Whatcom Roundup: Two restaurants close as three new are planned; toy shop opening downtown

Here’s your weekly roundup of the latest retail and restaurant activity around Whatcom County:

New restaurant in downtown Bellingham

A new Mexican restaurant called Bandidos Cocina and Tequila is planning to take over the previous location of Taco Lobo in downtown Bellingham.

The new restaurant filed a permit application to the city for the new restaurant at 117 W Magnolia St. The application was filed Feb. 13 and had not been approved as of Feb. 21.

New pizza truck opening

Queens of Fire, a family-owned woodfire pizza truck, is having a soft opening Thursday, March 6 near Shores Restaurant at 7848 Birch Bay Dr. in Blaine. The pizza truck was first announced back in November. The soft opening starts at 4 p.m. and does not have a set ending time, according to the event on the restaurant’s Facebook page.

Downtown Bellingham restaurant closing

Bayou on Bay, a Cajun restaurant in downtown Bellingham, is closing Tuesday, March 4. The restaurant opened in 2007 and has been open nearly 18 years.

The restaurant is open from 3 to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at 1300 Bay St.

Unique pizza chain coming to Bellingham

MOTO Pizza is making progress on its Bellingham location, according to a recent building permit application filed to the city.

The chain is known for its unique pizza toppings and its locations in T-Mobile Park, Bellevue and more.

MOTO Pizza filed a permit application for a new walk-in cooler at 4373 Meridian St., the current location of Taco Time. The permit was filed Dec. 19 and was approved Feb. 18.

No opening date has been announced.

Bellingham gift shop moving

Gift and apparel shop Swag Gift is moving into historic Fairhaven next week, according to an email from co-owner Renee Marr.

“Fairhaven is where we had wanted to be all along but there were no vacancies that fit us when we opened, and since then one opened up. We love the vibrancy of Fairhaven and the sense of community in the district,” Marr said.

The gift shop was previously open at 511 E Magnolia St., just outside of downtown Bellingham, and will now be located at 901 Harris Ave.

“Our new space has been completely renovated and is on Harris Ave in the heart of Fairhaven. We will feature the same type of products which include women’s apparel, accessories, home, pet, baby, men’s items and more. Basically a gift for you and one for me too,” Marr said.

The new location is planned to be open next week, according to Marr, and will be regularly open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

New downtown toy store and play area

Little Stars Toy Store & Playhouse, a toy shop and indoor play center for children, is opening soon in Bellingham. The shop had not announced an opening date as of Feb. 27, but will be located at 1418 Cornwall Ave. in downtown Bellingham.

Jack in the Box in Lynden closes

Lynden’s Jack in the Box fast food location has closed, according to Jack in the Box.

The restaurant closed permanently Monday, Feb. 17 at 8083 Guide Meridian Road. Jack in the Box has open locations in Bellingham, Ferndale and Blaine.

Discover Whatcom

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This story was originally published February 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM.

Alyse Smith

The Bellingham Herald

Alyse Smith is a reporter at The Bellingham Herald covering retail, restaurants, jobs and business. If you like stories like this, please consider supporting our work with a subscription to our newspaper.