Liquor store owners can try their luck at the lottery - the store relocation lottery, that is.
The province is inviting B.C. and private liquor stores to enter a lottery to determine who can relocate to new locations and even into B.C. grocery stores.
Businesses can apply to take part in the lottery until March 27.
As of April 1, the five-kilometre rule restricting private liquor stores from relocating outside their jurisdiction is being tossed.
Instead, there will be a one-kilometre distance required between liquor store locations, and liquor stores can open inside of grocery stores.
Click here for more informattion.
BBOT wants to hear from you
The Burnaby Board of Trade is looking for feedback from members about the province's minimum wage increase.
This week, the B.C. government announced the minimum hourly wage would increase from $10.25 to $10.45 as of Sept. 15. The liquor server wage would also increase by 20 cents, from $9 to $9.20, and the province's minimum wage would increase annually based on the rate of inflation in subsequent years.
Contact board president and CEO Paul Holden with your feedback.
Click here for more information on the announcement.
Steve Nash is ready to pump you up
Burnaby residents can go shopping and get in shape at the same time, now that a Steve Nash Fitness World and Sports Club has opened inside Lougheed Town Centre.
The grand opening celebration takes place on Saturday, March 21 from noon until 4 p.m.
"Our mission in creating a world-class fitness facility is to continue to provide high value to the Burnaby-Lougheed community along with outstanding customer service," Chris Smith, COO of Steve Nash Fitness Clubs, said in a press release.
Click here for more information on the new club.
Hip happy family expo
Burnaby families that prefer to live a healthier, eco-friendly lifestyle - this one's for you.
The Healthy Family Expo is taking place at the Vancouver Convention Centre East on Sunday, March 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A number of Burnaby-based businesses will take part in the expo including Hippie Foods, Gnu Santé Creations, Flora Health and Dandy Horse Cycles.
Organizations with Burnaby locations will also be on hand, including the MS Society's B.C. and Yukon branch and the Art Institute of Vancouver.
Click here for more information.
Trattoria Burnaby now open
Burnaby's tallest tower has a new occupant - Glowbal Restaurant Group's Trattoria Burnaby opened this week.
Trattoria Burnaby specializes in casual Italian dishes, according to a press release from Glowbal.
It is the company's 10th restaurant, similar in concept to Trattoria Kitsilano and Trattoria Park Royal.
Glowbal is owned by Emad and Shannon Bosa Yacoub.
"We are really excited to be a part of the Sovereign development," Emad stated in the release. "This is our first restaurant located in a building that has a hotel, residential units and retail space. The city of Burnaby is growing so fast and we're looking forward to being a part of it."
The restaurant opened at 4501 Kingsway on Thursday.
Metrotown on target
Ivanhoe Cambridge, owner of Metropolis at Metrotown, is able to buy back the shopping centre's Target lease.
Target Canada recently received court approval to sell 11 of its leases back to Oxford Properties Corporation and Ivanhoe Cambridge. Ontario Superior Court Justice Geoffrey Lorawetz handed down the decision last week.
In January, Target Canada announced it would be closing all of its 133 Canadian stores.
Ivanhoe Cambridge would not comment on the sale, according to Sébastien Théberge, a spokesperson for the company.
United we can
Burnaby city staff recently received recognition for charitable fundraising done by employees.
United Way presented staff and the municipal employees' union, CUPE Local 23, with the organization's Engage Award.
The award is for "the workplace campaign team that best engages employees throughout the organization resulting in increased donors or dollars," according to United Way's website.
The Scotiabank and United Way Community Spirit Awards were held in February. The United Way of the Lower Mainland also announced the organization raised $26.5 million during its 2014/15 campaign.
Back in business
I have recently returned to my desk at the Burnaby NOW, and I'm looking for all the business bits and bites that are fit to print.
So please - fill me in. If there are new businesses to profile, if awards have been won, if exciting things are happening for local companies, I want to know about it.
Many thanks to Jacob Zinn, who filled in during my absence.
