Whatcom County’s first Chick-fil-A is one step closer to becoming reality. On Sept. 6, the City of Bellingham approved the chain’s permit request to build a new restaurant at 4030 Cordata Parkway.
According to the permit, an approximately 6,000-square-foot eatery will be constructed on the north half of an empty parking lot near Bellis Fair Mall. The eatery will feature an indoor dining space as well as 79 designated on-site parking spaces. It will also include an outdoor dining area and drive-thru with capacity for 35 queuing vehicles.
The permit proposes vehicle access from the existing curb cut off Cordata Parkway, plus a new exit-only curb cut off Cordata Parkway near the intersection with West Bakerview Road.
Chick-fil-A first filed a pre-application letter with the City of Bellingham in May 2023. In the initial proposal, the chain estimated 74 interior seats, 48 exterior seats and a two-lane drive-thru.
Chick-fil-A is the nation’s largest fast food chain specializing in chicken sandwiches. The Bellingham restaurant will join upward of 3,000 other locations across 48 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Canada. Opening dates are yet to be announced.
