Mid Island Gifts is celebrating a successful 10 years at the Comox Valley Airport this year.“For the last decade, Mid Island Gifts has provided our passengers with unique giftware that is locally produced,” said YQQ CEO Shirley de Silva. “This one-of-a-kind shop has contributed greatly to our passenger experience and has been a generous supporter of artists in our community.”Owner Diane Weir has always been interested in the local arts and crafts scene, and when the opportunity presented itself at YQQ, the business was a natural fit for her.“I’ve had the privilege to work with more than 200 Vancouver Island artists and producers, many of whom have become friends over the years,” said Weir. “Our biggest challenge has always been to find more room for the new work artists bring to us.”Mid Island Gifts started out as a kiosk at YQQ with limited stock and then expanded to its current location, when the new terminal building was constructed in 2004.“Our original funding came from Community Futures, a group that had the patience and the resources to help me develop a vision and a business plan,” explained Weir. “Community Futures made it possible for us to get started in the old terminal until we could prove that a market existed for local or hand-made products.” Now Mid Island Gifts is firmly established at YQQ and has built a loyal following of customers who appreciate the unique items it offers.There are a wide variety of gifts for any occasion available in-store, from key chains to jewelry, wood ornaments and bowls, local books, prints and originals of local scenes, and local food products.   “Moving into the new terminal was a period of huge growth for us,” said Weir. “As more flights and destinations were added at YQQ, I had to rely more and more on my dedicated staff. I owe much of my success to these wonderful people; I simply couldn’t have managed without them!”“Being part of YQQ has always been interesting,” concluded Weir. “On a daily basis, we meet people from all walks of life, heading out in dozens of different directions, for holidays or business. We also have many regular customers, who just come to the Comox Valley Airport to shop for special occasion gifts.”To thank the community for its tremendous support throughout the last 10 years, Mid Island Gifts will host a sale until Oct. 16. Mid Island Gifts also invites all the passengers and its valued customers to enter their name for a free chance to win 10 gift certificates valued up to $100 to be drawn Oct. 17.— Comox Valley Airport

Comox Valley Record