Sidney council has voted in favour of setting up an an economic development commission, recommended by the Mayor’s Downtown Revitalization Task Force. The commission will have nine voting members. The Sidney Business Improvement Area Society, Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and West Sidney Industrial Group will each be invited to nominate potential candidates from their memberships and Sidney will advertise for members at large. The town will be advertising and interviewing to fill the positions in late August with a goal of having the commission in operation by October.
Barbers open new shops
Rolf Moosman has acquired the barbershop at 1516 Cook St. from Dennis Olson, who operated the business for 23 years. The shop has been in operation for nearly half a century and Moosman has extensively renovated the space. He was formerly with Cliff’s Barbershop. Rolf’s Cook Street Barbershop has three chairs and includes Martin Lennik, who cuts hair and offers hot-towel, straight-razor shaves. It’s open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. An open house is being held Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. with wine and cheese and live music. Call 250-383-6035.
• Brothers Barbershop is a new business at 770 Fort St., between Douglas and Blanshard streets, operated by Vic and Art Gashi. The brothers served clients for 16 years at Jimmy’s Barbershop. Their new place is open Monday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call 250-590-3949.
Baker’s back
Joe Power is back at the Italian Bakery on Quadra Street. He initially joined the Sidney location in 2001 and later worked at the Quadra Street site expanding his expertise in chocolate tempering, folded pastry doughs and sweet breads. Power took a break from baking in 2009, returning to the trade a year-and-a-half later as a bread maker for Bubby Rose’s Bakery. With the reopening of the Italian Bakery after a fire, Power is back overseeing bread-production with a focus on the bakery’s line of naturally leavened doughs.
On the move
Buddies Toys has opened at 1831 Oak Bay Ave., relocating from its long-time location in Estevan Village. The Buddies store in Sidney remains at its Beacon Avenue location.
