Opening a business in Victoria is now harder than it ever has been before.
Overhead for restaurants has reached an all-time high due to rising commercial rent costs, rising labour costs so staff can earn a decent wage and food prices skyrocketing even through wholesale distribution.
That being said, despite the number of spots that have had to close their doors for good over the last year, several daring entrepreneurs have bet on themselves and launched truly unique businesses.
These are just a handful of the new and independent businesses that have emerged in Greater Victoria in 2023, adding to the rich tapestry that makes up this city’s diversity.
Let’s make sure they don’t have to close their doors like some entrepreneurs have unfortunately had to this past year.
Here are 10 new businesses to continue supporting through 2024 as they establish their footing:
Shuck Taylor’s
They specialize in all things seafood, especially oysters.
From the mind behind the Wandering Mollusk oyster shucking cart which would be frequently set up on the Whistle Buoy Brewing Co. patio, Jess Taylor.
Taylor finally found a space that would work for him to open Shuck Taylor’s over the last year in the old Shine Cafe on the corner of Blanshard Street and Johnson Street.
He moved in and expanded his menu to include seafood delicacies from every coast, including the must-try lobster roll.
- Where: 1324 Blanshard Street
- When: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Little Plant Shop
This Edmonton-expat, horticulturist, husband and wife duo have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all things plants like no other.
Little Plant Shop opened late in the year, just at the end of October, but have since seen more and more people coming through their doors with every passing weekend.
They specialize in ethical sourcing and carnivorous plants.
Little Plant Shop also carries all kinds of cute stickers, pins, planters and trinkets that are all plant-adjacent and extremely cute.
Be sure to give their friendly golden retriever a pat on the head when you pop by and tell your friends about this downtown gem of a plant shop.
- Where: 613 Johnson Street
- When:
- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends
- 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays
- Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Atelier
With the goal of opening a restaurant on the Saanich Peninsula that utilized a plethora of hyper-local ingredients, Atelier was born.
They have a refined cocktail menu, a wine list that is approachable but is sure to expand anyone’s palette and a food menu that is like no other in Sidney.
Join them for lunch or dinner through the week and be sure to stop by for their Sunday roast which will get you a three course meal with a wide-array of accompaniments for only $50 per person.
- Where: 9804 Fifth Street, Sidney
- When: Hours vary daily, check online.
Warm Gift Shop
Everything you could ever want to give or receive as a gift lives at the superbly curated Warm Gift Shop in Esquimalt.
They have books, mugs, stationary and more—all of which have been carefully sourced from all over Canada and the world and cannot be found nearly anywhere else in town.
Warm Gift Shop also features a pantry section which is heaven on earth for the chef of any household.
Fun condiments to experiment with, coffee that can’t be found anywhere else in town and ingredients meant to elevate anyones’ cooking can be found here.
- Where: 890B Esquimalt Road
- When: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday to Monday
Tombo Pop-Up
Tombo is the latest project from local, prolific chef Tom Moore.
He remains co-owner of Crust Bakery, but has wanted to branch out and start from scratch for a while now. Tombo is what he has been dreaming of.
Moore is opening Tombo Eats in the old Agrius and Fol Epi space, and was hoping to open in 2023, but unfortunately ran into some hurdles along the way.
So, instead of being a poor sport about the situation, he opted to find a temporary space and open up a pop-up shop to sell a limited amount of premade items from what will be on Tombo Eats’ full menu.
Stop by the pop-up for a croissant cube or some other mind-boggling dessert, grab a cup of coffee and a sandwich or salad and keep an eye out for the real Tombo, which will be opening its doors in early 2024.
- Where:
- Pop-Up – 1219 Government Street
- Tombo Eats – 732 Yates Street
- When:
- Pop-Up – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or sold out
Doughnut Vault
These circles of fried dough have been regarded as the finest doughnuts in the city ever since they launched.
Doughnut Vault was started by a Vancouverite welder who was a perfectionist and had a passion for baking.
He would sell his doughnuts to tradesmen on his work sites, but soon found he had his plate too full and was baking long into the night to fill the orders he had taken.
He decided he loved baking more than his day job so he blew up his life, moved to the island and started making doughnuts daily.
You can order a half-dozen of always-changing flavoured doughnuts through his Instagram page or find one of these tasty treats at Habit Coffee.
Serena’s Pizza & Hoagies
This place is sandwich heaven and they have pizzas, salads as well as a spread of snacky items to boot.
A true hoagie spot did not exist in Victoria until recently—Serena’s Pizza & Hoagies opened at the end of October in the old La Taqueria location on Fort Street.
There were a ton of sandwich spots, all of which make great food in a well put together package, but Serena’s is built differently.
Their sandwiches can easily get you through two meals in a day alone and are made to ooey-gooey perfection.
Not many places in town have a Plilly cheesesteak that can compare.
- Where: 766 Fort Street
- When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Epic Games
On the corner of Hillside Street and Blanshard Street, this place is heaven on earth for gamers old and young.
Epic Games not only stocks the newest games at the same cost as chain retailers have them, they also have a vast selection of games for Nintendo 64, Game Boy, Sega Genesis and any other vintage gaming system.
Not only that, but they have an arcade section in their newly-opened location where you can drop a few bucks and feel like you are in a 1980s arcade.
- Where: 770A Hillside Avenue
- When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
Kitchen Story
Food-lovers of Langford got dealt a winning hand this past year.
One place that is brand new and deserving of all the business they get is Kitchen Story.
They blend two essential Asian cuisines in the perfect, most satisfying way possible—sushi and Korean fried chicken.
Make sure to add a “street dog” to your next order if you know what’s good for you.
- Where: 2945 Jacklin Road
- When: 11 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. daily
Kappo Marta
For lovers of Japanese cuisine who are not in Langford, there is a new spot for you in Fernwood to check out.
What was a nice, cozy coffee shop along Bay Street called Marta, has now been dubbed Kappo Marta and they specialize in modern Japanese cuisine like no other.
Presentation is immaculate, the quality of ingredients is second to none and it is quite approachable, cost-wise.
This is the perfect place for a date or a business lunch, make sure to support this new spot in the new year!
- Where: 1600 Bay Street
- When: Hours vary daily, check online
That’s just 10 of many new businesses that deserve all the support they can get this coming year!
Did we miss any of your favourite new spots? Let us know in the comments if we did!
