A little bit of Vancouver's Chinatown is coming to the River Market at New Westminster Quay this fall.
The owners of Wild Rice Modern Chinese announced last week that they will be opening a second location at the River Market in mid-to late October.
"The rumours have been flying for months," said proprietor Andrew Wong in a press release. "However, we looked at a variety of locations, and nothing was signed until yesterday. So now it is official - Wild Rice has found a home in New Westminster."
Wong said he chose the River Market because of the changes the neighbourhood has gone through over the years.
"The area has developed so much over the past couple of years, and the location is right on the water. We were offered a wonderful opportunity and couldn't pass it up. We love the area - it has a great neighbourhood feel."
Construction on the 3,600square-foot location is scheduled to begin shortly. The restaurant will feature a lounge, patio and dining area.
Wong said the New Westminster location will be open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Executive chef Todd Bright will oversee the kitchens and menus of both locations.
E-WASTE RECYCLING
New Westminster residents can get some banking done and get rid of their old, unwanted electronics in an environmentally safe way on Saturday, Sept. 3 at the TD Canada Trust at 1003 Columbia St.
Various TD Bank branches across Canada are accepting common electronic items like TVs, computers and computer accessories, printers, monitors, old phones, batteries and digital music players over the coming months.
Anyone who brings in their old electronics will be entered in a draw to win a Smart Car.
Electronics are being diverted from most waste streams in North America as they have the ability to leak toxic chemicals and heavy metals after they have been landfilled. Once reclaimed for recycling, those materials can be used in new electronics.
ARRRR, MATEY!
White Spot restaurants across B.C., including the one on Sixth Street in New Westminster, brought in more than $46,000 for charity in the annual Pirate Pack Day.
During Pirate Pack Day, White spot allows anyone to purchase a Pirate Pack kids' meal, with $2 from every meal sold going to Zajac Ranch, a summer camp for kids with serious or chronic illness or disabilities.
Here in New West, local pirates sent about $900 to the ranch.
"I think we did about 450 Pirate Packs here," said manager Jim McKay. "It was a great day - a blast. Almost every single person had a Pirate Pack."
In the four years White Spot has run Pirate Pack Day, $152,000 has been raised for kids with special needs.
NETWORK EVENT
The Network Hub is hosting an event to mix together the region's selfemployed, freelancers and contract workers to share knowledge and gain insight into industry tends.
Freelance Camp runs Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Network Hub's 810 Quayside Dr. location.
After coffee, attendees will be able to "pitch" to the group some ideas they could spend 45 minutes sharing their expertise in. Attendees then vote on which speakers they want to hear.
Organizers have booked keynote speaker Mike Vardy, editor of The Next Web, to speak on the issue of maintaining productivity as a freelancer.
Attendees will be eligible for door prizes. Entrance for the camp is $10. All proceeds go to charity.
Register at www. thenetoworkhub.ca.
Do you have an item from the New Westminster business community? Send ideas to Brent, brichter@royalcity record.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrentRichter.
