Lynn’s Vitamin Gallery, located in Duncan’s Village Green Mall, has seen major changes recently.
The shop, which has been at its current location for more than 30 years, has had a major expansion and renovation, and has taken on a new manager, Deborah Light.
Light is originally from the United Kingdom, has lived in the Cowichan Valley for 18 years, and has 40 years experience in the health-food industry.
She started working at Lynn’s Vitamin Gallery part-time in November of last year and, because of her long experience in the industry, was hired as the store’s manager after the previous manager moved on in July.
Light said she has been working at the store during much of its expansion, which saw it grow approximately one-quarter in size.
She said Lynn’s Vitamin Gallery, which has been voted as the Best Vitamin/Health Food Store in the region for last three year in a row in the Cowichan Valley Citizen’s annual Best of the Valley awards, becomes increasingly popular all the time, so the owners saw an opportunity to expand the shop and offer more products to support the community’s health needs.
The store has long been known to have everything you need for your health and wellness goals, and believes in complementary medicine, where traditional and natural medicines both have a place in healing.
“There’s a huge demand here for our products, particularly among seniors, as more people are deciding to take more accountability for their health due to the increasing demands on our health-care system,” Light said.
“Prevention is the key. The expansion also allowed us to provide more support for families, and our selection for moms and children have grown.”
The expansion has also allowed more visibility for the store as the front entrance now faces Trunk Road and the busy pedestrian walkway in front of the mall.
“Our front entrance was in the side of the store, so that makes a big difference because a lot of foot traffic can see us now,” Light said.
“We encourage people to come in and see what we have to offer. We have five staff members, including myself, that collectively have more than 65 years of experience in this industry, so we’re the go-to people if you have any questions.”
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Duncan’s Summer Haus is hosting a Galentine’s Sip & Shop on Feb. 12 at the Whittome Building on Station Street.
Danielle Schmidt, the owner of Summer Haus, a tanning salon in the Whittome Building, said the event is based on Galentine’s Day, a day that celebrates women which is held each Feb. 12, two days before Valentine’s Day.
She said the event features a bar service and at least 12 local downtown businesses will have vendors set up on tables in the halls of the Whittome Building from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. so attendees can “sip and shop.”
“While the event is geared towards women, anyone can come to Galentine’s Sip & Shop,” Schmidt said.
“I got the idea from the last Sip & Shop that was held in December in downtown Duncan that went quite well, so I thought I’d try to make it bigger. So grab your besties, shop local, sip something cute, and celebrate Galentine’s in the heart of downtown.”
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Calista Phillips, a dancer from the Cowichan Valley, has completed her examination for full associate status with the London-based Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, one of the largest dance education organizations in the world.
Having tap danced since her childhood, Philips devoted the past two years to intensive preparation under the guidance of ISTD examiner and Fellow, Lorraine Blake, the owner and artistic director at Whippletree Junction’s Steps Ahead Dance.
Blake said she’s thrilled with Phillips’s accomplishment, and it heralds an exciting new phase in her teaching career.
Phillips is currently studying dance at the University of Victoria and continues to train with Blake.
“It’s great for the Cowichan Valley to have another qualified dance teacher,” Blake said.
“In my 40 years of teaching dance, only six of my students have reached this level of success, so it’s a pretty rare achievement.”
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In recognition of International Women’s Day, which is celebrated on March 8, the Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Area Society is inviting downtown businesses to nominate women who help strengthen downtown Duncan through their work, leadership, creativity, service, and community-building.
The DDBIA said this initiative celebrates the many ways women contribute to a strong and vibrant downtown.
“Nominees may include business owners, staff members, artists, volunteers, mentors, or those working quietly behind the scenes,” the DDBIA said.
“Contributions big and small matter, and nominators are encouraged to think broadly about who deserves recognition.”
Nominations are submitted through a short online form, and there is no limit to the number of women you may nominate.
“If several individuals come to mind, the DDBIA encourages you to nominate them all,” the business organization said.
“Selected nominees may be highlighted as part of the DDBIA’s International Women’s Day campaign across its communications and platforms.”
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The Cowichan District Hospital Foundation’s 2026 Champagne Dinner & Auction, a premier annual fundraiser presented by EllisDon, is scheduled for March 14 at Brentwood College, and organizers are looking for help from local businesses and organizations.
Since the Gala’s inception in 1989, it has remained the CDHF’s major fundraising event.
The 2025 gala raised approximately $340,000 in support of medical equipment for Cowichan.
Approximately 350 guests will bid through silent and live auctions during a fun filled evening at this year’s Dinner & Auction.
“Each year we receive fantastic donations of vacation and weekend getaways, dining and theatre excursions, golf packages, artwork, collectibles, jewelry, cash and many other diverse items,” the event organizers said.
Sponsorship opportunities are currently available for this flagship annual fundraising event, and businesses and organizations are encouraged to donate to the live or silent auctions.
“You’ll be supporting the healthcare that your staff, customers, and the whole community relies on,” the event organizers said.
“Sponsorship opportunities start at $1,000, and items or gift certificates of any size are gratefully welcomed.”
For more information, email info@cdhfoundation.ca or call 250-701-0399.
