Allegiant begins seasonal Bellingham service
Allegiant Air has launched its nonstop seasonal routes between Bellingham International Airport and both Oakland and San Diego. In a news release, the airline said the May resumption of seasonal routes allows passengers “to enjoy some of our network’s most popular destinations just in time for summer vacations.” An airline spokesperson said the San Diego route is on sale through Aug. 12 and the Oakland route through Feb. 10, 2025. Allegiant’s route map shows it currently flies nonstop between Bellingham and Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Phoenix/Mesa, Oakland and San Diego.
Whatcom tourism spending up
A new report released by Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism finds direct visitor spending in Whatcom County increased again in 2023. The figures, based on data from Tourism Economics, put the annual total at $750.8 million, up 9.1% from 2022 and well above 2019’s pre-pandemic high of $555 million. The greatest percentage increases in spending were reported in the recreation, food and beverage, and accommodations sectors, in that order. But growth in tourism jobs was stagnant year over year, apparently reflecting staffing shortages in the travel and hospitality industry.
Doug’s Burgers opens brick-and-mortar spot
Food truck Doug’s Burgers has a more permanent place to park — a physical restaurant at 2527 Meridian St. in Bellingham, the former location of El Rey Latino Restaurant near Menace Brewing. Hours and services, however, are initially limited. “We are still working hard to get our restaurant in Bellingham fully open as soon as we can,” Doug’s writes on its website. “However, in the meantime you can stop in Thursday-Sunday from 11-7pm for takeout while we continue to work on our seating and bar arrangements!” The food truck also still operates.
Barron merges with creative agency
A longstanding vendor-client relationship has led to a tying of the knot between Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing and Veritas Media. Barron announced that it has acquired all the assets of the Bellingham video production firm with which it said it’s worked for five years. Ferndale-based Barron said what’s now called Veritas by Barron, LLC — a Barron Family Company will keep doing business as Veritas Media, and will keep producing videos for other companies. Financial details were not disclosed.
County unemployment rates down
Whatcom and Skagit counties continued to see their unemployment rates decrease in April to 4.5% and 4.9%, respectively, according to the Washington State Employment Security Department’s monthly report. In March, the non-seasonally adjusted rates were 5.4% in Whatcom County and 5.8% in Skagit County. The trend appears in line with typical annual patterns, in which the counties’ unemployment rates peak each year around February and decrease through the spring months.
Frank Catalano writes about business and related topics for CDN; reach him at frankcatalano@cascadiadaily.com.
