Prairie Coach Freight recently announced via their Facebook page that the company would be starting pick ups twice weekly at Border Services. Pickup days will be Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting May 18/21. Niel Henry told bdnmb.ca that when customers have items shipped to border services they can now contact his company to arrange pickup. Prior to pickup, paperwork needs to submitted to a broker so he will send you a form to fill out. You will also be required to send a long a copy of the receipt as well. Once cleared and confirmed, Prairie Coach Freight will arrange for the pickup of your parcels. The client would be responsible for any broker fees, taxes, or duty on the items. Prairie Coach Freight has a freight charge they charge to cover the cost of the service and clients would still be responsible for the handling fees at Border Services. For additional information the service, or to contact Prairie Coach Freight, please visit their Facebook page. You can also call 204-727-2442 or 1-844-641-0021 to book your pickup.

A trio of diverse businesses recently opened a storefront to the public. Operating as Marvelous Designs & Gifts, shoppers will find a variety of items from three unique businesses including Iron Age Welding, Marvelous Bath and Beauty Items, and Glenn's Custom Fishing Tackle. Photo: Marvelous Designs & Gifts Marvelous Designs & Gifts is located just outside of Brandon. Directions: from the Petro Can on the north hill: go 1 mile east on No 1, turn north at the very first corner (if you see the white bull statue you drove too far), down a bit, house no 60088. Store is located to the north of the house. A roughly 2,000 square foot shed on the property was transformed into the retail storefront. The new retail space will also serve as a great place to meet with customers to discuss their custom orders. Current hours of operation: Tuesday & Thursday's - 9:30 am to 2:30 pm and then again from 5pm to 9pm in May/June. Additional days/times can be made by appointment. Follow then on Facebook for updates on hours and products. Iron Age Welding custom fabricates a number of indoor and outdoor household items including coffee tables, end tables, signs, fire pits, yard décor, rain gauges, and more. Rain gauge. Photo: Marvelous Designs & Gifts Photo: Marvelous Designs & Gifts Photo: Marvelous Designs & Gifts Marvelous Bath and Beauty Items items available for sale include a selection of bath bombs, lip balm, body scrubs, soaps, shower steamers, exfoliation shower bars and more. Photo: Marvelous Designs & Gifts Shower steamers Bath bomb with drizzle, donuts with drizzle, waffles with bubble frosting Lastly, a full selection of weights, hooks, spinners and pickerel rigs from Glenn's Custom Fishing Tackle is available. Photo: Marvelous Designs & Gifts Photo: Marvelous Designs & Gifts

The Livingstone Outdoor Garden Center grand opening is taking place May 5th to 11th, 2021. Located in the heart of Brandon at 1610 Byng Ave (beside the 18th Street bridge) you’ll find a one stop shop for all of your outdoor products needs. There is a large selection of high-quality tools, garden supplies, numerous plant varieties for both your outdoor garden and in-door needs. During the grand opening week, the Garden Center will be open Sunday to Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 8 AM  to 8PM, and the Greenhouse will be open Monday to Friday 10 AM to 6 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday 11 AM to 5 PM with daily deals, giveaways, and more! You don’t want to miss out. Get ready for growing season! In the Garden Centre you’ll find a variety of tropics, annuals, perennials, fresh herbs, trees and many more plant varietals. Each day of the grand opening will feature sales on different products including planters, décor, pavers, hand tools and more. Follow Livingstone Outdoor on Facebook and Instagram for daily deals including an exclusive Echo Power Tools one-day sale on Saturday, May 8th, 2021. To access Livingstone Outdoor, follow the signs for parking and enter on the north side of the building. Road access is open from Stickney Ave, onto Byng Ave. Sanitizer stations will be set up at all entrances and exits, social distancing is required by all guests and the use of masks is mandatory in both indoor and outdoor spaces.(submitted)

J S Meats Souris will soon be opening a new retail store in the community of Melita (117 Ash St), J S Meats Souris was established in 1996 by John & Susan Janz and for the past 15 years their son Pat has been involved in the operation of the business as well. They are a government inspected facility offering custom cutting and wrapping of many different products including beef, pork, and chicken. In conversation with bdnmb.ca earlier today, Pat said they are hoping for a May 15th opening. Currently the retail space in Melita is undergoing some renovations, in preparation of the coolers and freezers. The store in Melita will be open from noon to 6pm, five days a week (Tuesday to Saturday).

Brandon's Velvet Dip recently made an announcement, on their Facebook page, that they would be opening a 2nd location in Clear Lake. The seasonal ice cream shop, dubbed "Velvet Dip Lakeside", will be located at 119 Wasagaming Drive. In conversation with bdnmb.ca earlier today, ownership said they had been looking for ways of expanding their business when this opportunity presented itself on Easter weekend. The last several weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind of activity and ownership is hopeful of opening in the next several weeks, as they tie up a few loose ends. Velvet Dip has been serving Brandon and area residents an array of soft/hard ice cream, milkshakes, sundaes and other novelty treats since 1965.