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DUNCAN JPL Custom Homes has been known for high quality work for more than four decades
Vancouver Island
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AGS
MARCH 2015
Copiers & Printers
Hilltop Professional Building is all in the family
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NANAIMO Johnston, Johnston and Associates is now one of the largest Certified General Accountant firms north of Victoria
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Duncan dentist builds commercial/residential building
D
UNCAN –Real estate runs in the Meiner family, so it’s not surprising that dentist Dr. Eric Meiner has added development to his resume by constructing Duncan’s newest commercial/residential project, the Hilltop Professional Building at 371 Brae Road. While Eric is building great smiles and healthy teeth, his mom and brother are involved in the world of real estate. Debbie Meiner, one of the Cowichan Valley’s most successful realtors and head of The Meiner Team at Re/MAX Duncan-Mill Bay that includes her other son, Darren Meiner, is selling the units in Hilltop, and provided input to Dr. Meiner during the construction phase. When asked why he decided to venture into developing Dr. Meiner replied: “Real estate and development has always been in the family with my mom’s business. I have been interested
in development for some time so when my lease was coming up and it was time for my dental practice to move and expand, it was natural to develop a new space in a great location that would meet our long-term needs.” Having the right people for the right job is what made all the difference for Dr. Meiner, whose vision for building was to createa functional and enjoyable workspace while making people feel comfortable even during potentially uncomfortable situations. “We have commercial space on the first floor, our clinic and a denturist office on the second floor, and residential units on the third floor,” he says, adding the building features plenty of big windows and is close to downtown Duncan. The building is modern, but not over the top, he notes. SEE HILLTOP PROFESSIONAL | PAGE 12
Dr. Eric Meiner in front of Hilltop Professional Building
Tree Island Gourmet Yogurt is a real treat Owners use traditional methods to produce an exceptional product BY GOODY NIOSI
C
OU RT ENAY - Tree Island Gourmet Yogurt in Courtenay isn’t trying to create a brand new type of yogurt; rather, it’s looking back at yogurt’s history in the Mediterranean and in the Far East and taking it back to its roots. Merissa Myles, who founded the company with her husband, Scott
Diguistini, explained that Tree Island is a small batch producer that makes yogurt from fresh, whole milk. It uses no skim milk powder and no artificial thickeners. It sources its milk locally: milk that contains no antibiotics and no growth hormones. “We’re proud to support BC dairy farmers,” Myles said. The couple launched Tree Island in January 2013; since then
the family-run business has f lourished. Family members distribute the product to over 75 independent grocers on Vancouver Island and in Vancouver including to Country Grocer, Whole Foods and Choices Markets. Tree Island yogurt is also available at farmers’ markets on the island, notably the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market and the Moss Street Market in Victoria.
It w a s a t r ip to F ra n c e i n 2010 that inspired Tree Island Gou rmet Yog u rt. Myles a nd her husband, who has a PhD in microbiology, were dazzled by the local yogurt that was simply made with fresh, whole milk and live cultures. “It was amazing,” Myles said. “It tasted so fresh, light and SEE TREE ISLAND GOURMET | PAGE 23