If you're waiting until Christmas Eve to get your shopping done, you may need to alter your schedule because many places will close early Saturday, Dec. 24.
Most businesses and offices in Whatcom County will be closed on Christmas. Some coffee places, restaurants, mini marts, gas stations and Walgreens are among the few businesses open Dec. 25.
Also, because Christmas falls on a Sunday this year, Monday is the recognized holiday. That means government offices, the post office, banks and some small stores will be closed Monday. Many retail stores will open early Monday for post-Christmas sales.
Below is the status of places Saturday through Monday. Where Monday isn't listed, the business is open. For places not listed here, call ahead to check hours.
A list of businesses open on Christmas Day will be published in the Dec. 25 newspaper and online at TheBellinghamHerald.com.
GROCERY STORES
Haggen: Christmas Eve hours vary by store location; all stores closed on Christmas. The Fairhaven store will close at 7 p.m. Saturday, Meridian, Barkley and Sehome stores close at 9 p.m.
The Markets/Cost Cutter: Stores open until 7 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday, will open Monday at 8 a.m.
Albertson's: Closes at 9 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday.
Fred Meyer: Closes at 6 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday.
Safeway: Closes at 7 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday.
Community Food Co-op: Both locations close at 6 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday.
Trader Joe's: Closes at 5 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday.
Everybody's Store: Closes at 8 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday.
OFFICES, SCHOOLS, SERVICES
Whatcom County offices: Closed Friday through Monday.
Bellingham City offices: Closed Friday through Monday
Bellingham parking meters: Not enforced Friday or Monday.
Whatcom County library system and Bookmobile: Closed Saturday through Monday.
Bellingham Public Library: Closed Friday through Monday.
BANKS
Whatcom Educational Credit Union: Closed Monday.
US Bank: Closed Monday.
Whidbey Island Bank: Closed Monday.
Wells Fargo: Closes at 3 p.m. Saturday, closed Monday.
SERVICES
U.S. Postal Service: Regular mail Saturday, but offices will close at 1 p.m. No mail delivery Monday.
Garbage: Normal pickup schedules.
Whatcom Transportation Authority: Closed Sunday, no buses.
The Bellingham Herald: Customer service office closes at 3 p.m. Saturday; office closed Sunday. On Monday, customer service office closed; for missed papers call 360-676-2660 from 6 to 9 a.m. Retail advertising department closed Dec. 26-Jan. 2.
Opportunity Council: Closed Monday.
YMCA: Closes at 2 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday.
Boys & Girls Club: Closed Friday through Monday. Clubs will be open Dec. 27-30.
SCHOOLS
Public schools: Classes resume in January.
Bellingham Technical College: Classes resume in January.
Whatcom Community College: Classes resume in January.
Western Washington University: Classes resume in January.
STORES, RESTAURANTS
Bellis Fair: Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Target closes at 9 p.m.; Sears closes at 6 p.m.; Macy's closes at 7 p.m.; JC Penney closes at 6 p.m.; Kohls closes at 6 p.m. Mall and its stores closed Sunday; movie theater open.
Kmart: Closes at 10 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday.
Retail stores: Many stores close early Saturday. Nearly all closed Sunday. Call ahead.
Restaurants: Most closed Sunday, but a few are open. Call ahead; some require reservations.
State liquor stores: Hours vary Saturday and Monday with some, including the Barkley Village store, closing at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Call ahead to check. The Ferndale and Fairhaven stores are closed Saturday and Monday. All closed Sunday.
Woods Coffee: Most Whatcom County locations open until 6 p.m. Saturday, some stay open until 6:30 p.m.; the Bakerview and Guide Meridian locations will be open until 8 p.m. All closed Sunday.
ENTERTAINMENT
Movie theaters: Regal Cinemas, Pickford Film Center and the Limelight open all days; show times vary. Check our Movies page for show times.
Blockbuster: Hours vary on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, Bakerview location open noon to 9 p.m., Lynden store open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., location inside Barkley Haggen closed.
Film is Truth: Open noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday.
Trek Video: Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday.
