Taking Stock: North Coast Business Scene -- October 2016

Food was the centre of attraction for the North Coast commercial scene for October, with new dining options opening or soon to be on the way in the spotlight for the month.

Along with the openings and launch plans, the prospect of more growth to come was also indicated in October. With a once popular east side pub perhaps ready for a rebirth and nibbles from a national pizza chain making for what may arrive as we move into 2017.

Store relocation's and closures also made for some of the shifting dynamic on the city's commercial heart on Third Avenue West, with the City of Prince Rupert also making news with its announcement of some upcoming information sessions related to the future of the city's commercial strip set to take place in November.

The City's business class got together in October for the annual Chamber of Commerce Fundraising gala, which took on the theme of East Meets West.

And for some of the members of that collective, November is offering a chance for wider exposure, as residents of the North Coast cast their votes for a trio of Prince Rupert businesses nominated for British Columbia Small Business Awards in a number of categories.

Some of our observations on the Commercial and economic scene in the region for October can be found below:

October

The month started off with the first signs of the arrival of a Pita Pit franchise for the city, with the area around Fifth Avenue and 2nd Avenue West set to become sandwich central for the North Coast. Pita Pit which will set up in the old CN/CP building across from Subway is currently working on renovations and hiring staff.

The prospect of the rebirth of a once popular neighbourhood pub also made news in September as a real estate deal was closed on the old Solly's property overlooking Seal Cove, with indications that the new owners will be looking to reopening the long shuttered establishment sometime in 2017.

MacCarthy GM's sales representatives received quite a bit more exposure to the community last month as the Northern View launched a new podcast with the staff members of the auto dealership hosting a twenty minute review of their favourite segments of the paper to go along with a number of commercials to showcase the Yellowhead centre dealership.

The future of Third Avenue West commercial area was also part of the discussion of October, with the City of Prince Rupert announcing some upcoming public information sessions related to planning for the area.

The dining options for Rupertites shifted once again last month, as the temptations of Thailand Aroy D opened its doors to diners in October with some new taste sensations to add to the diverse food scene in the city.
replaced the offerings of Malaysia on Third Avenue West. The

Local Lottery retailers saw an uptick in interest in the province's lottery options in October, as the British Columbia Lottery Corporation added a new lottery to the list of games of chance for residents of the North Coast to try out. With the BCLC the Daily Grand to the province last month, where three dollars could deliver 1,000 dollars a day for the rest of your life, or a lump sum if your personal math suggests that's the best option.

The Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Fundraising event in October, with the East Meets West Gala taking place at the North Coast Convention Centre.

With Christmas fast approaching, North Coast shoppers had their first glimpse of this year's Sear's Wish Book, an annual tradition for many a youngster, but one that takes on a slimmed down look this year with the catalogue significantly lighter than previous years.

As we've noted, the restaurant scene continues to shift with additions and subtractions and to add to the list of what could be, we find the Boston Pizza chain once again testing the waters for a Prince Rupert location, putting the city on its listings of franchise opportunities.

A local Prince Rupert children's store shifted it's anchorage in October, with Little Anchors setting up show at its new location at the corner of Fifth Street and 3rd Avenue West, a three block trek up 3rd that gave them a chance to host a Grand Re-opening day to welcome new and old customers to the bright new venue.

And as is the case for the city's commercial heart of Third Avenue West, one store opens and it seems another prepares to close. October provided notice that Carter's Jewellers will soon be making its exit from the Prince Rupert commercial sector, with a Store Closing Sale currently underway at the store's location in the 500 block of Third.

The month came to an end offering an opportunity for North Coast residents to make their votes count for three local businesses, as the BC Small Business Awards nominations listed the city's Good Times Games and Electronics, The Argosy and Wheelhouse Brewing Company as in the running as part of the competition.

You will be able to find the archive for Taking Stock as a part of our larger page dedicated to the commercial sector of the North Coast found here.

We imagine we probably have missed a few here or there, so if you know of a business having opened, or seen the Going out of business sign appear somewhere in the area, drop us a line at our email account of northcoastreviewpr@yahoo.ca

Or send us a short message through our twitter feed of @CharlesHays