Hermanos South American Steakhouse is proud to announce the future opening of HERMANOS Steakhouse at the Historic Brandon Firehall in downtown Brandon, MB. Riley Bernier, Son of Hermanos co-founder, Noel Bernier, along with his  wife, Brazilian native Juliana Bernier & son, Christopher, will be relocating and settling in Brandon to own and lead the  restaurant operations.  “We are extremely proud of Riley & Juliana, they are committing to the City of Brandon, and we know Brandon will love the  Hermanos Steakhouse experience they bring to the Westman Region” said Michelle Bernier, Hermanos co owner.  “Firehall developers, the City of Brandon, the local MLA office and the Mayor’s office have been extremely helpful and pro active in creating a downtown attraction for the City of Brandon, with special thanks to Brandon Downtown BIZ Executive  Director, Emmy Sanderson, who’s efforts and tenacity for Brandon’s downtown made this possible” added Hermanos co founder Noel Bernier. “It’s important to note - No grants or public money was used to help bring this together, but the support,  information, and timely efforts of Brandon city officials were instrumental in bringing Hermanos to the Firehall.  “Juliana and Riley are amazing ambassadors of the Brazilian Canadian relationship and it’s a blessing for the warm welcome they have received” added Brazilian born Hermanos co-founder, Najara Costa Barros.  The full hospitality development will include a Hermanos Steakhouse and Lounge as well as a cigar lounge in the Firehall Hayloft and a 50-seat comedy club in the basement. Plans include the restaurant & cigar lounge opening in July and a  50-seat comedy club opening in the fall of 2026. Hermanos will be launching with a series of culinary dinners and events,  including a Firefighters Ball on June 21.  “Juliana and I look forward to introducing Brandon to the Hermanos Restaurant and experience. These dining events will include 6 course dinners, live entertainment, and stories and experiences rooted in Hermanos South American History” said owner Riley Bernier.  “We have made the Firefighters Association the charity partner of these events and have will be making a substantial donation to the Firefighters Association at the June 21 dinner” added Riley Bernier. “We look forward to starting a chapter of new memories and meals shared together at the Brandon Firehall, and encourage people to buy tickets now, as seats are very limited.”  Information and tickets can be found at Hermanos.ca

A new chapter in Brandon’s growing craft beer scene officially got underway recently as the Trans Canada Brewing Company held a groundbreaking ceremony for its highly anticipated expansion into the Wheat City. The project, located near the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 10 (105 Middleton Ave), marks the company’s first major expansion outside of Winnipeg. The new facility is expected to include a taproom, on-site brewing capabilities, and a full food menu, offering a similar experience to its flagship location while introducing exclusive, locally brewed products. Company representatives and community leaders gathered to celebrate the milestone, highlighting the economic and social benefits the development is expected to bring. The brewery has pointed to Brandon’s growing population and emerging craft beer market as key reasons for choosing the city, calling it an “exciting” opportunity to connect with a new customer base. Construction is underway with an anticipated opening in 2026, adding another unique attraction to Brandon’s business landscape and continuing the city’s steady growth in hospitality and tourism.    

Ficek Insurance (Murray Chrysler Building) is changing locations May 4th. The new address will be 1525 18th Street Brandon, MB right beside Humpty's Diner. “The Hansel and Gretel’s Schnitzel Haus” is reopening at 363-st Street. The restaurant will offer a delightful taste of authentic German cuisine including crispy pork schnitzel and flavorful chicken schnitzel. Dustin Glaseman is now the owner of Lasting Image Picture Framing located at 708 B 10th Street in Brandon. Brandon realtor Cam Toews recently won the Brian M. Collie Award for "Individual Achievement in Provincial Advocacy recognizes a REALTOR® who has gone above and beyond to advance our profession at the provincial level. "  Click here for more info. Starting May 4th, Planet Kia will be temporarily moving to  3620 Victoria Ave (right beside the Victoria Inn) as they build a new state-of-the-art space at 415 18th Street North.

After more than four decades of serving families in the community, the Pizza Hut location in Brandon at 860-18th Street is set to close its dine-in service on June 15, 2026. In a statement, management said the decision was not made lightly, but came after careful consideration of changing customer habits and operational needs. While the traditional dine-in experience will be phased out, the restaurant will still offer limited seating, allowing customers to enjoy their meals on-site. Service, however, will shift to a counter-order model. The transition will also include some interior renovations aimed at modernizing the space and better supporting take-out and delivery operations. Despite the change, customers can continue to rely on both Brandon locations (860-18th Street, 1860-18th St N)  for delivery and take-out options, ensuring the brand remains a familiar and convenient choice in the city. The move reflects a broader trend in the restaurant industry, as businesses adapt to evolving dining preferences while maintaining their presence in the community.

 Brandon Tourism is pleased to announce that UpHouse has been selected  to lead the development of a new tourism strategic plan and place brand for the city of Brandon.  Following a competitive procurement process that attracted several highly-qualified firms,  Brandon Tourism has selected UpHouse, a marketing, PR and media agency headquartered in  Winnipeg, MB. Specializing in evoking the emotions that bring people to a place, you can see  their creative storytelling through their work as Travel Manitoba's agency of record, leading the  refreshed brand and positioning, Canada's Heart is Calling.  They've helped craft meaningful brands for places as close to Brandon as Clear Lake Country,  and worked with destinations as far-reaching as Tourism Ireland through partnerships with  influencers.  This project represents a significant step forward in shaping the future of tourism in Brandon.  The tourism strategic plan will provide a clear roadmap to guide growth, investment, and visitor  experience development, while the place brand will define and articulate Brandon’s identity in a  way that resonates with residents and visitors alike.  “We are excited to partner with UpHouse on this important initiative,” said Lanny Stewart,  director of marketing and communications with Brandon Tourism. “Their understanding of  Brandon’s opportunities and their collaborative approach will help us build a strong, authentic,  and competitive destination brand.”  Brandon Tourism extends its sincere appreciation to all firms who participated in the procurement process. The submissions demonstrated a high standard of professionalism, insight,  and innovation, and we recognize the significant time and effort invested by each proponent. We  thank all participants for their interest in contributing to Brandon’s tourism future.  Work on the project will begin in the coming weeks and will incorporate stakeholder  engagement throughout the process. For updates on the Brandon Tourism strategic plan and  place brand project, make sure to follow Brandon Tourism on social media.