This Bellingham landmark will close after 50 years of business. Here’s what’s next
After 50 years, a Sunnyland neighborhood landmark is closing.
John and Judy Chartier are holding a retirement sale for Youngstock’s Nursery and Produce, which is at 2237 James St. An exact final day hasn’t been determined, but they are aiming to close at the end of the month depending on how much inventory has been sold by then, said Judy Chartier.
While John Chartier retired from the business several years ago, he continued to provide input as his wife and sons continue to manage the day-to-day operations of the business. Judy Chartier said they wanted to take a break and spend more time together as a family that didn’t involve running the business. They had considered passing the business along to their sons, but they also have businesses and careers of their own, Judy Chartier said.
While the business is slated to close at the end of the month, it won’t be completely finished. John and Judy’s son, Tristan, said family members plan to open up the stand on special occasions, including selling Christmas trees and possibly fresh-cut flowers in the spring. It just won’t be open nine months-or-so each year as in the past.
The announcement to close was made over the weekend, and most of the customers that saw the retirement sale announcements are understanding.
“They are mostly sad to see us go,” Judy Chartier said.
Watching Sunnyland grow
When John Chartier started the business in 1972, it was just a nursery. He didn’t have many neighbors in the area at the time, just a few houses and businesses like the Red Apple grocery store, where Trader Joe’s is today.
He added vegetables and fruit to the open-air market around 1975, transporting many of the products from Eastern Washington in his truck. For decades the market had a sawdust floor. Regular customers didn’t want that to change, affectionately talking about doing the traditional “Youngstock Stomp” before getting back into their cars after shopping in the market.
Through the years it was a good, steady business because Whatcom County residents enjoyed the open-air feel of shopping for Washington state fruit, vegetables, flowers and Christmas trees. For the family, though, it involved long hours every day, which included the sons as children growing up around the market.
Judy Chartier said that after the business closes, she expects that what she’ll miss the most is the customers, including the ones who had visited for decades.
“A lot of people appreciated this open-air market,” Judy Chartier said.
This story was originally published June 22, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
