The two newest faces of Downtown Courtenay

From spicing up cuisine to spicing up men’s wardrobes, two of Courtenay’s newest businesses have added to the city’s already-distinctive downtown flavour.

Walker 24 Menswear and Ceylon Cuisine & Spices have been embraced by the downtown business community and promise to draw even more customers downtown by offering their own unique products and other offerings.

“As a business owner, it’s important to surround yourself with great people and we just can’t say enough about our location and wonderful neighbours,” says Doug Walker, who recently opened Walker 24 Menswear with his son Brett. “We’re so happy to be here on Fifth Street.”

The owner of a local Mazda dealership for 20 years, Walker understands the importance of location in the success of a new business.

“We like the unique vibe of downtown and wanted to create that same warm, welcoming atmosphere in our store,” he says. “It’s a place where a guy can not only get top-end clothing, but also feel comfortable just coming in and hanging out for a while.”

Also excited to be downtown are Manoja and Sudeera Gangodage, who opened Ceylon Cuisine & Spices on Duncan Avenue just a few weeks ago. With a successful food truck business already popular at the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market and local festivals, Manoja and Sudeera had been considering opening a storefront for a while. Being able to have a presence downtown, though, was key in the decision.

“Part of what we love about being at the Market is that sense of community,” explains Manoja. “We knew that by setting up downtown we would feel part of a new neighbourhood. Already, everyone has been so supportive and friendly — it’s just a great environment.”

At Ceylon Cuisine & Spices, the Gangodages offer a variety of authentic Sri Lankan delectables, including dairy- and gluten-free frozen curries, pickles and chutneys, as well as their “True Cinnamon,” for which they’re renowned. Manoja says she and her husband hope to prepare light meals on-site in the near future, and to carry products from other vendors they’ve met through the Market.

Up Fifth Street at Walker 24 Menswear, Walker invites customers and passers-by alike to stop in for a coffee and a chat while perusing both the sports memorabilia on display and the latest men’s fashions, from basic chinos to decidedly upscale Allen Edmonds shoes.

To learn more about either of these businesses, and for a calendar of upcoming events, visit www.downtowncourtenay.com.