After a year off for COVID, this popular place to cool off announces reopening plans
Birch Bay Waterslides announced that it is opening for the season on Wednesday, June 30. Once open, hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through the summer.
This will be a late opening for the waterslides, which typically start the season around Memorial Day weekend. The business was closed last year because of the pandemic. With many COVID-19 restrictions expected to be lifted around June 30, it will give the business a chance to operate, according to its website.
There are a few changes this summer. The waterslides will follow whatever state guidelines are in place on June 30 in terms of COVID-19 restrictions and face masks, but won’t require proof of being vaccinated, according to the website. Also, the waterslide known as “The Drop” will be closed this summer, but all the other slides and pools are expected to be open. The food concession area, gift shop and volleyball/basketball courts are expected to be open.
In other recent retail activity around Whatcom County:
▪ The Bellingham restaurant La Chapina announced on Facebook that its final day is Sunday, June 20. The restaurant, which serves Central American cuisine, is at 4285 Meridian St., near Best Buy. The post did note the restaurant is looking for a new location.
▪ A new refillery is coming to Bellingham.
Pumped Bellingham is planning to have a grand opening on Thursday, July 1, at the Barkley Market, 2215 Rimland Drive. The mobile refillery will offer a variety of home and care products such as dish soap, laundry detergent, shampoo and body wash. Customers can bring a clean, dry container, buy one or take one on deposit.
According to a news release, Pumped works with like-minded companies that want to reduce bulk packaging. Companies include MWSoapworks, EcoDaisy, Puretergent, No Tox Life and City Made Green.
Pumped Bellingham will be at the Barkley Market every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., through Aug. 26. Pumped will also be parked downtown at the corner of Holly Street and Cornwall Avenue every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., starting July 7. Details can be found on its Facebook page.
▪ The Northern Light newspaper in Blaine reports that a new taphouse is coming to Blaine’s downtown area. Gateway 1890 Taphouse Seafood & Grill is going into the former Rawganique retail store space on Peace Portal Drive near Interstate 5. It’ll be operated by Gary and Kristen Slavin, who also own the Rustic Fork, a restaurant that recently opened nearby. The Slavins are planning for a fall opening of the taphouse.
