These four businesses opened in Bellingham last month, as one closed downtown
Looking for a new business, shop of studio? Here are the four new Whatcom County businesses that opened in May and one that closed permanently.
New Whatcom County businesses
Old Navy
The new Old Navy location in Bellingham officially opened in May, according to the store’s website. The new location at 4253 Meridian St. is located at the Cordata Center, next door to Trader Joe’s.
It’s the second Old Navy in Bellingham, along with another inside Bellis Fair mall. It is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.
Endurance Jiu Jitsu
Endurance Jiu Jitsu, a jiu jitsu studio, opened on May 9, started by owners and husband-and-wife duo, Andrew and Kelly Marshall. Andrew Marshall has been training and competing in Brazilian jiu jitsu for 20 years, during which time he earned a third-degree black belt.
“Our vision for Endurance Jiu Jitsu is to provide more than just martial arts classes. We aim to create a positive, disciplined, and welcoming environment where adults, children, families, first responders, and veterans can come together to improve themselves physically and mentally,” Andrew said.
The studio offers more than just martial arts classes, as Andrew is also certified as a Strong First kettlebell instructor and has years of personal training experience. The studio offers functional strength training, conditioning classes, and even private Jiu Jitsu and personal training.
Class schedules and membership info can be found on the studio’s website. Endurance Jiu Jitsu is located at 4151 Meridian St. Suite 116.
Wild Ophelias
Wild Ophelia’s, a “women’s trendy resale fashion store” with a location in Oak Harbor, opened a new location inside the Bellis Fair mall on May 14.
The new shop will be located in Suite 340, near Ulta Beauty and American Eagle Outfitters. The store allows guests to bring in gently used, trendy clothing in exchange for store credit.
The new location is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday in the mall at 1 Bellis Fair Parkway in Bellingham. Wild Ophelia’s flagship location will remain open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at 749 SE Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor.
Istari Creative
A new art exhibition gallery, photo studio and store has opened in Bellingham’s Fairhaven neighborhood’s historic Sycamore Square building called Istari Creative.
“The studio is a rotating exhibition gallery, a professional photo studio available for rental, and a retail shop carrying locally designed merchandise. Co-founders Andrea Kendall and David Norman bring decades of combined experience in brand strategy, design, marketing, and the visual arts, and built the space as a sustainable creative business, not just a gallery. Through Istari Creative, the consultancy arm, they also offer fractional marketing and brand strategy to businesses in the area,” owner David Norman wrote in an email to The Bellingham Herald.
Istari Creative is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday and by appointments at 1200 Harris Ave Suite 309 in Bellingham.
Closed Whatcom County businesses
Cute But Crazy Socks
Cute But Crazy Socks, a sock and gift shop in downtown Bellingham, closed permanently May 17.
“This hasn’t been an easy decision, but it is one made with a great deal of clarity. As many in the Bellingham community know, my partner Ben and I took over Nelson’s Market in 2023. We were able to buy this 130-year-old corner store and restaurant with the money we ‘socked away’ over the years — using the success of Cute But Crazy and my design company, ModSocks, to invest in this historic cornerstone of the York neighborhood,” owner Urania Shaklee wrote on the business’ website.
“I’ve decided to close the downtown shop and dedicate more of my energy to our space in York. It’s time for me to lean into the neighborhood that feels like home and focus on my role as a steward of Nelson’s Market — honoring its century-plus history as a neighborhood hub while nurturing it as the kind of ‘third place’ our communities deserve,” Shaklee wrote.
Cute But Crazy Socks was located at 1323 Cornwall Ave. in downtown Bellingham.
