For more than 30 years, Lance and Liz Steward have built more than successful businesses. They have helped build the Cowichan Valley community.
Their entrepreneurial journey began in 1991 with Just Jake’s in downtown Duncan. From that first venture, they have grown their vision into five locally owned hospitality businesses: Just Jake’s, Craig Street Brew Pub, Jake’s at the Lake, The Oak Taphouse and Red Arrow Brewing Company.
Their success is impressive, but it is the way they have achieved it that makes Lance and Liz deserving of the BC Chamber Small Business Excellence Award.
Under their Hand-Built Hospitality philosophy, the Stewards have created businesses that are much more than restaurants, pubs and breweries. They are gathering places where residents connect, visitors experience the Cowichan Valley, local musicians perform, employees build careers and community organisations find support.
Their commitment to local investment is particularly evident in the story of Craig Street Brew Pub. Driven by a desire to contribute to the revitalisation of downtown Duncan, Lance and Liz took on the challenge of purchasing and transforming a 1940s-era building. Their vision helped breathe new life into the property and created what became the Cowichan Valley’s first craft brewery.
They continued that entrepreneurial spirit with Red Arrow Brewing Company, launched in 2015 as Duncan’s first production brewery. Their businesses have helped strengthen the region’s reputation as a destination for craft beer, food, entertainment and authentic local hospitality.
For decades, Lance and Liz have consistently given back to the community that helped them succeed. They support local musicians, community organisations, charities, teams and events. They have hosted community celebrations and gatherings, created opportunities for local performers and provided welcoming spaces for fundraisers, meetings and celebrations.
They also understand the importance of keeping economic activity local. Their businesses employ local residents, work with local suppliers and contribute to the tourism and hospitality economy. Their continued investment in downtown Duncan and communities throughout the Cowichan Valley demonstrates a long-term commitment to the region rather than simply a focus on short-term business growth.
Their leadership is also personal. Lance and Liz maintain a visible, hands-on presence in their businesses and in the community. Liz is particularly known by customers for her warm, genuine hospitality and her willingness to be on the floor, connecting directly with guests and employees. That personal approach has helped create the loyalty and relationships that are at the heart of their businesses.
Lance has also contributed to the broader business and tourism community, including involvement in local tourism initiatives. Together, they demonstrate that entrepreneurship is not simply about owning a business; it is about taking responsibility for the community in which that business operates.
Their accomplishments have been recognised through local business and “Best of the Valley” awards, but their most meaningful recognition comes from the people who continue to support their businesses year after year.
They have taken historic buildings and transformed them into destinations. They have turned entrepreneurial opportunities into jobs and economic activity. They have created gathering places that have become part of the identity of the Cowichan Valley. And they have consistently used their success to support the people, organisations, and communities around them.
Lance and Liz Steward lead by example, with big hearts, an entrepreneurial spirit and a genuine belief that successful business and a strong community go hand in hand.