Power & Beauty through Crystals

Parksville Downtown has a hidden expertise, a unique store for folks looking to explore the world of
crystals and stonework, spirituality and home spaces, rituals and healthy living. Crafty Crystals, across
from Scotia Bank, offers a wide selection of personal use and gift items exploring mineral elements and
their artistry — a treasure-trove of nature’s beauty.

Health & Wellness in Serenity & Sanctuary

“We carry every option in crystals you can imagine,” owner, Cindy Clarke explained. “Crystals are
categorized by colour, veins, density, size, and post-extraction shaping. We have towers, cathedrals,
spheres, bowls, enhydros, bracelets, carvings, and raw crystals. Every crystal is different — sometimes
our customers are looking for energy and specific properties. But many of the items we carry are simply
perfect for enhancing a room and bringing out the perfect home décor mood.”

Crafty Crystals carries a wide variety of special gift items. From abstract paintings to art cards, jewelry,
wire tree sculptures, clay and crystal mushrooms, luminary beeswax bowls, soy wax candles and votives,
lapidary carvings — there’s always something new in-store. In the beginning, we started with live sales
on Esty and expanded to other social media platforms. Our customers still love our ‘Build a Basket’
online sales where we display our crystals and artwork,” Clarke said.

So Much More than Beautiful Home Decor

Crafty Crystals carries crystal grids, pendulums, tools for spiritual practices, altar items, dice, and
cauldrons. “Each crystal has its own purpose. Practitioners come to us because we have a large selection
of the best quality,” Clarke said. “Crystals can help with everyday life. They’re used in Reiki practices,
during meditation, sometimes for tactile healing procedures, or to wear as an expression of spiritual
health and tranquility.”

Plant-based items also have a unique place in establishing a healthy, holistic, and creative home
environment. Palo santo bundles can be used for their gentle, cedar-like scent in smudging ceremonies.
Soursop is used in bath bombs, deodorant, and other hand-crafted items, and it has a reputation for
augmenting the effectiveness of chemo and cancer treatments. Crafty Crystals specializes in local
artisans, handmade items, a relaxed shopping experience, and earthy vibes.

A Community Drawing Alongside You

Crafty Crystals is a treasure-house of art pieces and witchy wares, focused on supporting the Parksville
community and its diverse artisans. It’s a store where you can stop by to look at what’s new, chat about
the latest news in the crystal community around the world, catch up on the trends. Crafty Crystals is
where you can meet new friends and revel in the beauty of nature’s provision.

Plan to stop in today to see what’s new or look for Crafty Crystals on social media. Think of a friend who
could use a little bit of local artistry as a special gift this month, a way to say, “You’re treasured, you’re
unique, you’re cared for.” Find one-of-a-kind gift items and everyday home décor ideas right here in
Parksville Downtown.

Local Love, One Batch at a Time

Every community has a bakery at its centre. A place where the coffee’s on, the soup is hot, and
something sweet is calling your name. When there’s an office party or a birthday dinner at home, you
know bakery-freshness is essential, local and delicious. These are the tastes you remember, the ones
baked with at-home-style scratch goodness. Parksville Downtown has this special kind of place at the
Sweet Spot Bake Shop, just up the street from Parksville Park in Pioneer Plaza.

Cheesecake to Make You Swoon

Whitney Biden, owner, answers the phone and boxes cookies as we talk about how she came to own
the bakery. “I worked for the original owner, but she wasn’t able to continue with the rigors of daily
baking, so I took over operations. Everything was seamless, as the baton was passed to me and my
team. The original vision for the bakery stayed the same, so many local folks don’t realize what’s
changed behind-the-scenes these past couple of years. We’ve always been the place to find the real deal
in bake goods — cookies, pastries, cakes made with real butter and pure goodness,” Biden said.

“I love seeing the look on a customer’s face when they realize our butter tarts taste just like they
remember. Who doesn’t love getting a fresh-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookie? Our churro,
cinnamon bun, and New York cheesecakes are legendary, plus we have cookies ‘n creme, Turtles, and
other to-die-for cheesecake flavours. We’re old-school in our baking and our approach to customer
service. We really care. We know how to create the perfect bakery experience for our customers —
fresh goodness straight out of the oven, whether someone’s stopping mid-day for lunch, or bringing
dessert to a family gathering.”

Scratch Baking, Savory & Sweet

Sweet Spot has savory items, too, and enough space inside to tuck out of the weather and enjoy a
relaxing moment. “Nesvogs’ butcher in Nanaimo is where we get our top-quality meats — for fresh
sandwiches, delicious quiches, and our house-special sausage rolls. Our farmer’s sausage savory roll,
with in-house pickled jalapenos, cheese, ham, and proprietary tomato sauce is a consistent favourite.
Our baked goods are featured on the menus of local restaurants and coffeeshops in Parksville and
Nanoose — places like the Rocking Horse Pub, Coyotes Coffee, and the Pacific Brim Cafe,” Biden said.

Growing the Community Through Local Focus

Open Tuesday through Saturday, there’s soup ready for lunch with a savory roll, and chili simmering on
the weekends. Sweet Spot Bake Shop focuses on small batch baking so you’ll have that fresh-out-of-the-
oven experience. Enjoy cake that tastes like mom’s and cookies that take you back to visits at your
grandparents’ house — Sweet Spot has fresh goodness ready. Stop in regularly and follow the bakery on
social media — watch for their frequent draws and give-aways. Check out Sweet Spot specialty cookies
created for Parksville’s football team — or order some chocolate-dipped strawberries to surprise
someone special this weekend.

Income Tax Preparation Without Worry

If income taxes stress you, Parksville Downtown has an experienced, professional tax preparation firm you’ll want to know about. Whether you file every year, or you’ve let a few years slide by and need to catch up, Oceanside Taxes between Memorial and Harrison Avenues is ready to help out.

Knowledgeable and Friendly, Right in Parksville

Candi Hallstrom has decades of income tax preparation experience across Canada. When she relocated back to Vancouver Island to be closer to family, she brought a dedicated customer base from the Maritime provinces and other far-flung places. We asked Hallstrom about her passion for taxes during a recent visit.

“I can’t explain it, really. I just love sorting out people’s taxes and figuring out how to make sure everything is in good order for each person’s benefit. I love running a family business here in Parksville, and it’s been amazing to see three generations of us coming together to serve our community. Our clients know they are in safe hands, with a smooth, efficient, and confidential filing process for every tax year. We plan to be here for many years to come,” Hallstrom told us.

Catching Up is Easy with Expert Know-How

Hallstrom explained that many people don’t receive all of the benefits they are eligible for, because they’ve fallen behind in filing. “Most often, not knowing what to do or where to start causes folks to freeze. We prefer to meet with new clients, to understand their circumstances. Catch-up returns that feel impossible for a client are second-nature for us. It’s gratifying to see the relief on someone’s face as they realize their tax obligations can be taken care of in a stress-free way,” Hallstrom said.

Oceanside Taxes specializes in personal, corporate, and self-employment income taxes. The office is a member of the EFILE Association of Canada and is EFILE certified by the Canada Revenue Agency. When clients have bookkeeping needs, Oceanside has a short list of highly recommended local firms, so business tax filings can be coordinated with ease.

“We build relationships with our clients. We aren’t computers, although we have the efficiencies of the latest e-filing software. We care about our clients. We also offer tax services through local seniors’ residences in special circumstances, because we feel a responsibility to our community. Our preparers are non-judgmental, professional, and efficient. With first time filers, we can explain how the tax system works and what steps we will be taking to ensure accuracy,” Hallstrom explained.

Guaranteed Work, No Hidden Charges

Every return prepared by Oceanside Taxes comes with a quality guarantee. If your tax file receives audit attention, for any reason, Hallstrom and her team are with you throughout the process, free of charge. Oceanside Taxes is a proud Parksville Downtown business that gives back through positive community service. Look for their Canadian Forces Appreciation Discount for current and retired service members.

Get ahead this year and offload the stress to the local tax experts at Oceanside Taxes. Stop in today and begin to relax.

Flowers for the Things You Want to Say

When you send flowers, it’s true that care, intentionality, thoughtfulness, and artistry are the medium and the message. A floral arrangement perks up a room, brings joy to a loved one, speaks of appreciation and care, and creates precious memories. Parksville Downtown has a florist shop with nearly a quarter century of experience getting the colours, the presentation, and the delivery just right.

Flowers are Everyone’s Love Language

In 2001, Heather and Ron Taylor opened blossoms ‘n such in Parksville. Located on the Island Highway beside Scotia Bank, the shop offers contemporary floral arrangements, traditional displays, and customer-focused designs with expertise and flair.

“There’s always a touching reason to send your love and care to someone — and flowers are the most beautiful way to do it,” Heather told us when we spoke recently. “Of course, the best reason to pick up a fresh-cut bouquet or send a surprise delivery is — no reason at all! That’s when hearts melt. Our team looks to make every floral gift a statement of beauty, whether for someone special or to brighten your living space. We listen to our customers’ hopes and build a pleasing aesthetic. We love creating beauty — that’s our passion and our profession!”

Making Everyday a Valentine’s Day

Heather went on to explain, “Our customers love our ‘garden twist’ on contemporary designs. We use BC grown flowers and accents. Veronicas are a favourite for their splash of colour and regal stature, and we love the surprise when folks realize that the chrysanthemum family produces exquisitely beautiful Santinis, Dorias, and Green Kermits. They aren’t your great aunt’s boring mums anymore! It’s been fun seeing South American carnations, those long-lasting beauties, are making a new splash with antique colours that are gorgeous. They have huge heads with a rustic, garden feel. Paired with a bit of curly willow, contorted hazel, or Nandina bamboo — we have designs that are delightful and fit the occasion.”

blossoms ‘n such carries gift items and cards to pair with cut flower bouquets, custom arrangements, or their ample selection of house and office plants. World famous blown glass by local artist Ted Jolda, unique vases and baskets, or a box of Rogers’ Chocolates — there are many thoughtful ways to put that extra special touch on your gift for a family member, friend, or client.

Have Your Appreciation & Love Delivered

Plan your next delivery for someone special — a birthday or anniversary coming up this month or next. Roses, orchids, or something with West Coast feel — delivery is available from Bowser to Lantzville, from Coombs to Errington, Qualicum Beach and Nanoose Bay. Surprise your client, tell a loved one you are thinking of them — the best time for flowers is right now.

blossoms ‘n such is ready with 24-hour online ordering, or in-store advice Tuesday through Saturday. Stop by and browse the beauty this week — experience the store’s floral joy in their garden of color. Make a point of smelling the roses and lilies, right here in Parksville Downtown.

This Year is the Best Year for Your Tattoo Dream

Across from the Main Post Office on the East Island Highway, Parksville Tattoo is an art gallery for collectors, a candy-store for art-lovers, and a place for friends to hang out. Steeped in an old school tattoo shop vibe, these ink artists know that every tattoo has the power to change a life.

Plan Now & Enjoy Your Artistry for a Lifetime

“There’s a methodical process to getting a tattoo,” Colin Wiley, owner and tattooer, told us when we stopped by the shop to chat. “Our customers become friends. And we know that art, whether you hang it over the fireplace or craft a statement on your skin, is a deeply personal thing. As a tattoo artist, it’s essential that I spend time getting to know each client. Their design is going to form part of their self expression for life — we take our responsibility in the process seriously at Parksville Tattoo.”

Each ink artist has their own specialty. As a shop, Wiley explained the importance of the pre-ink consultation stages of the process.

“Everyone has toyed with the idea of getting a tattoo. Maybe it’s a larger canvas that needs carefully staged planning. But even a quick, smaller image requires careful thought. We meet with every client for a personal consultation before they decide how to go. Our consultations are complimentary. We want everyone to feel confident and relaxed. Enjoying the process of getting your tattoo, knowing your artist, loving how things look in the end — this is all central to what we do.”

Friends Alongside Taking the Plunge with You

Sometimes a tattoo needs updating, something called “a cover-up” in the industry. Or maybe old scars can be hidden with clever and creative artistry.

“We’ve been doing this for so long, we have a deep network through the Western Canadian and Vancouver Island tattoo scene. If our shop isn’t ideal for a specific style or specialized situation, like mastectomy cover-up for example, we know just the artist to recommend. And those artists are trusting us with referrals too, because we’ve earned a place of respect in the industry,” Wiley explained.

“We have clients as old as 80 and as young as 18. We’ve been in Parksville for 7 years now — lots of our clients come back for additional or expanded designs. We love the spirit of true art and how our bodies are a canvas. It never gets old. That’s how we know we’re serving our art and our clients well.”

Deep Meaning & Art to Love Every Day in Parksville Downtown

Stop in and see some of the designs that might spur your next ink. Parksville Tattoo is a friendly place where you can drop by and let your imagination roam. Everything from a small flower or hummingbird, to a leg sleeve or shoulder — your tattoo will be as individual as you.

Protecting What we Love in Parksville

Located in the heart of Parksville Downtown, Westland Insurance is a trusted Canadian brokerage for all your personal and business insurance needs. Known for its customer centric approach to comprehensive coverage and advice, Westland has grown to be one of the largest independent Canadian-owned insurance brokerages.

Local Roots for Everyone’s Good

With insurance policies for personal and commercial needs, the staff at Westland have access to important resources that keep our community secure. We talked with Jennifer Hunter, Branch Manager at the Parksville location, recently. “Our purpose is to make sure our community is protected for whatever the future brings,” Hunter said. “We understand what’s important about comprehensive policy protection, and we’re able to provide our clients with peace of mind about their home, business,
vehicles, or the future security of their loved ones.”

In addition to personal insurance, including life, disability, and cyber protection, Westland provides specialized commercial services for property, equipment, digital risks, farm applications, and fleet vehicles. Free quotes without any obligation are offered to all, including businesses looking for employee benefit options and organizations needing directors’ coverage.

“We encourage people to look around, even after we’ve quoted, because we’re confident that our expertise, our Canada-wide networking strengths, and our professionalism will speak for themselves. When someone’s shopping for the reassurance our comprehensive coverage provides, we feel it’s essential that individuals or businesses should feel as confident about our services as we are,” Hunter explained.

Risk is Part of Life, Being Prepared is Essential

Westland Insurance prides itself on being a vital community partner, not only in the strength it provides to clients, but also in the investment they’ve made in Parksville. Support for the area’s annual Toy Drive and the Coldest Night of the Year initiative demonstrates their commitment. “It’s not just about
providing travel insurance when someone in Parksville goes away, home insurance for a new condo unit, or a boat policy discussion with someone who understands living in a seaside community. It’s about taking care of each other every day,” Hunter told us. “Being responsible about preparing for the unexpected is only half of the equation — caring for each other day-to-day is one of our core values as a company.”

An Advisory-Based Service for Everyone

With their office located centrally in Parksville Downtown near the community beach and Thrifty Foods, Westland has local insurance experts ready to serve. Clients enjoy the personal, high trust feeling of knowing their broker, who is also their neighbour.

If you’re wondering how to get connected, reaching out for vehicle insurance is an easy entry-point. From there, you can find out more about the adequacy of your family and business coverage. If you’re unsure that your policies are comprehensive, up-to-date, and underwritten by trustworthy insurers, Westland Insurance is ready to help with a customized insurance check-up.

Local Champions Covering the News You Need

The backbone of every community is its independent and informed press. While today’s media atmosphere can sometimes seem like a stream of confusing choices, Parksville Qualicum Beach (PQB) News stands tall with its community commitment to print and digital news distribution.

Undergirded by the Black Press Media network, PQB News is the area’s reliable source. With weekly print circulation of 16,000 copies and daily, real-time updates on regional, national, and international stories, PQB News is where Parksville finds everything its residents need to know.

Local News from Local Sources

Stopping in at the PQB News office in Parksville Downtown, it doesn’t take long to catch the spirit of championing what local residents want to see and read. “Each of the communities PQB News serves is unique and we strive to reflect each area’s diversity in the stories we tell,” Teresa Bird, publisher at PQB News, told us. “We have local news, community stories, arts, entertainment, sports, photo-journalism, and important information our readers rely on — in print, online, on social media, and through our e-newsletters.”

Bird added, “We are hyperlocal, focusing on our home communities first. When a local perspective is needed, we highlight the impact stories centered outside our region will have on our communities, whether the effects are coming from provincial, national, or even international events.”

Bandwidth for Specialty Interests, Too

We asked about the wide range of specific content available on the PQB News website. “We have lots going on, not just our news media content. People count on our obits for spreading the word in times of trouble, but they also go to our website for puzzles and contests. Not everyone knows about our special features, like our West Coast Traveller series,” Bird said.

“I think a lot of people appreciate the way you can flip through our website’s stories, just like a print newspaper. We make sure that stories we’re working on for the weekly print edition are covered on our website, as they’re developing. Our motto is ‘digital first’ and we know that our recipes, podcast links, and job postings are valuable for different segments of the local community. We want to have something for everyone, always up-to-date, relevant, and engaging,” Bird told us.

A Community Resource to Be Proud Of

It might be easy to take having a well-informed and engaged community for granted. Sometimes, a local treasure can be hiding in plain sight. Take a moment to consider what it means to have PQB News headquartered in Parksville Downtown — networked to more than 200 reporters at over 150 sister publications in communities across Western Canada and the US.

You can help to keep local journalism strong by signing up for an online subscription, following PQB News Live on Facebook, submitting a letter to the editor, or registering for their free e-newsletter. No matter how you access the local information you need, PQB News has you covered.

Navigating Financial Waters with Confidence

Retiring to Parksville is a dream for some. For others, our community offers a chance to enjoy the outdoors with a growing family. Finding expert financial advice that has a finger on the local pulse, while understanding the bigger picture, might seem like a tall order. In Parksville Downtown, OneOcean Wealth relocated to their new office space recently, so we stopped in to find out more.

Financial Security and Outcomes for Success

“Our area is seeing exciting growth,” Senior Investment Advisor, Niki Stanford, explained. “At OneOcean Wealth, we focus on our clients’ financial wellbeing 100% of the time. We go deep and get to know each client’s unique financial goals, then we get to work. Our results speak for themselves, and our clients keep referring more folks to us. We’re thrilled to expand alongside Parksville. This is our home, too.”

As the local division of Leede Financial Inc., OneOcean Wealth has been a Parksville investing hub for several years. Leede is a nationally accredited, 100% employee owned and operated investment management firm focusing on low overhead and no fuss attitudes. Leede Financial Inc. is a member of CIPF and is regulated by CIRO. Leede prides itself in having national and international investment reach, with a local feel. As OneOcean Wealth expands, they are an ideal umbrella for veteran financial advisors looking for a solid homebase for their clients.

Island Friendliness with Broad Reach

Stanford explained further, “OneOcean Wealth isn’t owned by a bank, insurance company, or offshore interest. Because we don’t have corporate pressures pushing us to maximize our own revenues, we can focus on serving our clients’ interests as our top priority.”

“Our clients are looking for retirement planning, cash flow management with tax efficient strategies, legacy and trust advice. We listen to individual desires for values-based investments, risk sensitivity, integration with business interests such as IPOs, and accredited investor opportunities. We can provide hands-free investment management, or higher frequency investor contact. Every client has different and legitimate expectations for their financial security, and we know how to put the pieces together for success. Our focus is to provide excellent service for our clients’ maximum benefit. We’re down-to-earth about getting down-to-business.”

OneOcean Wealth was named for the interconnected nature of local environments to individual wellbeing, with the overlay of national and international market knowledge. While they have expert capacity for investors with complex corporate financial portfolios, the majority of their clients are individuals, families, and business owners looking for expert knowledge, market access, financial security, and impeccable integrity.

Confident Financial Planning for Your Future

Stop by OneOcean Wealth’s new Parksville office, have a coffee, and meet their friendly staff. Ask about financial advice for short and long term investments, stocks and bonds, RRSPs and TFSAs, insurance solutions, or tax efficiency strategies. If you’ve thought about setting up a family legacy foundation or endowment fund, OneOcean Wealth’s advisors know exactly how to make your vision a reality. Give yourself financial peace-of-mind with a tailored investment approach this year.

Style and Elegance in Women’s Fashion

There’s a feeling you get when you put on that new outfit and step out with confidence for your day. For thirty years and counting, Close to You Fashion Boutique has been helping Parksville’s women feel their best, while working together to make sure the community is strong.

A Warm Touch With a Talent for Connection

Dropping in to Close to You’s location in Corfield Plaza, across from Thrifty’s Foods, we found owner Sandy Herle and her staff hard at work getting ready for their weekly, live-stream fashion show. 

“We host a Women & Wine Wednesday fashion show every week. It’s so much fun. We have staff who model for us and a couple of our regular customers, as well. The shows are streamed live on Facebook and through our YouTube Channel. It’s a great way to see what’s hot and what’s coming,” Herle said.

“We have long-standing, trusted relationships with key designers across Canada and globally. Joseph Ribkoff’s beautiful blouses, slacks, jackets, and evening dresses are some of our most popular styles. We’re always looking for that splash of colour that pairs well. Classy looks, but also a lot of freshness. We have everything from beach wear to shoes and lingerie. If you wear it, we have it.”

Customers Who Become Friends

We asked Herle about her community reputation, built through her boutique management and an early-2000s stint as Parksville’s mayor. “Nothing is as important to me as serving people well. I know ‘good service’ is such an overused term, and it’s hard to find. With our amazing team, we take service excellence very seriously. Finding the right swimsuit or a bra that fits after a mastectomy — those are the times when a woman wants someone who knows exactly which item of clothing will bring out her vibrancy. We’re always looking to help our customers look and feel their very best.”

“It’s our boutique’s motto that we give back, to our customers and to our community. We have great events for women to come and enjoy, plus heads-up specials and coupons through our e-newsletter. We support several Vancouver Island and Parksville charities that focus on helping women through the tough times of life, including the Society of Organized Service (SOS) and the 100 Women Who Care movement,” Herle told us.

Find Out What’s Hot for Next Season

Close to You Fashion Boutique has its finger on the pulse of what’s coming next through the designers you love. By keeping track of the pieces already in your wardrobe, their team can help you find that next hot item that will make your season sparkle.

Stop in this week to see what’s new or check out Close to You online and find out how easy their website shopping experience is. Plan to attend a Wednesday fashion show, in-person or online, to see what your girlfriends at the boutique have brought into town, to keep you looking marvelous. 

A Community Hardware Store at Work

Whether you’re fixing a dripping bathroom faucet or upping your game with a new BBQ for summer backyard parties, your community hardware store provides a supply chain anchor. To succeed, our plans and projects — big and small — rely on having the right items, exactly when we need them. 

In Parksville downtown, Home Hardware has been a trusted part of the local business community for decades. Community residents rely on the vast inventory accessible through Parksville Home Hardware’s links to regional distribution centres and national supply logistics. Getting what you need, right where you are, has been Home Hardware’s Canadian success story for 60 years.

Home Improvement Supplies & New Garden Furniture, Too

We stopped by to talk to Bill Ormiston, owner of Parksville Home Hardware, across from The Beach Club. “We’re the biggest little hardware store on Vancouver Island,” Ormiston said. “If we don’t have what you need on our shelves already, we’ll get it for you quickly. We tap into the Home Hardware regional distribution centre weekly, so our customers know that they can get great quality and selection right here in Parksville — that new bathtub, ride-on mower, or the perfect patio furniture set for summer backyard fun. We offer free assembly of items like BBQs for our customers — we want excellent customer service to be the hallmark of each visit to our store.”

Ormiston went on, “We’ve built a core team over many years. We’re proud of the way our staff serves our customers. Several of our staff members have been with us over a decade. We greet long-time customers by name, as they return frequently for the quality and selection they trust, right here in Parksville. One of the best parts about being so central to the Parksville community is that we get to meet new folks every day!”

Friendliness with a Special Niche, Too

“We carry wine and beer brewing supplies in our store, and this sets us apart a bit. We love being able to support our Parksville neighbours as they create homes and businesses with everything they need for family comfort, office functionality, and leisure-time fun,” Ormiston said.

A Family Business Ensuring Hometown Goodness

Parksville Home Hardware is a multi-generational family affair. As the story goes, Ormiston and his wife, Carol, first met — you guessed it — in the store! Every year, the store gives back to the community through sponsorship of the area’s famous Beach Festival and Sandcastle Sculpting. 

Whether you need a new cordless drill, paint to brighten inside or out, a new kettle in the kitchen, or a BBQ for your deck — Parksville Home Hardware has you covered. Stop in this week, to check out the new items in-store. And bring your next home project idea along, too. Let your local hardware store experts help to make your dreams become reality.