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closeThe Trader Joe’s effect seems to be strong along James Street.
Nine months ago the specialty grocer opened with much fanfare and a crowded parking lot. The expectation was that Sunnyland Square and the rest of the neighborhood would see a bit of revitalization and increased activity.
Since that time, the rest of the shopping center, as well as nearby spaces down the street, have been filling up with tenants.
The latest tenant is the hair studio Cuts Plus, which opened last week.
Wee Ones Reruns, a children’s consignment store currently at 1938 James St., is in final negotiations to secure a spot in the retail center, joining recent additions Countrywide and Butterfly Life.
Nearby on James Street, Avenue Bread continues to get ready to open in the former Our House Deli spot.
Dennis Ferguson, owner of Cuts Plus, said Trader Joe’s was an important factor for him opening his business in the center. Ferguson said he’s seen the draw Trader Joe’s has had in other locations and wanted to capitalize on that.
“We’ve already had several Trader Joe’s customers walk in and set up an appointment,” said Ferguson, who describes his place as a family hair care center where no appointment is needed.
The studio has five stylists who color and perm hair, along with doing the regular cuts.
“I’ve always been impressed by the amount of traffic they (Trader Joe’s) create,” Ferguson said.
Kathy McCrady, president of Wee Ones Reruns, said her building recently sold and she wanted to stay in the neighborhood, where she had built a customer base of more than 8,000 families.
Along with being in the same neighborhood, the Sunnyland Square space she’s looking at would triple the amount of space for the growing business. If all goes well with the final negotiations, she plans to be in the retail center by September.
“There has definitely been a trend nationwide the last five years for families to shop at consignment stores. It’s not just the affordability factor, but it’s a form of recycling that people prefer,” said McCrady, whose business celebrated its 25th anniversary in October.
She said overall there does seem to be more business activity in the area, but in another trend, she’s seeing more of the neighborhood residents. People are out walking and biking more, she said, possibly because the area now has a grocery store within walking distance and high gas prices are keeping people closer to their neighborhoods.
“I’ve always liked this neighborhood and it’s great to see more people out and about,” McCrady said.
A LITTLE LONGER FOR SOME CHUCKANUT BREW
Chuckanut Brewery and Kitchen is now aiming to be open soon after the Fourth of July, but Mari and Will Kemper are enjoying this stage of the process: Brewing and testing the beer.
The Kempers had hoped to be open at 601 W. Holly St. in May, but have been slowed by various obstacles that typically pop up when remodeling a building.
They are now at the point where they are brewing the beer to make sure the equipment is in working order.
“It’s going pretty well right now, although we know people are anxious for us to get open,” said Mari Kemper, one of the founders of Thomas Kemper Beers and Sodas. “We have a lot of people peeking through the windows, watching what we’re doing.”
Kemper said they plan to start opening just portions of the brewery and restaurant at first, until they have the work flow correct, so they can prevent people from waiting too long for food or beer.
“We want to make sure we have the proper staffing and setup, because first impressions will be important,” Kemper said.
OTHER TIDBITS
Jimmy’s Personal Care is expected to be open in the first week of July at 1327 11th St. in Fairhaven. Owner Jimmy Nguyen said the spa will offer a variety of services, including pedicures, manicures and facials. Nguyen ran House of Orient for 12 years before selling it last year. “I wanted to do something different that still involved serving people, and this is it,” Nguyen said. “I can’t thank all the people who’ve supported me for 12 years at the restaurant, so I hope they can come here to relax.” … At 9 a.m. Thursday will be a grand opening for Plato’s Closet in Bellingham. For the past six weeks the store has been buying trendy, gently used clothing and accessories and is now ready to start selling. Jeff Swanson, president of the store, is expecting a busy grand opening, because people who have been selling to the store have had the chance to browse but not buy. “All those people who have been looking show up early to get the items they have had their eye on,” Swanson said in a press release.
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