Bellingham’s Wonderz Market is a haven for all things eclectic, and it’s growing
Elijah Ryan and his partner had spent a lot of time driving down to markets in Seattle or Portland to sell vintage goods under the name “Thrifted Wonderz” before creating Wonderz Market in February 2023. The market was a passion project aimed to create a community space for marginalized people that was closer to home instead of in an urban center.
“I was like ‘I can’t keep driving down to Seattle and Portland to do these events,’ but there was nothing really on a grand scale that I felt like fit our niche of vintage and art, more eclectic, and not as much a farmer’s market vibe,” Ryan said.
The monthly market has free entry and features around 100 vendors of art, trinkets, patches, clothing, jewelry, and more. Body modification vendors also attend, and set up their booths in WinkWink, an adult intimate shop on Commercial Street. The last market had four different tattoo artists with sheets of pre-made designs to choose from at a relatively low price, a permanent jewelry stand and gender-affirming haircuts. Tooth gems and piercings have also been available at past events.
As it turned out, Ryan and his partner weren’t the only ones looking for that kind of space. The first of the markets was held in buildings at 1215 Cornwall Ave., and then a the COF& coffee shop. Due to a high volume of vendor applications, the market now lives outdoors on Commercial Street, primarily between Holly and Magnolia streets.
“We just got the point where we were getting so many applicants that we had to expand, so we started working with the city, started renting out commercial street,” Ryan said. “I love the location. It’s right downtown, super straightforward to close off as far as traffic control and things like that.”
At the peak of its popularity last fall, they were receiving 250 applications, Ryan said, but can only accept 100. Right now, they are still waitlisting about 20 vendors a month. Ryan also said they’re getting vendors from outside the state, including Oregon and New York.
“I didn’t think that it would get to this spot. It’s literally just me and my bedroom office doing this. It’s crazy and super fulfilling and exciting,” Ryan said.
Ryan, his partner and his mom continue to run the market independently. Ryan takes care of the day-to-day operations, his partner takes photo and video, and his mom has started helping with vendor check-in.
“I’m born and raised in Bellingham, and this is a community and environment I always craved growing up,” Ryan said. “It’s extremely validating to see it well-received and well-attended. It feels like a Barbie world that I just live in.”
Upcoming markets are scheduled for Sept. 27 and Oct. 25. More information and vendor applications can be found on Wonderz Market’s Instagram and Facebook pages.
This story was originally published August 28, 2025 at 8:36 AM.
