Heritage Co-op’s Brandon Food Store Thanks Customers, Reveals a Fresh New Look This Week Major renovations at the Heritage Co-op Food Store in Brandon (1035 Richmond Avenue) are officially complete this week, after 8 months of work. With the renovation complete, Heritage Co-op is holding a Grand Re-Opening of the store to unveil its new look and in-store features. Another reason for the event – thanking Co-op’s customers for their positivity and patience throughout the renovation process. “We know that a renovation of this magnitude does not come without its interruptions and inconveniences,” said Lorne Zacharias, General Manager of Heritage Co-op. “And what we saw throughout the entire renovation was excited, positive, and patient customers.” “Our customers knew that any inconveniences were temporary, and above anything, they were just excited to see the outcome” added Dan Lange, Store Manager at the Brandon Food Store. Customers will get their chance to see the results of this renovation on Friday, August 17 when the store hosts its Grand Re-Opening event. The event will include in-store demos, displays, and highlights of what customers can expect from the ‘new’ store. The renovation added several new features and offerings, including dry-aged beef available from the meat department, an expanded pharmacy area, and an updated an expanded deli department – which will add to its menu a sushi bar and popcorn kitchen. A ribbon cutting and welcoming remarks from Co-op and community representatives at 11 am will be followed by a day of family fun and activities, including bouncy castles, face painting, live music, and a free BBQ all afternoon. The event will feature a major prize draw for a 60-second shopping spree at the store, and throughout the two weeks following the event, customers will be entered into more daily prize draws, including another shopping spree, a barbeque, Winnipeg Jets tickets, and a popcorn machine. “We’re excited to have a celebration to unveil what we know is going to be a fantastic store for this community for years to come,” said Zacharias. “We’re a truly local grocery option for the people of Brandon and area and we look forward to serving this community with service and style.”

Demolition of the Western Hotel on 18th Street is underway. The first ever Holiday Inn Express in Manitoba is expected to open February or March 2020. (photo credit Scott Glennie)  

Renovating, moving, changing product lines, offering more services, offering more specialized services…these are just some of the things that business owners contemplate to ensure they are meeting the needs of their clients while at the same time driving their own passion.   Entrepreneur, Nail Technician and Eyelash Extension Specialist Meg Willey recently decided to make some changes to her business, Vivid Beauty Boutique.   “I had gone through some life changes the last two years and decided it was time for me to downsize the salon and expand in other areas of my career. The lease for 18th Street, our previous location, was coming to an end in June and every time I drove down the 26th Street location I couldn’t help but think that this would be a perfect spot for us,” said Willey.   In the process of reshaping her business, Willey decided to sell part of it to one of her former hair stylists, Danielle McCoy. She assisted her in opening the Artistry Salon, where some of her staff moved to in December. In addition, Ashley Berscheid recently opened her own business (The Brow Loft in downtown Brandon) so Vivid no longer offers microblading, permanent makeup or makeup services.   The move to 1015-26th Street at the end of June reduced the boutique’s floor space to almost half of their previous location but allowed Willey to create a bright, modern, upbeat space that has a positive flow of energy. With five stylists and two nail/lash technicians the salon still offers complete hair services, manicures, pedicures, eyelash extensions, waxing, and sugaring.   Willey is also in the process of becoming a distributor for Mosaic Nail Systems, which will allow local nail professionals to obtain quality products right here in Brandon.   Vivid Beauty Boutique has been part of the local business community since 2013. For more information, visit: http://www.vividnaildesign.com or follow them on Facebook.

A high school passion has turned into a very cool and unique business for Dion Peech. Four years ago, Dion started Artistic CNC with a $25,000 dollar machine that cuts exactly what you want.   Artistic CNC provides custom steel cutting for your everyday needs, decorative wall art, railing inserts, custom fire pits, yard signs, BBQ Grills, 3D metal Art.  They can also provide storefront signage as evidenced by their recent sign for Astoria Pizza. According to Peech, nobody locally can do the original creative work that he can.  “Basically the machine provides us with a limitless design, kind of like a tattoo” said Dion. Prices start for house numbers from $75.00. You can see more on their Facebook page.  You can also contact Dion on his cell phone at 204-570-2077.  

Pita Central, located at 601 – 18th street, announced on their Facebook page that they will be closing their doors for the last time on June 30, 2018. Moving into the location will be Chopped Leaf.  Tom Price, the franchisee for Chopped Leaf in Brandon, said that the location will undergo some renovations prior to re-opening.  He feels that with the current design of Pita Central and their counters, etc that the renovations should only take 6 – 8 weeks.  He expects to be open to the public by the beginning of September. Chopped Leaf offers a variety of chef designed salads and wraps, soups, sandwiches and appetizers.