VibrantVictoria.ca

🔹Victoria’s first ‘Five Guys’ location coming to West Shore🔹 It’s been years in the making, and finally the first location of Five Guys Burgers and Fries is slated to open in the Capital Region. The chain is coming later this year to a new retail plaza at Royal Bay, on Producers Way and Ryder Hesjedal Way off Metchosin Road. The company intimated several years ago that it had set Victoria and Vancouver Island in its sights, but expansion to the Island took longer than planned.

🔹Hermann’s and View Street Social funding drive surpasses $450,000 goal in tentative pledges🔹 More than 2,100 people have pledged $453,180 as of 8AM Thursday morning to save Hermann’s Jazz Club and the View Street Social, which announced a wind down of their operations due to financial troubles. Just days ago, a fundraising website called Save Hermann’s and View Street Social established a $450,000 pledge goal. No money has changed hands yet, but that may now change as the goal has been reached, and pledges will start converting to bonafide donations, according to the site’s description. Hermann’s has been operating from its base in the 700-block of View Street for generations. The venue’s building was purchased by the City of Victoria as a means of supporting the local arts scene. This did not, however, enable the society that runs both venues to secure enough revenues to maintain operations.

🔹VicPD changing policies around Palestine protests, now 126 weeks in with over 10,000 police hours consumed🔹 This morning VicPD will be announcing how the department plans to deal with what have become weekly pro-Palestine protests in downtown Victoria, that have consumed more than 10,000 hours of police protection over a span of 126 weeks. The cost to provide policing for these protests is now estimated to be into the millions of dollars, paid for by municipal and provincial taxpayers. Below is a brief statement from VicPD ahead of this morning’s announcement: The Victoria Police Department (VicPD) is announcing a transition in its operational support for the Palestine marches, prioritizing officer wellness, and sustainable policing. VicPD has supported this protest for 126 consecutive weeks, requiring more than 10,000 hours of police resources. This decision allows VicPD to continue providing effective public safety while ensuring the long-term health of our workforce. VicPD Chief Constable Fiona Wilson, and Inspector Conor King, Officer in Charge of the Operational Planning Section, will be available to talk with the media about the decision, the impact on staffing and officer wellness, and VicPD’s commitment to respectful engagement, transparency, and upholding peaceful, lawful and safe protests.

Canadian hat maker and fashion retailer Tilley is opening a new store at downtown Victoria’s Market Square, along the 500-block of Johnson Street. Founded in 1980, Tilley has grown to become a world-renowned fashion brand. #yyj #yyjretail

What's in-store for downtown Victoria's condo market ahead of the spring buying season? A buyer's market means buyers have leverage, but what's actually going on, what does it mean if you're buying or selling? More: victoria.citified.ca/news/downtown-… #yyj #yyjhomes #yyjrealestate #yyjcondo

🔹International search for Victoria’s Royal BC Museum CEO lands on Victoria mayor’s spouse🔹 The life partner of Victoria mayor Marianne Alto has been named the new CEO of the Royal BC Museum, after a “rigorous international search,” the museum has announced. Allison Bond will start her new role this spring, after a lengthy career as a provincial bureaucrat. More from the RBCM: The board of directors of the Royal BC Museum has appointed Allison Bond as the institution’s chief executive officer following a rigorous international search. The board initiated the search with the assistance of PFM Executive Search, which attracted a diverse array of applicants from around the world. Bond brings more than two decades of executive leadership to the role, including serving as a deputy minister within the BC Government. Throughout her career she has led large, complex public organizations, guided major transformation initiatives, and built partnerships with Indigenous governments and communities. “After a comprehensive global search, the board is delighted to welcome Allison Bond as the next CEO of the Royal BC Museum,” said Stan Chung, PhD, board chair, Royal BC Museum. “Allison is the kind of leader who understands change in complex public organizations and builds the partnerships and trust-based relationships to move an organization forward. She is well positioned to work in partnership with BC First Nations and Indigenous communities and guide the museum through its next phase of renewal, with the opening of PARC Campus and operations of a two-campus institution.” Bond will oversee the Royal BC Museum operations and BC Archives, as well as the critical work underway with repatriation, DRIPA implementation, and PARC Campus, the archives, research, and collections building project in Colwood. “The Royal BC Museum is one of British Columbia’s most important cultural institutions,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “The Royal BC Museum board has selected a leader who brings strong experience and a commitment to public service, and I look forward to seeing the museum continue to grow as a trusted and inspiring place for all British Columbians under her leadership.” Bond will begin her role this spring. “I am honoured to join the Royal BC Museum and work alongside its dedicated staff, partners, and communities,” said Allison Bond. “The museum and archives hold the stories of this province and the diversity of the people who call it home. I look forward to working with the board, Indigenous partners, and communities throughout British Columbia as the museum continues to evolve.” The board extends its thanks to Royal BC Museum staff who contributed their perspectives during the recruitment process. The board also wishes to acknowledge the leadership of Ry Moran, former board chair, who served as interim chief executive officer during the transition period. The board is grateful for his service and commitment to the institution. Above all, the board wishes to thank the staff of the Royal BC Museum for their dedication during this period of transition. Their continued commitment to the museum’s mission has ensured the institution remains a trusted steward of British Columbia’s history and cultures. #yyj #bcpoli #yyjpoli

There is nothing standing in the way of local developers achieving large scale, complex developments in Victoria’s city centre. Missing middle and woodframe apartments will move the needle in Campbell River maybe, but Victoria needs to think much bigger to work its way out of its current issues. Regardless of what happens from here on out that’s in the proposal stream, downtown’s last two decades of development, and the next decade of construction, are almost exclusively at the hands of Toronto and Vancouver developers.

@VibrantVictoria @GordonRjag @CitifiedYYJ Sorry not buying it. These developers have deep pockets. Reliance is stinking rich. They are here because it is close to Vancouver. Let's support local, smaller developers who actually live here.

One of British Columbia's top developers says misguided government policies have driven up housing costs, degraded social spaces, and scared-off investment capital at a time when economies need it most. Via @CitifiedYYJ: victoria.citified.ca/news/townline-… #yyj #yyjhomes #yyjpoli #bcpoli

The tricky thing, is developers have their pick of cities, but also finite time and resources, so if they choose us over other places, we benefit. ‘Neighbour’ from Townline is the sort of catalyst that can change Pandora. We need more of that positive pressure, but Ilich worries the risks are getting too high, and unless something changes, capital will flow to other cities.

@GordonRjag @VibrantVictoria @CitifiedYYJ Sure but we have to take what he says with a grain of salt ... It is not our job to help him make money necessarily. These big time Vancouver developers are doing ok. This includes reliance developers.

…and it’s snowing in Langford now, on the morning of March 9th, 2026, according to this video from a Vibrant fan’s video from within a BC Transit bus. If you’re driving, take it slow out there. And be mindful of pedestrians. Also, please don’t share this video with your friends in Alberta. #yyj #victoriabc

🔹Snow re-arrives in Capital Region as a March surprise🔹 Not only are we waking up an hour earlier today, snowy conditions are going to make the AM commute more exciting! Snowfall is being reported in parts of the Capital Region, primarily in the Sooke area currently, with snowfall expected throughout the West Shore and Victoria’s core later this morning as precipitation shifts further east. This is what Highway 14 looks like currently in the Jordan River area. Snow is also falling along Highway 14/Sooke Road in the Sooke-Metchosin stretch. Drive safe, everyone. Remember, winter/snow-rated tires are mandatory to travel across the Malahat and west of Sooke on Highway 14. #yyj #victoriabc #sooke

🔹VicPD and city bylaw hub opens in 900-block of Pandora; another two planned for Victoria🔹 Victoria Police and City of Victoria bylaw officers have a new operational hub in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue. The ‘hub’ has opened in a newly completed rental tower’s ground floor retail frontage on Pandora Avenue, and provides police and bylaw officers with operational space, although it is not be accessible to the general public. Sources tell Vibrant the move will support a formal police and bylaw presence in a challenging downtown Victoria block. An additional two police hubs are planned for the City of Victoria, one in south downtown, and one in Burnside Gorge, reportedly. Victoria Police discontinued small community police stations some years ago, that had originated in the 1980s. The department has two precincts, one in Victoria and one in #Esquimalt, and currently has plans for up to three police hubs. What do you think of these policing hubs? Let us know in the comments below. #yyj

Victoria has bucked the trend once again in the real-estate domain, with prices remaining buoyant overall year-over-year in Feb, while rising significantly among single-family listings to a monthly avg of $1.38M. More: victoria.citified.ca/news/february-… #yyj #yyjhomes #yyjrealestate

Downtown Victoria's newest residential tower is leasing at a rapid rate, with 75% of its 119 suites rented since its leasing program began in early 2026. More via @CitifiedYYJ: victoria.citified.ca/news/75-lease-… #yyj #yyjrentals #yyjhomes #yyjrealestate

What are the drivers of Victoria's robust housing market, while the rest of the country continues to see challenges? Tony Zarsadias of talks with @RossMarshallCRE on #yyj's pre-sale & re-sale markets, and what's up for 2026: victoria.citified.ca/news/qa-with-r… #yyjre #yyjhomes #yyjrealestate

@JdFemerg Whoops. Wrong month.

Vancouver Island's grocery business will see new competition with the arrival of Sobeys-owned FreshCo, a discount grocer, with its first location proposed for Duncan's Somenos Marketplace. More: victoria.citified.ca/news/thrifty-f… #yyj #yyjrealestate #duncanbc #cowichan #yyjre #yyjretail

🔹Lighthouse Brewing to close after near 30-year run🔹 Esquimalt-based Lighthouse Brewing has announced its closure after 27 years in business. One of Victoria’s original and most well known micro-brewers has confirmed another brewer has acquired the rights to several of its beers and will continue brewing the products. The closure was brought on by a difficult year, following increasingly more challenging times for the industry. “Many external factors contributed to this decision,” said Ben Thomas, one of the owners. Thomas cited over-saturation of the craft beer market, along with overhead costs and changing drinking habits as key factors behind the closure. The Lighthouse brewery on Devonshire Road will remain open and pour beers at its tasting room until the end of January. More details will be released soon, Thomas said. #yyj #yyjbeer #craftbeer #bcbeer

🔹Two years ago to the day, this is what the region looked like🔹 Victoria’s winter weather can be all over the place. This is what Highway 14 looked like in Langford, exactly two years ago on January 18th, 2024. Environment Canada is forecasting a bit of a cool down in our region next week, with potential for precipitation, but the likelihood of snowfall in the city is slim. With Victoria’s mild, albeit wet fall and start to winter, do you think we’ll see snowy weather in Victoria before spring’s arrival? Let us know in the comments below.

🔹BC’s predictably destructive drug decriminalization saga comes to smouldering end🔹 Communities across BC held hostage for three years by an astoundingly ill-conceived drug decriminalization experiment will finally have the opportunity to restore some semblance of social order as the province turns its back on a predictably destructive, common sense-defying idea. Bad social policy - like warehousing addicts in low barrier housing facilities, propped up further on an even worse social policy of creating a ‘safe supply’ of drugs that reduced perception of danger and diverted hard drugs in large quantities to the general public, and finally culminating in a tone deaf decriminalization pilot project - has been a staggeringly diabolical plot in BC for years, and since January 31 of 2023 padded with ‘decrim,’ that will end not a moment too soon later this month. BC’s NDP government broke away from the rest of the country with the theory that decriminalization of small quantities of drug possession would eventually reduce drug use, and lead to better health outcomes for drug users and better outcomes for their communities. Health Canada agrees to allow the experiment for three years. The experiment was such a predictable failure, that the primary cited positive, and one based on perception, was fewer drug possession-related criminal charges. Otherwise, every negative outcome imaginable came to pass. Communities found themselves handcuffed by an open drug use free-for-all in parks, at transit stops, in public and private common areas of building grounds and facilities, and even inside hospitals, with police barred from doing much more than responding to violence or the most egregious of public drug use scenarios. Eventually, the government would move to restrict public spaces from drug use, like playgrounds and bus stops, alcoves and squares, sidewalks and parks. But the move would quickly prove to have little effect on improving overall outcomes, while gates, fences, barriers and surveillance systems would emerge to block or restrict the public from previously publicly accessible private spaces like mid-block walkways, private parklets and secondary building entrances. As BC plunged further and further into a drug-fuelled chaos, social services facilities were found to have toxic levels of drugs in the air, drug paraphernalia was being discarded in large volumes haphazardly, and flagrant drug use became a routine sight throughout BC’s cities and towns, and in particular, in busy urban areas where loitering was compounded with vapours of drug smoke as a defacto urban backdrop. Drug-addled disorder grew to be such a problem, that communities like Victoria announced funding to the tune of millions of dollars to tackle worsening scenes more proactively to stem the flow of city centre businesses, help bolster public safety and rebuild social trust in urban spaces. The efforts in Victoria ought to be invigorated by returning authority to police to better deal with individuals using drugs at random public locations and with relative abandon, but that too remains to be seen. For the time being, Victoria is hoping to sell other municipalities on the idea of establishing their own social service zones. Asked to opine on what positives the policy delivered, the Province on Wednesday could not produce a single example. Health Minister Josie Osborne only confirmed that her government had finally caught up to its own bewildered taxpayers, and would not be renewing the pilot’s extension with Health Canada. 📸 K. Cooper #bcpoli #yyjpoli #yyj