Sitting down for a family meal at the café in K-Mart, shopping at Mariposa or Toys & Wheels, or even the waiting at the famed trolley stop.. these are just some of the memories we have of Westshore Town Centre!
Fondly remembered by by its original name, Canwest Mall, the shopping centre is celebrating a massive milestone this year—40 years in operation!
We’re so excited about celebrating this huge anniversary that we’ve partnered with Westshore Town Centre to give away a $250 gift card to one lucky winner—you’ll find those contest details below.
Though much has changed over the years, one thing has remained the same—Westshore Town Centre has remained a hub for friends and families alike to come together to shop, eat, and play!
We chatted with a few business owners who have been with WTC from the very beginning—Orange Julius, Quality Cobbler, and Romeo’s—who gave us some insight into what it’s been like being one of the original tenants:
Mark, Orange Julius
1. What’s your favourite memory of being at Westshore Town Centre over the past 40 years?
“Most memorable moments are raising my three girls in my business.
My youngest only being 4 years old at that time. Trained on the till at 5 years old, it was amazing, the customers could not believe what they were experiencing.
Building a wonderful group of loyal customers that have followed our family business for 40 years. Appreciate their dedicated loyalty more than they know.”
2. What makes Westshore Town Centre a great place for your business to be?
“My franchise business of 98 years has a proven record of producing a great product at a great price. The community is very appreciative of what I offer for all ages. At WTC it is really the centre of Langford a great place to be.”
3. After being in business for so long, what advice would you give to other business owners?
“Other business owners I’d stress to know your product or service inside out. You have to love what you produce and love what you do. Know your customers age group you’re trying to attract.
Try to greet, service and send off wanting more. See them once a week remember their face, see them twice a week learn their name and three times a week use their name you have a new friend.”
Nick, Romeos
1. What’s your favourite memory of being at Westshore Town Centre over the past 40 years?
“One of my favourite memories and our families is Santa Anonymous breakfast. All our families and friends would join in to celebrate this wonderful event. Our staff would volunteer with opened hearts. It was a great way to start the holiday season.”
2. What makes Westshore Town Centre a great place for your business to be?
“The location of our Romeo’s restaurant in Westshore mall has always been a welcoming and central location for all to see. The community are so supportive.”
3. After being in business for so long, what advice would you give to other business owners?
“The biggest advice we could give to other business coming in is to keep communication/current and opened with mall management.
Both Business and Management should have a scheduled questionnaire or meeting times lined up for current concerns.”
Chet, Quality Cobbler
1. What’s your favourite memory of being at Westshore Town Centre over the past 40 years?
“All the Halloween mall trick or treaters for over 30 years, great community feedback.”
2. What makes Westshore Town Centre a great place for your business to be?
“Traffic flow and ease of getting in and out.”
3. After being in business for so long, what advice would you give to other business owners?
“Location, location…do your research trust your instincts!”
CONTEST
To enter to win a $250 gift card to Westshore Town Centre, please do one or more of the following:
- LIKE Westshore Town Centre on Facebook, and comment below letting us know once you have (1 entry)
- FOLLOW Westshore Town Centre on Instagram, and comment below letting us know once you have (1 entry)
- SHARE this post on X and/or Threads, and comment below letting us know once you have (1 entry)
Contest entries will be accepted from time and date of publishing until 11:59 p.m. PST on Tuesday, September 3rd. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they enter within 24 hours of the contest closing. Good luck!
