Your new favourite arcade and ice cream are coming, Victoria!

Good morning from the island — we're still here, the orcas were spotted at Active Pass, and honestly, life is fine.

City Hall has been busy, as always, ticking through the paperwork that shapes our daily lives here on the island. What has caught my eye this week? Well, here's the thing: it seems we're getting an arcade. Yes, a proper amusement centre.

According to the recent business licences released by the city, Arcadia is set to open at 707 Johnson Street. It’s Licence #48095. For those of us who remember arcades, or perhaps those curious about what a modern one entails, this is a rather delightful development for the downtown core. It's not every day we see a dedicated entertainment spot of this nature pop up, moving beyond just another cafe or boutique.

And what pairs well with arcade games? Ice cream, of course. Hazels Ice Cream Ltd has secured two mobile bicycle vendor licences (Licence #40784 and #40447). So, expect to see them pedalling around, likely near Beacon Hill Park or the Inner Harbour, just in time for the warmer days. This indicates a growing demand for these mobile, accessible food options, which is always a pleasant sight.

These smaller, community-focused businesses often tell us more about the pulse of the city than the larger developments. They reflect what people want to do, where they want to gather, and what simple pleasures they seek. Keep an eye out for flickering lights on Johnson Street and those bright ice cream bikes.

Agnes Szymanski, MiTL Sports Desk, Victoria.

Keith and the crew probably missed this, but you won't if you're tuned in at mornings.live.