Back in June of 2016 bdnmb.ca discovered and introduced our followers to Crow's General Store, a hidden gem that is a must see for locals and out of towners alike. The following morning cars, and people, lined up to see what has now become one of Brandon's top tourist attractions. Based on the popularity of that one article other media outlets, both local and from across the Province, descended on the property to provide Crow's with the coverage it so richly deserved. To view bdnmb.ca's original article, click here. Fast forward years later and there have been numerous changes/additions/alterations to the property and the building. The biggest of those changes taking place this week-the opening of a mini golf course. Owner Don Ditchfield told bdnmb.ca that the idea for a mini golf course has been in the plans for several years now. Presently there is 9-holes available to play and the cost is only $5. Ditchfield went on to say that he is looking to expand to 18-holes over the summer as time permits. He already has the space and materials, he just needs to free up the time. Just like the ice cream shop, the mini golf course features a number of challenging obstacles Don has collected over the years. To hear it from Don himself, each item is a story onto itself. Crow's is located at 33-17th St. East (just up the street around the corner from the Greenspot) in Brandon.

A new restaurant opened in downtown Brandon recently. Located inside the old Chicken Delight building, Bong Bong Chef (1113 Rosser Ave) features both a lunch and dinner buffet. The inside of the restaurant underwent a major 3-month facelift and includes an expanded Chinese food menu as well as some North American favorites. The licensed restaurant is open 7 days a week for dine in, takeout, and delivery service. The lunch buffet is available daily from 11:30am-3pm while the supper buffet runs from 4pm-8pm. You can also order individual items as well.

Mums Family Restaurant is under new ownership, as of July 1, 2023. A notice posted inside the restaurant indicates that Tom Price (Chopped Leaf, Booster Juice) would taking over the operations of the restaurant. For the past 16 years the restaurant has been under the control of the Johnston family. Mums Family Restaurant has something for everyone, from breakfast favourites to soups and salads, sandwiches and wraps, homemade burgers, a full kid's menu, and more. Located at 505 24th St, the restaurant is open daily from 7am-7pm.

McCain Foods will be hosting a Free Fry Day Event in Brandon to raise money for Ronald McDonald House. The drive thru event takes place on Thursday, July 6th at the Keystone Centre parking lot. To receive your free McCain Foods (Canada) product and ketchup from Heritage Co-op, stop by the Keystone Centre parking lot and help families with sick children by donating to RMHC Manitoba while you’re there! Brandon Keystone Centre #1 1175 18th St Thursday, July 6th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Park Community Centre in Brandon is one of 15 projects that have received a portion of $1 million as a 2023 recipient of Co-op Community Spaces, while also benefitting from Heritage Co-op’s local Community Development Fund programming. “We’re very excited to see the Park Community Centre receive these funds. Co-op is proud to support a fixture in Brandon and ensure the community has access to this space for years to come.” said Jessica Brady, Marketing and Communications Manager at Heritage Co-op, “Being locally invested is important to Heritage Co-op and our Members. Investing in our communities ensures we all have a vibrant place to live, work and play.” Park Community Centre will receive $85,000 towards a Commercial Co-op Kitchen through the Co-op Community Spaces program, and another $15,000 through Heritage Co-op’s Community Development Fund. Co-op Community Spaces is designed to help protect, beautify and improve spaces across Western Canada. Through the program, Co-op has provided $12.5 million to 175 projects since 2015 in three categories: recreation, environmental conservation and urban agriculture. FCL administers Community Spaces on behalf of more than 160 local Co-ops operating in 600 communities. Heritage Co-op’s Community Development Fund is available for building or renovation of spaces that support the betterment of the community. Community projects in the Heritage Co-op trading area are encouraged to apply. Learn more about the programs and recipients at communityspaces.ca and heritageco-op.crs