Nanaimo’s Merit Home Furniture store is having a summer-clearance sale and is offering great bargains to its customers.

Manager Bill Manhas said the sale runs until the end of July.

“People tend to do work around their homes and buy new furniture through the summer up until November because the weather is better for moving things around,” said Manhas, who started at the store in 1988 as a delivery person when he first arrived in Nanaimo from India, and rose through the ranks to become manager.

“We’ve already been busy with the sale and we hope that continues right until it ends in late July.”

Merit Home Furniture, Vancouver Island’s largest furniture chain, is a local, independently owned and operated family business with four stores on Vancouver Island; which include the Nanaimo location at 3230 Norwell Drive, and the others in Campbell River, Port Alberni and Duncan.

The Nanaimo store has thousands of products to choose from, whether kitchen and laundry appliances, living-room furniture, bedroom furniture, area rugs, lamps or mattresses.

“I love meeting and talking to people; it’s my hobby and why I’m still here after so many years,” Manhas said.

“This is the only job that I’ve had since I moved to Nanaimo, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

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Nanaimo’s Padfoot Animal Hospital is stepping up to the plate to help pet owners on Gabriola Island after the impending closure of Twin Cedars Veterinary Service, the island’s only vet service, this month, after 25 years of service.

Twin Cedars Veterinary Services owners Patricia Leather and Thomas Uhlig are retiring, and their two-year search for a successor for their clinic has been unsuccessful, which has raised the concerns of many pet owners on the island

Padfoot spokeswoman and veterinary assistant Chelsea Linfitt said Padfoot is hoping to help bridge the veterinary-care gap for Gabriola Island families and pets by bringing veterinary care directly to the island for at least one day on Aug. 16.

“The service is mainly for people with pets who can’t leave the island, for whatever reason,”

“We can only imagine how stressful it is for a lot of people there who have lost access to veterinary services. We’re not planning a permanent location on Gabriola Island because our practice in Nanaimo keeps us busy.”

Padfoot’s veterinary clinic will be held at Agi Hall, located at 465 South Rd., on Aug. 16, with appointments beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Advance booking is required by calling 250-741-2999 or online at www.padfootvet.ca.

Linfitt said if the one-day clinic is a success, Padfoot hopes to make the clinic a monthly event with a second date tentatively booked for Sept. 13.

Padfoot Animal Hospital’s location in Nanaimo is also open Monday to Friday for urgent care and veterinary needs at 1621 Townsite Rd.

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Back to Nature Acres, a farm located near Nanaimo Airport, is relocating across the country.

The farm, well known for its U-pick blueberry operation and its livestock, has been in operation for almost five years.

Celina Knuff, who co-owns the farm along with Nick Hamala, said in a post on the farm’s Facebook page that the partners have purchased a 50-acre farm in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia.

She said they are moving with their pets, livestock and citrus trees in September after the blueberry season is finished.

“This was not an easy decision, but it is the best decision for us and our future family as our current farm is leased land, and we are not generational farmers,” Knuff said.

“We are very excited for our next adventure, and we want to thank our customers, followers, family and friends for all of the support over the years, as your support has kept this farm going for these past few years and we can’t be more grateful.”

Knuff said she isn’t sure what is going to happen to the blueberry portion of the farm after they leave, so there is a chance that this year could be the last U-pick season on this farm.

“We don’t have enough room to haul all the animals we have on our farm so we will have chickens, pigs, ducks, geese, and other livestock for sale in the coming weeks as well as chicken coops, livestock equipment, incubators and other items for sale,” she said.

“We are both very excited to see what our future holds, and we look forward to seeing you all before we leave on our journey.”

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Keeks Pilates, a health studio, has announced it will be joining the growing oceanfront destination The Village at stlilnup by the end of 2026.

Co-founded by Kiera Sim and Kaitlyn Lee, Keeks Pilates is built around the idea that movement should feel welcoming.

The studio offers a mix of hot mat and reformer classes designed to challenge and restore in equal measure, with options suitable for a variety of experience levels.

“We’re so excited to welcome clients to Keeks Pilates, opening soon at The Village at stlilnup,” said Sim and Lee.

“From day one, our vision has been to create a space that feels welcoming, supportive, and easy to be part of. The Village at stlilnup is a place for gathering, connection, and community and we couldn’t imagine a better place to bring the Keeks Pilates vision to life.”

The Village at stlilnup, a 31,000-sq. ft. oceanfront market and community hub owned and operated by Snuneymuxw First Nation, now includes Blowers and Grafton, Coast Salish Canna, Harbour Chandler, Keeks Pilates, and Yolks restaurant.

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It might be early, but the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce is already inviting vendors to sign up for its Festive Market, to be held at the Nanaimo North Town Centre on Dec. 5-6.

“After the incredible success of our first-ever fall market and due to overwhelming demand from our vendors, members, and attendees, the Chamber of Commerce is excited to officially launch the Nanaimo Chamber Festive Market this December,” the chamber stated in its newsletter.

“Join us for a two-day indoor holiday shopping experience filled with local vendors, handcrafted gifts, seasonal décor, delicious treats, artisan products, festive entertainment, and community spirit.”

The chamber said that from unique handmade treasures and tasty eats to festive experiences for the whole family, this market is all about celebrating local businesses and bringing the community together during the most magical time of the year.

“Our fall market reminded us just how powerful community support can be with amazing vendors, packed aisles, smiling families, and an incredible atmosphere all weekend long,” the chamber said.

“We cannot wait to build on that momentum and create an even bigger festive experience this December.”

Vendors interested in setting up a booth at the Festive Market can find more information on the chamber’s website at https://nanaimochamber.bc.ca/.

robert.barron@nanaimobulletin.com

Nanaimo News Bulletin

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