It has been a tough couple of years for businesses, but with community support many have thrived this year in Richmond.
Here are a few businesses in the city that have caught our attention:
Daruma
Tailoring to the late-night shoppers and snackers, a Japanese convenience store with opening hours as late as 12:30 a.m. has opened in Richmond. The owner of Daruma said the Japanese culture of late-night convenience stores inspired her to share Japanese snacks and ready-to-made Japanese bento boxes.
Fine Choice Foods
More than 70 jobs were created with the opening of Richmond’s Fine Choice Foods’ new manufacturing facility. Former B.C. Agriculture and Food Minister Lana Popham said the facility is an example of local food systems that act as a “critical economic driver” in a community and the province.
Unglued Foods
A Richmond-based online gluten-free food store opened in November this year. The mom-and-son duo opened Unglued Foods to make it easier for people with celiac disease, gluten intolerance and gluten sensitivity to shop for food safely and with ease.
Richmond’s Island Glass and Mirrors
Richmond’s Island Glass and Mirrors was inducted into the Richmond Chamber of Commerce’s Hall of Fame this year. The business has been around for more than 60 years and its managing partners announced the award goes to the “hundreds of loyal employees” over the years.
Versante Hotel
It’s one thing to be named new business of the year at the Richmond Business Excellence Awards, but Versante Hotel was also a finalist for Canada’s Best Restroom Contest in Canada. The hotel’s restroom competed against four other hotels for bragging rights of “developing and maintaining exceptional washrooms” with Cintas Canada’s award. The hotel opened in the summer of 2021.
