To say that Doug & Diane Willey have a lot on their plate would be a huge understatement. The couple manage a number of road trip worthy businesses on their property, a few minutes outside of Brandon, including the Shady Lane Tea Room, a doll museum, banquet room, commercial kitchen for catering, and a new wedding venue with seating for up to 250. Earlier today, the energetic and hard-working couple took a few minutes out of their busy schedule to provide bdnmb.ca with a tour of their wonderful facility. Shady Lane Tea Room, Banquet Room & Catering The Shady Lane Tea Room has been in operation for 10-years. All meals are made from scratch including the homemade baking, There are different weekly lunch specials ranging from a Ukrainian plate to meatloaf, chili, stew etc.  Healthy, gluten free, and vegetarian options are also available. Take-out available If you love to browse and shop, please check out all of the handmade unique items in their gift shop. The building also has a private dining room (capacity 60 people, reduced capacity currently in effect with Covid-19 protocols) that plays host to many birthday parties, anniversaries, family gatherings, showers and more every year. Full catering is available from their commercial kitchen, which is also located onsite. The catering menu offers a large variety of options and they specialize in weddings year-round, both on and off site. Reduced Covid-19 hours of operation: Tuesdays – Wednesdays – Thursdays 11:00 am – 4:00 pm Doll Museum A doll museum, featuring Western Canada's largest collection of dolls, is located in a building next to the tea room. The assortment of dolls from around the world feature modern and reproductional dolls (1900’s to the dolls of today) including Barbie’s, Vinyl’s, Miniatures and a large collection of porcelain dolls. Fee of $5 is charged. Doug tells bdenmb.ca that the doll museum started in the house in 1994 before locating to its current building in 1996. Wedding Venue The newest addition to the property is a 3800sq ft canvas structure wedding venue with seating for up tp 250 (reduced capacity currently in effect with Covid-19 protocols). The wedding venue was fully booked for weddings this summer, prior to Covid-19, and a lot of those bookings have shifted to the summer of 2021. A large dance floor and full service bar is available. Location: 3.75 km/2.25 mi. east on Hwy. 1 and north on Humesville Road. *Please call 204-728-1245 for a reservation to ensure availability as the business follows Covid-19 protocols. SHADY LANE TEA ROOM (May 15 to October 15) Trans-Canada Hwy 2.5 Miles East of #1 & #10 (204) 728-1245 Facebook page. Web site.

CoWorks is Brandon, Manitoba’s only shared and flexible work space. Members have access to all the amenities of an office space without the considerable costs that go along with a commercial lease (such as CAM costs, utilities, etc). The space is accessible to members 24/7! The mission of CoWorks is to give small business, start up teams, entrepreneurs and professionals the opportunity to conduct business with a more cost effective approach and in a professional setting; unlike a home office or crashing a table at Starbucks. Space rentals start at as little as $50 a month which would get a member use of a hot desk. Amenities include high speed WI-FI, key fob with 24/7 access, secured offices, 8-5 Community Manager, mail services, board room rentals, free parking, print and copy station, lounge and kitchen and more. Fun Fact! These businesses all started in a coworking office setting: ZipRecruiter, Hootsuite, Uber, Spotify, Instagram Who is this space best suited for: From start ups, to Entrepreneurs to rural business looking to break into the Brandon market, right up to established companies just looking for a professional setting that’s more affordable and low maintenance. Office Space Options: Hot desk Semi-Private Reserved Work Station Private Office Executive Office Location: High traffic area with a well lit parking lot Unit C – 1209 Richmond Ave, Brandon For additional information on the facility, or to rent a space, please contact: Meaghan Harwood at hello@coworks.ca (Sales + Community Manager) at 204-717-1770. Facebook link.

As the kids head back to school and begin their fall sports and activities, many parents find themselves with a full calendar. No matter how organized a person can be, sometimes you just want to throw your hands up and say, I wish there were two of me! Cue Grandma On Demand, a new local business that acts as a third party assistant of sorts, willing to help you with the simple things, like picking up your mail or a run to the grocery store for milk. "I created Grandma on Demand primarily as an emergency service," said entrepreneur Leigh Wood." We're willing to do anything that a family requires to make life easier. Right now, Wood is offering school drop-offs or pickups, assistance with appointments or lessons, light housekeeping, child care, and 2nd parent services, meal prep, baking, and respite services. Wood says the idea came to her after several years managing the canteen at the Sportsplex. Watching hundreds of families come through the doors, many with the difficult task of getting one kid ready for hockey, while another is waiting for a snack and help with their homework. A mother and grandmother herself, Wood says, watching families at the rink and helping with her two twin autistic grandsons shone a light on how overwhelming being a parent in today's environment can be. "The one thing I want people to know is that I sincerely want to make families' lives easier," added Wood.  "I love hearing the family's stories and struggles and together finding some kind of solution to lighten the load." Grandma on Demand can be found on Facebook and Twitter, and Wood encourages people to reach out and start a discussion; there are no tasks or ideas that are too outrageous. "The one common feeling I have felt with those I have talked to is RELIEF and a feeling that someone understands what they are going through," added Wood. "For me, that is exactly the reward I was hoping for."

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Brandon is slated to open Monday, September 14. The 6-storey, 116-room hotel is located (1148 18th Street) right in the heart of Brandon and across from the Keystone Centre. In conversation with bdnmb.ca earlier today General Manager Suzanne Rowley said that business travelers factor in a number of considerations when booking a room including a spacious work area inside the room, reliable WiFi access, a fitness centre, and peace and quiet. The Holiday Inn Express offers a number of perks: indoor pool, fitness centre, indoor whirlpool, guest laundry,  complimentary grab & go breakfast, business centre and complimentary high speed WiFi. The property also boasts 2-25 person meeting spaces. In addition to the business traveler, the hotel will be a destination stop for many hockey/athletic teams and family travel. The Brandon Holiday Inn Express is owned by P.R. Hotels Ltd, who own/operate 10 hotels in total. Thirty to thirty-five staff are expected to be employed once the hotel is fully operational. For additional information on the hotel, please visit this link.

Regent Custom Cresting recently celebrated 30 years in business. The company first opened their doors in August of 1990, with 4 employees (2 owners, 2 press operators) and one 4 color screen printing press. Operating out of their present location at 2506 Southern Ave, the company now employs 10 people with multiple 6 color screen printing presses and additional embroidery equipment. General Manager Kevin Elton, who has been with Regent for the entire 30 years, told bdnmb.ca that he has noticed several significant changes in the industry during that time including the ordering process (email/online) and the speed production of today's modern equipment. Due to Covid-19, a planned BBQ to show appreciation to both their customers and staff was recently put on hold until they can safely celebrate together. Engraving, embroidery, silk screening, promotional items, apparel, trophies, framing, sports team outfits, and more are among the products/services offered by Regent Custom Cresting.