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FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2025
Discover OAK BAY
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Beaches • Boutique Shops • Galleries Food & Wine • Accommodations
What’s new at The Old Farm Market? Discover the Latest Exciting Updates!
100 % LOCAL, CANADIAN, HANDMADE GIFTS AT SIDE STREET STUDIO!
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t The Old Farm Market, we want to be a source of information, resources, and transparency. These are uncertain times. Canadians are united and are putting their money where their mouths are, buying locally and supporting our local economy. Customers have given grocery stores a mandate to source locally and abroad, avoiding U.S. product wherever possible. These tariffs coming during winter only exacerbate the issue, as our growing season in B.C. hadn’t started yet and we had been heavily reliant on the U.S. to supply many of our produce items. However, we have diversified our buying practices to prioritize local first, and then Mexican and Non-USA produce whenever it is available, and affordable.
During the winter, our access to local produce is very minimal. We grow hardy root vegetables, cabbages, squash, and potatoes, but not a lot else. Thankfully, over the years, growers have been investing in winter greenhouses to supply us with B.C. cucumbers and tomatoes year-round, and within the next year or two, we will have consistent access to a decent supply of locally grown cucumbers, tomatoes, and more, throughout the winter season. Unfortunately, we are left to rely on the U.S.A. for many items that we simple can’t grow locally, and other big box stores buy up all the extra offshore supplies and leave little left on the market for everybody else. With demand skyrocketing for Mexican produce, prices are poised to follow suit, while demand and
pricing on U.S. produce will plummet. We have created a page on our website to provide continual updates on the tariff situation as they unfold. There is also a seasonal chart to show when products become available in BC over the course of our growing season. Any major tariff updates will be reflected on our website, and we will also be sending out newsletters with updates as they happen. Visit www.theoldfarmmarket.ca to visit our tariff page and to sign up for our email list. At The Old Farm Market, we are committed to providing great quality produce at the lowest prices, while buying as local as seasonally possible. Thank you for supporting local!
BARCLAY’S FINE JEWELLERS UNVEILS EXCLUSIVE BRIDAL SHOWROOM
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arclay’s Fine Jewellers has expanded its Oak Bay location with a newly renovated, private bridal showroom. Designed for an intimate and personalized experience, the upstairs space is available by appointment only, offering couples the perfect setting to select their engagement and wedding bands. The showroom exclusively
features CrownRing’s luxury collections, including Noam Carver, Carlex, and Bleu Royale— renowned for their heirloomquality craftsmanship and premium thickness. Each ring is fully customizable, allowing couples to create a design that reflects their unique love story. Barclay’s also offers both natural and lab-grown diamonds, along with the ability to repurpose
family heirloom stones into new, meaningful designs. With a legacy of excellence, Barclay’s Fine Jewellers continues to be Victoria’s premier destination for timeless, highquality bridal jewelry. Experience the artistry and elegance of their new showroom by booking an appointment today at www.barclaysjewellers.com or by texting/calling 250-592-1100.
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ide Street Studio represents over 130 local British Columbia Artists and Makers and their handmade work. This year we celebrate 41 years since the business opened having represented almost 700 hundred BC Artists and Makers during that time. Our selection instore and online includes: a diverse range of Jewelry designers, Functional and Decorative Pottery, Wooden Bowls, Charcuterie Boards, Cutting Boards, Jewelry Boxes, Wood Art, Hanging Glass, Functional Glass, Small Works, Tea Towels, Silk Scarves, Macramé, Baby Onesies, Textiles, Glass Sculptures, Gift Cards, Prints, Stickers, Postcards, Photography, Metalwork, Natural Soaps, Bath Salts, Lavender, Candles and much more. Our website is extensive and we regularly ship all over North
America. Our amazing artists are the heart of the Studio and I believe that in knowing them personally and sharing their creative process we create connections between their work and our customers. Whether it is a beautiful sea glass necklace, an Arbutus salad bowl or a woven kelp basket the artists’ work reflects the inspiration found in the incredible beauty of the West Coast of Canada. Every purchase made at Side Street Studio not only supports a small, independent, woman run business but a whole community of local BC Artists and Makers. By “Shopping Local” you really make a difference for all of us and we are so thankful for your ongoing support. See you soon! Jill Fitz Hirschbold