10/28/2026
Shawnigan Lake was on CHEK TV News Yesterday:
Shawnigan Lake businesses seek boost beyond summer
by Jordan Cunningham October 27, 2026 5:55 pm
It’s a picturesque lakeside community known for its summer recreation, but some local business owners say there’s much more to Shawnigan Lake than its popular waterfront.
At Quill and Relic Bindery, owner Hailey Gavel is hoping to help write a new chapter for the village.
“I do pride myself on bringing in as many of the local authors as I can,” said Gavel, who opened her bookstore last January.
Having lived in Shawnigan Lake since 1998, Gavel knows the community well. And when it comes to describing the current state of the village, she borrows a line from Charles Dickens.
“It is the best of times. It is the worst of times,” she said, referencing A Tale of Two Cities.
While Shawnigan Lake is neither a city nor an incorporated town, the village – located in Electoral Area B of the Cowichan Valley Regional District – is facing some challenges familiar to many small communities.
Since Gavel opened her bookstore, two staple businesses have closed their doors.
A locally owned Subway restaurant has shut down, along with Shawnigan House Coffee and Chocolate, a popular mom-and-pop café.
“I don’t want to see any more of our businesses go because nobody knows about them,” Gavel said.
Better lake than never
Shawnigan Lake business is brisk in summer, but Gavel says the seasonal nature of tourism can make it difficult for local businesses to thrive throughout the year.
“If anything’s ever advertised about Shawnigan, it’s a lake place. It’s where you go for your lake,” she said.
Gavel wants to change that perception.
She’s been reaching out to tourism organizations and media outlets, hoping to raise the profile of the village and encourage visitors to explore its shops and attractions beyond the summer months.
But not everyone is eager for more attention.
“I don’t think we want to be on the map, to be honest,” said one local resident, Mike.
Others, including longtime resident Rich Finley, believe Shawnigan Lake could benefit from being recognized as more than a recreational destination.
“I think it’s more a playground for people rather than a homestead for people,” Finley said.
Hidden history gem
Beyond the lake and local shops, Shawnigan Lake is also home to a museum celebrating the community’s history.
Operated by the Shawnigan Lake Historical Society, the museum offers visitors a glimpse into the village’s past and the people who helped shape it.
Lori Treloar, executive director of the historical society, says the community is often misunderstood.
“People think that this is just a place where rich people have cottages, but it’s way more than that,” she said.
While nearby communities such as Duncan and Ladysmith are known for promoting their historic downtowns, those hoping to boost Shawnigan Lake’s profile believe the village deserves a little more recognition of its own.
For Gavel, that recognition could make a difference for the small businesses trying to stay afloat during the quieter months.
Asked whether the next chapter could be aptly described as “the winter of our discontent”, Gavel was philosophical. “I think it’s the winter of possibility,” she says.
