Worn Again Thrift to move
Worn Again Thrift is relocating deeper into downtown Bellingham. The “mostly vintage” clothing store said it will move from 232 E. Champion St. to 101 E. Holly St. — the street-level corner location of the historic Bellingham National Bank Building. Owner and founder Miles Harlow said opening is set for Saturday, April 19. Harlow said the new address has nearly twice the space of the old, which it opened in 2021, and bank heritage will be honored as “the vault will be open to the public and filled with 180 pairs of shoes.”
Forever 21 set to close
Insert obligatory “forever isn’t” phrase here: Setting aside the intervention of a last-minute buyer, Forever 21 announced it plans to close all of its U.S. retail stores, including the one at Bellis Fair, following its second bankruptcy filing since 2019. “Everything on sale” signs filled the windows on the fast-fashion mall store days after the March 16 filing, and notices online and in the store said gift cards and store credit will be honored through April 15. While Forever 21 hasn’t given a specific closing date, Bellis Fair management said it is in early stages of “discussing the space with potential replacement tenants as it is a great location.”
Wild Oat Bakery & Cafe closes
Downtown Bellingham eatery The Wild Oat Bakery & Cafe closed effective March 10. In an email, owner Crystal Davis said that she retired. The vegan restaurant at 1305 Cornwall Ave. had been listed for sale for $200,000 in April 2023; it posted on social media at the time that “at almost 69 years of age, Crystal, the owner, has osteoarthritis, and would like to retire soon.”
Tacos y Birria El Botas, Bordertown open
Mexican restaurant Tacos y Birria El Botas opened in early February at 784 Kentucky St. in Bellingham’s Sunnyland neighborhood. Menu items include the expected staples of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, birria and more, but the owner emphasized that they can make nearly any item vegetarian. The new restaurant is located at the former address of short-lived Colombian market De Todo Mijo, which both opened and closed in 2024.
Meanwhile, Bordertown Mexican Grill — which earlier said it hoped to open its second location in March — had its grand opening on Saturday, March 22 at 1055 N. State St. in downtown Bellingham. It took over the longtime Pepper Sisters restaurant spot.
The Kulshan Hotel opens
The Kulshan Hotel in Sedro-Woolley celebrated its grand opening at 807 Trail Road with a ribbon cutting on Friday, March 21. The 49-unit “boutique hybrid” hotel, which officially opened in late February, has 12 different room layouts “to accommodate both short-term and long-term guests” such as those visiting Janicki Industries, according to a news release. General Manager/Director of Sales Alia Rossi said among its features are kitchenettes in every room, a fitness center, on-site laundry, complimentary breakfast buffet and “thoughtfully designed furnishings featuring work from local artists.”
Whatcom Audiology opens
Hearing clinic Whatcom Audiology opened Feb. 28 at 805 W. Orchard Drive, suite 8, in Bellingham’s Cornwall Park neighborhood. The locally owned private practice of Dr. Jessica Maassen and Stephanie Santiago traces its roots back to 2008 when, according to the clinic, “two students, both eager to dive into the world of audiology, found themselves seated together on the first day of classes at WWU.” Maassen said the new patient-centered clinic offers hearing evaluations, hearing aids and related services, plus takes part in local events “where we can share the importance of hearing health especially when it comes to aging and wellbeing.”
Frank Catalano writes about business and related topics for CDN; reach him at frankcatalano@cascadiadaily.com.
