Whatcom restaurants, Bellingham waterfront see these signs of COVID-19 recovery
Whatcom County restaurants are ramping up hiring, judging by the social media posts and the dozens of Craigslist listings in the first couple weeks of Phase 2 of the “Healthy Washington” COVID-19 reopening plan. Cooks, waitstaff and hosts appear to be most in demand, with others looking for bartenders.
The big push for hiring indicates that restaurants/bars are at least optimistic that things are going in the right direction in the reopening process from the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the cost in time and money it takes to hire, many in the Whatcom food and beverage industry are seeing enough need to make that commitment now.
In other recent retail activity around Whatcom County:
▪ A vehicle oil change facility is planned for the fenced-off area next to Taco Time and near the Bellingham Costco, according to the city of Bellingham’s online development dashboard.
▪ Kulshan Brewing is making plans to put in a beer garden on Bellingham’s waterfront, possibly using a shipping container. The company has applied for permits to put a shipping container in the undeveloped area near Waypoint Park and the Granary Building.
The beer garden is one of several new features being planned for that area this spring/summer, including a large grassy area, food trucks and the Wednesday Farmers Market. They will go with the bike track, which was a popular addition last year.
▪ A state liquor license application was submitted for a new bar/restaurant in the former Kismet Cafe space at 202 Grand Ave., in the Lightcatcher Building. The proposed name is Bar Cicotti and the applicant is Jonathan Cicotti.
▪ Whatcom-based Mr. Frank’s Kitchen announced on Facebook that it will soon be selling its seasonings at Whole Foods. Currently, the seasonings are available on the Mr. Frank’s website.
▪ BellinghamART announced on Facebook that it was reopening on Tuesday, March 16. The art school has offered instruction for more than 20 years and is at 1701 Ellis St.
▪ Out of an abundance of caution, HomeSkillet will be closed until at least Thursday, March 4, after one person on staff was exposed to someone who had tested positive for COVID-19. No one on staff had tested positive as of the Friday, Feb. 26, according to a post on Facebook.
▪ The Farmers Market is raising money to paint a mural in the Depot Market Square.
According to its Indiegogo fundraising page, the mural would go on the wall near the alley close to the Herald Building parking lot. The market will be taking donations through April 15.
This story was originally published February 28, 2021 at 8:00 AM.
