If one thing’s for certain, we love to shop local and Buy BC. Victoria is home to so many local shops, speciality grocers, cafes, farms and more. Let’s take a tour of some of our favourite local shops to Buy BC!
Start your shopping journey in downtown Victoria by visiting MAiiZ Nixtamal Tortilleria, which won Producer of the Year in YAM Magazine’s Best Restaurant Awards 2022. Since 2020, MAiiZ has been crafting traditional, stone-ground tortillas made with BC corn grown in Armstrong.
Save time at home by picking up one of their in-store meal kits that include MAiiZ tortillas, prepared meat, sauces, and cheese. They also have ready-to-eat options in their eatery, like tacos, quesadillas, tamales, and MAiiZ ice cream—yum!
A few blocks from MAiiZ, you’ll find Vancouver Island Brewing (VIB), which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2024. As a pioneer of BC’s craft brewing scene, VIB knows a thing or two about beer. They also offer other beverages like their Island Life Hard Sparking Water, made with natural flavours and real fruit juice. Try one of their flavours like Lemon & Ginger with Elderflower or Pear & Tangerine with Lime Leaf.
From there, head north to Broadmead Village to Niche Grocerant, founded by Ceri Barlow and Jami Wood, in spring of 2021. Niche offers delicious lunch options as well as a Chef’s Tasting Menu on the weekends. They also sell a wide array of local products like:
- Made-in-house dressings, vinaigrettes, hot sauce, pickled goods, and more.
- Authentic ramen made in the Comox Valley.
- 49 Below Craft Ice Cream, crafted in Victoria since 2015.
Next, we recommend visiting Country Bee Honey Farm, in Saanich. Owners and operators, Jason and Lindsay Dault, are passionate about beekeeping and live on the farm with their three children. Country Bee’s small-batch premium honey is best known for it’s floral notes and complex flavours thanks to Vancouver Island’s diverse flowers. Settle in at their tasting bar to discover your favourite honey to take home!