Whatcom Roundup: Bakery confirmed; new museum leadership; Woods Coffee closure
Here’s our weekly roundup of the latest retail and restaurant activity around Whatcom County:
Nothing Bundt Cakes confirmed
A new bakery chain is officially moving into Bellingham, months after filing building permit applications.
Nothing Bundt Cakes, a national bakery chain known for bundt cakes, first filed for a Bellingham location on Feb. 12. The city of Bellingham approved the building permits earlier this month.
The company recently posted the new location on its website with a “coming soon” status.
The location is planned for 4265 Meridian St, Ste 104, near Trader Joe’s in Cordata Center. The bakery will serve mini bundt cakes, birthday cakes and even wedding cakes.
No opening day or operating hours have been announced.
Woods Coffee closing downtown café
Woods Coffee is closing its downtown Bellingham coffee shop and café, according to a spokesperson from the company.
“Ultimately, the location was no longer economically sustainable due to steadily rising operating costs combined with a sustained decline in foot traffic in the area over recent years,” Natalie Moon, a member of the chain’s guest experience team, told The Herald.
The downtown Bellingham location will have its last day of operation on Sunday, May 31. The shop is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at 1135 Railroad Ave.
Whatcom Museum names new executive director
The Whatcom Museum has a new executive director, Jessica Borusky, after “an extensive nationwide search,” according to a May 27 news release from the museum.
“Borusky (they/them) comes to the Whatcom Museum after serving as the executive director of the Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle, WA,” the news release states. Borusky will start the new role on July 1.
“I am honored and thrilled to begin working alongside the Whatcom Museum staff, Board of Trustees, and the City of Bellingham to support a mission that connects diverse people, cultures, and ideas,” Borusky said. “I am excited to share my experience in exhibition spaces, community-forward cultural initiatives, and inclusive education practices and to be a strong advocate for the museum and its commitment to accessibility.”
The Whatcom Museum is located at Old City Hall at 121 Prospect St., and the Lightcatcher Building at 250 Flora St. in Bellingham.
Unemployment rate shows increase
The latest data update from the Washington State Employment Security Department shows Whatcom County’s unemployment rate increased slightly from March to April.
In March, the unemployment rate was 4.8% in Whatcom County, with 5,462 people unemployed. In April, the county had a 4.8% unemployment rate with 5,557 unemployed people, a slight increase of 95 more unemployed residents.
Last week’s roundup
Last week’s Whatcom Roundup highlighted a new gallery opening in Bellingham’s Fairhaven neighborhood, a Blaine boutique closing, local events and more.
Discover Whatcom
If you’re looking for some fun things to do in Whatcom County, new restaurants to visit, or stories on what makes our area unique, subscribe to our free weekly “Discover Whatcom” newsletter.
