Madrona Wear, Beverly’s Music School move
Two Bellingham businesses have moved into new Holly Street locations. In the Sehome neighborhood, outdoor gear repair, alteration and consignment store Madrona Wear opened in early December at 770 E. Holly St. Owner Weston Persons said the move from 1321 King St. gave them a larger storefront to meet “the growing demand for our repair services, coupled with a growing retail operation.”
Downtown, Beverly’s Music School has literally moved up — from the basement of Bay Street Village to a “much larger” mezzanine-level space at 301 W. Holly St., according to owner Beverly Rodenberg. The spot in suite M3, she said, allows for more lessons, classes and teachers in “one cohesive location.”
Little Dog Coffee, De Todo Mijo close
Drive-thru beverage stand Little Dog Coffee Co. announced on social media that its last day at 2438 E. Bakerview Road in Bellingham’s Irongate neighborhood will be Sunday, Dec. 15. The business said after six years it’s closing “due to a combination of factors including the current and future economic conditions in Bellingham and Washington state and the need to focus on family.”
Colombian market De Todo Mijo — which in August said it was “closed for renovations” — is apparently closed forever. Its storefront at 784 Kentucky St. in the Sunnyland neighborhood had “for lease” signs posted in late November. The business opened in early 2024.
Bellis Fair food spots open
Two new food court vendors will be serving side-to-side in Bellis Fair mall. Cultured Harvests, with a sign promising “locally sourced soups, sandwiches and salads,” opened at the end of November. Dessert? Look next door. Roman Artisan Bake plans to open by Wednesday, Dec. 11, upgrading from a kiosk to a more permanent space for its international desserts and dessert catering.
See’s Candies pops up
Pun trigger warning: a See’s-onally open See’s Candies has popped up again at 1125 E. Sunset Drive in Bellingham’s Sunset Square. Staff said the store, which opened in November, will remain through at least Dec. 24, depending on inventory. The nearest See’s Candies year-round location is in Burlington.
Hansen’s Furniture consolidates
Longtime Mount Vernon retailer Hansen’s Furniture has consolidated the inventory and operations of its second storefront, Furnish 1-2-3 at 1101 W. Division St., into Hansen’s main store at 916 W. Division St. A representative said the Sunday, Dec. 8 closing of Furnish 1-2-3, which carried mostly the Ashley Furniture brand, was due to the owner “wanting to simplify things and be able to focus more on Hansen’s Furniture” after the death of a spouse. Family-owned Hansen’s will remain open.
Sports Alliance forms
Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism launched an initiative focused on “marketing our area’s sports and outdoor recreation opportunities to those 50+ miles away,” according to its news release. The new Bellingham Whatcom County Sports Alliance will operate as a department inside BWCT with its own staff and web presence, collaborating with event and facility managers, local officials and lodging properties to raise awareness of Whatcom County as a destination for sporting events. BWCT said the Sports Alliance also will aim to attract new business to the area.
Business awards given, begun
Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce presented its 2024 Annual Awards at a November dinner. Among the businesses honored by Chamber members: RAM Construction (Large Business of the Year), Bellingham Bells (Small Business of the Year), Whatcom Events (Tourism Business of the Year) and Whatcom Hospice Foundation (Nonprofit of the Year). Several individuals were also recognized.
Statewide, the Association of Washington Business honored Growing Veterans of Lynden in its November annual Evening of Excellence ceremony. Growing Veterans received the Washington Veterans and Families Award. It was one of 11 employers and manufacturers in the state to win an award, and the only winner in Whatcom or Skagit counties.
And 2025? The Whatcom Business Alliance put out a call for nominations for its Whatcom Business Awards Black & Gold Gala. Nominations are open until Dec. 31 for the annual awards event on March 27, 2025.
Frank Catalano writes about business and related topics for CDN; reach him at frankcatalano@cascadiadaily.com.
