Two Bellingham residents have teamed up to bring a bit more history to the Fairhaven shopping district.

On Monday, Oct. 15, the Fairhaven Antique Mall opened at 1201 11th St., across the street from Village Books. Owners Lisa Distler and Wendy Jones decided on opening the store after getting to know each other at a school PTA meeting.

Distler has been in the business longer, starting 16 years ago. She's operated a business in Bellingham's Old Town section on Holly Street and learned from Claudette Job, who operated Old Town Antique Mall for many years before she died in August. Jones is newer to the antiquing world, but brings a different perspective.

"We tend to focus on different things, so that helps in a business like this," Jones said.

The 1,900-square-foot store has a variety of items from yesteryear, much of it with a Pacific Northwest flavor. The store has 10 separate dealers, while the owners also purchase items from the community, but doesn't offer consignment.

If television shows are any indication, shopping for antiques remains a popular hobby across the country. Distler and Jones agree that mid-20th century items are particularly popular, especially items from the 1960s. Television shows like "Mad Men," could be a factor for that time period's popularity, but Distler thinks memories play a bigger role.

"My theory is that we like things that grandma liked," Distler said, adding that the "treasure hunt" allure that comes with shopping for antiques is also a factor.

One of the reasons they chose Fairhaven for the antique mall was demand. Many local merchants said directions to an antique store is one of the more popular questions they get, according to Jones, who said Fairhaven's historic feel also makes it a natural fit.

The community response to the store's opening has been "overwhelming," said Distler, adding that the demographic ranges from children to retirees. They continue to get things in for the holiday shopping season, which is generally the busiest time of year for antique stores.

Items in the store include jewelry, clothes, small furniture, dishes and quilts. The owners are also on the lookout for local and nautical-themed products.

The store is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, closed on Monday. For more information, visit the store's Facebook page or call 360-922-7165.

NEW CORDATA STORES FOCUS ON COLLECTIBLES

A new store that focuses on collectibles has opened in the Meridian Cost Cutter shopping center, but it will have a familiar ring to those who have been to O'Donnell's Bellingham Flea Market.

Fun Stuff Use It Again opened a second location last week at 4151 Meridian St. under the ownership of Ed Bjerke, Javier Rodriguez, Julian Rodriguez and Randy Shirley. The store buys, sells and trades a variety of collectibles, including toys, sports cards and vinyl records.

The company originally started about a year ago at the flea market and will continue to have a stand there as well, Bjerke said.

"We chose the Cordata area because we wanted to get into a different section of town," he said.

The store on Cordata is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Details: 360-990-9156.

OTHER TIDBITS

• The gift store Things Remembered is now open at Bellis Fair mall in the Macy's wing, along with a Toys R Us holiday express store in the Sears wing.

• Lettered Streets Coffeehouse is in the midst of a five-year anniversary celebration, offering discounts and drawings daily through Saturday, Nov. 10. The coffeehouse is at 1001 Dupont St.

• Once again the holiday shopping season is nearly here, so the city of Bellingham is offering free parking days in the downtown core. For November, free parking days are slated for Nov. 12 in honor of Veterans Day, along with Thanksgiving (Nov. 22) and Black Friday (Nov. 23).

• A sign permit was issued for Dollar Tree, which is going into the former College Store space at 320 36th St., in Sehome Village Shopping Center.

Reach DAVE GALLAGHER at dave.gallagher@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2269. Visit his business blog online at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/business or get updates on Twitter at twitter.com/BhamHeraldBiz.