Wendy DeFreest wanted a chance to do something more with her bread, and soon her business will get that chance, with a third location.

Avenue Bread will take over the formerOur House Deli & Catering space at 2301 James St. Wendy and her husband, John, hope to have the new space ready by June.

The new space has a fullservice kitchen, something the DeFreests don’t have in their downtown and Fairhaven spots. At James Street, they’ll be able to add things to the menu, such as omelets and gumbo.

“We have all this bread and pastries, but we can do so much more with a kitchen and a bigger space,” she said.

They had been looking around a year for a third location and quickly became interested in the James Street space after Our House closed earlier this year.

“It’s a nice big space in a part of town that has been enhanced withTrader Joe’s moving in,” DeFreest said. “It’ll be interesting to see what kind of customer base we’ll get. I think it’ll be more of a destination spot where people drive here, but we could also get some walk-around traffic.”

Avenue Bread has been able to succeed as a business by balancing the sit-down cafe with a bakery that focuses on retail bread and pastries.

The business started 15 years ago, but the DeFreests took over ownership in 2002, then opened the Fairhaven bakery in 2005. DeFreest said the downtown location sees steady sales year-round, while the Fairhaven spot fluctuates because it is tied more to the tourism season.

“We’ve been pleasantly surprised with the growth in both locations, but especially downtown,” DeFreest said. “There have been so many new businesses and residents moving in here since we took over; we’re now in a spot where people can walk over here.”

At the new location, they’ll do a lot of similar things to what Our House Deli did — quick turnaround on deli sandwiches and group lunches, but they won’t be doing the catering. DeFreest said they’ll have the Avenue Bread look, which includes the peel artwork (those long-handled, shovellike tools bakers use).

“I’m hoping when people walk in, they’ll recognize it right away as Avenue Bread,” DeFreest said. “It’s something we’re excited about, and the timing feels right.”

More information about Avenue Bread can be found at www.avenuebread.com.

GROWING INTO RETAIL

Seeking to fill a need in the community, a longtime plants and seed business has established a retail native plant nursery.

Plantas nativa opened last month at 310 Laurel St., two blocks south of the Herald Building. The business was originally established in 1994 as a commercial supplier of native seeds and plants but had heard from plenty of homeowners about the need for a nursery that features all-native plants, said employee Casey Hons.

“It was a nice solution for us, because the retail nursery goes hand in hand with the other work we do,” Hons said.

So far, most of the customers for the retail nursery have been homeowners, but the company also has seen quite a few people from local schools.

“It’s been great seeing teachers coming here for restoration projects they are doing at school,” Hons said.

The nursery is open from noon to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Information: www.nativeplantsale.com.

OTHER TIDBITS

A Washington state Liquor Control Board application has been filed for new owners at 684 Peace Portal Drive, currently the location ofNorthern Meadows Specialty Gifts & Wine shop. The proposed new businessnameisBusy B & Company, and the new owner applicants are Bridgette and Devin Sanford. … There’s been plenty of construction taking place in the Barkley Village area in the past year, and more is ahead. A building permit application has been filed with the city for a $10.8 million, four-story mixed-use building at 3102 Newmarket St.

Retail Tip Sheet runs each Monday. Reach Dave Gallagher at 715-2269 or dave.gallagher@bellinghamherald.com.