‘A deep loss for Bellingham’: Boundary Bay Brewery announces permanent closure in 2025
One of Bellingham’s most popular breweries, Boundary Bay Brewery and restaurant, announced it is permanently closing.
The announcement was made on Saturday, Nov. 9 in a social media post.
The brewery, owned by husband-and-wife duo Ed Bennett and Janet Lightner, opened in 1995 and plans to close September 2025.
“Like all good journeys, they must end so a new adventure can begin. It’s time for us to retire, which coincides with the Boundary building going up for sale by the building’s owner. After exploring many possibilities we have decided now is the right time to close this chapter. For 30 years we have been able to create memories, magic and a lot of beer within these walls. We hope the Boundary Bay legacy of commitment to the community continues beyond our time on Railroad Avenue,” Ed and Janet wrote in the Facebook post.
“We plan for 2025 to be a year of celebration and appreciation, culminating in September when we plan to pour our final pint. We don’t know exactly what the future holds, but we know that Boundary’s service and values will remain consistent throughout the year, allowing us to remain the Boundary brand we have always been. We wanted to let our community know now so we can fully enjoy our final year together,” Ed and Janet wrote.
The brewery and restaurant will continue operating as usual, hosting community events, live music and fundraisers throughout its last year.
As the couple posted their retirement news, the community responded with sadness and sentimental memories in the beloved brewery.
The following is a selection of comments from Facebook users:
“This is not news I can really process this week.”
“I have no words! I feel like I grew up with BB, but in reality was 23 when it opened. It’s been such a cornerstone of meeting friends and special events! Thanks Janet and Ed. You will be missed.”
“Beyond all the great beer, excellent food, and good times, you’ve both been so generous and supportive of our community. You’ve really shown us how it can be done.”
“This will be a deep loss for Bellingham. I always love and cherish every memory I’ve made at Boundary Bay. It’s where my boy had his first taste for live music. No other establishment in Bellingham was so welcoming for families to come and enjoy music. Even when my family moved 6 hours away. We still make trips down just to go to boundary Bay. Our hearts are weeping for this loss. But we’ll never forget the great times we have. Janet and Ed, we sincerely love you two and what you’ve brought to this community. Hopefully it will encourage more establishments to be like yours.”
“A Bellingham anchor! Hard to imagine Bham without Boundary Bay Brewery.”
For those who will miss the brewery’s delicious menu items, such as Boundary Bay mac and cheese, yam enchiladas, beer beef stew and creme brulee, the owners plan to make a cookbook of the treasured recipes, according to a Facebook comment.
Boundary Bay is regularly open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday at 1107 Railroad Ave. in Bellingham.
This story was originally published November 12, 2024 at 10:18 AM.
