tarp and Tools
Second Place: Home Hardware
Runner Up: Home Depot
BEST HOUSEWARE / LINEN STORE
Winner: Pots and Paraphernalia
Second Place: Mission Thrift Store
Runner Up: Home Hardware
BEST JEWELRY STORE
Winner: Huyen Jewellery
Second Place: Wishes
Runner Up: Impeccable Jewellery
BEST KIDS CLOTHING STORE
Winner: Mission Thrift Store
Second Place: Grace Kidz Thrift
Runner Up: Giggle Gear Clothing
BEST LIGHTING STORE
Winner: Home Depot
Second Place: EB Horsman & Son
Runner Up: EECOL Electric
BEST LINGERIE STORE
Winner: Sheer Essentials
Second Place: Shades Ladies Clothing
Runner Up: Oh La La Boutique
BEST MARINE SUPPLIER
Winner: Dean’s Marine
Second Place: Lakes Marine
Runner Up: Island Marine Centre
BEST MATTRESS STORE
Winner: Sleep Country
Second Place: Merit Furniture
Runner Up: Roger’s Furniture
BEST OPTICAL STORE
Winner: Cowichan Eyecare
Second Place: SpecSavers
Runner Up: Station Street Eye Care
BEST OUTDOOR GARDEN CENTRE
Winner: Dinter Nursery
Second Place: Buckerfields
Runner Up: Home Depot
BEST PAINT STORE
Winner: Cloverdale Paint
Second Place: Dulux
Runner Up: Mill Bay Paint & Hardware
BEST PET SUPPLY STORE
Winner: Bosleys Duncan
Second Place: Island Pet Zone & Ponds
Runner Up: For Pet’s Sake
BEST PLACE TO BUY AN RV
Winner: Arbutus RV
Second Place: Traveland RV
Runner Up: Galaxy RV
BEST PLACE TO BUY RV PARTS
Winner: Arbutus RV
Winner: Traveland RV
Runner Up: Galaxy RV
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Continued from Z26
BEST PLACE TO BUY TIRES
Winner: Joe’s Tire Hospital
Second Place: Tire Exchange, Cobble Hill
Runner Up: OK Tire
BEST PLACE TO BUY WINDOW COVERINGS
Winner: Home Depot
Winner: Valley Floors Carpet One
Runner Up: Style Sense Furniture
BEST PLACE TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE
Winner: Discovery Honda
Second Place: Jim Pattison Toyota
Runner Up: Duncan Hyundai
BEST PLACE TO PURCHASE A USED VEHICLE
Winner: Galaxy Motors Duncan
Second Place: Duncan Hyundai
Runner Up: Discovery Honda
BEST PLACE TO SHOP
Winner: Mission Thrift Store
Second Place: HATS
Runner Up: Save On Foods
BEST SEWING NOTIONS STORE
Winner: Fabricland
Second Place: Mission Thrift Store
Runner Up: All Tied Up
BEST SHOE STORE
Winner: Walk in Comfort
Second Place: Cardino’s Shoes
Runner Up: Dots Shoes Lake Cowichan
BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE
Winner: Bucky’s Sports Shop
Second Place: Sport Check
Runner Up: Gone Fishin’
BEST STORE FOR INCLUSIVE SIZING
Winner: Sheer Essentials
Second Place: Mission Thrift Store
Runner Up: Wall Street
BEST STORE FOR LADIESWEAR
Winner: Winners
Second Place: Mission Thrift Store
Runner Up: Shades
BEST STORE FOR MENSWEAR
Winner: Jim’s Clothes Closet
Second Place: Mark’s
Runner Up: Mission Thrift Store
BEST STORE TO BUY BOOKS
Winner: Volume One
Second Place: Mission Thrift Store
Runner Up: Ten Old Books
BEST STORE TO BUY TOOLS
Winner: Adams Tarp and Tools
Second Place: Home Hardware Duncan
Runner Up: Home Depot
BEST SUPERMARKET / GROCERY STORE OVERALL
Winner: Country Grocer
Second Place: Thrifty Foods
Runner Up: Save on Foods
BEST TILE STORE
Winner: Valley Carpet One
Second Place: Mastercraft Flooring
Runner Up: RJM Stone and Tile
BEST TOY STORE
Winner: Red Balloon Toy Shop
Second Place: Mission Thrift Store
Runner Up: WalMart
BEST VITAMIN / HEALTH FOOD STORE
Winner: Lynn’s Vitamins
Second Place: Community Farm Store
Runner Up: Chemainus Health Foods Store
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Old Farm Market wins 3 categories in Best of the Valley
Robert Barron
The Old Farm Market, located at 5164 Francis St. just south of Duncan, has won in a number of categories in the Cowichan Valley Citizen’s annual Best of the Valley awards.
The market came out on top of the Best Farmers’ Market, Best Deli and Best Place to Buy Produce categories and placed third in the Best Sandwich/Sub category.
The market also won the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Award with Staff Over 20 people in April, which was the first time it was nominated and won in that category.
Chris Steel, general manager of The Old Farm Market, which has two more stores in Courtenay and Oak Bay, said he’s delighted the business has done so well this year in the annual Best of the Valley awards.
He said The Old Farm Market has won in the Best Place to Buy Produce category for the last four years, but this is the first time it has done so well in other categories.
“I just love this and it’s really exciting to know that we have done so well,” he said.
“As well, my best friends own ZZA’s Pizza (which operates from the market) and they won in the Best Pizza category and that’s great for them.”
The winners in the Best of the Valley awards are chosen by the newspaper’s readers and Steel said it indicates how well established The Old Farm Market is in the Cowichan Valley community.
“We’ve been operating in the Valley for more than 35 years so I think there’s a sense of loyalty there because people understand that we provide affordable produce to our cus-
tomers,” he said.
“We work tirelessly talking to our vendors and farmers to get the best prices because we want to be a place people can rely to support local and feed families, especially in these times. We’re very passionate about that.”
Steel said another factor in the ongoing success of The Old Farm Market is its amazing customers and his fantastic staff of more than 50 employees.
“Our store manager Tanya Gorrill is also amazing and she’s very dedicated to our staff and the community,” he said.
Tanya Gorrill is the manager at The Old Farm Market in Duncan. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
High Definition Roofing at the peak of their game
High Definition Roofing Ltd. was established in Victoria in January of 2008 but it didn’t take long to expand the company’s reach. In 2014, one of the company’s original owners moved to Duncan and opened High Definition Roofing’s second location.
Thanks mainly to word of mouth and as a testament to the quality of their work, the company has been on the rise ever since.
Whether it’s residential roofing, commercial roofing, insurance claims, skylight services, gutter cleaning, or moss removal, High Definition Roofing staff are dedicated to providing quality service, paying attention to every customer’s needs and expectations, and making it their goal to surpass them.
“We really take pride in doing a quality workmanship installations,” said Kendall Hide, High Definition Roofing’s operations manager. “We’re not the kind of company that’s in and out and just wants your money.
“That’s why we pay our guys hourly,” Hides explained. “We don’t want the job rushed. We want it done right the first time. We don’t want to miss anything, and we don’t want mistakes. I think that is what makes us stand out.”
It’s that commitment to exceptional workmanship and top quality services that has resulted in High Definition Roofing being named Vancouver Island Better Business Bureau Torch Award Winners for 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2024, as well as Torch Award Finalists for 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2023.
Now, the roofing company can add its first Best of the Valley award to its list of accolades, and the staff couldn’t be more proud of the achievement.
“It feels very nice,” said Hide. “It’s nice to know that people in the valley really like us and trust us.”
High Definition Roofing Ltd.’s Cowichan office can be found at 162 Second St. in Duncan. The company can be contacted via email at office@highdefinitionroofing.com or by phone at 250-732-1366.
Owners Dave Niebergall and Harrison Hiscock with operations manager Kendall Hide outside the High Definition Roofing office on Second Street in Duncan. (Courtesy of High Definition Roofing)
Sarah Simpson
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
BEST HAMBURGERS
Winner: Cobblestone Pub
BEST FARMERS’ MARKET
Winner: Old Farm Market
Second Place: Duncan Farmer’s Market
Runner Up: Great Greens
Runner Up: Valley Roots
BEST FAST FOOD
Winner: A & W
Second Place: Phat Bastard Eats
Runner Up: Lee’s Chicken
Runner Up: Mad Eats
BEST FISH & CHIPS
Winner: Salty’s Fish and Chips
Second Place: Cobblestone Pub
Runner Up: West Coast Fish and Chips
BEST FOOD TRUCK
Winner: Little Corner Sandwich Shop
Second Place: Taco Revolution
Runner Up: The Brazen Fork
BEST FRENCH FRIES
Winner: Just Jakes
Second Place: The Little Corner Sandwich Shop
Runner Up: Mad Eats
BEST GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS
Winner: Wild Poppy Market
Second Place: Moo’s Pizza
Runner Up: Original Udder Guys Ice Cream & Candy Ltd
Second Place: Phat Bastard Eats
Runner Up: A&W
Runner Up: Cowichan Bay Pub
BEST HAPPY HOUR
Winner: Cobblestone Pub
Second Place: Brass Bell Pub
Runner Up: CVI Pub
BEST ICE CREAM & GELATO
Winner: Drifter’s Creamery
Winner: Original Udder Guys Ice Cream and Candy Ltd
Runner Up: Italian Kitchen
BEST KIDS RESTAURANT
Winner: White Spot
Second Place: The Dog House
Runner Up: A & W
Runner Up: Boston Pizza
BEST LUNCHES
Winner: Arbutus Cafe
Second Place: Gibby’s
Runner Up: Cowichan Valley Inn
BEST MEDITERRANEAN FOOD
Winner: Romeo’s
Second Place: Royal Bistro
Runner Up: Mosaic Kitchen and Bar
BEST NACHOS
Winner: Craig Street Brew Pub
Second Place: Brass Bell Pub
Runner Up: Just Jakes
BEST PASTA
Winner: Romeo’s
Second Place: The Italian Deli
Runner Up: Boston Pizza
BEST PATIO RESTAURANT
Winner: Merridale Cider
Second Place: Unsworth Vineyard
Runner Up: The Vine
BEST PIZZA
Winner: Zza’s Pizza
Second Place: Moo’s Pizza
Runner Up: Romeo’s
BEST PLACE FOR COCKTAILS & SHOTS
Winner: Old Firehouse
Second Place: Craig Street Brew Pub
Runner Up: The Cook and Butcher
BEST NANAIMO BARS
Winner: Duncan Garage
Second Place: Thrifty Foods Bakery
Runner Up: Country Grocer Cobble Hill
BEST PLACE TO BUY CRAFT BEER
Winner: Red Arrow Brew Co.
Second Place: Craig Street Brew Pub
Runner Up: Deadhead Brewery
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Little Property Group a big winner
Sarah Simpson
Cowichan Valley Realtor Ray Little and his team have received many awards over the years — from Top New Agents, to Top 5 per cent at their previous brokerage year after year, to top teams in B.C. for eXp Realty — but earning a Best of the Valley award is a first.
“We’re definitely thrilled to be recognized as the Best of the Valley,” Little said. “It means a lot to us, especially as we continue to grow with eXp Realty.”
For years, the Little Property Group has been one of the region’s top-performing real estate teams within Pemberton Holmes Ltd. Just this year, however, the group made the move to eXp Realty Canada, a cloud-based brokerage with a suit of digital tools, training and networks that is revolutionizing the real estate experience.
“This may be the first time we are getting this award, which makes us even more excited about making the move we did, listening to our intuitions and letting the
universe guide the way,” Little said. “And it’s rewarding to see that it resonates with the community, makes us feel very proud, grateful and fortunate to have everyone support us, which is why we love what we do here.”
Key to their operations are a focus on providing great service, a friendly yet professional experience, high-level marketing, and open lines of communication. The team is continuing to learn as much as it can about the industry as well, Little explained.
“The move to eXp Realty Canada was something we did research on for almost two years. But we believe in the brand, the people in it, its Canadian roots and what it offers us as agents and our clients.”
Now it’s proven that the community believes in the Little Property Group, too. Find them at their new office at 331 Festubert St. in Duncan.
“We wanted to plant our local roots even deeper in this community we love,” Little said.
Ray Little, Melinda Banfield, and Errik Ferreira offer unmatched service, delivering a top-tier real estate experience to clients throughout the Cowichan Valley. (Courtesy of Little Property Group)
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Community floored by services at Valley Carpet One
Chadd Cawson
The Cowichan community is floored by the team at Duncan’s Valley Carpet One, this year’s winner in the categories of Best Floor Covering Store, Best Tile Store and Best Place to Buy Window Coverings.
“We’re thrilled, and honoured,” said Valley Carpet One owner Chad Gurski.
Gurski, who once owned his own landscaping business, traded in beautifying the exterior of homes for the interior once opportunity knocked. He and his wife decided to buy the business back in 1994 and have been the owners and operators ever since.
“It seemed like a good opportunity to get into business for myself,” said Gurski. “My mom was also working in the business at that time, and we knew the opportunity was there, so we decided to take advantage and jump in with both feet.”
Whatever you are looking to have beneath your feet, whether it’s laminate, linoleum, hardwood, vinyl plank, tile, or carpet, Valley Carpet One has you covered. Your panes too, as they also deal in window coverings.
Gurski says what makes Valley Carpet One No. 1 in the hearts of its customers is the people. With a team of eight staff, and 15 to 20 installations crews — typically a team of two — Gurski says his favourite part of what he does is helping people to improve their homes with a high quality product while seeing his staff succeed in sales.
“Our people care and they try to do their best every day,” said Gurski. “We really like to see our staff do well here and in life, and to be in place to help out their own families. We try to give all our customers a great experience, that’s our goal, so that they will pass their positive experience on to others and just want them to be happy with the choices that they made.”
Valley Carpet One is the top contender is this year’s ‘Best of the Valley’ for the category of ‘Best Floor Covering and Tile Store’. Owner Chad Gurski poses in front of one their store located at 230 Kenneth St., in Duncan. (Chadd Cawson/Citizen) (Chadd Cawson/Citizen)
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Continued from Z11
BEST PLACE TO BUY MEAT
Winner: Duncan Butcher Shop
Second Place: Thrifty Foods
Runner Up: Cobble Hill Country Grocer
Runner Up: Cowichan Valley Meat Market
BEST PLACE TO BUY PRODUCE
Winner: Old Farm Market
Second Place: Duncan Farmer’s Market
Runner Up: Sweet Meadows Market
Runner Up: Thrifty Foods
BEST PLACE TO BUY SEAFOOD
Winner: Mad Dog Crabs Seafood Market
Second Place: Thrifty Foods
Runner Up: Country Grocer
BEST PLACE TO BUY WINE
Winner: Beverly Corners
Second Place: Unsworth Winery
Runner Up: Blue Grouse Winery
BEST PLACE TO MEET FOR COFFEE
Winner: The Fishbowl Cafe
Second Place: Duncan Garage
Runner Up: Coffee on the Moon
BEST PUB
Winner: Cobblestone Pub
Second Place: Craig Street Brew Pub
Runner Up: Brass Bell Pub
BEST RESTAURANT OVERALL
Winner: Cook and Butcher
Second Place: Genoa Bay Cafe
Runner Up: The Doghouse
BEST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT
Winner: Genoa Bay Cafe
Second Place: Unsworth
Runner up: The Cook & Butcher
BEST SANDWICH/SUB
Winner: Hank’s Bakery
Second Place: Saigon Subs
Runner Up: Old Farm Market
BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Winner: Salty’s Fish and Chips
Second Place: The Cook and Butcher
Runner Up: Genoa Bay Cafe
BEST SPORTS BAR
Winner: Cobblestone Pub
Second Place: CVI
Runner Up: Brass Bell Pub
BEST STEAKHOUSE
Winner: The Cook & Butcher
Second Place: Mr Mikes
Runner Up: Craig Street Brew Pub
BEST SUSHI
Winner: The Sushi House
Second Place: Mill Bay Sushi
Runner Up: One More Sushi
BEST TACOS
Winner: Taco Revolution
Second Place: Taco Papi Taq-eh-ria
Runner Up: CVI Pub
Runner Up: Taco Hole
Runner Up: Taco Time
BEST TAKE OUT FOOD
Winner: A & W
Second Place: The Little Corner Sandwich Shop
Runner Up: Phat Bastard Eats
BEST VEGETARIAN FOOD
Winner: Duncan Garage
Second Place: Aastha Devotional Indian Restaurant
Runner Up: Thrifty Foods
BEST ACCOMMODATIONS
Winner: Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay
Second Place: Best Western Chemainus
Runner Up: Cowichan Valley Inn
BEST LOCAL CAMPGROUND
Winner: Gordon Bay
Second Place: Country Maples
Runner Up: Cowichan River Campground
Runner Up: Lake View Campground
BEST PLACE FOR A PICNIC
Winner: Stoney Hill
Second Place: Bamberton
Runner Up: Waterwheel Park
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Duncan Lanes tops list for best birthday spot
Sarah Simpson
They’ve known it themselves for years and now there’s proof that a great many agree: Duncan Lanes is the 2025 Best of the Valley winner for Best Birthday Party spot as voted on by the community.
There’s something about a bowling birthday party that’s timeless. Owner Mike Frehlick and the staff at Duncan Lanes know parents especially are looking for stress-free parties and they’re happy to step in to help.
The bowling alley’s website sums it up: “We understand that home birthday parties are a lot of work: picking a birthday theme, getting party invitations, decorating for the party, cooking, entertaining during the party, and then cleaning up after the guests leave.”
Reserve the party, and staffers will take care of the rest.
Many party options include food and drinks as well as bowling time and depending on the package there are extras, including the likes of helium balloons, bowling pins, and free bowling passes.
A little secret — Duncan Lanes offers birthday party packages for kids, but also teens and even adults!
“Thank you so much for voting Duncan Lanes Bowling Centre as the Best of the Valley for hosting kids birthday parties,” said owner Mike Frehlick. “In the 53 years that our family has operated Duncan Lanes, we have celebrated birthdays with thousands of local families. We love seeing the smiling faces every weekend and pride ourselves on providing a stress free and affordable party for parents.”
Go to DuncanLanes.com for more information or give the bowling alley a call at 250-746-5421 to learn more.
Duncan Lanes is the 2025 Best of the Valley winner for Best Birthday Party spot as voted on by the community.
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Station Street Tattoos tops for fresh ink
Sarah Simpson
Owner Ruth Spohn and the artists at Station Street Tattoo Company take pride in being a community-minded shop.
“We’re very community-orientated,” Spohn said. “We do our best to be welcoming to everyone.”
In addition to giving their patrons killer ink, the staff are also keen on giving back whenever they can. Quite often that comes in the form of hosting flash days — special themed fundraising events.
“We always do Valentine’s Day and a Halloween one and then sometimes we’ll do pride flash days, or an orange shirt flash days to raise money for different organizations,” she explained.
It’s not just their community spirit that makes the Station Street Tattoo Company the 2025 Best of the Valley edition’s Best Tattoo Shop winners — the first-time winners are also quite simply really good at their craft.
The shop’s three artists: Spohn, Sean Welsh, and Fresh-E love their jobs and it
shows in what they produce.
“The artists that work here are good,” Spohn confirmed. “They’ve been doing it a long time.”
Spohn bought the shop about seven years ago and ever since then they’ve been working to build something special. From their quirky social media videos to the community outreach to the general shop vibes, it’s just a good time all around.
They’ve built such a reputation that folks travel from far and wide to be tattooed there.
“We have clients from all over the island,” Spohn said. “We have people coming up from Victoria and as far as Campbell River.”
Whether you’re loyal to a single artist or your keen to collect artists, Station Street Tattoo Company has you covered.
“People come in and we’re very warm and welcoming and we do good work,” Spohn said.
Station Street Tattoo Company is located at 175 Station St. in downtown Duncan. Visit them at https://www.facebook.com/ stationstreettattoos
Owner Ruth Spohn and the artists at Station Street Tattoo Company are the 2025 Best of the Valley edition’s Best Tattoo Shop winners. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Continued from Z14
BEST PLACE FOR PADDLING
Winner: Cowichan Bay
Second Place: Cowichan Lake
Runner Up: Shawnigan Lake
BEST WALKING / JOGGING / HIKING SPOT
Winner: Cowichan Valley Trail (Kinsol Trestle)
Second Place: Cowichan Sportsplex
Runner Up: Cobble Hill Mountain
BEST PLACE TO MOUNTAIN BIKE
Winner: Mount Tzouhalem
Second Place: Maple Mountain
Runner Up: Cobble Hill Mountain
BEST PLACE TO SWIM OUTDOORS
Winner: Lake Lake Cowichan
Second Place: Shawnigan Lake
Runner Up: Cowichan River
BEST PLACE TO TAKE GUESTS
Winner: Kinsol Trestle
Second Place: Raptor Centre
Runner Up: Hand of Man Museum
BEST PLACE TO WALK YOUR DOG
Winner: Cowichan Valley Trail
Second Place: Chemainus Lake Off Leash Park
Runner Up: Trans Canada Trail
BEST PLACE TO WATCH BIRDS
Winner: Cowichan Estuary
Second Place: Raptors
Runner Up: Cobble Hill Mountain
Runner Up: Maple Mountain
BEST PLAYGROUND
Winner: Centennial Park
Second Place: McAdam Park
Runner Up: Bev Lashman Playground at Chesterfield Park
BEST TOURISM ACTIVITY/ADVENTURE BUSINESS
Winner: Skywalk
Second Place: The Tube Shack
Runner Up: Ocean Ecoventures (Cowichan Bay)
BEST VIEW OF THE CITY
Winner: Mount Prevost
Second Place: Mount Tzouhalem
Runner Up: Maple Mountain
BEST ACCOUNTING FIRM
Winner: McPhee Tax & Accounting
Second Place: Budget Pharmacy
Runner Up: The Pulse Accounting Services
BEST AUTO DETAILER
Winner: Island Auto Spa
Second Place: Exin Custom Vehicle Detailing
Runner Up: Dante’s Auto Detailing
BEST AUTO SERVICING
Winner: OK Tire
Second Place: Sheppards Auto
Runner Up: H&M Auto Repair
BEST BANKING INSTITUTION
Winner: Island Savings
Second Place: RBC
Runner Up: CIBC
BEST BARBERSHOP
Winner: Vancouver Island Barber Co.
Second Place: The Society
Runner Up: Hicks Barber Shop
BEST BEAUTY SALON OR SPA
Winner: Matisse Day Spa
Second Place: Ritual
Runner Up: The Guild
BEST CARPET CLEANERS
Winner: Bud’s Carpet Cleaning
Second Place: Chris’s Carpet Cleaning
Runner Up: Ding’s Pro Clean
BEST CELL PHONE REPAIR
Winner: Ultimac
Second Place: Seaside Computers
Runner Up: Best Buy
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS Matisse among Valley’s best for pampering
Sarah Simpson
For the last 24 years Matisse Day Spa has lived in the heart of Downtown Duncan, in City Square.
In the early days, Matisse was acknowledged as an anchor tenant in the revitalization of City Square and ever since then managing owner Liza Baker and her staff have enjoyed watching the surrounding businesses thrive.
“We are all residents of the Cowichan Valley. We live, work and play here. We raise our children here,” said Baker. “We are a small-town local business and our own families are supported by the care we provide to your families.”
The service is like none other, and that’s why, for the eighth year in a row, Matisse Day Spa has been named amongst the best of the best of personal care services in the Best of the Valley competition.
This year, Matisse has won first place in the Best Beauty Salon or Spa, Best Estheticians, and Best
Nail Salon categories.
“We began — as we have continued through the past almost 25 years — by offering consistent, professional massage, body-care and esthetic services to the Cowichan Valley and their visiting family, friends and tourists,”Baker said. “We have enjoyed long-tenured staff members who have been with Matisse for 15 years or longer and many of our beloved clients have become more like extended family as we have watched their children grow up and begin bringing their children in for regular personal services.”
The well-trained, certified staff are evaluated and must meet the “Matisse standard” they strive to uphold and their efforts have paid off as one of Cowichan’s most awarded Best of the Valley enterprises.
“The team at Matisse Day Spa are honoured to continue serving the Cowichan Valley for the past 25 years,”Baker said. “We will be here for you as long as you want us.”
This year, Matisse has won first place in the Best Beauty Salon or Spa, Best Estheticians, and Best Nail Salon categories. (Chadd Cawson/Citizen)
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Continued from Z18
BEST CHILDCARE SERVICES
Winner: Jitterbugs Childcare Services
Second Place: Parkside Academy
Runner Up: Kidz Co
BEST CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC
Winner: Young Health Management
Second Place: Footsteps Chiropractic
Runner Up: Chemainus Chiropractic
BEST COLLISION REPAIR / AUTO BODY SHOP
Winner: Cowichan Collision Ltd
Second Place: Isherwood
Runner Up: Dobson Glass
BEST COMPUTER SALES & SERVICE
Winner: Seaside Computers
Second Place: VIPC Builders
Runner Up: Best Buy
BEST DENTAL CLINIC
Winner: Reflexions Dental
Second Place: Cobble Hill Dental
Runner Up: Island Dental Health
Runner Up: Warmland Dental
BEST DENTURE CLINIC
Winner: Beautiful Smiles
Second Place: Duncan Denture Clinic
Runner Up: Osborne Bay Dental Health Centre
BEST ELECTRICAL COMPANY
Winner: The Surepoint Electric Group
Second Place: HB Electric
Runner Up: 3D Electrical Services
BEST ENGINEERING FIRM
Winner: Eagle Engineering
Second Place: Kyle Engineering
Runner Up: Higginson Consulting Ltd.
BEST ESTHETICIANS
Winner: Matisse Day Spa
Second Place: Ritual
Runner Up: Luxe Inc
BEST EXTERIOR CLEANING COMPANY
Winner: All Washed Up Exterior Cleaning
Second Place: Options Exterior Cleaning
Runner Up: RKC Exterior Cleaning
BEST FINANCIAL PLANNING BUSINESS
Winner: RBC
Second Place: CIBC
Runner Up: Island Savings
BEST FITNESS / EXERCISE COMPANY
Winner: Valley Health and Fitness
Second Place: Pure Fitness – Nicole Morgan
Runner Up: Forever Fit
Runner Up: Olympic Fitness
BEST HAIR SALON
Winner: The Loft
Second Place: The Guild
Runner Up: Mint Hair
BEST HEALTHCARE CLINIC
Winner: The Coleman Clinic
Second Place: Festubert Family Practice
Runner Up: Shawnigan Village Family Practice
BEST HEARING CLINIC
Winner: Connect Hearing
Second Place: Resonance Hearing
Runner Up: Beltone
BEST HEATING BUSINESS
Winner: 360 Comfort Systems
Second Place: Fireside Heating Solutions
Runner Up: Hometown Heating and Cooling
BEST HOME BUILDER
Winner: Made to Last
Second Place: Plante Homes
Runner Up: Barnes Custom Homes
BEST HOME RENOVATION COMPANY
Winner: Made to Last Custom Homes
Second Place: Trimlight Van Isle Inc.
Runner Up: Collaborative Build
Runner Up: Southall’s Construction
Runner Up: Whidden Contracting
BEST INSURANCE AGENCY
Winner: Hub Insurance
Second Place: Westland
Runner Up: Coastal Community Insurance Services
BEST INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS
Winner: Style Sense Furniture
Second Place: Helen Faustino
Runner Up: Root Down Interiors
BEST JANITORIAL / HOUSEKEEPING SERVICE
Winner: Cleaning by Kari
Second Place: Cowichan Valley Cleaning
Runner Up: Cowichan Valley Housekeeping
BEST LANDSCAPING BUSINESS
Winner: Living Stones Landscaping
Second Place: Killen’s
Runner Up: Green Thumb Gardener
BEST LAW FIRM
Winner: Stonebridge Law
Second Place: Ridgeway & Co
Runner Up: Scott Gately Law Corporation
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Reflexions Dental sink their teeth into new honour
Chadd Cawson
Reflexions Dental sinks its teeth into the competition as they move up as the top contender for Best Dental Clinic in this year’s Best of the Valley.
“It’s pretty cool,” said lead dentist Dr. Gordon Pollock. “It’s not something you often think about, you get on the gerbil wheel and you come to work. I certainly am happy to practice the way I do in a small town with the staff that I have and the patients I get to see regularly. I don’t know if my colleagues in Vancouver have that same level of connection. I’ll hit the grocery store and run into four patients before I go home to dinner. So to me, that is pretty unique.”
Pollock has been making people smile with confidence since 1990 when he first took over the practice that used to be located downtown but moved to the third floor of 2640 Beverly St., in 2007 as they were in need of more space. Pollock was filled with positivity as he had just finished seeing a patient who has been with the practice since he first took over.
“I told him that having him come in today is
what makes my work as a dentist so rewarding,” said Pollock. “I did a lot of dentistry work for him in the early ‘90s. Thirty-five years later it is still there and looking good which isn’t always the case. Seeing that and him today has really filled me with positive energy. When you see things work out long term like that, it’s pretty cool.”
With a team of three dentists and 17 staff, office manager Megan Hisem, who has been with the practice since 2005, is also feeling the excitement; what makes her smile is her coworkers, and everyone she gets to deal with.
“We have a great staff,” said Hisem. “It’s fun to come to work, and just a great place to be. We have lots of lovely patients, and a very nice atmosphere.”
Reflexions wants you to love your reflection. Aside from general dentistry they also offer cosmetic services such as veneers, whitening, and facial Botox. While they are booking a little ways out they are always accepting new patients.
“We hope that all our patients feel listened to, have a nice relaxing appointment, and feel confident in the treatment we are providing them,” said Hisem.
Reflexions Dental takes a bite out of the competition as they take the win for Best Dental Clinic in this year’s Best of the Valley. Dr. Gordon Pollock poses with office manager Megan Hisem. (Chadd Cawson/Citizen)
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Continued from Z20
BEST MASSAGE CLINIC
Winner: Purely Wellness
Second Place: Patricia Kocurek RMT Services
Runner Up: Focus Massage Therapy
BEST MORTGAGE BROKER
Winner: Laura Funk – Coast Capital
Second Place: Lighthouse Mortgage
Runner Up: RBC
BEST MOVING COMPANY
Winner: We Move You
Second Place: Easy Move
Runner Up: Minute Men Moving & Storage
BEST NAIL SALON
Winner: Matisse Day Spa
Second Place: Jota Nails & Spa
Runner Up: H’s Nails
BEST NOTARY SERVICES
Winner: Heartwood Notary
Second Place: Pat Thompson Notary
Runner Up: Cory Towriss Law Corporation
BEST OIL CHANGES
Winner: Great Canadian Oil Change
Second Place: OK Tire
Runner Up: Jiffy Lube
BEST PAINTING COMPANY
Winner: Abbott Painting
Second Place: Black Sheep Painting
Runner Up: Maple Valley Painting
BEST PERSONAL TRAINING BUSINESS
Winner: Pure Fitness - Nicole Morgan
Second Place: Forever Fit
Runner Up: Active Body Training
Runner Up: Taproot Personal Training
BEST PEST CONTROL SERVICES
Winner: Island Pest Control
Second Place: Cowichan Valley Pest Control
Runner Up: Sentry Pest Control
BEST PET GROOMING BUSINESS
Winner: Julia’s Pet Salon
Second Place: Duncan K9 Grooming
Runner Up: Island Canine Care
BEST PHARMACY
Winner: Budget Pharmacy
Second Place: London Drugs
Runner Up: Mill Bay Pharmasave
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER
Winner: Devon Gillott
Second Place: London Drugs
Runner Up: K Thompson Photography
BEST PLUMBING BUSINESS
Winner: Vortec Plumbing
Second Place: Gideon
Runner Up: Doran
Runner Up: Griddin Plumbing
BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT / TEAM
Winner: Little Property Group
Winner: Jason Anson Personal Real Estate Corporation
Runner Up: Pemberton Holmes
BEST RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
Winner: Sherwood House
Second Place: Kiwanis Duncan
Runner Up: Wedgewood House
BEST ROOFING COMPANY
Winner: High Definition Roofing Ltd.
Second Place: Top Pair Roofing
Runner Up: Cowichan Valley Roofing
BEST RV SERVICING
Winner: Arbutus RV
Second Place: Galaxy RV
Runner Up: Traveland RV
BEST SECURITY COMPANY
Winner: Footprints Security
Second Place: Imperial Security
Second Place: Thorn Security
BEST STORAGE COMPANY
Winner: Extra Storage Now
Second Place: Easy Move
Second Place: Quamichan Self Storage
BEST TANNING SALON
Winner: Bloom Beauty Studio
Second Place: Summer Haus
Runner Up: Wolf Willow Collective
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Adagé Studio is making moves for Best in the Valley
Chadd Cawson
Adagé Studio is making moves as they step into the lead as the Best Place to Dance and Best Performing Arts School for this year’s Best of the Valley.
“It is an honour to be selected this year,” said co-owner Olivia Boudreau. “It is nice to be recognized for the dedication we have put into the community and the performing arts.”
Boudreau and fellow co-owner Emily Clements who grew up as neighbours in Cobble Hill have been friends for 43 years, but it was in 2008 that the two embarked on their path of community and the performing arts when they opened their first studio out of the Glenora Hall that year.
“We quickly moved to the Moose Lodge and then opened our first studio space on Canada Avenue,”said Clements. “Since our first studio on Canada Avenue, we have expanded to larger spaces three times.”
They say that three times is the charm, but the real charm lies in all that Adagé has to offer which includes classes in ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, tap, hip hop, musical theatre, piano, guitar, ukulele, voice, drums as well as songwriting and recording.
Boudreau and Clements have always been passionate about the performing arts and sharing their skills and knowledge with the youth of the community. While the owners don’t teach as much as they used to, they say what they love most about the studio is watching all the children who study there grow into hardworking, dedicated and focused humans.
“The performing arts teaches many life skills that are so important for the success of young adults moving into the world on their own,” said Clements.
Adagé Studio is located at 540 Cairnsmore St. in Duncan. For more information on hours and classes visit adagestudio.com Not only has it been voted the best place to get your dance on, it will give your little performer all the right skills to shine both in and out of the studio.
“I hope students leaving Adagé take away life long friends, a sense of belonging,” said Boudreau. “That they leave with a different perspective on the world that involves creativity, curiosity and the knowledge of how to push through challenges and work together with people who may have different opinions or perspectives on life.”
Adagé Studio dance instructors Jeremy and Tiffany Miton who were the choreographers for last year’s ‘Legally Blonde The Musical’ strike a pose showing off their dance skills and grace. (Kurt Knock Photography)
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Cobblestone Pub taps into winning formula
Chadd Cawson
The Cobblestone Pub, which first opened in 1983, has been a rock for the community when it comes to having good times on tap.
They are seeing a flood of accolades for this year’s annual Best of the Valley as the winner in the categories of Best Hamburger, Best Happy Hour, Best Pub and best ‘Best Sports Bar’. With 15 TVs that always sport sports, it’s the perfect place to cheer on your team.
“It’s wonderful,” said manager Alanna Larocque. “Our staff here work really hard and enjoy what they do, so it is really nice to see that the community feels the same way.”
A big cheer to the team of 50 at Cobblestone Pub who also snagged second spot for Best Place to Dance and Best Place for Live Bands and Best Fish & Chips. They took third in Best Breakfast/Brunch. This month’s lineup of live music includes Got Stones on Oct. 18, Brandon Isaak
on Oct. 25 and their costume party Boos and Brews on the 31st, which will feature live music from Montgomery County at 8:30 p.m. The pub runs live music from October though June, taking the summer months off in light of the myriad of outdoor music festivals and nights that happen throughout the valley.
Larocque, who has worked on and off at the pub since 2006 came back full time in 2021 and says that the favourite part of her job is hands down the people.
“It’s a great atmosphere,” says Laroque.
The pub offers their guests more than an intoxicating experience with sports and music, they also have quite the impressive menu. Try their award-winning burger! Open seven days a week, with minors welcome until 3 p.m., see all they have to offer at the cobblestone.ca.
“We hope that all our guests always feel welcome and that they’ve been treated like family,” said Laroque.
Just a few members of Cobblestone Pub’s team of 50 pose outside the pub, pleased to receive so much love from the community. Cobblestone Pub is the winner in the categories of ‘Best Hamburger’, ‘Best Happy Hour’ and ‘Best Pub and Sports Bar’ for this year’s annual Best of the Valley. (Chadd Cawson/Citizen)
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Mission Thrift Store tops in four categories
Chadd Cawson
When it comes to thrifting it is always a rich experience at Duncan’s Mission Thrift Store. For this year’s annual Best of the Valley the people have spoken and Mission Thrift Store is the winner in the categories of Best Community Minded Business, Best Customer Service, Best Kids Clothing Store and Best Place to Shop.
“We are very pleased that people think we are the best,” said general manager Lisa Paarup. “We strive to be the best, so we are very thankful for everyone’s vote in those categories.”
From outfits to ottomans and everything in between Mission Thrift Store most likely has what you are looking for.
“People love to shop here because it’s clean and tidy,” said Paarup. “I think we have a culture here that is welcoming, I’d like to go as far as even saying that we have love, we have lots of love for our customers and our donors in the community.”
The trendy thrift store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5
p.m., and their donation hours are on the same days from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Serving the community since 1994, they just celebrated 31 years this past August.
“Last year we had a big celebration in August to celebrate our 30 years,” said Paarup. “It felt fantastic.”
A total of 90 staff and volunteers make up the team at Mission Thrift Store, which Paarup has been the general manager of for nearly four years. What she loves most about Mission Thrift is its mission.
“Our tagline is save more than money because our net proceeds go towards helping missions in over 40 countries across the world,” said Paarup. “All of our customers are greeted with a smile and are always treated with respect no matter what their background. We always try to help the community as well.”
Mission Thrift Store also finished second in Best Consignment or Thrift Store, Best Houseware/Linen Store, Best Sewing Notions Store, Best Store for Inclusive Sizing, Best Store for Ladieswear, Best Store to Buy Books, and Best Toy Store. They finished third in Best Store for Menswear.
A total of 90 volunteers and staff make up the team at Mission Thrift Store in Duncan. A few members pose outside to celebrate all their accolades for this year’s Best of the Valley. (Chadd Cawson/Citizen)
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Continued from Z22
BEST TATTOO STUDIO
Winner: Station Street Tattoo
Second Place: Modern Tradition
Runner Up: Siren’s Ink
BEST TRAVEL AGENCY
Winner: Expedia Cruises Duncan
Second Place: Send me a Postcard – Camille Hillis
Runner Up: Marlin Travel
BEST TREE SERVICE
Winner: Godolphin Tree Service
Second Place: Competition Tree Service
Runner Up: Jason Closson Tree Services
BEST VETERINARY CLINIC
Winner: Duncan Animal Hospital
Second Place: Cobble Hill Veterinary Clinic
Runner Up: Prevost Veterinary Clinic
BEST WINE MAKING STORE
Winner: Mcbarleys
Second Place: Valley Vines to Wines
Runner Up: Grapefully Yours
BEST YOGA STUDIO
Winner: Yoga with Kim
Second Place: Duncan Hot Yoga & Fitness
Runner Up: We Flow
BEST BIKE SHOP
Winner: Experience Cycling
Second Place: Cowichan Cycles
Runner Up: Cycle Therapy
BEST COMMUNITY MINDED BUSINESS
Winner: Mission Thrift Store
Winner: Nourish Cowichan
Runner Up: Moo’s Pizza
BEST CONSIGNMENT OR THRIFT STORE
Winner: HATS
Second Place: Mission Thrift Store
Runner Up: Chemainus Hospital Auxiliary
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
Winner: Mission Thrift Store
Second Place: Country Grocer
Runner Up: Ram Appliances
BEST FLOOR COVERING STORE
Winner: Valley Carpet One
Second Place: Mastercraft Flooring
Runner Up: United Floors
BEST FLOWER SHOP
Winner: Thrifty Foods
Second Place: Willow & Orchid
Runner Up: Country Grocer
BEST FURNITURE STORE
Winner: Style Sense Furniture
Second Place: Merit Furniture
Runner Up: Demxx (Cobble Hill)
BEST GAS BAR
Winner: Peninsula Co-op
Second Place: Shawnigan Garage
Runner Up: Canco
BEST HOME / KITCHEN APPLIANCE STORE
Winner: Ram Appliances
Second Place: Home Hardware
Runner Up: Best Buy
BEST HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE
Winner: Adams Tarp and Tools
Second Place: Home Hardware
Runner Up: Home Depot
BEST HOUSEWARE / LINEN STORE
Winner: Pots and Paraphernalia
Second Place: Mission Thrift Store
Runner Up: Home Hardware
BEST JEWELRY STORE
Winner: Huyen Jewellery
Second Place: Wishes
Runner Up: Impeccable Jewellery
BEST KIDS CLOTHING STORE
Winner: Mission Thrift Store
Second Place: Grace Kidz Thrift
Runner Up: Giggle Gear Clothing
BEST LIGHTING STORE
Winner: Home Depot
Second Place: EB Horsman & Son
Runner Up: EECOL Electric
BEST LINGERIE STORE
Winner: Sheer Essentials
Second Place: Shades Ladies Clothing
Runner Up: Oh La La Boutique
BEST MARINE SUPPLIER
Winner: Dean’s Marine
Second Place: Lakes Marine
Runner Up: Island Marine Centre
BEST MATTRESS STORE
Winner: Sleep Country
Second Place: Merit Furniture
Runner Up: Roger’s Furniture
BEST OPTICAL STORE
Winner: Cowichan Eyecare
Second Place: SpecSavers
Runner Up: Station Street Eye Care
BEST OUTDOOR GARDEN CENTRE
Winner: Dinter Nursery
Second Place: Buckerfields
Runner Up: Home Depot
BEST PAINT STORE
Winner: Cloverdale Paint
Second Place: Dulux
Runner Up: Mill Bay Paint & Hardware
BEST PET SUPPLY STORE
Winner: Bosleys Duncan
Second Place: Island Pet Zone & Ponds
Runner Up: For Pet’s Sake
BEST PLACE TO BUY AN RV
Winner: Arbutus RV
Second Place: Traveland RV
Runner Up: Galaxy RV
BEST PLACE TO BUY RV PARTS
Winner: Arbutus RV
Winner: Traveland RV
Runner Up: Galaxy RV
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS SkyWalk wins Best Tourism Adventure Business
Robert Barron
The award-winning SkyWalk has won more accolades.
The popular tourist attraction, which, among other awards, was voted #1 Attraction by Island Parent Magazine readers, and listed among the Top 3 Selfie Spots on Vancouver Island in the Best of the Westshore Awards, has now won in the Best Tourism Activity/Adventure Business category in the Cowichan Valley Citizen’s annual Best of the Valley awards.
The SkyWalk, a 600 metre-long elevated walkway that transports visitors to a 10-storey, architecturally-inspiring spiral tower lookout 250 metres above sea level providing breathtaking 360-degree views, along with its supporting tourist-related infrastructure, has been visited by thousands of people since it opened in 2021.
Jadrian Berkan, the SkyWalk’s marketing and brand manager, said that from day one, the vision was to build an experience that celebrates the beauty, culture, and natural wonder of Vancouver Island in a way that’s both accessible and inspiring.
“Every element, from the treetop walk to the spiral tower, was designed to invite people to slow down, look up, and reconnect with nature,” Berkan said. “Our success begins
and ends with our team, though. They don’t just welcome guests, they connect with them. Every smile, story, and shared moment helps visitors feel part of something bigger; the spirit of what’s been created.”
Berkan said winning the in the Best Tourism Activity/Adventure Business category in the Best of the Valley awards means the world to the SkyWalk’s team.
She said awards voted on by the community hold special meaning because they reflect the experiences of the people who visit and share their stories with others.
“A local recognition like this is a genuine point of pride and gratitude for everyone who contributes to the experience, from the operations crew to guest services and our administrative team,” Berkan said.
“It helps build awareness, especially among locals who may not have visited yet or who are looking for new ways to explore their own backyard. Awards voted on by the community reinforce trust and authenticity, showing visitors from outside the region that this is a mustsee experience, not just for the view, but for the care and spirit behind it. More importantly, it shines a light on the Cowichan Valley as a whole, showcasing what an incredible place this region is for outdoor adventure, cultural connection, and year-round exploration.”
The SkyWalk has won in the Best Tourism Activity/Adventure Business category in the Cowichan Valley Citizen’s annual Best of the Valley awards. (Citizen file photo)
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Kinsol Trestle wins in two categories in
Robert Barron
The Iconic Kinsol Trestle near Shawnigan Lake came first in two categories in the Cowichan Valley Citizen’s annual Best of the Valley awards.
The breathtaking bridge that stands 144-feet high, and spans 617-feet long, earning itself the title of the largest wooden trestle in the Commonwealth and one of the tallest towering timber trestles worldwide, took top honours on the Best Place to Walk, Jog and Hike, and the Best Place to Take Tourists categories.
Lori Treloar, executive director of the Shawnigan Lake Historical Society which promotes the Kinsol Trestle and chronicles its history, said approximately 300,000 people, both from the local area and tourists, visit the trestle every year.
She said it’s become a popular destination due to the sheer scale of the structure and the fact that it is located in the middle of a forest, although it’s very accessible, even to people in wheelchairs.
“There’s also the fact that it was built by farmers and local workers who used simple pulleys to move the wood around, whereas when the structure was rehabilitated, there was a lot more workers who had a lot of modern machinery to lift things around, as well as safety equipment.”
The construction of the trestle was completed in 1920, at a cost of approximately $26,000 at the time, as part of the Galloping Goose rail line that carried passengers and freight, primarily including timber and other forest products.
The last locomotive to ride the rails across the Kinsol Trestle was in 1979, largely due to increasingly unfavourable market conditions, which ended up being just the beginning of the structure’s slow demise and disrepair.
The province had earmarked $7 million to dismantle the trestle mostly for safety reasons, but a fundraising campaign to save the unique structure began in earnest and, together with the funding that was to be used to destroy it, a major rehabilitation of the structure was completed in 2011 and it has been a major draw for locals and tourists ever since.
Treloar said the Best of the Valley awards is not the first time the trestle has been recognized as something special as the National Historic Civil Engineering Society named it a National Historic Civil Engineering Site in 2022.
“I expect that, with the exposure that the Best of the Valley will give the trestle, we’ll see even more people visit it,” she said.
Shawnigan Lake’s Kinsol Trestle won in two categories in the Best of the Valley awards. (Citizen file photo)
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Continued from Z26
BEST PLACE TO BUY TIRES
Winner: Joe’s Tire Hospital
Second Place: Tire Exchange, Cobble Hill
Runner Up: OK Tire
BEST PLACE TO BUY WINDOW COVERINGS
Winner: Home Depot
Winner: Valley Floors Carpet One
Runner Up: Style Sense Furniture
BEST PLACE TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE
Winner: Discovery Honda
Second Place: Jim Pattison Toyota
Runner Up: Duncan Hyundai
BEST PLACE TO PURCHASE A USED VEHICLE
Winner: Galaxy Motors Duncan
Second Place: Duncan Hyundai
Runner Up: Discovery Honda
BEST PLACE TO SHOP
Winner: Mission Thrift Store
Second Place: HATS
Runner Up: Save On Foods
BEST SEWING NOTIONS STORE
Winner: Fabricland
Second Place: Mission Thrift Store
Runner Up: All Tied Up
BEST SHOE STORE
Winner: Walk in Comfort
Second Place: Cardino’s Shoes
Runner Up: Dots Shoes Lake Cowichan
BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE
Winner: Bucky’s Sports Shop
Second Place: Sport Check
Runner Up: Gone Fishin’
BEST STORE FOR INCLUSIVE SIZING
Winner: Sheer Essentials
Second Place: Mission Thrift Store
Runner Up: Wall Street
BEST STORE FOR LADIESWEAR
Winner: Winners
Second Place: Mission Thrift Store
Runner Up: Shades
BEST STORE FOR MENSWEAR
Winner: Jim’s Clothes Closet
Second Place: Mark’s
Runner Up: Mission Thrift Store
BEST STORE TO BUY BOOKS
Winner: Volume One
Second Place: Mission Thrift Store
Runner Up: Ten Old Books
BEST STORE TO BUY TOOLS
Winner: Adams Tarp and Tools
Second Place: Home Hardware Duncan
Runner Up: Home Depot
BEST SUPERMARKET / GROCERY STORE OVERALL
Winner: Country Grocer
Second Place: Thrifty Foods
Runner Up: Save on Foods
BEST TILE STORE
Winner: Valley Carpet One
Second Place: Mastercraft Flooring
Runner Up: RJM Stone and Tile
BEST TOY STORE
Winner: Red Balloon Toy Shop
Second Place: Mission Thrift Store
Runner Up: WalMart
BEST VITAMIN / HEALTH FOOD STORE
Winner: Lynn’s Vitamins
Second Place: Community Farm Store
Runner Up: Chemainus Health Foods Store
BEST of the VALLEY WINNERS
Lake Cowichan named best place to swim outdoors
Sarah Simpson
Whether it’s a quick dip from the community dock at Saywell Park, a trek out to the sandy beach at Gordon Bay, or a float/swim down the heritage Cowichan River from the centre of town — there’s always a perfect swimming spot to be found around the Lake Cowichan area.
There’s Arbutus Park in Youbou and Little Beach Park off Greendale Road. Don’t forget the Kinsmen Duck Pond (Riverside Park), Lakeview Park, and Spring Beach. That’s not to mention the spots around Mesachie Lake, elsewhere along the river, and beyond!
Visitors come to the Cowichan Lake area for many reasons, but mostly it’s to play on or in the water.
Aaron Frisby is in a prime position to express just how special the region’s waterways are. As a Cowichan Lake resident, a Lake Cowichan town councillor, and the owner of the popular river tubing company, the Tube Shack, Frisby has a lot of respect for the lake and the river and is working hard to ensure they remain clean and healthy for generations to come — both for nature’s sake, and for recreation.
“Scenery, water temperature and being surrounded by like-minded individuals trying to enjoy the outdoors makes Lake Cowichan a great spot for a float, swim or quick dip,”Frisby explained.
“For those looking for a more private time, there’s enough ‘secret spots’ around the lake and down the river to give everyone a great experience,” Frisby added.
For those reasons and more, it’s no wonder the Lake Cowichan area has been voted by the greater Cowichan Valley Community as 2025’s Best Place to Swim Outdoors.
One of the largest fresh-water lakes on Vancouver Island, there’s plenty of room on the 34-kilometre long Cowichan Lake to accommodate many recreational users and the access
points are sometimes closely guarded secrets and other times not-so-secret.
Regardless of where you choose to get wet, odds are, it won’t be the last time you visit. Visit https://www.tourismcowichan.com/ and https://www.town.lakecowichan.bc.ca/ to learn more.
The public beach at Lakeview Park is just one of many options for swimmers on and around Cowichan Lake when the mercury soars. (Sarah Simpson photos/Citizen)
A popular summer past-time for the youth around Lake Cowichan is jumping off the car bridge near the centre of town.
