Bobbies’ Bistro is now serving up coffee, pastries, and hot, fresh food for students, faculty, and staff on the go. The new bistro brings together student-run management through the Brandon University Students’ Union with fresh and house-made convenience meals from BU Food Services. “We’ve taken the popular BU Fresh items, which are perfect for grab-and-go, and added hot quick-service options as well. Everything is delicious and nutritious, and now it’s even more convenient,” said Nicholas Namespetra, Director of BU Food Services. “It can be a little bit faster than the full-service meal options we offer in Harvest Hall and the Down Under, and the new location is so bright and airy.”Along with pastries, the bistro serves the popular BU Fresh line of sandwiches and wraps, and also offers made-to-order paninis and flatbread. Vegetarian options are also available, which can be made vegan on request. All pandemic precautions remain in place in the new Bobbies’ Bistro, which requires masks at all times unless actively eating or drinking, and which is open only to fully-vaccinated patrons for any dine-in service. “It’s an incredibly convenient space to quickly get a coffee, a drink, or a great meal on the go,” said Olufunke Adeleye, BUSU President. “It’s also a fantastic study space.” Bobbies’ is located off the Mingling Area of the Knowles-Douglas Student Centre, taking over the space vacated by a coffeeshop and that had previously housed SUDS, the student pub. The name is a playful and affectionate twist on ‘Bobcats’ that throws back to a one-time nickname for BU women’s sports teams. To start, hours will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, until April. Opening hours and menu items may be adjusted to meet demand. (Source: Brandon University News)

Westman Communications Group (Westman) is excited to introduce their all-new It's Time to Smarten Up Loyalty Giveaway. After stepping away from their annual Loyalty Trip Giveaway due to health restrictions, Westman put together a dream prize package with a chance to win Leon's smart home appliances. Westman is giving their loyal members of five years or more the chance to win a smart home, including a Smart Samsung Freestanding Electric Range and an 82" Samsung Smart TV! To spread the love a little bit further, Westman is giving two more chances to win additional smart home prizes! The second prize is a Wi-Fi Smart Doorbell, and the third prize winner will take home an Amazon Echo Show 8. "Our members are an essential part of who we are, especially as a local cooperative, said Westman Marketing Manager Courtney Baxter. It means a lot that they continue to pick us as their communication service provider and showing them our appreciation throughout the year is important to us. This is just one of our many ways of saying thank you to all of our loyal members." Westman's loyal members of five years or more are automatically entered for a chance to win. The randomly selected winner will be announced on their social media channels on February 17, 2022. Westman is always looking for ways to show their appreciation to their loyal members! For more information on Westman, head to westmancom.com.

The first-ever MonGO’s Fresh, Fast Stir Fry will open its doors in Brandon, Manitoba on Wednesday, January 19, 2022. MonGO’s Fresh, Fast is a new concept created by the owners of Mongo’s Grill, a custom stir-fry restaurant with three locations in Winnipeg. “We’re so excited to bring this new concept to Brandon-area residents. Mongo’s Grill has had a very loyal following in the Brandon market for a long time and there have been many requests to bring Mongo’s to the area,” says Regional Manager Russ Hart. The new MonGO’s Fresh, Fast concept offers a slightly smaller selection of the most popular items from Mongo’s Grill to create custom stir-fries. Guests will place their order, then staff build, cook and package up the meal for guests to enjoy. MonGO’s Fresh, Fast will also offer additional sides such as egg rolls and spring rolls. “The safety of our new staff and guests is incredibly important to us as we embark on this new journey during a pandemic. As part of this new concept, staff will be building all bowls to our guests’ specifications, sanitizing regularly, and following all COVID-19 health guidelines,” Hart says. While the new restaurant will primarily offer take-out meals and delivery, it will also have seating for in-store dining and a private room for groups. MonGO’s Fresh, Fast Stir Fry is located at 1350 18th Street in Brandon, Manitoba. Hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Link to their website: https://www.restaurantji.com/mb/brandon/mongos-fresh-fast-stir-fry-/

Plato’s Closet of Brandon will be opening January 27th @ 10:00 am, local teens and twenty something residents will now have a place to bring that stylish clothing that has been overflowing their closets and dressers for months! The one-of-a-kind store buys and sells gently used, name brand clothing, as well as accessories and other teen items.  “Our store fills a distinct niche in the retail market,” said Brianne Roblin, Owner of the Brandon’s Plato’s Closet®. “We are part of the only national resale business that specializes in the teen and the young adult market group. The great thing about our business is that the wish list for trendy, brand-name apparel and the availability of it in virtually every teen’s closet presents fantastic opportunities.” According to Roblin, teenagers love to shop at Plato’s Closet® because they can get brand name clothing at great values. Both teens and their parents love the fact that they can take their gently used brand name clothing and turn it into cash. Unlike a typical consignment store, Plato’s Closet gives you extra cash in your pocket on the spot. “Unlike traditional retailers, we don’t try to create new fashion trends, we respond to actual trends in a timely and value-oriented manner,” Roblin said. There are over 475 Plato’s Closet® locations in the United States and Canada. Each location is individually owned and operated. Franchised in 1999, the used clothing stores have become the fastest growing chain in the Winmark Corporation family of brands. Winmark has over 1005 franchise-owned and operated businesses throughout North America and is a strong and stable franchisor.

Plato’s Closest Brandon (1505 – 1st Street) is currently open to buy your items for cash right now only, including girls sizes 00 to 30 and up to 6X and guys sizes XS to 3X and 28” to 40” waist, all day, every day. Local franchise owner Brianne Roblin told bdnmb.ca the location plans to open (re-sale) as soon as they have purchased a full inventory of items. Plato’s Closet, buys and sells gently used clothes, shoes, and accessories, so you can recycle the items you no longer wear. BDNMB.ca first broke the news of their opening in September of this year. You can visit the local Facebook page here.