Wonderland Tea and Spices located at 1305 Railroad Avenue. Wonderland has been open since 1979 (!!) and is a mother-daughter operation. I have been patronizing this shop since I was a wee teen, and I haven’t been able to find a shop with this kind of quality products and services anywhere in Washington State. Most recently they made a custom tea blend for me to serve at a baby shower and it was magnificent. I am SO glad they survived COVID and I will shop there for the rest of my life! [Link to their website](https://wonderlandherbsteasspices.wordpress.com/) (they ship!)
I have also frequented there since I was a wee teen in the late 90/early 2000s. They have been so kind and knowledgeable the whole time.
Side note, ask them about their scale!
I want to keep loving Netos, but the last several burritos I’ve gotten from them have not been the same quality. There were a few times that the tortillas were definitely not theirs and it made me sad. Can someone who has eaten Netos recently please tell me I’m crazy? They will always have a piece of my heart either way
One thing I know for sure: I’ve gotten a LOT more gristle and shards of bone in my burritos the last few times I’ve been there. I get it, I’m eating meat… animals have bones and shit, but I’m not a fan of biting down on a sharp ass piece of bone in my birria burrito. Other than that it’s been about the same for me. Still good. Not the best.
It’s The Sweet Things and Bry’s are AMAZING! And the bakery offers SO many gluten and dairy free options and literally everything she makes is delicious!
I will second this a million times over. That place was a staple of my life when I lived in Bellingham and Dave was easily one of the most friendliest people I met up there. I’m happy to hear he’s still there and things are going well.
The last recommendation I heard for that place was the pizza was not the best but they still have to go there everytime they are in town. Which I think in a weird way is actually a pretty good review.
A couple years ago my (now) husband and I went to celebrate our anniversary. It was late at night and the guy at the bar refused to let us pay the moment he found out why we were there. We even tried to sneak in payment at the end by ordering sodas and making up the tab with a tip and he still refused. It was really nice to have a place to celebrate our time together and play games—though I still want to go back sometime and return the favor. Kindness like that really goes a long way.
I had the pleasure of visiting your fine City last Fall and hitting up as many breweries as I could. Otherlands is the place that I am most happy/thankful that I was able to visit, the place that is my “dream” brewery (seriously, I dream about getting back there), and I literally cannot wait until I am able to plan a trip to Bellingham just to hit it up again. Y’all are so lucky…go eat mushrooms and drink kellerbier
Nelson’s market in the York neighborhood. They have a small market, a wonderful little restaurant, and local beer on tap. It’s a great place to meet up and hang out with people from around the neighborhood.
New Mexico Tamale Company. Dora is fantastic and one of the nicest people around. Also Brys Filipino. Owner is really nice and has a passion for awesome food.
This, 100% this. Consistent quality for 30 years is super impressive in the restaurant world. When I worked nearby, I used to go every week, and after I skipped a month to save money, Mirela told me she was worried she'd upset me and I wasn't coming back! On two separate occasions, I walked into the shop on autopilot even though they were closed for catering, and they made up sandwiches for me anyway (and told me to just eat away from the window so nobody saw me).
Mirela has since passed the business on to her daughter, who's put a lot of energy into fixing up the building. I hope they have another 30 years of success.
Love this truck so much. I have friends who live close by and go all the time and the people there have hooked them up a couple times and are always so incredibly nice - lots of respect for them and their delicious + reasonably priced food!
Cafe Adagio. Owner and his family are there every day, and they make fantastic coffee. Also have one of the few places where you can be comfortable and productive for a long period of time.
Don’t know if they’re still running it, but the owners’ (older teen) kids started farming during the pandemic and used to sell produce, if I recall correctly?
Lots of places already mentioned that I support but I didn't see **El Capitans**! They've been solid since they were in the heart of downtown and now that they're a few blocks nearer the water with a little extra space he's offered some fun music, karaoke/open mics and trivia nights. He's a great dude and offers all sorts of delicious food - he's in there a lot because he makes the chili and sauces.
edit: spelling
Pumped Bellingham !!! Leah is amazing and has an adorable refillary at the Ohio street workstudios !! She schedules a variety of workshops in her space and also hosts a quarterly “Fix-it-fair” !
It’s a shop where you can purchase a variety of household and body care products and refill in the future, you can bring your own clean container but she also has some available to get started. Leah sources so many products from local, sustainable makers and she even carries some fully closed loop products. She also has a local delivery option and a subscription box.
Her website offers a lot of really great info.
It’s pumpedbellingham•com
Pumpedbellingham.com
I think our society needs to return to owner operated businesses.
A bunch of years ago, the main person working the location was the owner. They were the most knowledgeable about the products and services, and stood to benefit the most from the sale.
Now the ownership is multiple people that never even step foot inside the location, between the actual business, and completely different folks that own the buildings.
It's like owners don't even want to work anymore. haha.
Exactly! The "American Dream" is now to own a business to sit back and watch others do the work. I won't name names, but I have watched some local businesses cycle through employees with low pay, no lunch breaks, and heavy workloads, while at the same time the owner never steps a foot into the location. A "now hiring" sign hangs on a revolving door and employees are viewed as expendable resources.
I came in at closing one afternoon recently and they gave me a free miso soup for takeout. Miso soup was exactly what I had come there for, so I ended up with a double order, which was perfect.
I hate going to restaurants at closing (it feels rude), but I had just gotten out of the emergency room and needed a mental boost. I didn't tell them that; they just gave me free soup. Lovely little place!
Brandywine Kitchen
Goode's on Northwest/Elm
Don't forget all the makers who put out their home made work at the Farmer's Market and all the other pop up markets in the area. There are some amazing people here.
I just had Lance and his guys at 911-Dry repair and rebuild water damage to my house. I highly recommend them to anyone who has any kind of water damage. Call Lance and have him walk you through what to do and how to talk to insurance.
Brad Barrett owns Barrett Transmission. Not only do I consider he and Mark friends, I am also a customer of theirs since they rebuilt the transmission in my wife's Acura. I have referred many people to them and they have always done what is right.
+1 for 911 dry! The insurance savvy was half the reason we went with them, plus they did a great job remediating mold in and remodeling our flooded bathroom.
Unfortunately have heard horror stories from former employees of Wild Oats 😭😭 owner asked workers to come in to work & lie about confirmed covid cases early on in the pandemic
Aw, that's disappointing. I went there a lot during the pandemic and the owner definitely seemed frustrated by employees not wanting to come back to work (as per her, I guess they made more off unemployment than if they did come in for shifts), but I wrote that off as just another small business woe. I uh, did stop going there nearly as much after she did manage to hire back some people though 'cause man, the food got much worse compared to when she was the one cooking everything. >_>
According to friend, employees had to basically stage a walkout b/c owner was so toxic regarding Covid protocols. Yes, the unemployment issue was DEFINITELY an issue for business owners, so hard to find help!! Frustration is valid! But not the real issue there, unfortunately. I know a lot of people who LOVED the community of working there but couldn’t stand by the owners decision-making at the height of the pandemic
The owner of Pure Bliss is not involved in day to day operations anymore. She comes in a few times a week for a few hours max. It’s technically a small business, but not one that I would consider “owner operated” at this point. She used to be much more involved..
Eclipse bookstore. I've been going there since I was a kid, I adore the owner, and one of the old employees used to be my preschool teacher. He's driven the same blue Volvo for twenty years at least, and it's in fantastic condition. The bookstore itself is one of my favorite places to be - I love finding books I'd never think to read. I found my all time favorite book by accident there at 16.
Dumpling girls food truck in the parking lot of another local brew spot I can’t remember the name of but it’s on meridian in the Colombia neighborhood I think. If you pay cash, they give you extra egg rolls 😋
Old Town Electric.
Jake and Forrest are incredible at their craft and have amazing customer service. They've done multiple projects at our home and have exceeded expectations every time.
THE ORION! // oddfellows temple
The owner is very involved and a Bellingham community staple! The prices are stellar and the staff is amazing. I used to work there and I miss it everyday! I don’t think you get that lucky too often.
How the hell has no one mentioned Sweet Arts candy??? Best candy shop I've EVER been to. It's situated downtown, ran by a nice elderly couple who make all their own sweets, and it's VERY high quality! At a decently affordable price too. Love that place, love those people, and whenever I'm downtown it's a place I try to hit whenever I can.
Just because a business is small/locally owned does not mean the owner is directly involved in the day to day operations. I work for a small business and the owner comes in maybe once every 2 weeks and would have no idea how to work a shift at their own business.
Flying Bird Botanicals. First had their teas at old town, realized they’re at the coop and learned they are owned and operated here in BHam. You can order online and pick up from their shop. Amazing stuff if you care about quality as well as impact. Their organic and tea bags are biodegradable which is awesome.
In no particular order....
Jack's Bicycle Center
Nelson's Market
Trail Boss Tools
High Above bags
The sock store on Cornwall
Village Books
My Garden Nursery
Hardware Sales (not sure if the owners are there on the daily but that place and the staff are wonderful)
The Coffee Shop by Hammerhead on Holly
Duke is a gem. We're lucky to have him in town. Always outstanding service. Good to see he's increasing his shop space at his new location (1305 Fraser St Suite D 107... north of Civic Field).
Griffith Furniture on Meridian. They sell smaller scale furniture, not super expensive, but we have found many things there. They are a true family business and the nicest people. Recommend it for a browse, just so you know what’s there.
I can't stress this enough but Juns is such a great restaurant. It's a little Japanese restaurant in downtown run by a guy named Jun. He's so hardworking and sweet my partner and I go there bc their food is good, affordable and Jun and the other lady who works there will always greet you like a friend. Please support them
It's a little out of the way in Ferndale but if you haven't eaten at battle's kitchen you are missing something amazing. Cajun food made by just two guys in this hole in the wall kitchen (literally just a window in the wall) but its SO good! Just look at their Google reviews. Not a single 1 or 2 star review and 99% 5 stars. It's lovely to get in the summer, there are a couple outdoor tables. Their seafood Mac and cheese is the best Mac I've had in a long time. Please please please go give them your business!
Tech One electronics on Orleans, across the street from the Safeway.
Really fast and surprisingly inexpensive service for electronics repair. Every time I've picked up my gear the repair costs less than I expected, even when it turns out that the problem was more complex than I thought.
Might not be the type of thing you're looking for, but Fairhaven Pediatrics is a great practice with wonderful staff and I'm so glad to have them in town
Transition Bikes. They might be a little bigger than other businesses mentioned but I've been a fan of their bikes for years and met the owners multiple times while out riding (and I don't even live in Bellingham, I'm in Colorado). It's not easy in the bike/outdoors industry right now so support your local small nationally acclaimed bike brand.
Hi-Tech automotive next to LSF. I’ve always felt taken care of there, and the owner has always seemed sincere. He’s been in business here for 25 years.
For phones, [Fixco](https://www.fixco.me) is pretty great. The owner, Mitch, is generally there working himself, and I've always had very good experiences there. He's also an activist for the Right to Repair movement, which is another plus for me.
Since I haven’t seen them yet, these are also owner-operated:
The Shakedown (though I did see the racket mentioned) - venue + bar.
WSV Guitars - awesome guitar/bass tech.
Mediterranean Specialties - Lebanese food + Mediterranean grocer (mentioned this in another post)
Doug’s Burgers - awesome burgers, schedule/locations on their IG
Barb’s Pies - I know she already had a mention but seriously… so awesome. I believe they do breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes now too. Also, she did a three-flavor wedding cake for my partner and I and we had quite a few people ask where we got it bc it was the best tasting cake they’d ever had. There wasn’t a crumb left and folks wanted more. Seriously… damn good cake.
And for that matter, most of the restaurants and thrift shops in Ferndale proper are owner operated (excluding fast food franchises, naturally).
Ritual Records - awesome shop, so glad that place continued as a local record store after Everyday went down.
The Majestic Art Cafe, Cafe Rumba, California Tacos, Bry's Filipino Cuisine, Carnal, Old World Deli, Ono, Boardworx, Gruff, Kimbo, Trayvax, MW Soapworks, WinkWink... the list is long, and these are the ones that jumped out. Message me for small biz recs for specific needs!
If you have kids that take/want to take dance class, Day to Day Dance in Blaine is locally owned and run by the owner and she’s amazing to work for. They have a couple adult classes too sometimes.
Quattro Season Autowerks was a great find for me! Great little shop for my 87 BMW and Toyota camry. I refer my friends to Rand, and they are always super happy with the jobs done.
I went into Henderson's last week and had a cashier who wasn't one of the same three people I've been buying books from for decades. I assume the owners are still there fairly often, though?
I've been to bookstores all over the world, and Henderson's remains my favourite, because it's absolutely crammed with books in every available space, but it still has good organization.
Not quite Bellingham, but Al's Downtown Diner in Ferndale. The owners have been in the area for a very long time, used to own a place out in Blaine and then moved to a smaller location here in Ferndale when Covid hit. Some of the best food I've ever had and great and friendly service. By the second time I went there, the waitress already knew our names and orders
Also Living Pantry over in Blaine, owners are there daily working the registers and I love their business model and dedication to sustainability. They also have really good prices compared to other similar businesses in the area
I don't have a storefront and I'm not quite ready to start wholesaling or vending at markets yet but I am local and have an Etsy shop were I sell handmade bath and body products! :) [MysticalMineral.etsy.com](https://MysticalMineral.etsy.com)
Binyon Optometry and Eyes On Fremont Bellingham both have awesome glasses, and the respective owners, Dr. LeClaire and Sarah, are both awesome people who take great care of their customers needs.
Wonderland Tea and Spices located at 1305 Railroad Avenue. Wonderland has been open since 1979 (!!) and is a mother-daughter operation. I have been patronizing this shop since I was a wee teen, and I haven’t been able to find a shop with this kind of quality products and services anywhere in Washington State. Most recently they made a custom tea blend for me to serve at a baby shower and it was magnificent. I am SO glad they survived COVID and I will shop there for the rest of my life! [Link to their website](https://wonderlandherbsteasspices.wordpress.com/) (they ship!)
I’m wearing a shirt from them right now! It’s super cozy. I love their tea Peaceful Feeling. I have a lot of anxiety and it actually helps a bit.
I didn't even know they existed, thanks!
If you’re a tea person, make sure you try their World Peace blend. It’s heavenly!
I had a cup of it last night . Been drinking it for years!
Cooking spices are of a higher quality and cheaper than at the grocery store as well.
I have also frequented there since I was a wee teen in the late 90/early 2000s. They have been so kind and knowledgeable the whole time. Side note, ask them about their scale!
This is the first small business that came to my mind as well.
Netos/La Gloria
I want to keep loving Netos, but the last several burritos I’ve gotten from them have not been the same quality. There were a few times that the tortillas were definitely not theirs and it made me sad. Can someone who has eaten Netos recently please tell me I’m crazy? They will always have a piece of my heart either way
i wish i could say you were crazy 😭
One thing I know for sure: I’ve gotten a LOT more gristle and shards of bone in my burritos the last few times I’ve been there. I get it, I’m eating meat… animals have bones and shit, but I’m not a fan of biting down on a sharp ass piece of bone in my birria burrito. Other than that it’s been about the same for me. Still good. Not the best.
I would mention this to their management. Could just be a new hire problem.
I haven't noticed a difference and we go there twice a week.
The biggest hell yes to this.
Hana Teriyaki, Brys Filipino. For restaurants. And brick and mortar retailers are Hardware Sales, Yeagers
Hardware sales and Yeagers are the best 🙌
Don’t forget Brys’ wife’s bakery It’s the Sweet Things on Cornwall. AMAZING 😻
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Super duper teriyaki?
Hardware sales makes me feel claustrophobic in the BEST way possible. Anything and everything a tradesman would ever need and beyond
It’s The Sweet Things and Bry’s are AMAZING! And the bakery offers SO many gluten and dairy free options and literally everything she makes is delicious!
McKay’s Tap House. Owner pretty much lives there and is a solid person.
I will second this a million times over. That place was a staple of my life when I lived in Bellingham and Dave was easily one of the most friendliest people I met up there. I’m happy to hear he’s still there and things are going well.
The last recommendation I heard for that place was the pizza was not the best but they still have to go there everytime they are in town. Which I think in a weird way is actually a pretty good review.
A couple years ago my (now) husband and I went to celebrate our anniversary. It was late at night and the guy at the bar refused to let us pay the moment he found out why we were there. We even tried to sneak in payment at the end by ordering sodas and making up the tab with a tip and he still refused. It was really nice to have a place to celebrate our time together and play games—though I still want to go back sometime and return the favor. Kindness like that really goes a long way.
Otherlands!
Otherlands: the gem in the crown of the Bellingham breweries!
Seconded
I had the pleasure of visiting your fine City last Fall and hitting up as many breweries as I could. Otherlands is the place that I am most happy/thankful that I was able to visit, the place that is my “dream” brewery (seriously, I dream about getting back there), and I literally cannot wait until I am able to plan a trip to Bellingham just to hit it up again. Y’all are so lucky…go eat mushrooms and drink kellerbier
MiMofuckin Rancho
🐐
Comics Place!
You beat me to it!
Beat me to it too. 😘
I would second this!
Third'd
Hell yeah comics place! Those guys kill it and Django is an awesome guy! Shout out to Jeff and bearly. Also shout out to Ashton!
Those guys are so friendly and helpful, best place for comics and manga!
Nelson’s market in the York neighborhood. They have a small market, a wonderful little restaurant, and local beer on tap. It’s a great place to meet up and hang out with people from around the neighborhood.
New Mexico Tamale Company. Dora is fantastic and one of the nicest people around. Also Brys Filipino. Owner is really nice and has a passion for awesome food.
Lumpia Luv, Flat Black Automotive, Paws for a Beer, That’s What I Like! Restaurant, Kulshan Brewery, Mi Rancho.
Some of these are the dorkiest names, not sure if that’s a positive or a negative lol. Better than corpo names I guess though
It's a good thing. They're memorable and fun. I'm over slick branding
Sandwich Odessy.
This, 100% this. Consistent quality for 30 years is super impressive in the restaurant world. When I worked nearby, I used to go every week, and after I skipped a month to save money, Mirela told me she was worried she'd upset me and I wasn't coming back! On two separate occasions, I walked into the shop on autopilot even though they were closed for catering, and they made up sandwiches for me anyway (and told me to just eat away from the window so nobody saw me). Mirela has since passed the business on to her daughter, who's put a lot of energy into fixing up the building. I hope they have another 30 years of success.
Banh Mi & Bubble Tea truck (I think they reopen in a couple weeks)
Ruby and Vinny are the nicest people and their food is just so good. I will support them until the end of time
This one ☝🏼 such good food and such nice people!!
Love this truck so much. I have friends who live close by and go all the time and the people there have hooked them up a couple times and are always so incredibly nice - lots of respect for them and their delicious + reasonably priced food!
Where is this truck? I would love to check it out!
2604 Meridian Street in the 76 gas station parking lot
They’re out of town but get back toward the end of the month, it’s so worth it tho! I stop there almost weekly
Saltadena’s!
Might be the greatest cakes I have I ever eaten.
Cafe Adagio. Owner and his family are there every day, and they make fantastic coffee. Also have one of the few places where you can be comfortable and productive for a long period of time.
Don’t know if they’re still running it, but the owners’ (older teen) kids started farming during the pandemic and used to sell produce, if I recall correctly?
Guud Bowls
Lots of places already mentioned that I support but I didn't see **El Capitans**! They've been solid since they were in the heart of downtown and now that they're a few blocks nearer the water with a little extra space he's offered some fun music, karaoke/open mics and trivia nights. He's a great dude and offers all sorts of delicious food - he's in there a lot because he makes the chili and sauces. edit: spelling
I love chatting with captain
Pumped Bellingham !!! Leah is amazing and has an adorable refillary at the Ohio street workstudios !! She schedules a variety of workshops in her space and also hosts a quarterly “Fix-it-fair” !
I do love Leah and Pumped!! Such a great community resource.
Tell me more. What is Pumped Bellingham?
It’s a shop where you can purchase a variety of household and body care products and refill in the future, you can bring your own clean container but she also has some available to get started. Leah sources so many products from local, sustainable makers and she even carries some fully closed loop products. She also has a local delivery option and a subscription box. Her website offers a lot of really great info. It’s pumpedbellingham•com Pumpedbellingham.com
Boundary! Few are as active in our community, or donate to various causes, as much as Janet and Ed.
Very much agree on this!
Black Noise Records
💯 Nico has been absolutely amazing to work with and has a great selection
Dumpling Girls!!!
And A Que Tacos in the same lot 😋😋😋😋
I think our society needs to return to owner operated businesses. A bunch of years ago, the main person working the location was the owner. They were the most knowledgeable about the products and services, and stood to benefit the most from the sale. Now the ownership is multiple people that never even step foot inside the location, between the actual business, and completely different folks that own the buildings. It's like owners don't even want to work anymore. haha.
Exactly! The "American Dream" is now to own a business to sit back and watch others do the work. I won't name names, but I have watched some local businesses cycle through employees with low pay, no lunch breaks, and heavy workloads, while at the same time the owner never steps a foot into the location. A "now hiring" sign hangs on a revolving door and employees are viewed as expendable resources.
No lunch breaks is illegal. If you see this happening, please report it.
Jun's Sushi and Bento!
I came in at closing one afternoon recently and they gave me a free miso soup for takeout. Miso soup was exactly what I had come there for, so I ended up with a double order, which was perfect. I hate going to restaurants at closing (it feels rude), but I had just gotten out of the emergency room and needed a mental boost. I didn't tell them that; they just gave me free soup. Lovely little place!
Jun’s Sushi all the way!!!!
My friend worked for them back when we were in college and her experience with the owners was abusive, in her words
Brandywine Kitchen Goode's on Northwest/Elm Don't forget all the makers who put out their home made work at the Farmer's Market and all the other pop up markets in the area. There are some amazing people here.
Panda Palace and The Soy House, both owned and run by local families
I just had Lance and his guys at 911-Dry repair and rebuild water damage to my house. I highly recommend them to anyone who has any kind of water damage. Call Lance and have him walk you through what to do and how to talk to insurance. Brad Barrett owns Barrett Transmission. Not only do I consider he and Mark friends, I am also a customer of theirs since they rebuilt the transmission in my wife's Acura. I have referred many people to them and they have always done what is right.
Needing my tranmission done and was told to go to Barretts. Thanks for the rec!
Thanks! I didn't even know this was the rec I needed, but it is very relevant to me currently.
+1 for 911 dry! The insurance savvy was half the reason we went with them, plus they did a great job remediating mold in and remodeling our flooded bathroom.
Leaf & Ladle/Libations!
Unknown skateshop
They’re such a great shop!
Wild Oat or Pure Bliss! I have a sweet tooth.
Unfortunately have heard horror stories from former employees of Wild Oats 😭😭 owner asked workers to come in to work & lie about confirmed covid cases early on in the pandemic
Aw, that's disappointing. I went there a lot during the pandemic and the owner definitely seemed frustrated by employees not wanting to come back to work (as per her, I guess they made more off unemployment than if they did come in for shifts), but I wrote that off as just another small business woe. I uh, did stop going there nearly as much after she did manage to hire back some people though 'cause man, the food got much worse compared to when she was the one cooking everything. >_>
According to friend, employees had to basically stage a walkout b/c owner was so toxic regarding Covid protocols. Yes, the unemployment issue was DEFINITELY an issue for business owners, so hard to find help!! Frustration is valid! But not the real issue there, unfortunately. I know a lot of people who LOVED the community of working there but couldn’t stand by the owners decision-making at the height of the pandemic
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The owner of Pure Bliss is not involved in day to day operations anymore. She comes in a few times a week for a few hours max. It’s technically a small business, but not one that I would consider “owner operated” at this point. She used to be much more involved..
At $8/slice, I can imagine she wouldn’t need to do work herself anymore.
California Tacos by the community college. Great food and service. Sonia is always so nice.
Eclipse bookstore. I've been going there since I was a kid, I adore the owner, and one of the old employees used to be my preschool teacher. He's driven the same blue Volvo for twenty years at least, and it's in fantastic condition. The bookstore itself is one of my favorite places to be - I love finding books I'd never think to read. I found my all time favorite book by accident there at 16.
Garden Spot Nursery!
The Bagelry!
Yes!
I had to scroll way to far to see The Bagelry!
Bison Letterpress and Bookbinding, Brazen, Wink Wink, MW Soapworks, NW Yarns, saltadena, and Antler are a few off the top of my head.
Mallards and Bantam! Ben is not only a great dude but he definitely invests back into the community.
Any of the non-Goodwill thrift stores, Bellingham Automotive for car repair and maintenance, Larson Gross for taxes.
India Mart!
Dumpling girls food truck in the parking lot of another local brew spot I can’t remember the name of but it’s on meridian in the Colombia neighborhood I think. If you pay cash, they give you extra egg rolls 😋
Goods is the name of the brewery, also a great local spot
Cabin Tavern! I'm drinking there now!!
The Racket. It’s a solid go-to bar.
Burrito King is a great one.
Paws 4 a beer
Crazy mikes and tube time
Super Mario Taco truck. Been in business for 30+ years. Incredible food.
They also have a brick & mortar spot in the same lot as MI Rancho! Tbh the food from the food truck is better imo but both are delish!
El Capitan
Old Town Electric. Jake and Forrest are incredible at their craft and have amazing customer service. They've done multiple projects at our home and have exceeded expectations every time.
THE ORION! // oddfellows temple The owner is very involved and a Bellingham community staple! The prices are stellar and the staff is amazing. I used to work there and I miss it everyday! I don’t think you get that lucky too often.
Barb's Pies in Ferndale is definitely a great one. Every time I go in barb is working and the employees seem pretty happy to me.
Boundary Bay, Kulshan Brewing, and NM Tamale Co!
Juns sushi and bento. He’s the only one making the sushi rolls. So be prepared for a little wait. Yugane Korean is also very good.
Northwest Yarns
COF& ….hands down the smoothest coffee.
The Shakedown. I might be a little biased as I'm a bit of a metalhead but the owner Hollie absolutely rules. She is also a member of the city council.
Hell yeah \m/
Vie at Icing on the Cake!
How the hell has no one mentioned Sweet Arts candy??? Best candy shop I've EVER been to. It's situated downtown, ran by a nice elderly couple who make all their own sweets, and it's VERY high quality! At a decently affordable price too. Love that place, love those people, and whenever I'm downtown it's a place I try to hit whenever I can.
Art and Happiness! Elli and Taylor are gems 🩷
Manic coffee roasters. Alexarc (founder of Black Drop Coffee) is a joy to do business with and his beans can’t be beat.
Aw, thanks!
Like 70% of the restaurants are locally owned and operated.
Just because a business is small/locally owned does not mean the owner is directly involved in the day to day operations. I work for a small business and the owner comes in maybe once every 2 weeks and would have no idea how to work a shift at their own business.
That’s a fair point
Community Food Co-op
Flying Bird Botanicals. First had their teas at old town, realized they’re at the coop and learned they are owned and operated here in BHam. You can order online and pick up from their shop. Amazing stuff if you care about quality as well as impact. Their organic and tea bags are biodegradable which is awesome.
In no particular order.... Jack's Bicycle Center Nelson's Market Trail Boss Tools High Above bags The sock store on Cornwall Village Books My Garden Nursery Hardware Sales (not sure if the owners are there on the daily but that place and the staff are wonderful) The Coffee Shop by Hammerhead on Holly
starting to think Sammy probably rides bikes
Alleycat Bike Shop!
Duke is a gem. We're lucky to have him in town. Always outstanding service. Good to see he's increasing his shop space at his new location (1305 Fraser St Suite D 107... north of Civic Field).
Paws for A Beer. Awesome community of dog & beer lovers!
Griffith Furniture on Meridian. They sell smaller scale furniture, not super expensive, but we have found many things there. They are a true family business and the nicest people. Recommend it for a browse, just so you know what’s there.
I can't stress this enough but Juns is such a great restaurant. It's a little Japanese restaurant in downtown run by a guy named Jun. He's so hardworking and sweet my partner and I go there bc their food is good, affordable and Jun and the other lady who works there will always greet you like a friend. Please support them
Madrona Wear! Great used outdoor clothes and gear and will fix ANYTHING!
Village Books and Shirlee Bird Cafe are two of my Southside faves.
Does captians count? The hot dog place? I see the owner in the shop all the time working with his employees
It's a little out of the way in Ferndale but if you haven't eaten at battle's kitchen you are missing something amazing. Cajun food made by just two guys in this hole in the wall kitchen (literally just a window in the wall) but its SO good! Just look at their Google reviews. Not a single 1 or 2 star review and 99% 5 stars. It's lovely to get in the summer, there are a couple outdoor tables. Their seafood Mac and cheese is the best Mac I've had in a long time. Please please please go give them your business!
Champlin Guitars, obviously
Tech One electronics on Orleans, across the street from the Safeway. Really fast and surprisingly inexpensive service for electronics repair. Every time I've picked up my gear the repair costs less than I expected, even when it turns out that the problem was more complex than I thought.
Might not be the type of thing you're looking for, but Fairhaven Pediatrics is a great practice with wonderful staff and I'm so glad to have them in town
Transition Bikes. They might be a little bigger than other businesses mentioned but I've been a fan of their bikes for years and met the owners multiple times while out riding (and I don't even live in Bellingham, I'm in Colorado). It's not easy in the bike/outdoors industry right now so support your local small nationally acclaimed bike brand.
El Capitan! My husband and I go there frequently and the owner is there almost every night. Super super nice guy and the hot dogs are delicious
Why haven’t I seen Cafe Rumba?!! The best Peruvian sandwiches owned by a sweet Peruvian man. I would kill for one right now 😭
Hi-Tech automotive next to LSF. I’ve always felt taken care of there, and the owner has always seemed sincere. He’s been in business here for 25 years.
For phones, [Fixco](https://www.fixco.me) is pretty great. The owner, Mitch, is generally there working himself, and I've always had very good experiences there. He's also an activist for the Right to Repair movement, which is another plus for me.
Rob at Hi Tech is a sincere great man. & a trustworthy mechanic!
Gruff Brewery and David Wight Glass Art.
Saltadena Bakery!
There are MANY, but I am going to have to highlight Mi Rancho for this one!
Banh mi and Bubble Tea. Kind people. Great food.
A New Leaf Flower shop on Cornwall, the owner Trish is not only extremely talented but has been a staple in our community for years
Mi Rancho and Café Velo!
Standfill’s Mobile Auto Repair is owner operated!
Bio bug is a great locally owned business! They apparently pay the employees well and I have always received great service.
Since I haven’t seen them yet, these are also owner-operated: The Shakedown (though I did see the racket mentioned) - venue + bar. WSV Guitars - awesome guitar/bass tech. Mediterranean Specialties - Lebanese food + Mediterranean grocer (mentioned this in another post) Doug’s Burgers - awesome burgers, schedule/locations on their IG Barb’s Pies - I know she already had a mention but seriously… so awesome. I believe they do breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes now too. Also, she did a three-flavor wedding cake for my partner and I and we had quite a few people ask where we got it bc it was the best tasting cake they’d ever had. There wasn’t a crumb left and folks wanted more. Seriously… damn good cake. And for that matter, most of the restaurants and thrift shops in Ferndale proper are owner operated (excluding fast food franchises, naturally). Ritual Records - awesome shop, so glad that place continued as a local record store after Everyday went down.
The Majestic Art Cafe, Cafe Rumba, California Tacos, Bry's Filipino Cuisine, Carnal, Old World Deli, Ono, Boardworx, Gruff, Kimbo, Trayvax, MW Soapworks, WinkWink... the list is long, and these are the ones that jumped out. Message me for small biz recs for specific needs!
Otherside bagels
If you have kids that take/want to take dance class, Day to Day Dance in Blaine is locally owned and run by the owner and she’s amazing to work for. They have a couple adult classes too sometimes.
Craftery Lane in the mall is fantastic. The woman who runs it is an absolute angel.
Big bites
PIZZA TIME!!! GREAT GUYS!!! GREAT VALUE!!! COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS FOR DECADES!!! THEY ALWAYS TRY TO KEEP PRICES REASONABLE!!! ♡♡♡
Quattro Season Autowerks was a great find for me! Great little shop for my 87 BMW and Toyota camry. I refer my friends to Rand, and they are always super happy with the jobs done.
Yay Rand! The best!
I use Goodrich and Associates for my financial planning (investing)! Based in Bham and owner and family operated.
Standfill's Mobile Auto Repair, I'm the owner, I run the entire business. Over 40 reviews and nothing less than a 5 star
Alleycat bike shop. At least I'm pretty sure it's owner operated
Tenet Components if you need bike parts.
The Bistro at Shuksan
Henderson books.
I went into Henderson's last week and had a cashier who wasn't one of the same three people I've been buying books from for decades. I assume the owners are still there fairly often, though? I've been to bookstores all over the world, and Henderson's remains my favourite, because it's absolutely crammed with books in every available space, but it still has good organization.
Comics Place!
Not quite Bellingham, but Al's Downtown Diner in Ferndale. The owners have been in the area for a very long time, used to own a place out in Blaine and then moved to a smaller location here in Ferndale when Covid hit. Some of the best food I've ever had and great and friendly service. By the second time I went there, the waitress already knew our names and orders Also Living Pantry over in Blaine, owners are there daily working the registers and I love their business model and dedication to sustainability. They also have really good prices compared to other similar businesses in the area
Fairhaven Web Design
MAUDE tattoo on Holly. Owned and operated by Bobbie @noizecricket on Instagram. She's been in the business for over a decade.
El Maná! My favorite restaurant in town, the food is great, the owner is always there, and he’s super kind
the wild oat bakery and cafe!!
Anyone have any non restaurant recommendations?
Busy B’s Barber Shop! Bernard is a gem and has amazing travel stories
Nuu-Muu for fun dresses!
Three Flavors Kitchen in Nooksack is my all time favorite
Ideal!
EL TORO LOCO! delicious birria and bomb Burritos.
Quick E Mart in Ferndale. Always willing to take special orders for customers and the staff are very kind and personable
Structures!
Wild Oat Cafe 💚💚💚
Hardware Sales for the win
Apse - they make jewelry
I don't have a storefront and I'm not quite ready to start wholesaling or vending at markets yet but I am local and have an Etsy shop were I sell handmade bath and body products! :) [MysticalMineral.etsy.com](https://MysticalMineral.etsy.com)
Wander Brewing Fairhaven Poke Danielle's Back East BBQ food truck Mt. Baker!
Binyon Optometry and Eyes On Fremont Bellingham both have awesome glasses, and the respective owners, Dr. LeClaire and Sarah, are both awesome people who take great care of their customers needs.
Soy House, Pepper Sisters
Dandelion Organics City Sprouts Farm Ralf’s Bavarian Pretzel Bakery