Spring 2025.
It's a time of renewal in the Oceanside communities of Parksville and Qualicum Beach.
We're not talking about changes in the natural world, but in the Retail sector of our Vancouver Island community.
Some local stores are renovating, some closing, others opening. It's all happening at PQB!
Here's a list of changes taking place at local stores and restaurants in 2025:
Transforming:
.
Bailey's in the Village is changing to The Village Eatery, coffee/pizza house
This iconic Qualicum cafe is under new ownership, following the Thomson's retirement. Set to re-open in April with coffee by day and pizza at night. 670 Primrose St, Qualicum Beach
Relocating:
Crafty's Crystals is moving across the street into the property vacated by Petal and Kettle at 122 Craig Street, and is looking forward to the "bigger beautiful space"
*Update: June 2025 We are glad to see this Dollar Store has not closed, but has relocated to182 Island Hwy E, Parksville. (Previous home of L P Records)
They are always happy to let Chloe come inside and sniff around while we shop!
Renovating and re-positioning:
Update August 2025: Following renovations, Pacific Brimm Cafe has now changed to Trio Restaurant
Chloe is sad we can no longer visit for morning coffee. However, other residents and tourists may appreciate this new upmarket venue for evening meals.
Opening/relocating:
Hook Seafood Store at 156A First Avenue, Qualicum Beach, opened this year.
Selling local fresh and "always wild" fish and seafood. Hook is located just off Qualicum town centre: turn left at Munchy Business on Primrose street.
Update January 2026: Dollarama is open for business! At Park Plaza, 102 Island Hwy, the former site of the Fields store.
Fields, 102 Island Hwy, Parksville
Parksville Fields store has moved across the plaza to the former Lucky Loonies site. It has downsized and is now focussing solely on clothing.
Closing:
LP Records, 182 Island Hwy
Always sad to see a
local business closing. This site is now home to Lucky Loonies.
We say goodbye to Lefty’s Restaurant, an iconic Parksville feature for 30 years. This pet friendly and family friendly restaurant is being replaced by The Modern Restaurant, which appears to be an upscale adult oriented establishment.
Time will tell whether Parksville embraces this new trend for higher-end “date night” style restaurants.
Personally we’d be excited to see somewhere offering smaller portions at lower prices (in the style of a senior’s happy hour) and with a dog-friendly patio of course!
Let us know in the comments below if we've missed anything new in the PQB retail scene. We look forward to visiting all the new and re-newed local businesses!