Oughtred Coffee and Tea has been operating carbon-neutral since 2009, an achievement that earned it a 2012 Capital Regional District Ecostar award for climate action.
The company, which owner John Oughtred began as Eze-Brew Coffee Services in Victoria 39 years ago and grew across the province, has taken its total estimated emissions from 517 tonnes in 2009 down to 387 tonnes.
At the same time, its landfill waste dropped 75 per cent while energy costs were reduced by more than eight per cent.
Oughtred’s carbon footprint was reduced through expanding its recycling programs, eliminating paper transactions, streamlining delivery routes, reducing air travel and installing a heat redistribution system.
To find out more about how the company greened its operation, visit oughtred.com.
M&M Meats family dinner night this week
This Thursday (Sept. 20), the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada will be the beneficiary of M&M Meats’ eighth annual Family Dinner Night.
The event aims to drive home the importance of sharing a meal with family and friends, as well as raise funds for the foundation.
Register your meal or make a donation at nationalfamilydinnernight.com and enter to win a $500 M&M gift card.
ESL teacher training ramps up
Inlingua Institute of Languages, which has been offering English as a second language instruction in Victoria for years, this year began offering a four-week teacher training program out of its Government Street campus.
The next TESL course gets underway Oct. 1. For more information, visit www.inlinguavictoria.com or call 250-590-4805.
Interior design supplier targets industry professionals
Note: this item contains corrections to the original published material.
Trade Source Design Centre, an outlet catering to commercial and residential suppliers in the interior design industry, has opened its doors at 1111 Fort St., beside Kilshaw's Auctioneers. Jan Wallace, who works in the design industry and came up with the idea to meet demand, built the business around the idea of designers, architects or contractors bringing clients in to directly choose products in window coverings, flooring and upholstery.
Tutoring agency marks 10 years
Dahlia Miller and her staff of teaching professionals at Smart Tutor Referrals are celebrating 10 years of providing academic support for students in Greater Victoria.
The Sidney-based company has cultivated confidence in its learners through the use of one-on-one home tutoring sessions and the provision of study skill and homework resources and workshops.
For more information, visit smarttutorreferrals.com or call 250-544-1588.
Bridal boutique opens in Old Town
Located in the city’s design district at 1816 Government St., The White Peony — the brainchild of owner Trish Mussico — is offering brides-to-be a collection of hand-selected dresses and accessories straight from the New York bridal market.
The 1,700-square foot retail space is open by appointment only (250-590-8044), but prospective clients can view the merchandise at thewhitepeony.com.
Weight loss clinic up and running
The fledgling U Weight Loss Clinic is enjoying its first months of business at 2401 Millstream Rd. across from Home Depot. The franchised operation creates doctor-formulated, personalized lifestyle change plans for clients that help them reach and maintain their ideal weight.
For more information, call 778-432-2080 or visit uweightloss.com/ulangford.
To submit your business news items, email editor@vicnews.com.
