Seasonal Halloween stores are now open in Bellingham, and former Starbucks opens as a bar
Here’s a roundup of recent retail activity around Whatcom County:
▪ Massage Envy closed its Bellingham facility on Sunday, Aug. 14. Massage Envy had been at the Sehome Shopping Center since November 2011.
In an email to customers, the company said it was forced to close because of circumstances beyond its control and that they are currently looking for a new space.
The closure may be because a new tenant is going into that space. Recently a city building permit application was submitted to put in a Mod Pizza restaurant at that address.
▪ Matthew’s Honest Cocktails announced on social media its Saturday, Aug. 20, grand opening. The bar is on the corner of Railroad Avenue and Holly Street, in the former Starbucks spot.
▪ Muto Sushi & Bowl announced on Facebook that it is currently closed for remodeling, with plans to reopen in September. The restaurant is on Chestnut Street, near the Railroad Avenue intersection.
▪ The Lynden Tribune reports that Westside Building Supply will be under new ownership, but staying in the family. Starting Thursday, Sept. 1, the new owners are Paul Bovenkamp and Andrew Bright, who are taking over for brothers Bernie and Jayson Bovenkamp.
According to the article Bernie and Jayson Bovenkamp have owned the business since 1978. The business was founded by Jake Bovenkamp in 1959. Westside is at 8353 Guide Meridian, near the Main Street intersection.
▪ Two seasonal Halloween costume stores are now open in Bellingham. Spirit Halloween is at Bellis Fair, in the former DSW space near the Food Court, and Halloween City is open in Sunset Square.
▪ The Bellingham Metal Arts Guild is in the process of merging with Bellingham Makerspace, and part of the transition includes a garage sale.
The guild is having its sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 21, at 2620 N. Harbor Loop Drive, Suite 6, near the Bellingham Yacht Club. The sale will include excess supplies such as tools and office equipment, according to its website.
The organization, which has been around for nearly 10 years, will be moving a studio space inside Bellingham Makerspace, which is at Bellis Fair near Dick’s Sporting Goods.
▪ Lummi Seafood Market announced that it will be a vendor at the Bellingham Dockside Market on Squalicum Harbor.
Terry Phair, who owns the market and is a Lummi tribal member, said on Facebook that the plan is to be at the market on the first and third Saturdays of the month. Phair, a commercial fisherman, will be selling a variety of local seafood, including Pacific Northwest Red Sea Cucumbers and Fraser River salmon.
For those who can’t make it to the Dockside market, the Lummi Seafood Market is at 4920 Rural Ave., north of Slater Road.
