Explore Whatcom: 19 engaging local activities

This collection of stories provides updates on retail, business and restaurant activity in and around Whatcom County throughout 2025.

Among the topics:

"Boomuary" returns at Boomer’s Drive-In, offering discounted burgers in Bellingham during January. Schweinhaus Biergarten's temporary closure for maintenance affects downtown Bellingham. Meanwhile, Starla’s Tavern plans to reopen after renovations.

A new sushi take-out option emerges in Little Wojtek, with approvals awaited for its Bellingham location. Stemma Brewing Co. broadens its reach with a fresh taproom at the site of the previous Twin Sisters Brewery.

Locals and visitors can enjoy regular events, trivia nights, and live music throughout the county, often highlighted in a guide for monthly activities. For ongoing updates, subscribing to the 'Discover Whatcom' newsletter offers more insights into local happenings.

Downtown Bellingham, Wash., from the air, looking toward Sehome Hill and Bellingham Bay in a photo included in a city press release Wednesday, March 8, 2023. By City of Bellingham

NO. 1: WHATCOM ROUNDUP: RESTAURANTS COMING; ‘BOOMUARY’ RETURNS; DRIVE-THROUGH TAQUERIA OPENING

Your weekly guide to Whatcom County’s latest retail, restaurant and event news. | Published January 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

A rainbow arcs above the Herald Building at the corner of North State and East Chestnut streets in Bellingham, Wash., on Oct 19, 2023. Built in 1926, the six-story Gothic Revival building uses white terra cotta tiles and stained glass windows depicting a herald playing a trumpet. The building was the first in downtown Bellingham to use a concrete-and-steel form and steam for heating. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places. By Robert Mittendorf

NO. 2: WHATCOM ROUNDUP: CAFE CLOSING; HERALD BUILDING UPDATE; BEER GARDEN GOES ON HIATUS

Your weekly guide to Whatcom County’s latest retail, restaurant and event news. | Published February 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

A painted mural by Annabelle Barrett in the Commerical St. alleyway on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in downtown Bellingham, Wash. By Alyse Smith

NO. 3: WHATCOM ROUNDUP: DUTCH BROS IN BELLINGHAM; NEW DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT; LOCAL EVENTS ON TAP

Your weekly guide to Whatcom County’s latest retail, restaurant and event news. | Published March 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

NO. 4: WHATCOM ROUNDUP: TWO NEW BELLINGHAM RESTAURANTS; BREWERY PROGRESS; CANCER CENTER EXPANDS

Your weekly guide to Whatcom County’s latest retail, restaurant and event news. | Published March 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

Downtown Fairhaven, Bellingham, Wash. on Feb. 13, 2025. By Alyse Smith

NO. 5: WHATCOM ROUNDUP: NEW BREWERY OPENS; THRIFT SHOP RELOCATES; DEVELOPMENT AT THE PICKFORD?

Your weekly guide to Whatcom County’s latest retail, restaurant and event news. | Published March 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

MOD Pizza and Starbucks in Barkley Village on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 at 2925 Newmarket St. Bellingham, Wash. By Alyse Smith

NO. 6: WHATCOM ROUNDUP: NEW BAR, BARKLEY STORE OPENING, RESTAURANT TEMPORARILY CLOSING

Your weekly guide to Whatcom County’s latest retail, restaurant and event news. | Published April 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

Snow covered the foothills around Bellingham, Wash., on February 3, 2025. By Rachel Showalter

NO. 7: WHATCOM ROUNDUP: FERNDALE’S NEW INDIAN RESTAURANT, BELLINGHAM COFFEE SHOP OPENS

Your weekly guide to Whatcom County’s latest retail, restaurant and event news. | Published April 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

Harris Avenue was closed to vehicle traffic between 11th and 12th Streets Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, as crews continued investigating the fire that destroyed the historic Fairhaven Terminal Building on Sunday, Dec. 17, in Bellingham, Wash. By Jack Belcher

NO. 8: WHATCOM ROUNDUP: FAIRHAVEN EATERY REBOUNDING FROM FIRE; BLAINE BUSINESS CLOSES

Your weekly guide to Whatcom County’s latest retail, restaurant and event news. | Published April 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

Bellis Fair mall at 1 Bellis Fair Parkway in Bellingham, Wash. on April 22, 2025. By Alyse Smith

NO. 9: WHATCOM ROUNDUP: NEW DOWNTOWN CLUB; MALL STORE CLOSING; ESPRESSO STAND REBRAND

Your weekly guide to Whatcom County’s latest retail, restaurant and event news. | Published April 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

This illustration shows proposed plans for the new Chick-fil-A restaurant coming to 4030 Cordata Parkway in Bellingham, Wash. By City of Bellingham

NO. 10: WHATCOM ROUNDUP: CHICK-FIL-A CLOSE TO BREAKING GROUND; NEW FAIRHAVEN SHOP

Your weekly guide to Whatcom County’s latest retail, restaurant and event news. | Published May 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

A Rite Aid sign in Boise. By Sarah A. Miller

NO. 11: WHATCOM ROUNDUP: DOWNTOWN SHOP CLOSING; RITE AID BANKRUPTCY; JOANN LIQUIDATION SALE

Your weekly guide to Whatcom County’s latest retail, restaurant and event news. | Published May 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

Cars drive down Holly Street on February 18, 2025, in downtown Bellingham, Wash. By Rachel Showalter

NO. 12: WHATCOM ROUNDUP: NEW SUSHI RESTAURANT; FOXHOLE COMEBACK; LOCAL EVENTS ON TAP

Your weekly guide to Whatcom County’s latest retail, restaurant and event news. | Published May 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

Beach Cat Brewing on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 7876 Birch Bay Dr #101 in Birch Bay, Wash. By Alyse Smith

NO. 13: WHATCOM ROUNDUP: NEW BELLINGHAM BREWERY; FOOD TRUCK CLOSING, MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS

Your weekly guide to Whatcom County’s latest retail, restaurant and event news. | Published May 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

NO. 14: WHATCOM ROUNDUP: BARKLEY VILLAGE ADDITION, ICE FACILITY COMING TO LYNDEN

Your weekly guide to Whatcom County’s latest retail, restaurant and event news. | Published May 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

Barkley Village on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 at 2925 Newmarket St. Bellingham, Wash. By Alyse Smith

NO. 15: WHATCOM ROUNDUP: NEW BARKLEY VILLAGE RESTAURANT; BREWERY OPENS; MUSIC DOWNTOWN

Your weekly guide to Whatcom County’s latest retail, restaurant and event news. | Published June 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

Bayou on Bay restaurant on Feb. 25, 2025, before its permanent closure on March 4, 2025 at 1300 Bay St. in Bellingham, Wash. By Alyse Smith

NO. 16: WHATCOM ROUNDUP: NEW RESTAURANT; DOWNTOWN COMEBACK; FATHER’S DAY EVENTS

Your weekly guide to Whatcom County’s latest retail, restaurant and event news. | Published June 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

A rendering of MOTO Pizza’s new Bellingham location, opening in 2025 at 4373 Meridian St. in Bellingham, Wash.

NO. 17: WHATCOM ROUNDUP: NEW BELLINGHAM RESTAURANT, BIRCH BAY COFFEE SHOP

Your weekly guide to Whatcom County’s latest retail, restaurant and event news. | Published June 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

Open sign business stock photo. Wooden welcome open sign board hanging on door of cafe with female customers drinking coffee sitting inside. By AJ Watt

NO. 18: WHATCOM ROUNDUP: SEVERAL NEW RESTAURANTS; FOURTH OF JULY CLOSURES

Your weekly guide to Whatcom County’s latest retail, restaurant and event news. | Published July 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

The Pickford Film Center has announced plans to build a second movie theater in downtown Bellingham. The second theater will be on Grand Avenue, near its main theater on Bay Street. By Dave Gallagher

NO. 19: WHATCOM ROUNDUP: CHICK-FIL-A UPDATE; NEW DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT; PICKFORD EXPANSION

Your weekly guide to Whatcom County’s latest retail, restaurant and event news. | Published July 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.