New vegan restaurant opens, beer festival returns, grocer celebrates 90 years of business
Here’s a roundup of the latest retail and restaurant activity around Whatcom County:
April Brews Day event
The April Brews Day beer festival is back after taking three years off, and will take place from 6-10 p.m. Saturday, April 29, at the Downtown Bellingham Waterfront. Participants can taste over 140 beers and ciders from Pacific Northwest breweries, enjoy local food and live music. Tickets are on sale online and cost $50 in advance or $60 at the door.
The annual event benefits the Max Higbee Center in Bellingham, which helps people with developmental disabilities.
Fat Beet restaurant opens
The Fat Beet, a new restaurant where Quantum Leaf used to be located, had its grand opening on Friday, April 14, after the original owners of Quantum Leaf sold the restaurant to Talia Sorinsin-Allen and Melissa Sorinsin, a mother-daughter team. The new restaurant had a soft opening April 7 and still serves some of Quantum Leaf’s vegan and gluten-free recipes, along with some new additions to the menu. The Fat Beet is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday and is at 1149 N. State St.
Downtown meeting
The Downtown Bellingham Partnership is hosting its quarterly neighborhood meeting from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 20. Community members are invited to hear about Bellingham happenings and opportunities for involvement.
The meeting will be at Boundary Bay Brewing Co.’s beer garden at 1107 Railroad Ave.
Haggen celebrates 90 years
Haggen, Washington’s popular grocery store chain that started in Bellingham in 1933, is celebrating its 90th anniversary.
After opening its first store in Bellingham, the grocery chain now has 15 locations in Washington state and manages stores at the Haggen support center in Bellingham, according to the store’s website. It’s been owned by Albertsons since 2016.
The stores will be having special anniversary sales each week, according to the Facebook post, which can be found in the store’s online weekly flyer.
Bellingham wine walk
The Downtown Bellingham Partnership is hosting its Spring Wine Walk from 5:30-9 p.m. on May 12, and tickets are on sale now. Eighteen downtown Bellingham shops will host pop-up tasting rooms with a variety of wines to taste. Tickets are already over 30% sold out, and cost $40 for general admission and $50 for VIP tickets. General admission tickets include 10 wine tasting tickets, tote bag, tasting cup and event guide. VIP tickets include a VIP-only reception at Aslan Depot with wine and appetizers, early check-in and three additional tasting tickets. Tickets can be purchased online.
