When Scottish native Andy Forrest opened Cresswell Boggs seven years ago, he had an idea that cards and jewelry would make a nice selection of merchandise, but he had no clue his downtown Bellingham store would become so popular.

The near-wholesale prices of his sterling silver jewelry turned out to be a big attraction, but customers kept requesting more gift items to go with the vast card selection. Eventually, Forrest added mugs, Vera Bradley bags, wedding items, toys and baby gifts, gag gifts, souvenirs and Christmas tree ornaments.

With a popular half-off jewelry sale each fall and spring, plus Northwest gifts in the summer and a large selection of Christmas ornaments (especially of dogs and cats), the store has something different going on all the time.

"We are very happy to be here," Forrest says.

Though born in Scotland, Forrest attended the University of Washington as an exchange student. After some years in Britain learning the jewelry business, he married an American and, not minding the Northwest rain, settled in Bellingham.

"Glasgow gets 20 more inches of rain per year," he says with a laugh. "This is a far better climate than the one I came from."

Now with two young sons, his family loves winter and water sports, and Forrest appreciates the proximity to the Vancouver, B.C., airport for buying trips.

He says downtown Bellingham reminds him of Europe.

"I looked around Bellingham for a location and Railroad Avenue felt comfortable," he says. "It's a growing area and I liked the ambiance ... and the easy street parking. Railroad Avenue's parking area is its trump card. There's lots of walk-by traffic and workers from downtown offices here."

Forrest chose the name Cresswell Boggs because it "sounded foreign." He once owned a small unheated store in Scotland that looked across to Cresswell Street.

"My wife drew the logo," he says. "I liked the name. Boggs sounds like someone who might wear a monocle."

Cresswell Boggs

Owner: Andy Forrest

Location: 1300 Railroad Ave., Bellingham

Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday

10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday

Web: cresswellboggs.com

Email: cresswell_boggs@comcast.net

Contact: 360-752-0522

We Loved:

• Tooth Fairy ceramic box by Ganz, $4.99

• Talking Puppy Slippers by Soundtracks (they actually woof!) in toddler and children's sizes, $24.99

• Assorted dog and cat Christmas tree ornaments, $7.99 to $12.99

• Large Amber Pendant with trapped mosquito inside, $399.95

• Cupcake-shaped ceramic trinket box by Ganz, assorted colors, $12.99