Here’s a look at the Whatcom County restaurants that opened or closed in March
Looking for a new restaurant to try out? Whatcom County had four new restaurants open throughout March, as four closed.
Whatcom’s newest restaurants:
Love From London
Love From London, an ice cream, milkshake and bubble waffle shop, opened in downtown Bellingham on March 1, transporting visitors to London with its decor and treats imported from England.
The shop serves a variety of bubble waffles filled with Edaleen Dairy ice cream and topped with a variety of toppings, along with milkshakes, ice cream by the scoop, and exclusive English candy bars, sweets and beverages.
Love From London is open from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 1301 Commercial St.
Queens of Fire Pizza truck
Queens of Fire, a family-owned woodfire pizza truck, opened March 6 near Shores Restaurant at 7848 Birch Bay Dr. in Blaine. The pizza truck was first announced back in November.
The new food truck usually pops up around Birch Bay, but updates its schedule weekly on its Facebook page.
Bordertown Mexican Grill
Bordertown Mexican Grill opened its new Bellingham restaurant on March 22. The restaurant currently has one location in Blaine and will now serve downtown Bellingham at 1055 N State St., the previous location of Pepper Sisters, which closed in December.
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Stemma Brewing Co. West
Stemma Brewing Co. purchased the previous Twin Sister Brewery location, and after renovating the massive space, opened the new location, called Stemma West, on March 27.
The new brewery is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and 3 to 10 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at 508 Carolina St. in Bellingham.
Stemma’s original brewery is still open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at 2039 Moore St. in Bellingham.
Four restaurants in Whatcom County closed in March:
Bella Ciao and Nacho Problems
Bella Ciao Pizza Tavern, a pizza restaurant and bar, along with Nacho Problems, a nacho bar, closed March 31 after owners announced the closure March 27. Both restaurants opened in March 2024 by business partners Jabriel Donohue and Daniel Pagard, who also own Admiralty Lounge in Bellingham and two restaurants in Seattle.
“Unfortunately, we’re no longer able to sustain operations,” the post signed by The Bella Ciao Team states. “Apart from the standard aspects of restaurant operations, which are significant, 2024 was the most challenging year for independent operators that we’ve seen in our entire careers, and we hope for the sake of Bellingham’s restaurant community that many of the shared challenges will be taken seriously by those who want to keep a vibrant independent community in Bellingham.”
Bella Ciao was at 1427 Railroad Ave., and Nacho Problems was next door at 1425 Railroad Ave.
Wild Oat Cafe and Bakery
Wild Oat Cafe and Bakery closed March 19 after operating in downtown Bellingham for seven years at 1305 Cornwall Ave.
The restaurant and equipment was listed for sale for $200,000 in 2023, but the asking price slowly decreased. In January, the listing price was only $99,000 for the restaurant and all equipment.
“You can still get the same pastries by special order through our cottage licensed business, The Good Earth Bakery,” a Facebook post on the cafe’s profile page stated.
Bayou on Bay
Downtown Bellingham Cajun restaurant Bayou on Bay closed March 4. The restaurant had been operating for nearly 18 years.
The restaurant did close, but is now set to be reopened with new owners, according to a Facebook post on the restaurant’s profile.
No reopening date has been announced. Bayou on Bay is at 1300 Bay St. in Bellingham.
