Retail roundup: Pub opens in Blaine, while sports memorabilia store returns to Bellingham
Here’s a roundup of recent retail activity around Whatcom County:
▪ A sports card shop is settling into its new spot on Northwest Avenue and expanding its hours for the holidays.
Joe’s Sports Memorabilia opened at 3201 Northwest Ave. near Yeager’s Sporting Goods at the end of October. The business had been up in Ferndale, but was broken into in 2020 and $30,000 in merchandise was taken. Owner Joe Miles decided to move the business to Bellingham into a space where more security measures are in place.
Prior to being in Ferndale, Miles had a shop in downtown Bellingham and Fairhaven.
The new space focuses on memorabilia, including sports cards, jerseys and autographed photos. The expanded hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Details can be found on its Facebook page.
▪ The Sportsplex has opened a small pub for those who want to crack open a beer and watch some live indoor soccer. The Penalty Box Sports Pub is in an enclosed area near the large indoor soccer field.
The Penalty Box currently offers 10 beers and two seltzers, along with snack food, said Elsha Grimes of Whatcom Sports & Recreation. Hours may vary depending on what events are taking place, but typically hours will be 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 1-10 p.m. on the weekend.
▪ The Northern Light newspaper in Blaine reported that Gateway 1890 Taphouse Grill opened on Saturday, Dec. 11. It’s at 429 Peace Portal Drive near the Interstate 5 exit in the downtown district. According to the article, Gateway 1890 has 20 craft beers on tap.
Further details, including the menu, can be found on Gateway 1890’s website.
▪ The website Whatcom News reported that plans are in the works for a new brewery in Ferndale. It’s called District Brewing, which also has a location in Mount Vernon. The Ferndale location is going into a spot at 2000 Main St., near the Nooksack River.
Details about District Brewing can be found on its website.
▪ A for lease sign has gone up at the former Crossroads BBQ Bar & Grill at 1263 Barkley Blvd. According to the listing by Pacific Continental Realty, most of the furniture and equipment in the kitchen, restaurant and bar is in place and is ready to open. The total space is 3,910 square feet.
▪ Plans are moving forward with Frelard Tamales and El Suenito Brewing Company going into the Sunnyland neighborhood. A building permit was submitted to remodel a warehouse at 1926 Humboldt St., near Olsen Auto Body.
The eatery and brewery are aiming to be ready in the late spring or early summer.
This story was originally published December 19, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
