County unemployment stands at 5%
A typical spring of lower unemployment rates is over in Whatcom and Skagit counties. New initial data from the state Employment Security Department put August rates at 5.0% in both counties, nearly unchanged from Whatcom’s 5.1% and Skagit’s 5.0% in July. From April through June, the unemployment rates were as much as a half-percentage point lower. Rates in both counties peaked (so far) this year at an adjusted 6.3% in Whatcom and 6.7% in Skagit in February before dropping seasonally.
In terms of people, the state reported Whatcom County’s labor force in August was the smallest it’s been all year, at 111,816, as was total employment at 106,235. By comparison, Skagit County’s labor force was 62,517 in August with total employment at 59,396, but both Skagit numbers were lower early in the year.
Rite Aid Sunset shrinks
If the Rite Aid in Bellingham’s Sunset Square appears smaller on the inside than it is on the outside, well, it actually is. The company confirmed it completed a remodel in August — using interior wall partitions and eliminating an entry door — that reduced the size of the store 42%, from 18,332 to 10,669 square feet. The location is part of a new “small format” pilot, according to a Rite Aid corporate spokesperson.
“We expect to pilot approximately 15 to 25 stores across various markets by the end of February 2025” with different formats, the spokesperson wrote in an email. Rite Aid, which exited bankruptcy protection on Sept. 3, now operates nine locations in Whatcom and Skagit counties, including three in Bellingham. It closed two Bellingham stores in 2023.
Banter seeks buyer
Downtown Bellingham cafe Banter is for sale. A listing on the BizBuySell website puts the asking price at $425,000 and promises “6 months owner support/training” with purchase. Owner Emile Diffley said he’s planning to spend half of the year in “a warmer climate, most likely California” and running a small cafe doesn’t quite fit with that lifestyle. Diffley said Banter will remain open through the transition with regular hours and services. The Banter location at 114 Prospect St. is one of three that have operated in Bellingham over the years; the original Banter on Commercial Street closed in November 2022 and a weekend brunch spot in Fairhaven operated through early 2023.
Diffley, calling ownership a “truly priceless experience for me to learn, grow and have a creative outlet,” asked that inquiries be directed to him, not staff, and added in an email that, “I hope that my employees have shared a similar sentiment of growth and feel taken care of as well as our customers have felt value in their experiences dining with us.”
Statement Apparel closes
The women’s clothing store Statement Apparel at 2945 Newmarket St., #107 in Barkley Village has closed its doors. In March it had been listed for sale, but owner DeeDee Bell said she “was surprised in the lack of interest, as the business was turnkey and well established.” Bell, who ultimately closed the store in August, said she’s continuing with her planned retirement after 24 years in retail and nine years as owner of Statement Apparel. Handwritten goodbye notes from staff on the door include thanks for “the friendship, the support and most importantly … the precious memories!”
Bellingham Cold Storage extends lease
Bellingham Cold Storage and the Port of Bellingham have announced that BCS — a fixture of the Bellingham waterfront since 1946 — will extend its lease with the Port for another 50 years. As part of the agreement, BCS said it’ll spend $30 million over the next two decades “to modernize port infrastructure and create new working waterfront job opportunities.” The news release noted that BCS supports about 1,200 year-round jobs and generates more than $600 million in annual commerce. Earlier this year, BCS opened two new warehouses in Skagit County.
Frank Catalano writes about business and related topics for CDN; reach him at frankcatalano@cascadiadaily.com.
