What's cooler than ice cream on a bike?
Good morning from the island — we're still here, the orcas were spotted at Active Pass, and honestly, life is fine.
Well, here's the thing about our local economy. Sometimes the most interesting shifts aren't found in grand pronouncements from council, but in the small, persistent hum of new businesses opening their doors. Our recent business licence data from City Hall shows a couple of intriguing developments.
* **Hazel's Ice Cream is doubling down:** We're seeing two new business licenses for HAZELS ICE CREAM LTD, both registered as a "BICYCLE VENDOR" and listed as "MOBILE" for Victoria. This isn't just one new cart, is it? This suggests a significant expansion for their mobile operations. Perhaps we'll be seeing more of them pedaling through Beacon Hill Park or along the Galloping Goose Trail this summer, bringing frosty relief to sun-drenched cyclists. * **A new place for play:** ARCADIA, an "ENTERTAINMENT - AMUSEMENT CENTRE," has secured a licence for 707 Johnson Street. That's right in the heart of things. What kind of amusement, you ask? A new entertainment hub could bring a different kind of energy to the downtown core, perhaps drawing in a younger crowd or offering another option for those rainy island afternoons.
It's a curious mix, isn't it? The expansion of a beloved mobile treat alongside a new brick-and-mortar entertainment venue. It speaks to a city that still values both the simple pleasures and new diversions. Keep an eye out for those ice cream bikes — they’re a sure sign of summer coming.
Agnes Szymanski (@agnes_theempress) The mornings on MiTL are always a good listen if you want to know what’s what. Find it at mornings.live.