Food Truck Warz 4 will be taking place at the Keystone Centre grounds in Brandon later this week, and Sunrise Credit Union is partnering with BDNMB.CA to allow families the opportunity to gain entrance to the event for free. Family Fun Night will occur on Thursday, September 16, 2021, the first evening of Food Truck Warz 4. The first 400 vehicles to the event on that day will be admitted free courtesy of Sunrise Credit Union. At the same time, Sunrise staff will be onsite to hand out promotional items to those attending. Food Truck Warz 4 will take place from September 16-19, 2021, at the Keystone Centre grounds in Brandon. 26 Food Trucks from Manitoba will be taking part and serving a wide range of foods, including BBQ, dessert, El Salvadoran, Mexican, Japanese fusion, Caribbean, Jamaican, and pizza. In addition, Select Shows is returning to Food Truck Warz with a midway that promises more rides than its last appearance in 2019. Daily admission to Food Truck Warz 4 will be $2 per person or $5 per vehicle, with cash only accepted at the gate. A portion of the proceeds from Food Truck Warz 4 will be donated to the Westman Dreams for Kids. About Sunrise Credit Union Formed in 2008, Sunrise Credit Union offers personalized service to approximately 33,000 members across 20 branches. Sunrise Credit Union serves Baldur, Boissevain, Brandon, Cypress River, Deloraine, Grandview, Hartney, Holland, Laurier, Melita, Minnedosa, Oakburn, Reston, Sandy Lake, Shoal Lake, Ste. Rose du lac, Strathclair, Treherne, Virden, and Waskada.

American clothing franchise Plato’s Closest will be coming to Brandon this winter at 1505 – 1st street (Tim Hortons mini mall location). What is Plato’s Closest, the best way to sum it up is this description: Plato's Closet buys and sells gently used clothes, shoes, and accessories, so you can recycle the items you no longer wear and get paid cash on the spot. Brianne Roblin (local franchise owner, pictured above with her family) knew that opening a clothing store like Plato’s Closest would be a great idea for Brandon but felt opening Once Upon A Child first was the smart move. She went back and forth in deciding what was correct for her family and this community.  "We have been fortunate with how Once Upon A Child has done so far, so we know Plato’s Closest will do fine" said Roblin. "The day we opened Once Upon A Child the Province shut us down due to Covid. Until a month ago we never had the chance to have 100 percent occupancy." added Roblin. Roblin told bdnmb.ca has shopped at Plato’s Closest for over 3 years in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Red Deer and Edmonton.  She said she never left disappointed and purchased a pair of brand new Manitoba Mukluks in Edmonton for 14 dollars.. “made my trip". "As I had mentioned in my first interview a year back for Once Upon A Child, I love thrifting!! Always have and always will, so going to work everyday is an absolute blast. Like they say, find your passion and you'll never work a day in your life." Plato’s Closest and Once Upon A Child are part of a company called Winmark. ”They are so helpful and are the experts in the resale business, not only do they have Once Upon A Child and Plato's Closet they are also home to Play it again Sports, Music Go Around and Style Encore.” commented Roblin. The store will be employing approximately 20-25 full and part time employees and anyone who is interested in working at the store can send their resume to platosclosetbrandon@gmail.com Attn: Hiring Manager.

Fusion Credit Union is proud to present “Community Infusion”, the business idea competition  that infuses economic growth and prosperity into our local communities. The event will take  place on December 6, 2021 at Countryfest Cinema, Dauphin Manitoba. “At Fusion, we are Here for Good, and to us, that means we are committed to our communities today and for the long term,” says Fusion CEO Darwin Johns. “We are thrilled to offer Community Infusion as a tangible means of sparking ongoing economic development in our communities across the province.” Entrepreneurs will submit an application for a new business idea, existing business looking to grow, or to purchase or improve an existing business, for a chance to win up to $30,000 in grant money. Selected applicants will move to the next phase of the competition which will require a business plan submission. Up to five finalists will be selected to pitch their idea to a panel on Monday, December 6, 2021. Mike Csversko, Business Development Manager for Fusion notes that, “Community Impact is a foundational pillar for our organization. As a locally based financial institution in the Parkland and  southwestern Manitoba, we consider community impact and contribution to be at the core of our DNA. The Community Infusion initiative is one more way in which Fusion will play a role in  supporting job creation, entrepreneurial support, community engagement, and business development in our trading area.” (submitted)

“Starting September 1st, HMS Insurance (Carberry & Shilo offices), Kenton Insurance, Guild Insurance (Brandon, Virden, & Wawanesa offices), and Wallis Agencies (Glenboro, Baldur, Holland) will operate together under the name Guild Insurance Group.” They have been working together as a group for several years and the partnership has enabled the group “to offer products from additional insurance companies” while keeping ownership local. updated signage, a new website, and advertising on social media will begin shortly. The Facebook announcement can be read here.

CoWorks Inc. is Brandon, Manitoba’s first and only coworking community! It offers local businesses, entrepreneurs, start-up teams and professionals of all kinds, the opportunity to keep overhead costs down by providing affordable and flexible workspaces as well as private offices. While the model of a shared workspace is not overly compatible with a pandemic that requires people to maintain a safe physical distance, CoWorks has been able to provide a work environment that is unique to coworking the industry. With a modified business design than initially intended, CoWorks has been able to offer the service that it promised when its doors opened on September 1st, 2020. And that is: To provide affordable and flexible office spaces in an inspirational and collaborative environment. One year later, with several revamped procedures and membership models, CoWorks Inc is happy to announce its 1st anniversary serving Brandon, Manitoba and the business community. With big plans for the upcoming year, CoWorks is excited to expand its member base and welcome new businesses into its space! Join them in celebrating their 1-year anniversary on Wednesday, September 1st from 12:00 to 2:00 pm. There will be spirits, coffee, individually wrapped treats, giveaways and more! Walk-ins are welcome to come and explore the space during the come-and-go celebration, but you are encouraged to RSVP to hello@coworks.ca. 1209 Richmond Ave Unit C, Brandon MB, R7A 1M5 www.coworks.ca • 204-717-1770