Frank Catalano

Frank Catalano

Former Business & Work Columnist

Twitter: FrankCatalano


BUSINESS MATTERS

Lynden bookstore & coffee shop balances liveliness with legacy

Formerly Katz!, Eucastastrophe owners foster community connections 1 year later

BUSINESS MATTERS

Tourism promotion? There’s a grant for that

Bellingham, Ferndale, Whatcom County solicit 2024 proposals

BUSINESS MATTERS

Charity thrift stores use retail to fund causes

Local shops grow as interest in sustainability, savings increases

BUSINESS MATTERS

Whatcom, Skagit jobless rates remain at 2023 lows

Employment analysis finds both counties lagged state recovery

BUSINESS MATTERS

New Nature's Path president keeps eye on organic vision

Blaine facility employs one-third of the company's workforce

PLACES & THINGS

Places & Things: August 2023

Rite Aid downtown closing, J’s Kitchen Fairhaven opening

BUSINESS MATTERS

Planning starts for 2026 World Cup cross-border tourism needs

Visions of a Cascadia ‘two-nation vacation’

BUSINESS MATTERS

Bellingham office space empties as retail remains strong

Retail asking prices in second quarter hit new high

BUSINESS MATTERS

Birch Bay’s Station 49 still in same family, seven decades later

Family amusement center enters summer season with expanded options

BUSINESS MATTERS

Portal Container Village adds businesses and improvements

Bellingham’s waterfront center looks ahead to 2024 season

PLACES & THINGS

Places & Things: July 2023

Daiso starts hiring, Spirit Halloween portends

BUSINESS MATTERS

Skagit & Island entrepreneurship initiative exceeds expectations

Program focused on underserved and rural small business

BUSINESS MATTERS

1 year later, 5 lessons learned about Northwest Washington business

What a columnist found notable as a newcomer

BUSINESS MATTERS

Faithlife repositions as its new CEO marks 18 months

Bellingham-based Bible study software maker to emphasize Logos brand

BUSINESS MATTERS

Whatcom, Skagit unemployment rates drop to 2023 lows

Regional economist sees a return to pre-pandemic patterns

PLACES & THINGS

Places & Things: June 2023

JoJo’s to move, Red Ginger opens

BUSINESS MATTERS

Young foundation grows to support its Whatcom health mission

Mount Baker Foundation hires new executive director and staff

BUSINESS MATTERS

Fairhaven businesses prepare for Ski to Sea crowds

Annual race, festival benefit tourism and small business

BUSINESS MATTERS

New Bellingham water taxi increases options to the San Juans

Island Opportunity Charters begins passenger and freight service

BUSINESS MATTERS

Whatcom County population rises after pandemic decline

College counties bounce back in 2022 census estimates

PLACES & THINGS

Places & Things: May 2023

Hammerhead gets flagship store, Kona Bike Shop to close

BUSINESS MATTERS

Bellingham startup investment group seeks to grow locally

Pandemic expanded reach of Bellingham Angel Investors nationally

BUSINESS MATTERS

PNWBushcraft combines heirloom outdoor gear with digital marketing savvy

Deming-based business finds success on social media

BUSINESS MATTERS

Walmart stores in Whatcom and Skagit to drop single-use bags

Retailer's move part of 'zero waste' initiative in Washington, other states

PLACES & THINGS

Places & Things: April 2023

Youngstock's reopens for extended pop-up

BUSINESS MATTERS

Whatcom-B.C. personal vehicle traffic remains below pre-pandemic levels

One reason may be changed habits of shoppers, not the exchange rate

BUSINESS MATTERS

Tulip Festival prepares for annual bloom of economic impact

Business activity and tourism reputation cross-pollinate with the month-long event

BUSINESS MATTERS

Analysis finds long-term, Whatcom median home prices still increasing

'Middle-income' housing sits well below median price

BUSINESS MATTERS

Amazon delivery facility still to open near Burlington, despite delay

Online retailer continues to adjust plans for office sites and store formats

BUSINESS MATTERS

Bellingham’s Portal Container Village expands for 2023 season

Port of Bellingham says current location likely to continue for at least 10 years

PLACES & THINGS

Places & Things: March 2023

Copper Canoe Woman opens retail space, New Peking Restaurant closes

BUSINESS MATTERS

Bellingham store stands alone in providing products for breast cancer survivors

Nationally accredited Allies expands operations into Anchorage

BUSINESS MATTERS

For businesses, what happens in China doesn’t stay in China

Friday Harbor-based technologist shares predictions at annual Bellingham event

BUSINESS MATTERS

Public input on Skagit County agritourism favors more uses, with limits

Extensive effort now heads to policy change options

BUSINESS MATTERS

Bellis Fair’s future focuses on foot traffic under new owner

More events, different uses and an uptick in occupancy

PLACES & THINGS

Places & Things: February 2023

Joe's Gardens sets season opening date

BUSINESS MATTERS

Local hot sauce brand on fire after 'world champion' award

Funky's Hot Sauce Factory in Bellingham adding distribution, equipment, varieties

BUSINESS MATTERS

Multiple forces shaping 2023 local labor market

Regional economists explore staffing shortages, missing workers and hybrid work

BUSINESS MATTERS

Real estate rides roller coaster in Whatcom, Skagit counties

Residential median prices up, number of sales down in 2022 vs. 2021

BUSINESS MATTERS

WECU experiments with videos promoting local shopping

Well-received campaign may have raised awareness more than sales

PLACES & THINGS

Places & Things: January 2023

El Capitan's Taproom opens, Antler sets Valentine's pop up

BUSINESS MATTERS

Business climate hopes for 2023 include more staff, stability

Local business organizations share expectations for the new year

WTD?

What’s the Deal With: Steller’s jays?

The raucous birds annoy some, appeal to others

BUSINESS MATTERS

A 2022 of small business recovery and caution

Some major developments will take more than this year to wrap

PLACES & THINGS

Year in review: Many places, and a few things

2022 in business openings, closings and changes

BUSINESS MATTERS

The Hub Community Bike Shop again rides where it can be seen

Bellingham bike nonprofit relocates downtown after four years out of sight

BUSINESS MATTERS

Carnal owners expand footprint locally, plan consumer products nationally

Restaurant partners now have three Bellingham locations

PLACES & THINGS

Places & Things: December 2022

New vet to open in Barkley Village

BUSINESS MATTERS

Osprey Hill Farm factors seasonality into expansion

Pasture-raised and organic, this farm is growing

BUSINESS MATTERS

If 2023 brings recession, area businesses could feel it unevenly

WWU webinar suggests traditional forecasting might not apply