Petroglyph Development Group, the economic development arm of Snuneymuxw First Nation, announced May 11 that The Harbour Chandler, in partnership with Stones Boatyard, will open at The Village at stlilnup this summer, bringing more than eight decades of combined marine experience to Snuneymuxw’s new oceanfront village.
Locally owned and operated, The Harbour Chandler is a one-stop destination for ocean enthusiasts across Vancouver Island. With a focus on practical, well-chosen gear, the business supports both experienced boaters and those just getting started on the water. The stlilnup location will specialize in dinghies, fishing boats and outboard motors and will serve as a premier destination for fly fishing, including lessons hosted on site. A friendly, knowledgeable team and an engaged following make it as much a gathering place as a retail store.
A rendering of the new Harbour Chandler at The Village at stlilnup.“This is the business opportunity of a lifetime,” said Matt Price, CEO of The Harbour Chandler. “This new location, which in my opinion is the nicest piece of waterfront in Nanaimo, gives us the space to focus on dinghies, fishing boats and outboard motors, as well as build out a premier destination for fly fishing. It is more specialized than what we have done in the past, and it allows us to share our vision of how fishing and boating are evolving on Vancouver Island.”
Just steps from the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal, this magnificent location is where Snuneymuxw origins unfold, where Snuneymuxw’s relationship with the land and sea began and where the teachings that guide the Nation are originally rooted. The name stlilnup translates to “water runs deep,” referring to the bay’s deep waters that sustained the Nation since the first families.
The Village at stlilnup sits on a prime waterfront lot, allowing The Harbour Chandler to sell boats and offer fly-fishing lessons to customers.“Every business that opens at stlilnup is a contribution to the economic prosperity that flows from our Lands and waters back to our people and the surrounding communities,” said Ian Simpson, CEO of Petroglyph Development Group. “Welcoming the Harbour Chandler, a business that has spent decades helping people connect with the sea, is exactly the kind of partnership that honours what this place has always meant to our Nation.”
Additional details about tenants and offerings at The Village at stlilnup will be announced soon. For updates, visit www.villageatstlilnup.ca or follow The Village at stlilnup on Instagram and Facebook.