Retail roundup: Fairhaven store to close, Kulshan has a Kraken new beer
Here’s a roundup of recent retail activity around Whatcom County:
▪ Posh Upscale Resale announced on social media that it is closing its brick-and-mortar store at 1315 11th St. but will continue to have an online presence. The last day the physical shop in Fairhaven will be open is Saturday, Nov. 6.
In the post the owners noted that they hope to reopen a bricks-and-mortar store in the future, but the pandemic and the closed border took its toll on the business.
The women’s boutique store opened in May 2019 and is in McKenzie’s Alley. The online site is at poshupscaleresale.com.
▪ Kiniski’s Reef Tavern has closed for the winter, citing the challenges ahead for the business even when the border reopens to Canadian travelers Monday, Nov. 8. The All Point Bulletin newspaper in Point Roberts reported that the owner, Nick Kiniski, said he didn’t expect business to improve if Canadians have to submit a negative COVID-19 test to get back home.
▪ When the Whatcom County border crossings begin welcoming Canadians on Nov. 8, one of the first stops for the Canadian visitors could be the gas station.
Several Canadian media outlets have reported a sharp rise in gas prices in British Columbia in recent weeks. In the Vancouver, B.C., metro area, gas prices are in the $1.65-a-liter range, according to GasBuddy. That’s about $5 a gallon in U.S. dollars. In Bellingham, the average price for a gallon of gas was $3.82 on Friday, Oct. 22, according to AAA Washington.
▪ DeWaard & Bode is celebrating its 75th anniversary by matching donations for three area food banks.
The appliance and mattress retailer will match donations made in October up to $50,000, according to a company news release. The proceeds will be split among Bellingham Food Bank, Helping Hands Food Bank of Skagit County and Lynden-based Project Hope.
Donations may be made at either of DeWaard & Bode’s two Bellingham stores – the main showroom at 3944 Meridian St. or the outlet store at 4175 Hannegan Road – or its Burlington showroom at 1611 S. Burlington Blvd. Donations may also be made on its website.
▪ Just in time for Seattle’s NHL home opener, Kulshan Brewing released a new beer called Keep it Kraken. According to a social media post, Kulshan describes it as an “easy drinking hazy IPA.” The beer will be served at its Sunnyland and Roosevelt neighborhood breweries.
▪ Station 49, the go-cart and mini-golf park in Birch Bay, announced that it is now closed for the season, returning in 2022.
