All Joann stores to close
Joann, the fabrics and crafts retailer, plans to close all of its retail stores nationwide after initially announcing it would close its Mount Vernon store at 510 E. College Way but leave Bellingham open. The latest announcement on Monday, Feb. 24 came after a liquidator won a bid to buy Joann’s assets, according to the company’s restructuring website; Joann is in bankruptcy protection for the second time in a year. Earlier, a company spokesperson did not provide a firm closing date for the Mount Vernon location, which is listed as a “liquidation store” on the corporate website. The Bellingham Joann, also now set to close, is in Sunset Square at 1125 E. Sunset Drive.
Little Stars, Love from London to open
Downtown Bellingham is getting sweeter — and a bit more playful. Specialty dessert shop Love from London plans its grand opening Saturday, March 1 at 1301 Commercial St., featuring “delectable bubble waffles, creamy shakes, and other delightful treats imported straight from across the pond,” according to its Instagram page. The retail space is the former location of JoJo’s Doughnuts, which closed in the summer of 2023.
Nearby, Little Stars Toy Store & Playhouse is planning a soft opening on March 16 at 1418 Cornwall Ave. The building had housed Allied Arts of Whatcom County before that organization’s two-block move in February. Little Stars’ Janice Wu said the toy selection will cater “to a wide age range, from early development toys for little ones to STEM games and hands-on activities for older children.” Also featured: seasonal toy collections, an indoor playhouse for kids under the age of 10 with “themed play zones,” party rental packages and a toy share program. A grand opening is planned in April.
Narrative Coffee closes cafe
Narrative Coffee ended its Bellingham cafe expansion after three years. The Everett-based company announced in an Instagram post that Saturday, Feb. 22 was its last day at 1400 W. Holly St., explaining that the spot next to Elizabeth Station in the Lettered Streets neighborhood “has not been able to garner enough support to make keeping the doors open up north sustainable for us.” Narrative said it’s still “going strong” in Everett.
Lynden, Ferndale newspapers combine
The family publishing company that owns both the Lynden Tribune and the Ferndale Record has combined both into a single weekly newspaper. The appropriately renamed “Lynden Tribune & Ferndale Record” came about, according to a Feb. 12 editorial, because of industry economics and “streamlining.” The editorial said both website and newspaper will have the full contents of what had been two separate papers, and under publisher Michael Lewis it will continue to have the “same number of reporters, both on staff and in our arsenal of freelancers, to cover north Whatcom County.” The Lewis family purchased the Lynden Tribune in 1914.
North Coast Credit Union branch closes
North Coast Credit Union’s Birchwood neighborhood branch at 3250 Northwest Ave. in Bellingham closes Friday, Feb. 28. The credit union said the closing is part of the property’s previously announced sale to the City of Bellingham to “facilitate additional affordable housing,” with a tiny home village first set to go in on city-owned property next door. North Coast said it will still have five branches, including one about 1.5 miles south at 1100 Dupont St. in Bellingham and in Ferndale, Mount Vernon, Anacortes and Sedro-Woolley.
Salish Village Wendy’s opens
A new Wendy’s has opened in Whatcom County — and it’s being touted as “the first of many businesses set to open” at Salish Village, a commercial development on Lummi Nation tribal lands. The grand opening was on Feb. 19. Lummi Commercial Company said the fast-food restaurant, located at 1399 Slater Road near Interstate 5 in Ferndale, is a “significant milestone” in developing the 160-acre site.
Frank Catalano writes about business and related topics for CDN; reach him at frankcatalano@cascadiadaily.com.
