Chronicle Since 1908
The
98¢ (plus HST)
Publications Mail Agreement No. 40010318
www.ladysmithchronicle.com
www.chemainuschronicle.com
Ladysmith’s Matt Grant P. 17 is now a Clipper
Serving Ladysmith, Chemainus and area
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Peter Richmond honoured P. 3
Business owners praise local feel of Old Tyme Christmas Nick Bekolay
than they would otherwise be on an average Friday night. “We had people lining up for Business was humming along tables,” she said. “It was probably above a usual pace last Friday night the same as the night of Light Up.” as holiday revellers descended on Jenny Jarvis at Worldly Gourmet downtown Ladysmith for An Old was equally enthusiastic regarding Tyme Christmas and Candlelight Old Tyme Christmas. Walk. “It was excellent,” Jarvis said. “It Carollers strolled along First was very cool, and I really enjoyed Avenue by candlelight, singing as it. I enjoyed how much energy went they made their way from Symonds into putting tonight on.” Street to Roberts Street. Shops Jarvis, like most business owners stayed open late, offering cocoa, in Ladysmith, said she stays open hot apple cider and crafting oppor- late solely on Thursday nights. She tunities to customers. doubted she would be able to keep The idea originated when the up the pace if Old Tyme Christmas Festival of Lights committee were expanded into a week-long came to a Ladysmith Downtown event, but she thought this year’s Business Association (LDBA) gen- trial was “fabulous.” eral meeting in the spring asking “Light Up can be overwhelming,” the association to do something Jarvis said, “because you don’t get special around the 25th anniversa- to say ‘Merry Christmas,’ you don’t ry of Light Up. The directors start- get to say ‘Hello;’ whereas, this was ed tossing around ideas and got more local. It’s a wall of faces at excited about roasting chestnuts Light Up; I couldn’t tell you if I had on an open fire, horse and buggy a neighbour come through or not. rides down First Avenue and lots Tonight was busy, but it was all of other old-tyme Christmas ideas, local people, everybody that you explained LDBA vice-president knew.” Teresa McKinley. Vanessa Shebib and Sarah Clarke When LDBA president Lesley of The Vintage Rose loved the idea Parent got Cathleen McMahon, of expanding Old Tyme Christmas who runs Mission Management beyond a lone Friday night in Group, on board, the ideas took off. December. “We knew that many businesses “We’ll be totally burnt out, but yes!” are run by owners without any Shebib said. staff, so we decided to start with They were equally fond of this one night,” said McKinley. “We are year’s inaugural event. hoping it may start a new tradition “We thought it was awesome,” of staying open late every Friday Shebib said. “It was very commubetween Light Up and Christmas.” nity-oriented. The whole street was The festive frenzy fueled people’s full of energy.” appetites. “It should be like this every Friday Kimmy Phan runs the Wigwam night,” Clarke added. Restaurant with her parents Danny Shebib said Old Tyme Christmas and Ninh. Kimmy said they weren’t was great for business, adding that open any later than usual, but she they had a “steady stream of people thought they were definitely busier all night long.” THE CHRONICLE
NICK BEKOLAY/CHRONICLE
Zahida Khader and Carol Van Acker, representatives of the Bank of Montreal, passed out candy canes to children as they entered Santa’s house during An Old Tyme Christmas and Candlelight Walk Fri, Dec. 7. For more photos from this and other Ladysmith Christmas events, please see page 12.
2 FOR 1 Sue Perrey 410A First Avenue, Ladysmith
Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year to you and yours. Thank you for your friendship, and your business during 2012.
Luke Kolk
250-245-1111
www.IslandHomeSales.com