The Times Colonist was formally added to the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s Business Hall of Fame on Tuesday, one of five business community leaders recognized at an event at the Fairmont Empress.
Also honoured were CHEK Media, the Yuen family of Fairway Market, heritage developer and philanthropist Michael Williams, who revitalized many of Victoria’s historic buildings, and architect Alan Lowe, the former mayor of Victoria.
Williams, who died in 2000, was inducted posthumously.
The hall of fame recognizes individuals, businesses and families who have shown “regional leadership, insightful vision, and a sustained and significant commitment to the prosperity of the region.”
ABOUT THE INDUCTEES
The Times Colonist, formed in 1980 from the merger of the Daily Colonist (founded in 1858) and the Victoria Times (founded in 1884), has documented the evolution of Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island.
The newspaper has a strong focus on local news alongside national and international coverage, as well as dedicated sections for arts, sports and business. It helps the community share ideas and information, and businesses reach buyers.
Today, the paper reaches a quarter of a million readers every week in Greater Victoria alone.
Its reach also extends deep into the community. For 70 years, the Times Colonist Christmas Fund has helped people in need, with more than $1 million distributed in 2023 alone. The Times Colonist has also been an advocate for literacy, and fuelled by its annual book sale has provided more than $7 million to libraries and literacy-related initiatives on Vancouver Island.
CHEK Media, established in 1956 as the province’s first commercial TV station, has a rich history of adapting to changing times while remaining a vital part of the local community. The station faced closure in 2009 but its employees saved the station, transforming it into the only employee-owned TV station in North America.
Michael Williams was an influential heritage developer and philanthropist who was lauded for his work revitalizing Victoria’s historic buildings. Williams’ notable projects include Maynard Court and Swans Pub in downtown Victoria. When he died, Williams left much of his estate and extensive art collection to the University of Victoria.
Alan Lowe, an architect and civic leader — he was mayor of Victoria between 2000 and 2008 — has shaped the city’s landscape since 1988. The founder of Alan Lowe Architect Inc. served 15 years in local government and counts his work on the Victoria Police Department building committee and Jeneece Place as among his key designs. His commitment to the community earned him the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal and in 2006 he was recognized as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Chinese Canadians.
The Yuen family has grown its Fairway Market chain of grocery stores into a major player with nine stores on Vancouver Island. Its stores offer a wide range of grocery products, including an extensive offering of international goods that reflect the many food cultures of people living on Vancouver Island.
The company employs more than 600 people and is a large contributor to many local initiatives, including CFAX Santa’s Anonymous and the B.C. Cancer Foundation.
Fairway Market was founded by Don Yuen, who worked in his family’s grocery business in China before coming to Canada at age 16. He worked at his uncle’s grocery store in Duncan, then at a sawmill in Honeymoon Bay.
In 1963, he opened the first Fairway Market on Gorge Road.
— With a file from Darron Kloster
