Cleaning Supplies and Vacuums with Island Roots 

For over 28 years, Island Cleaning Supplies in Parksville has been providing reliable products and services to its Vancouver Island community. We caught up with co-owner, Tami Frankford, recently to find out why this family-run business has been such a success.

Building Strength by Focusing on Quality

Like most small and medium businesses that start from scratch, Frankford and her husband have experienced their fair share of challenges. “We were out of town when we got the call that our store was gutted by a fire. And this happened after we’d already managed the hectic business and community realities of the early pandemic. It was devastating news, but we knew we’d rebuild and we have. Our retail showroom in the old Sears building in Parksville looks better than ever now,” Frankford told us.

With over 40,000 residential and commercial cleaning products available, Island Cleaning Supplies has everything professionals need. Retail customers know they can trust the high-quality product selection that’s the go-to source for janitorial, commercial, and institutional customers —Island Cleaning is where the industry pros shop. By offering free delivery, on-site business quotations, and a service department for in-store or on-location equipment repair and installation, their expert staff and fleet of vehicles ensures every order is exactly what their customers need.

Everything Cleaning Under One Roof

“Early on, we determined that we were going to be a positive presence in our community. We are the only locally-owned janitorial supply company, and we have long-standing relationships with the best suppliers in our industry. We are the only place in town with expert vacuum knowledge and we have installers on staff who provide personal quotations, whether a vacuum installation is a new condo development or an older home’s retrofit,” Frankford said.

“Excellence in customer service and product quality are non-negotiables for us. We focus on BC and Canadian suppliers whenever we can, and we feature green cleaning products that really work. Our concentrates are eco-friendly, and they help reduce costs too. By buying from us, you get the cleaning products the professionals use — and you don’t pay for the unnecessary water content grocery-store products include.”

Community at the Heart of it All

Island Cleaning Supplies has deep roots in the community, supporting everything from janitorial industry associations to ‘buy-local’ business encouragement in Parksville and across Vancouver Island. Sponsoring youth sports and education initiatives are second-nature.  Community synergy between its local ownership and its customer base gives the business its strong and positive presence.

Plan to stop in at the 182 Harrison Avenue showroom and check out the latest in floor scrubbers, in-house vacuum systems, and eco-friendly products. As a one-stop shop for all your cleaning and facility management needs, you’ll find Island Cleaning Supplies’ friendly staff ready to help you save money while achieving the highest possible standards for cleaning and sanitization.

Oceanfront Vacation Bliss in our Backyard

When pandemic travel restrictions were at their height, Canada looked for the sweet spot to spend relaxing days, weeks, or months in the sunshine. Surfside RV Resort in Parksville was the perfect location. With classy RV park amenities and the friendly, neighbourly feel of a gated community, Canada came west.

Surfside RV Resort features a spectacular, 55-acre oceanfront layout to maximize the rewards of time spent with family and friends beachside. Clubhouse facilities, seaside pool and hot tub, tennis courts, pickleball — and the serenity of our Pacific Ocean beaches — the complete vacation package, right here in our backyard!

Come for a Weekend and Stay Forever

With over three hundred fully-serviced RV sites, Surfside RV Resort is a go-to destination for travellers heading to the pleasant climes of BC’s shoulder seasons, as well as snowbirds looking for a well-appointed resort for their Canadian summers. With mild winters sheltered on the east side of Vancouver Island’s beautiful shores, the health and wellness advantages of close proximity to nature offer a low-snow winter break.

For years, Surfside has enjoyed a steady, loyal clientele, many of whom have long-term membership status. We caught up with on-site manager, Shawn Bennett, recently and he explained that Vancouver Island neighbours might not know that the resort is open to the public as well. “Our members have committed to this place because they love it so much, but we have lots of ‘weekend warriors’ and shoulder-season ‘six-monthers’ who don’t need a membership to enjoy all the same amenities,” Bennett said.

Beach, Estuary, Panoramic Views, and Relaxation

Located at the bottom of Corfield Street, next to Parksville’s City Park, Bennett told us that often folks don’t realize the resort has so much to offer. “I wish more people would stop in to see us, maybe on their way to see the sand castles or when taking their grandkids to the playground. We love seeing the surprise when Parksville, Qualicum, and Nanaimo neighbours realize the comfortable, family-oriented oceanfront experience we offer so close to home.”

“We have view sites offering underground hookups, wifi access, phone/cable connectivity, reduced daily rates for longer stays, plus social activities and a relaxed, friendly feel. We’re a pleasant evening’s walk from downtown Parksville, meaning that shopping, restaurants, and coffee shops become part of the relaxing flow of a stay in our resort,” Bennett told us

Stop By and See the Beauty Next Door

For those with an RV, knowing there are 30 and 50 amp pull-through sites of a roomy 2,300 square feet and abundant coastal sunshine says it all. Local residents can leverage the benefits of a place to get-away and recharge, close-to-home — plan to stop in to say hello to the folks at Surfside RV Resort. Their gift shop is open business hours and you’ll come away amazed at this hidden jewel so close to downtown Parksville.

Independent Financial Advice with A Trusted Track Record

Vancouver Island is the paradise Canada dreams of retiring to. Many of us have chosen to raise our families here, with the benefits of natural beauty, excellent professional infrastructure, and a warm community feel. As family wealth increases over the years, finding holistic advice regarding everything from tax savings to insurance needs becomes essential.

Neighbourhood Feel for the Important Investments of Life

We spoke with Chris Mohr at his downtown Parksville IA Private Wealth office, to find out how community-minded investment works. After thirty years in Parksville and more than a decade helping to guide the team of financial professionals at the office, Mohr described the strong relationships built with a long-term view in mind.

“Most of our growth at IA Private Wealth’s location in Parksville comes from referrals. When we’re first contacted, it’s likely that the person has already pre-vetted us through someone who is an existing, long-term client. By growing our clients’ financial interests year in and year out, we’ve developed a reputation of trustworthiness, long-term focus, and a warm and informative approach,” Mohr explained.

“Typically, we don’t advertise and we try to demystify financial planning by steering clear of fancy jargon,” Mohr went on. “We know that RSPs, RRIFs, TFSAs, and other important choices are critical components of client investment portfolios. Our role is to know what’s recommended for each situation. We get to know our clients, so we can provide comprehensive and accurate advice. That’s our job. Successfully meeting long-term financial goals is the evidence that we’ve done our job well.”

Wealth Management, Insurance Coverage, Borrowing Advice

IA Private Wealth focuses on a six-step process to ensure that each of its licensed advisors have a client’s complete financial future considered. Family priorities, setting short and long-term goals, personal and holistic wealth planning for peace-of-mind, attentive implementation, and progressive monitoring are essential components to financial advice excellence.

Knowing that existing clients send their family and friends to the team at IA Private Wealth’s office – at 174 Morison Avenue in downtown Parksville – speaks to what Mohr calls the “family” aspect of their office’s approach. “We pick up the phone and hear, ‘My relative says you’re the people we need to see’ all the time.”

Peace-of-Mind for Life’s Important Investments

Stop in at the expanded office for a wealth management, estate planning, or insurance protection visit soon. The group of financial advisors will have a hot cup of coffee for you – plus strategic knowledge for your investment choices, financial risk mitigation, and market diversification questions.

Chances are you’ll recognize someone in the close-knit staff from hockey or curling – somewhere in the community, they are involved and growing the Parksville way, just like your family! A call today can lead to your peaceful financial future for decades to come.

Holistic Health & Wellness Resources Close to Home

Recently, the multi-disciplinary team of healthcare practitioners at Sustain Collective in Parksville gave their downtown location a fresh look to match their invigorating service offerings. With professionals spanning holistic wellness services – from massage therapy to effective alternative health services – Sustain Collective is a one-stop shop for making sure your youthful energy stays steady.

Parksville’s Prime Location for Massage Therapy Services

We spoke with lead clinician and the Collective’s director, Sarah Adams RMT, to find out more about Parksville’s cutting-edge massage therapy practice. “We’ve created a space that brings the benefits of clinical procedures inside an environment deeply encouraging for individualized patient support, whether for pain alleviation, increased mobility, or deep relaxation. Our patients find a welcoming healthcare space in the community where life’s stress points are relieved,” Adams told us.

“We know that our clients have a to-do list that keeps them running all day. When they enter our Sustain Collective space, it’s a time to focus on the importance of health and healing — a place where our patients feel they are taken care of,” Adams explained.

Footcare Nursing and Somatic Sound Healing Specialists

With an in-house Licensed Practical Nurse focused on patient foot health and a dedicated energetic somatic sound practitioner offering guided sessions, resilience and mobility are restored while one’s mind is set at ease. Canada is experiencing a concerning increase in social isolation, particularly among retirees. Finding trusted professionals who can take the stress of medical appointments and turn them into times of refreshment and renewed energy is a community jewel.

“We offer personal phone consultations regarding some of the direct billing paperwork we can take care of through extended health benefits. It’s surprising how many people don’t take full advantage of the medical benefits available to them every year, simply because the billing process seems daunting. In many cases, we can handle the paperwork for our clients, so they can focus on holistic wellness and optimal health,” Adams explained.

Holistic Focus with Individualized Care

Reach out to Sustain Collective to book an initial consultation today. Their warm and caring staff is ready to help you feel your best, regardless of your age or health concerns. Clinicians have flexible scheduling, including weekends and evenings, at their location at 175 Weld Street. Easy-access, free parking is available at the Parkade on McCarter Street. For mobility-restricted patients requiring nursing footcare, in-home visits can be arranged.

Stop in to see their fresh, soft look and begin your journey to holistic health. Sustain Collective provides a unique, safe, and aligned feeling — that special wrap of peacefulness and health that massage therapy (and adjacent wellness disciplines) evoke. Why wait? Book your first massage or reflexology session today. Find the oasis in downtown Parksville where science, soul, and positive energy meet.

Elegance Sculpting in Parksville, BC is home to the leading experts in medical aesthetics, cosmetic injections, shockwave therapy, traditional spa services, wellness programming and advanced lasers technology.

In 2017, Elegance Sculpting was born from Rachel Bentley’s desire to bring progressive laser technology to Parksville and Vancouver Island as a whole. And she’s done it. Elegance Sculpting offers over a hundred unique treatments, including the industry’s most advanced medical aesthetic treatments.

Over the last six years, Rachel has grown her spa from one room to a beauty and wellness headquarters; grown her team to partner with top professionals in health and beauty; and this is only the beginning. For those who know Rachel, she is always looking ahead to what’s next and plans on continuing to bring the best spa services to her community.

Janette, the manager of Bradley’s on Jensen, has expertly curated an ambiance that exudes safety and warmth within the local bistro. Since assuming her role in May 2023, Janette has cordially welcomed both regular patrons and those soon to become regulars, gracing them with her inviting smile and an enticing array of homemade treats, a delightful selection of daily coffee specials, and, most notably, her exceptional soups.

With a deep commitment to community support, Janette and her dedicated team infuse love into every dish they prepare and each cup of coffee they serve. Their mission is to fashion a secure and nurturing haven for all, beginning by cleansing the bistro’s energy with sage, ensuring the well-being of everyone who crosses the threshold. Baking commences promptly at 6:30 every morning, guaranteeing that your favourite pastry and coffee await your arrival.

For the month of November, the featured hot beverage is the White Chocolate Chai Latte, a heavenly choice to envelop you in warmth on a brisk autumn morning. Bradley’s on Jensen remains a sanctuary of comfort and culinary delight, lovingly crafted by Janette and her dedicated team.