Grey Ridge Coffee, Cafe and Events started as a coffee trailer in 2018. They could be found serving their fresh locally roasted coffee at many events in Brandon and surrounding area. In September of 2021, they introduced a snazzy new trailer at Food Truck Warz. That was just the start of the company's expansion. Owner Christopher Ridgen told bdnmb.ca that in November of 2021, Grey Ridge Coffee took over the Town Center cafe. A new menu, additional coffees, and a new paint job were among some the changes made at the Town Centre location. The company recently purchased Pro Coffee Services in Brandon. They can now provide coffee brewers, grinders and supplies to business's and offices in Brandon and around Westman. Starting sometime in April Grey Ridge Coffee, along side Made in MB, will be opening a location inside the Shoppers Mall. The store will be called Grey Ridge Cafe and Gift and will feature a full cafe menu as well as a local showcase of vendor items.

Ralph “Raccoon” Carney has assumed the role of Program Director at 94.7 Star FM and 91.5 Q Country. Ralph has been in the “Broadcast and Communication Game” for many years. He started in the late 70’s behind the mic’ as a “Screaming Rock Jock”, doing evenings on Vancouver's legendary 14 CFUN and later shifting to drive on 73 CKLG, all-the-while setting Canadian ratings records that have never been broken on both stations. In the 80’s, he added Television Host in Vancouver and Winnipeg to his CV. As a Voice Actor, he applied his vocal talents, (And still does), to commercials aired in every English-speaking country on the planet, voicing radio and tv spots for hundreds of clients, more memorably including: K-Tel, (Yes! He was their voice for 34 years), McDonalds, Safeway, Boston Pizza, United Airlines, Esso, All Seniors Care, General Motors and many more.   Rarely content with the status quo, Rac’ broadened his broadcasting aspirations to include radio programming; helping radio stations and their personalities find their audience and shape their presentation. Always searching for ways to “Monetize the Media Magic”, his promo’ concepts like: “Good Guys Wear White”, (Later renamed the Winnipeg Jets “Whiteout”), changed the sales promotion landscape. That led to a stint in broadcast marketing which took Rac’ to Palmer Jarvis Advertising with the goal to create a dedicated Sales Promotion Service. In turn, that spawned a strong relationship with Canada Safeway’s management team who convinced him to open his own boutique advertising and production agency. Ralph Carney Communications went on to generate brand and product-focused creative for Safeway and a cadre of clients such as: McMillan Bloedel Building Materials, Behlen Industries, Richardson Greenshields, Canada Trust, Captain’s Club Travel, Sobeys’ and many others.  A life-long champion of shaping and sharing powerful “Messaging”, Ralph Carney Communications later evolved into Carney-Albani & Associates, a retail & corporate concept-consultancy. In 2009, Rac’ decided to once again pursue his radio "Hobby", joining CFRW in Winnipeg to do afternoon drive, then music, and then programming. He programmed CFRW for one book prior to its shift to sports talk, achieving a "Modest" twelve-hundred percent growth in audience in one book. CFRW then became TSN Radio, where he created the operating infrastructure, develop d the brand and imaging, and took the programming reins in 2017 establishing TSN Winnipeg as the most successful property in the seven station TSN radio network. In February, 2021, when BellMedia chose to abandon the TSN Brand in several markets, Rac' stepped away from broadcasting and began designing and developing integrated marketing communications for select corporate brands, products and services with the Ragtag Communications Group. But alas, his love of this business and appetite to solve the unique challenges of terrestrial and digital communications...brought him back. ( submitted story)

The all-you-can-eat shawarma & donair buffet has returned to one of Brandon's most popular restaurants. Shawarma Queen first opened on Rosser Ave in February of 2018. The restaurant moved to its current location (#4-2430 Victoria Ave) in July of 2020. At the time of the move, owner Kyle Koksal introduced many new items to the menu, however the buffet was shelved for the time being. Buffet Hours: Every Thursday to Saturday: Lunch: noon-2pm  $15.99+tax, includes fountain drink Supper: 5pm-8pm $19.99+tax, includes fountain drink For more information on Shawarma Queen, or their menu, please visit their Facebook page or website.

As of March 10th, 2022 Westman has a new option when they head to the pumps. The Gambler First Nations Gas and Convenience Bar is now open on 18th Street. The Western Nations Gas Bar in Brandon is a project years in the making with hopes of benefitting both resident and non-resident Members of Gambler First Nation, while also improving financial diversity. Gambler First Nation Chief David Ledoux shared, “I am excited that Gambler First Nation is uniting with the Business world! ReconciliACTION and networking will benefit not only our members and project partners, but the public at large as well.”. Heritage Co-op will supply and support day-to-day operations of the facility on behalf of Gambler First Nation. This strategic partnership is a first of its kind for both Gambler First Nation and Heritage Co-op. This collaboration is a unique community building opportunity which benefits the economic wellness and long-term sustainability of both partners. The Western Nations Gas Bar is welcoming everyone to the pumps for opening day - Chief LeDoux will purchase coffee for the first hundred guests. Fuel up on March 10th for a chance to win four tickets to the March 19th Wheat Kings Game. Those that gas up the first week will also be able to enter to win a month of free car washes from Co-op. (submitted)

Leatherwood Trading Post is a small workshop in Brandon, MB dedicated to producing long-lasting items with traditional materials & a modern twist. All items are handmade by a single craftsman, Morgan James, who told bdnmb.ca that starting the business came from a perfect storm really. Christmas was coming up and he wanted to make some special gifts for family members rather than just buy them something. According to James, he got the bright idea to make a wallet by hand so he ordered some basic starter tools and a DIY wallet kit and decided to just go for it. Watching Youtube videos and learning about leatherworking started to eat up a ton of his time, he was genuinely interested in the craft and intrigued by all of the things one can do & make. Around this same time some emergency repairs came up on his house and James decided to do some leatherworking as a bit of a side hustle. He started with small keychains as an easy Christmas gift for people to give and within a very short time he knew that it had the potential to be so much more. Within 3 months of ordering tools he started planning to be a leatherworker full time, and realized that goal in June of 2021. Keychains of various styles & designs make up a big portion of his sales catalog, as well as custom hats with leather patches. Other great products of note are the pet ID/Dog tags, and custom branded promotional items. The nature of laser engraving when combined with leather provides unlimited possibilities for branding and customizing products that will last a long time and be incredibly unique. James works with leather as his primary medium but new materials are becoming available all the time. As of now, he has doing branding/engraving on slatestone, silicone, wood, glass, cork, and powder coated metal but there will definitely be more options in the future.  Turnaround tome for orders are typically under 5 days, custom ordered apparel (hats, toques, etc) can be shipped in ~8 business days. Anyone interested in purchasing items, or seeing what the company can offer, can visit the webstore at leatherwood.ca.  Leatherwood Trading Post can also be found on etsy, Facebook, and Instagram.