BELLINGHAM, Washington — July was a bittersweet month for food lovers in Whatcom County.
Four new spots quietly opened their doors while two familiar favorites said goodbye — leaving regulars surprised and locals curious about what comes next.
The new spots worth checking out
Fika Coffee opened July 11 at 4252 Cordata Pkwy in Bellingham, right where the beloved Maple.bar once stood. Run by Maple.bar’s former manager, Fika serves coffee, tea, Lotus drinks and pastries. Hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends.
Marta’s Deli is the newest addition to downtown Lynden from the owners behind Marta’s Cocina. Located at 1710 Front St., the deli offers smoothies, coffee, pastas, sandwiches, breakfast bagels, pies and more. Open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Encore Lounge has taken over one of Lynden’s most iconic downtown buildings, previously known as The Mill. The cocktail lounge serves classic drinks, small plates, short ribs, poutine and flatbread pizzas. Open Tuesday through Saturday at 655 Front St., starting at 4 p.m.
Kiwi’s Cones brings something totally different — New Zealand-style ice cream made with a vanilla soft serve base and fresh fruit. The cart is parked at Kulshan Brewing’s K2 location at 1538 Kentucky St. in Bellingham, open Wednesday through Sunday.
Two closures hit the community hard
Avellino Coffeehouse shut down July 11 with only a handwritten sign on the door. The Railroad Ave. spot had built a loyal following over the years and left without much notice.
Welcome Road Winery closed its Bellingham location July 18 after the lease ended. The owners hosted a farewell party with live music and wine deals on the final day.
Have you already visited one of the new spots, or are you going to miss the ones that closed? Let us know in the comments.