Building during the pandemic allowed this Bellingham restaurant to focus on open-air dining
Here’s a roundup of recent retail activity around Whatcom County:
▪ After getting through the obstacles of building a new building during a pandemic, the owners of Scotty Browns restaurant were able to reopen in the new spot near the Regal Barkley movie theater.
Construction on the 12,500-square-foot building began in the fall of 2019, but the restaurant at 2130 Premier Way was able to add features that reflect dining changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. That includes a year-round patio area that seats 70 people. Also, the windows on the north side of the building can slide all the way open to create an indoor/outdoor dining feel, said Allyson Farrar, business manager for Walker Group Ventures, which operates the restaurant.
The interior portion of the restaurant is also different, with more usable space and a warmer vibe, Farrar said. It also has a covered parking area. The menu will remain the same, however.
The building is also home to Barre 3 exercise studio and cycling/spin studio called Ride Culture.
The restaurant is open 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, staying open an hour later on Friday and Saturday. Details can be found on its website.
▪ The food truck That’s What I Like! Island Grill has a semi-permanent spot at 3236 Northwest Ave., in the Northside Restaurant & Lounge parking lot.
The food truck, which is known for its Filipino and American dishes, also has an outdoor seating area. Details can be found on its website.
▪ A building permit was submitted to put in a business called Evergreen Beauty College at 1414 Cornwall Ave., Suite 201, near Pure Bliss Dessert. There are several Evergreen Beauty College schools nearby, including in Mt. Vernon and Everett.
▪ The bar/lounge Amendment 21 is now open at the Hotel Leo in downtown Bellingham. According to a Facebook post, menu items include a variety of cocktails as well as appetizer-style food like sliders, poutine and calamari.
▪ In another step toward returning to the pre-pandemic days, Thousand Acre Cider House has begun hosting live music on Fridays through the summer.
The first event was on Friday, May 7, at 109 Grand Ave. on a covered patio area that follows the state’s Phase 3 restrictions, said co-owner Jenny Hagemann.
“When we opened our doors in August 2019, we were pleasantly surprised that live music became a key part of our identity. Little did we know that six months later, everything about our business would be completely flipped,” said Hagemann in an email. “Our creativity, our staff’s tenacity and commitment to safe service, and unbelievably supportive community got us through 2020 and now we are thrilled to celebrate the return of live music and more hopeful days ahead.”
The venue is only available for people over 21. Customers are encouraged to pre-book tables for all performances online at the cider house’s website.
