Business

Bellis Fair Mall was the only spot to buck the trend of rising retail vacancies.

County-level unemployment data from October still hasn’t been released due to the federal government shutdown.

The county recently released its final report after two years of the pilot project.

Sibling duo Marci and Colby Abshire opened the shop in 2022 after Marci’s successful home baking operation and the team took on cooking up and delivering meals to immunocompromised community members during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, their bakery and cafe offer many flavors and options for both in-house meals and catered events.

Home sales in the county dropped 5% to 2,302 in 2025 compared to 2024.

Once negotiations with that company are complete, new issues of The Northern Light and their other publications will continue after a short hiatus.

The Van Wingerden family says that they’ve been looking at expanding their business and will turn Skagit Acres’ property on Peter Johnson Road into another garden center.

Beginning in March 2026, Alaska Airlines will begin round-trip services from Bellingham to Portland. 

Whatcom County saw better numbers than the state average, with 3.9% unemployment rate for this September, hovering at the same as last year’s.

Since 2011, Chuckanut Bay Distillery has crafted locally made spirits in Bellingham.