NOV 2023
Ladysmith Pharmasave's Sneh Parikh, Steve Wilkinson and Yagnefh Trivedi. Photo: Marina Sacht
Brianne Mactier, president of the Ladysmith Downtown Business Association. Photo: Marina Sacht
Back to Business Supporting Local Businesses Ladysmith Downtown Business Association’s vision is to “cultivate the heart of the community for a vibrant downtown where businesses work together to support each other and the community.” Some ways the LDBA supports local businesses is through various “shop local” campaign promotions and events in the community to encourage people to come downtown. Some of these initiatives in December include Old Time Christmas on December 8, with rides, late-night opening, candle making, photos with Gingy, and other fun events, and Jingle Bell Shop in December. Although there is far less turnover for new businesses in town, which shows how much the town has grown and the many more businesses to support as a town, Brianne Mactier, president of the LDBA, says that shopping locally is important. “This has been a hard year on everyone economically, with the hike of interest rates and inflation. People’s budgets have shrunk, and so have their spending.” Helping local business is in the family for Mactier, whose mother heads up the Ladysmith & District Chamber of Commerce as its president. “We communicate and work together well. It’s super fun being so involved in the community together, and we both have a common goal of serving this town well.”
Pharmasave Ladysmith’s Pharmasave has deep roots in this community. It was initially opened in 1981 by Chuck Perrin, a beloved community leader. Steve Wilkinson says that it is one of the oldest
Pharmasaves and one of the founding stores. Today, there are over 850 stores nationwide. The Ladysmith Pharmasave is a partnership between Wilkinson and pharmacists Sneh Parikh and Yagnefh Trivedi. Wilkinson took over the Ladysmith Pharmasave from Diana Childs in 2009. Before that, he worked as the front store manager. “Although part of a franchise, the stores are independently and locally owned, meaning profits stay here in the community,” he explains. Along with prescriptions, they offer a full-service cosmetics department, health and beauty products and services, vaccines, giftware, clothing and even a post office. Their recently launched e-commerce provides convenient online ordering. And if you can’t get out, there’s free local prescription delivery. Wilkinson, who grew up on the Island, says he is proud of the Ladysmith Pharmasave’s lengthy track record in serving the community. “I love it here,” he says with a smile.
Pacific Pearl Hygiene Clinic BY ELLY SMITH Just in behind the Ladysmith Library are a team of dynamo ladies making the smiles of Ladysmith even brighter. They have “that vibe” going on at the Pacific Pearl Dental Hygiene Clinic. When you meet Ricki Weissbach, you soon know that she is a people person who enjoys building friendly relationships with just about everyone … especially her patients! Ricki is a born-and-raised Okanagan gal and has been a registered dental hygienist since 2012. She honed her skills during the seven years she worked in a private dental practice in Fort St. John. Tapping into her acute sense of intuition and business savvy, she moved to Ladysmith and opened her clinic on First Avenue four years ago. Ricki is an independent hygiene practitioner and sets her own bar high in providing superior dental hygienist services to patients. Not only is the clinic beautifully furnished with a warm, inviting feel to it, but Ricki’s knowledge, explanations, suggestions and quality of care is appreciated by her clients, as proven by their comments on the clinic’s website. There are almost 100 five star google reviews to peruse if you are in doubt!
