Beloved downtown Bellingham shop is closing its doors, but will continue selling online
While walking through downtown Bellingham, you may notice another shop with a “for lease” sign in its window.
But fear not, although Mo’s Parlor is closing the doors of its brick-and-mortar store, the cosplay, body and beauty product store will continue to sell through its website and vending opportunities, according to owner Mo Green.
“I’ve been operating since 2016 and I’m not stopping. I’ll be doing a lot more vending events all over the state and in town. I’m definitely not going out of business. I am thriving, actually, and I am so thankful. Just changing my business model to better suit my health needs. I am only 32 years old. I want to make sure I am around for a while,” Green wrote in an email to The Bellingham Herald.
Green decided to close the Black-owned Bellingham shop because of health issues and a recent heart attack that she credits to stress from racist harassment and last year’s Wink Wink protesters in the downtown area.
“The stress of that plus the build-up of stress from the harassment from racist folks most of 2020 and 2021 affected me so much that I had a heart attack. Over a month ago I thought I had another one. It was at that point when I decided I needed to close the shop,” Green wrote.
“Running a brick-and-mortar is a lot of work. I have three businesses. I have a PA business, I also make props and replicas for movies and music videos and cosplays for cosplayers, and I make all the skin and beauty products I sell. Having a shop on top of all that is just too much for my heart right now,” Green wrote.
Mo’s Parlor plans to close its doors by the end of September at the latest, according to Green, and once closed, all products usually sold in the store will be available online, along with new products coming out soon.
“I’m so grateful for the people I have met and the connections I’ve made from having my store. I’ll miss my lil’ shop so much, but this is the best call for me,” Green wrote.
Green encourages those wanting to keep up with the business to follow the business on Instagram for the latest vending locations and events.
Mo’s Parlor is currently open from noon to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, and is located at 1305 Commercial Ave.
This story was originally published August 17, 2023 at 8:35 AM.
