Neighborhood specialty grocery shop finds new home in downtown Bellingham
A Sunnyland neighborhood business is now moving to downtown Bellingham, taking over the previous location of The Wild Oat Bakery and Cafe, which closed in March after seven years of business.
Hela Provisions — a unique grocery store stocked with specialty wine, cider, gift baskets, spreads, crackers and sandwiches — is moving from 2000 Franklin St. to 1305 Cornwall Ave., with plans to open the new location by the end of June.
“We’re so excited to be on Cornwall Ave with so many amazing local businesses that are truly complementary to us,” owner Anna Marie Adams told The Herald. “Talk about a one-stop shop. From flowers, socks, artsy gifts, home ware, uniquely designed home decor, thoughtfully curated thrift, delicious treats. ... It’s all right there.”
The new location will also offer a sit-down lounge area that the previous location did not have.
“We will have limited seating and an on premise beer and wine license so we can serve in house and still offer bottles to go,” Adams said. “Initially, we’re planning to keep our menu pretty limited and expand from there. Mostly grab n’go sandwiches, veggie and charcuterie boxes. We will continue with our current catering menu that features charcuterie and veggie boards. Our hours will expand a little and we plan to have a happy hour ‘snacks and bites’ menu featuring some of our favorite tinned fish and wines by the glass, beer, non-alcoholic beverages and vermouth cocktails.”
“The specialty store will remain the majority of the space and we plan to continue with our monthly wine events and cheese classes with Marisa Papetti of Marie’s Bees. We have five monthly club subscriptions we are hoping to grow in the new space. We’ll see what else comes to us as we settle into the neighborhood,” Adams said.
The new downtown shop will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 1305 Cornwall Ave.
