For many of us reptiles, snakes, and spiders we all find somewhat interesting and in this part of the world even more so due to the rare opportunity to see a 20 foot crocodile. Just 15 minutes from Brandon you can find a vast array of exotic animals that is perhaps one of the largest in Canada. Westman Reptile Gardens has been around for almost 15 years and a passion for owners Dave and Candi Shelvey. According to Dave he has always been involved to some degree with reptiles for the past 20 years but things got a bit crazy in their house and it was time to expand and make this a real business. An interesting side business evolved and that was providing and handling snakes and spiders to movies and TV productions. Mothers Day Escape of Die A Bear Called Winnie Wishmaster 3 The Box Collector And also Alice Cooper The above listed ave all used Dave and Westman Reptile Gardens over the past decade. But as anything in small business nothing comes easy and to get highway signs showing people where to turn off the highways was a 5 year project to get the Province on board to see that this was indeed a very unique and interesting form of tourism for the Western Manitoba region. Westman Reptile Gardens features various venomous snakes such as pythons, cobras and vipers plus a huge collection of alligators and crocs. You can visit them: Until September 30th – Monday to Saturday 11am – 7 pm and Sundays 12pm – 5 pm and after October 1st Tuesday to Saturday 12 pm – 6 pm and Sundays 12 pm – 5 pm http://www.reptilegardens.ca

Looking to attract more customers...launch a new product....increase brand awareness or maximize the impact of your message at an event? FASTSIGNS® of Brandon, MB a locally owned and operated visual communications company, is now open for business at 30-11th Street. Fast Signs is your one stop destination for all of your sign and printed needs. Signs, graphics, digital signage, exhibits, displays, and printing and mailing are some of the products and services they offer. As a full service print shop FASTSIGNS takes their customers through the entire process of increasing visibility beginning with marketing consultants customizing a plan to meet the needs of each business. Products include everything from vehicle wraps, interior décor signs and exhibit displays to interactive digital signs, point of purchase and promotional products. They specialize in graphic design, content development, project management, survey and permitting, installation and shipping & storage. Whether you want one poster, a dozen banners, or thousands of business signs, they have what it takes to complete your project whenever you need it. FASTSIGNS® of Brandon, MB Phone: 204-717-7446 30 11th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 4J3 Email: 2124@fastsigns.com Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm Saturday: By appointment / Sunday: Closed https://www.fastsigns.com/2124-brandon-mb

To the regular person that will see B.O.B HQ on 18th street you would never know that 25 people are working full time behind the scenes to fulfill orders from all over North America. Welcome to Bob Ritchot’s world. After the very small humble start in the Unwinder of all places (former club at the Victoria Inn) where Bob would piece together interesting pieces of beadwork for bands such as Our Lady Peace, I Mother Earth and members of Blind Melon. It was a passion that would grow into making and selling candles. The business blew up as Bob says and he had to expand into a house and garage. His candle operation then went to the next level and he entered a chain of stores in malls across Canada. Ritchot quoted “ I was young and no knowledge and idea of really what I was doing”. Bob might be a tad bit humble because this is where he went to the next level. Opening a store on 416 – 10th where he would have a full line of smoking accessories and merchandise ….. But soon this would prove to be too small and it would be time to expand again. Senate Skate was on 18th Street and Bob purchased the buildings and land and sat on the property for about 5 years to execute the next stage in his business expansion. At 658 – 18th street he would build a mini strip mall with Smitten, Pita Pit plus the new B.O.B HQ. With the upcoming legalization of marijuana in Canada in March or April 2017 one would think this is a natural fit for Bob to expand into. According to Ritchot he will sell and do what they do best. Right now he isn’t interested in having a marijuana dispensary. B.O.B. HQ was given the Business Excellence Award from the Brandon Chamber of Commerce a few years ago and will plan to stay growing his business in Brandon. “ We could have moved to Winnipeg or Toronto but we have stayed here in Brandon where the city is great to deal with and we have faced no problems”.

The Westwood Ranch & Garden Centre (a 2014 Westman Tourism Award Winner) is not your typical greenhouse and garden centre that you would see anywhere else in the country. Yes they sell your standard trees, shrubs, bedding plants, and planters from their 7, soon to be 10 greenhouses, but what makes them unique is that they have manged to incorporate a petting zoo/exotic animal ranch on the property near Kola, MB for guests and visitors to see and interact with. The petting zoo features many animals including lemurs, zebras, walaroos, emu's, Llamas and ostrich's. There is also chickens, pigs, sheep, swans, goats, pheasants and more scattered throughout the property just waiting to have their photos taken. The garden centre and petting zoo are the workings of owner Mark Humphries and his wife Jill who moved to Canada 9 years ago from England to concentrate on some basic farming practices after years of running a large scale zoo in their home country. Several years after arriving in Canada the Humphries had the opportunity to purchase some area greenhouses to expand and diversify their farming operation and as a result the garden centre and greenhouse business was born. They later expanded to include a petting zoo with common farm animals in one small building which quickly grew to additional varieties of animals, and several fully insulated and gas heated buildings. By their estimation they receive appropriately 7,000-9,000 visitors a season. This year they played host to 40 school tours noting that school and educational tours are a big part of their business. These school tours are both hands on and interactive. In addition to the petting zoo and garden centre they also offer visitors the opportunity to take a tractor train ride to the Gold and Diamond Mines where one can do a little panning for gold at the Westwood Gold Mine. Lovers of Halloween should mark their calendars and check out their their Halloween Scare Nights featuring terrifying guided tours, a haunted train ride, and spooky tales. This special attraction runs evenings during the week of October 26th-30th and it is strongly recommended to call ahead to reserve your tickets today for this event. Admission is only $6.50 for children and adults while children under 3 are admitted FREE. They are located near Kola, MB on the Manitoba border with Saskatchewan on the Provincial Road 542.You can find them by turning south of the Trans Canada 1 on to the 542 .Follow the 542 for 10 miles until you see the sign to turn west at the correction line. They are one mile along this road on the south side. From Virden follow Road 257 to Kola, then turn north on the 542, after 3 miles turn west at the sign after the correction line bend. You will find them 1 mile along this road on the south side For additional information on this road side attraction please refer to their web site at : http://www.westwoodgardencentre.com or their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Westwood-Ranch-Garden-Centre/146678362110630

Are you dreaming of that relaxing cottage away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life? Nature's Hideaway, located just a few miles outside of the City of Brandon, can help make your dream a reality! Flanked by the Brandon Hills the two cabins offer amazing natural views of water, wildlife and mature forest. These rustic, year-round cabins are decorated and built with handcrafted wood, and feature kitchenettes, jet tubs, and satellite TV. The cabins were built by proprietor Melanie Granger, along with her husband and father, and they have been in operation for 8 years. The cabins, designed for couples only, are fully equipped with everything you need to enjoy your stay, just bring your food and drink. Boats are available for customers to take out on the adjacent pond as often as you like. Nature's Hideaway is located a mile from the Brandon Hills Trails which feature skiing, biking, and hiking allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors during the day with a cozy place to retreat for the evening. Whether you're seeking to reconnect with yourself, a loved one or just spend some time in a quiet, natural environment, you will LOVE a Nature's Hideaway getaway. Click here to access their web site. Directions From Brandon go South on 18th Street/Highway 10. Turn left on High Country Road (Carriage House Antiques) and proceed east 3.2 kms. Turn right, and from there you will travel south 3.5 kms and turn left.