Open & Closed, formerly Places & Things, is updated regularly with new business openings, closings and changes.
Monday, Dec. 25
Artivem Mead closing in new year
Artivem Mead, a 3-year-old artisan meadery, is closing for good after New Year’s Eve, the business announced on its social media on Dec 17.
Artivem Mead Co is located at 1211 Granary Ave. in Ste. 127. Mead is an alcoholic beverage of fermented honey and water.
“We’d like to thank all of our flock members, regular customers and everyone who has ever supported us,” the business wrote on Facebook.
Everything is now 35% off until the store’s closure.
Friday, Dec. 22
Fjallraven storefront to open downtown next year
Swedish outdoor gear brand Fjallraven will be opening a storefront downtown in February.
The City of Bellingham wrote in a news roundup Dec. 22 that Fjallraven would be located in a city-owned store space at the corner of Holly Street and Commercial Street downtown in the same building as Commercial Street Parking.
The City said in the email that this addition is in line with their Downtown Bellingham Retail Strategy, developed with the Downtown Bellingham Partnership, to “attract more business and residential investment downtown and increase fiscal health and vibrancy.”
Wednesday, Dec. 13
Black Fern Coffee closes for ‘foreseeable future’
Black Fern Coffee, located at 1211 Granary Ave., has closed for the foreseeable future, according to a social media post on Tuesday, Dec. 12.
“It’s been an incredible journey serving you our delicious brews, and we’re grateful for the love and support you’ve shown us,” the business announced on its social media. Black Fern did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Black Fern’s “sister company” Gold Fern, a natural wine bar located in Fairhaven, is still open and operating as of Dec. 13.
Tuesday, Dec. 12
Financial center opens in Sedro-Woolley; Anacortes credit union to move
A new Whatcom Educational Credit Union (WECU) financial center opened this week in Sedro-Woolley, according to a news release.
The new center, which opened Monday, Dec. 11, is located at 1102 state Route 20. Another center opened earlier this year in Mount Vernon, the credit union’s first expansion outside Whatcom County. The Mount Vernon center is located at 1835 Riverside Drive, #104.
WECU is a credit union based in Bellingham serving 150,000 members and employing more than 420 people. It was founded in 1936 as Bellingham Teachers Credit Union and became WECU in 1975.
In Anacortes, North Coast Credit Union is planning to move its Anacortes branch in January into the downtown sector, according to Rachael Sylte, vice president of marketing.
The branch’s opening is scheduled for Jan. 8 at 3110 Commercial Ave. Until then, the credit union will be operating at its current location off Highway 20 near Swinomish Golf Links.
“The new location makes us more accessible for Anacortes residents and businesses,” said Olivo Flores, North Coast branch manager. ”That’s especially important because we’re the only full-service Anacortes credit union with an open membership.”
North Coast had more than 20,000 members at the end of 2022.
Thursday, Dec. 7
Jack’s BBQ closes Bellingham location
Jack’s BBQ has closed its Bellingham location at 1327 N State St.
In a message to customers, the BBQ said the decision to close the location was “not made lightly. It is met with a mix of emotions. While we are sad to say goodbye, we are also immensely grateful for the memories we made together,” a note on the door of the restaurant said.
People who have Jack’s gift cards can contact max@jacksbbq.com or mail their gift card to Jack’s BBQ (Attn: Max) at 3924 Airport Way, Seattle, WA, 98108 to get a refund. A note on the door of the restaurant says that people should include their receipt, email, phone number and return address if possible. Cards purchased at Costco will be refunded for $80, and all others will be refunded at face value, according to the note.
The Bellingham Jack’s location opened on April 5, 2022. Jack’s BBQ started in Seattle in 2014. It has five other locations in SoDo, South Lake Union, Columbia Tower, Algona and Lakewood.
Monday, Dec. 4
Bellingham Makerspace reopens woodshop in Bellis Fair mall
The Bellingham Makerspace has reopened its woodshop in the Bellis Fair mall after more than a year and is now offering jewelry-making classes in facilities formerly provided by the Bellingham Metal Arts Guild, according to an email.
Makerspace is a community workshop and creative space offering a variety of tools, classes and support, from 3D printing to sewing to laser cutters, and more. Classes are open to the public, but membership is required to get full access to tools.
In a statement, Becky Williams spoke of the merger of the Bellingham Metal Arts Guild with the Makerspace.
“We will again be offering beginning to advanced classes in silversmithing and jewelry making. In addition, the studio will be available for those who need a workspace and tools to create their own designs in non-ferrous metals.”
Located at Bellis Fair mall between the Bellis Fair branch of the Bellingham Public Library and Dick’s Sporting Goods, Makerspace is open to the public from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Members have after-hours access. Find more at https://bellinghammakerspace.org/.
Friday, Dec. 1
Bison Bookbinding & Letterpress celebrating grand opening of second location
Bison Bookbinding & Letterpress is celebrating the grand opening of its second location in the Granary Building on Friday, Dec. 1.
The celebration, part of First Friday, will feature artist Cameron Jennings with a pop-up shop of locally made ceramics, and the event will have music and serve hot tea to customers.
The business had been hosting patio pop-up events at the Granary over the summer, but turned its focus on preparing the permanent space after the final pop-up on Aug. 26.
The stationery and printing company, established in 2004, is keeping its original arts district location open for the time being.
The new shop is at 1207 Granary Ave., Suite 160. The original store is located at 112 Grand Avenue, Suite 101. Hours are Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Read Open & Closed: November 2023.
