Victoria Mini Mart is now open for business at 510-1st Street in Brandon. The locally owned/operated convenience store stocks a range of everyday items for people on the go such as snack foods, confectionery, grocery, lottery tickets, soft drinks, tobacco products, movie rentals, ice-cream and more.

The Community Health and Housing Association Westman Region (CHHA Westman) through the Global Kitchen is proud to announce that we are a recipient of the Westoba Inspire Program through Westoba Credit Union (WCU). “Projects like the Global Kitchen are such an important resource for Brandon in the multi-use it provides.” said-Reta Saborowski, WCU Community Investment Committee Chair.-“Westoba recognizes the need for these types of community infrastructure projects now more than ever.” The Global Kitchen is a community program that CHHA Westman built in 2015 that provides an inclusive setting to prepare, learn about, and produce food in a community setting.  The funds received from Westoba Inspire will be utilized to upgrade the Global Kitchen into a space where CHHA staff can interact, and prepare healthy food with clients, for clients, and the community.  Food prepared will be available for clients, Sober Rocks Health and Recovery Centre which includes Brandon’s first Sober Bar (currently under renovation), low-income families, and given to individuals and/or families staying in CHHA Emergency Homeless shelters. “The Global Kitchen is more than just preparing and providing food.  It provides opportunities for individuals to meet and develop new relations, share their heritage, cultures, experiences and help build understanding and acceptance between people of diverse backgrounds while increasing food security in our community,” said Stephanie Lockerby, CHHA Assistant Regional Manager. (submitted)

The Downtown Ambassador program was initially piloted in the summer of 2018 by BNRC and the City of Brandon. The goal of the program is to promote community engagement, safety, and social planning in the downtown area. The program aims to make a more safe and welcoming space for those who frequently work, shop, and live in the downtown area. This year the Downtown Ambassadors have continued to provide Brandon residents with free community programming in the downtown area, including yoga at noon on Tuesdays and a free Senior Coffee Hour at 10:00 am on Fridays in Princess Park. Along with their routine community programming, The Downtown Ambassadors set out to highlight the importance of shopping local and supporting downtown businesses during the Covid-19 response. The Ambassadors have partnered with 39 different downtown businesses to provide a free community rewards program for Brandon shoppers and visitors at downtown locations. The Stampin’ Around Downtown rewards program is a summer contest and giveaway draw. The official launch date is set for this August 4th, 2020 and the program will conclude on August 27, 2020. Weekly giveaways on the RosserAndAround social media accounts will promote downtown services and provide incentives for the public to buy local. The Grand Prize draw will take place on August 28th, 2020 at the Downtown Ambassadors’ End of Season Barbeque scheduled from12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Stanley Park. “With the impact Covid-19 has had on local business, the downtown community has taken quite the hit. We have already seen amazing local businesses close their doors. Now more-than-ever it is vital we begin to recognize and support local services - Treating them as essential before looking to the services of super chains and box stores.” – said Teague Luhr (Community Programmer) for the Downtown Ambassador Program. The Stampin’ Around Downtown program is a simple way to give back and support your local community. All participants must do is shop at participating locations and they are eligible to receive a stamp! Once you have a completed card, leave it with the business and you will be entered into the draw. Just look out for the Stampin’ Around Downtown logo posted at your favorite restaurants, retailers, and services.  You can also go online to the Rosserandaround Instagram and Facebook page for more details as well as a digital copy of our 2020 Stampin’ Around Downtown Map. Maps will also be made available for pick up in person at the BNRC’s office, which is located at 440 Rosser Avenue, Brandon, MB, R7B 0H7. (submitted)

For Tony and Gus Vasilarakis, the vision initially was to have Pizza Express move into a new building they had constructed at 402-10th Street. According to Tony, “We decided to keep Pizza Express doing what it is doing and stick to pick-ups and deliveries”. “So then we decided to look at turning the development into office space” added Tony. "We were approached by people looking for space to open a microbrewery and it was a good fit we feel for downtown Brandon...this will perhaps draw more attention and traffic to downtown." According to Tony this is a huge undertaking that should benefit the area greatly. "We're looking forward to working together as neighbors and as downtown businesses." No opening date has been released but the plans are to be open early 2021. Owners and investors names have not been disclosed at this time.

Hillbilly Hills Cookies, a Dunrea based business, offers unique and custom artful sugar cookies in many different styles. Owner Lori Bessant tells bdnmb.ca that she has been in business for 4.5 years. She started out by making cookies for friends and family after her son was born in 2016.  She found out shortly thereafter that she was so busy with cookies she was able to stay home and do this full time. Where does the business name come from, you ask? Lori's husband’s nickname is hillbilly and Hillbilly Hills is the name of their farm. Forbidden Flavours on 18th has been a huge supporter of her business since the beginning, and they are currently the only retail location in Brandon where the cookies are available. You can also place custom orders by visiting the company's Facebook page as delivery in Brandon can be arranged for Monday and Friday mornings.  Typically they are booking custom orders out 2-4 weeks however currently Hillbilly Hills Cookies is booked up until the middle of September. Most of their regulars have placed their orders for 2021 already.