Bellingham Business Journal back issues from August 2007:
Developer plans 15-story tower on Bakerview.
Aug 01, 2007; ... A local developer's plans for a 15story tower near Bellingham's airport are designed to cash in on the upcoming 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, B.C. Preliminary plans for Olympic Tower call for a mixed-use building located on a one-acre site at the intersection of W. Bakerview ...
65-acre development project planned for Lummi: group of local businessmen envision industrial park, construction company, housing development.
Aug 01, 2007; ... For as long as Henry James can remember, bringing economic opportunities to Lummi Nation has been his dream and his namesake. James, a Lummi tribal member, and his wife, Flor, along with several Bellingham businessmen, have been quietly planning a 65-acre private economic ...
Welcome, Western: Western moves facilities to the waterfront in anticipation of redevelopment of the site.
Aug 01, 2007; ... The possibility of Western Washington University expanding its campus to the Bellingham water front has been a near constant in the discussions concerning the redevelopment the former Georgia-Pacific site. After several years of talk and speculation, that possibility has ...
David Syre passes torch to son.(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2007; ... A major transition at one of Bellingham's biggest companies has resulted in a shuffling of its key positions. At the end of July, David Syre passed the torch of Trillium Corp. to his son, Jonathan Syre. Jonathan is now the president and CEO of the real estate ...
"Purple Cow" by Seth Godin.(On the Bedside Table: What business owners are reading)
Aug 01, 2007; ... Why "Purple Cow"? "'Purple Cow' was recommended to me by Jason Lee of Baron and Co., who coaches us (at Keith Cox Autobahn) on how to behave in public and with our customer base. "I went home, ordered a copy, and on my next flight to L.A. cracked it open and read it ....
Jobs offered to former American Home Mortgage employees.(THE BUZZ: Tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)
Aug 01, 2007 ... National savings and loan giant Indymac Bank has offered employment to a number of former American Home Mortgage branches, including Bellingham's Barkley District and Iowa Street branches. Both branches are in negotiations to become Indymac Bank employees, and at press time both ...
Brown & Cole to take on new investor.(THE BUZZ: Tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Brown & Cole Stores, LLC has submitted its plan for reorganization to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Seattle--a plan that includes an investment firm taking over the company's majority shareholder status in a $40 million transaction. Brown & Cole CEO Craig Cole said he could not ...
Hardware Sales to relocate Internet sales division.(THE BUZZ: Tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Hardware Sales Inc. is building a new 20,000-square-foot warehouse and office in Ferndale for its Internet sales division. Co-owner Jerry McClellan said the division has grown out of three warehouses since he started doing Internet sales a year and three months ago. The owners ...
Multop hits glitch with plans for new office.(THE BUZZ: Tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Multop Financial has hit a major glitch in its plans to construct a new 20,000-square-foot office complex on Cordata Parkway. The two lots, located south of the Sea Mar medical clinic, are zoned only for medical/ institutional uses. Tyler Ryan, director of business development, ...
Northwest Hot Springs to relocate.(THE BUZZ: Tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Northwest Hot Springs Spas Inc. is relocating from Bellingham to Ferndale. Faber Brothers Construction is designing and building the new 4,000square-foot commercial condo as part of a business park near Wilson's Furniture along Pacific Highway, co-owner Dan Hyatt said. ...
Fairhaven Harbor developers agree to environmental review.(THE BUZZ: Tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Developers of the controversial Fairhaven Harbor project on the corner of 8th Street and Harris Avenue in Fairhaven have agreed to perform a comparative environmental analysis of three alternative plans for the site. Developer Ted Mischaikov said after meeting with the city's ...
Lettered Streets Coffee House to open.(THE BUZZ: Tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Two Toad Mountain Coffee employees are in the process of reopening the coffee shop at 1001 Dupont St. under a different name and business entity--the Lettered Streets Coffee House. Anna Dean and Kjirsten Haugland started thinking about opening a coffee shop there as a joke after ...
Parlez-vous Francais?(THE BUZZ: Tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)
Aug 01, 2007 ... The idea for Jeff Down's new downtown French eatery came about while he studied French at Western Washington University. "I've been studying French for years--I'm kind of a Francophile," he said. His new restaurant, Bistro Zazou, will soon open in the former site of ...
Washington moves up Forbes list.(THE BUZZ: Tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Forbes Magazine moved Washington from 12th to fifth on its best state for business list. The list took into account a number of indicators in each of the 50 states, including unemployment rates, taxes and economic diversity. Four household names helped Washington's ranking--the ...
Butterfly Life opening in Sunnyland Square.(THE BUZZ: Tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Sunnyland Square's first tenant to sign on after the shopping center's remodel began is Butterfly Life, a women's fitness and nutrition center. Owners Suzanne Blais and Karla Newson hope to open the gym in late September in the shopping center on the corner of James and Alabama ...
Along Comes A Baby to open soon.(THE BUZZ: Tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Along Comes A Baby, a one-stop-shop baby store, is set to open Sept. 1 in Bakerview Square, with a grand opening celebration on Sept. 21 and 22. Along Comes A Baby will offer merchandise for infants, toddlers and expectant mothers. Owner Laura Lee Bosman, a Whatcom County ...
Meridian Plaza to get major facelift.(THE BUZZ: Tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Owners of the Meridian Plaza are planning a major remodel of the 31,997square-foot shopping center on the southeast corner of Meridian Street and Telegraph Road. The center, which is home to Denny's, Burger King, Red Wing Shoes and Thai House restaurant, has more than 10,000 ...
Labels Plus expands store's offerings.(THE BUZZ: Tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Sage Bishop's consignment clothing store was doing so well after opening in Bakerview Square in June, she decided to open a store just for plus-sized clothing next door. Labels opened at 436 W. Bakerview, Suites 112 and 113 on June 1, and Bishop decided soon after to expand into ...
Marine Trade Center to receive federal money. (THE BUZZ: Tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information.
Aug 01, 2007 ... U.S. Sen. Patty Murray has slated $250,000 for Bellingham's waterfront renovation in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill. The money will go toward the construction of the Bellingham Marine Trades Center, designed to support the more than ...
Baker Business Benter breaks ground.(THE BUZZ: Tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2007 ... A group of local investors broke ground in July on a new 65,000-square-foot commercial center in Irongate that will offer commercial condos for office and light-industrial uses. Called the Baker Business Center, the project will be located at 4135 Strider Loop, within the ...
State Attorney General to address ID theft. (THE BUZZ: Tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information.
Aug 01, 2007 ... Attorney General Rob McKenna will be in Bellingham Aug. 15 as part of a statewide tour on identity theft this summer and fall to educate business owners and consumers on how to keep their personal data safe. Guard it! Washington is a partnership of the Attorney General's Office, ...
Boo's Parlour barks up a new tree. (THE BUZZ: Tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information.
Aug 01, 2007 ... After eight years in Fairhaven, Michelle and Ion Grover have moved their pet grooming and boutique business downtown. Boo's Parlour and Boutique moved into its new digs at 952 N. State St., in the former Yellow Cab building, at the end of June. They decided to move from their ...
Juice bar opens second downtown location.(THE BUZZ: Tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Local juice gurus Leslie and Corey Shek have opened a second beverage shrine downtown. The new Juice It bar opened inside the Bellingham Athletic Club at 1616 Cornwall Ave. on June 15 selling smoothies, espresso and wheat grass, and will eventually offer sandwiches and salads, ...
Sculptural Glass opens new doors.(THE BUZZ: Tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)
Aug 01, 2007 ... A line of art glass doors is now being offered direct from the manufacturer by Sculptural Glass Doors Inc. Bill McColl designed a collection of 15 different doors to showcase his patented decorative safety glass product called ClearCast Glass. "For the debut ...
City receives historic preservation grant.(THE BUZZ: Tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)
Aug 01, 2007 ... The city of Bellingham recently received a Preserve America grant, a highly-competitive federal grant promoting community efforts to preserve and enjoy cultural and natural heritage. First lady Laura Bush designated Bellingham as a Preserve America community and awarded a ...
Bio: interesting things about our area's most interesting people.
Aug 01, 2007 ... Name: Steve Scoggins Age: 33 Business/job title: Rudy's Pizzenia/Up & Up Hometown: Doge City Kansas What brought you to Bellingham? The mountains Favorite memory: Playing on the farm as a kid. In your CD player: Rolling ...
Oh the woe behind the Bellinaham B and O: business tax varies from city to city, has businesses asking why.(business and operating)
Aug 01, 2007; ... Protesting taxes has been a long-standing American tradition since the Boston Tea Party. The argument over taxes is as old as the Constitution and as American as apple pie and baseball. So the recent grumbling about Bellingham's business taxes might make one look to see if boxes ...
VECO to be purchased by CH2M HILL.
Aug 01, 2007; ... The international engineering firm CH2M HILL announced in June an agreement on the terms of the acquisition of VECO for $463 million. CH2M HILL and VECO, which has an office in Bellingham, are expected to finalize the details of the acquisition and a transition-and-integration ...
Port begins preliminary marketing of waterfront: setbacks and the site's 'amorphous' nature make marketing a challenge.
Aug 01, 2007; ... Marketing a 220-acre industrial site with major cleanup issues is not the easiest task. Especially given the fact that the waterfront site still has no official cleanup or master plan and may include 200-foot setbacks that could, according to port officials, preclude any ...
Creating a dreamspace: this is the stuff that dreams are made of ...
Aug 01, 2007; ... The Whatcom Film Association's (WFA) dream of the Pickford Film Center sits behind the curtain of particle boards that screen the Dreamspace on Bay Street--waiting for its debut that is still a year away. To the casual observer, the two-screen independent film center has made little ...
Employers lukewarm on heat stress rule: Whatcom County builders question regulation of 'common sense'.
Aug 01, 2007; ... Pacific Northwest businesses are like bears. During the cold, dark winter days, they sleep and save their energy for the long summer days filled with buzzing activity. There's an urgency to summer for those businesses, a time to "make hay while the sun shines," so to speak. ...
Agents adjust to downsizing housing market: Whatcom County real estate agents must perfect their game in slowing market.
Aug 01, 2007; ... As the local housing market has slowed and stabilized in the first half of 2007, local real estate agents are experiencing a shift in how they approach their livelihood. Despite a modest increase in average Whatcom County home prices, the total number of Whatcom County homes ...
Study shows arts and culture mean business: arts organizations support 511 jobs, generate $14.1 million annually.
Aug 01, 2007; ... Some might say quantifying the impact of a flute solo or an abstract brush stroke is like trying to measure the memory of virtuosity. But a recently released study funded by the city of Bellingham attempted to at least measure the economic impact of arts and culture ...
Modular: the next big trend in construction: Bill Maris' new highly automated home construction plant cashes in in Skagit County.(real estate and construction)
Aug 01, 2007; ... Transform's modular plant is--in the words of a certain summer blockbuster--more than meets the eye. The new 115,000-square-foot facility in Skagit County--the brainchild of Cabochon Construction's Bill Maris--operates a bit like a lifesized Tetris game, using a highlyautomated ...
Building permits.(TOP PROPERTIES)
Aug 01, 2007 ... The following building permits have been issued recently. Permits include all commercial projects valued at $10,000 or more, as well as residential homes valued at $250,000 or more. Accepted 1031 N. State St., Suite 108, $16,000 for tenant improvement: professional ...
Top properties.
Aug 01, 2007; ... The following is a list of recent commercial and high-end residential property sales in Whatcom County. Top properties is compiled by Wendy Darling, with assistance from the county treasurer's and assessor's offices. Residences Above $700,000 Seller: Douglas and Dian ...
Old World Deli.(business births)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Old World Deli Owners: Anna and Chris Adams Address: 1140 N. State St. Phone number: 738-2090 E-mail: oldworlddeli1@mac.com Startup date: June 13 Square footage: 950 You say ham, Anna and Chris Adams say ...
Portable Kid.(business births)(Occupation overview)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Owner: Laurie Grey Shultis Address: 1901 Cornwall Ave., Suite 103 Phone number: 671-0298 E-mail: laurie@portablekid.com Web: www.portablekid.com Startup date: May 14 Square footage: 373 After having five kids, ...
Butterfly Life.(business births)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Butterfly Life Owners: Jen Josephson and Judy Baughman Address: 436 W. Bakerview Road, Suite 103 Phone number: 671-3351 E-mail: butterflylife.bakerview@yahoo.com Web: www.butterflylife.com Startup date: June 27 ...
Hardy & Associates joins associations.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)(National Association of Independent Real Estate Brokers)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Hardy & Associates joined the National Association of Independent Real Estate Brokers and became Whatcom County's only member of the Independent Broker's Association in July. Owners ...
Mt. Baker Red Cross announces new board members.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2007 ... The Mt. Baker chapter of the American Red Cross announced three new members to its board of directors in July. The new members are Port of Bellingham real estate development manager Shirley McFearin, Curt Russell of the Lummi Nation's Native Safety and Rebecca Crowe of Farmer's Equipment ....
Peterson attends remodeling conference.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)(Conference news)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Matthew Peterson, owner of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen in Bellingham, attended the company's national conference in July. The four-day ...
Keller Williams agents earn designations.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Keller Williams Western Realty agent Pete Holeman earned the accredited buyers representative (ABR) designation, awarded by the National Association of Realtors. Suzanne Magnusson earned the senior real estate specialist designation, training that fewer than 1 percent of ...
Keller Williams adds six new agents.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)(Keller Williams Realty Inc.)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Christopher Walton has joined Keller Williams Western Realty as a sales agent. Walton is a Washington state native and has three years of real estate experience and was formerly a mental health counselor. Two-year real estate veteran Erin Swedberg also joined Keller Williams in July. Grant ...
Burton named interim dean of Western's CBE.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)(Brian Burton)(Western Washington University)(College of Business and Economics)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Western Washington University named Brian Burton interim dean of the College of Business and Economics. Burton is currently an associate dean at the university and will serve a two-year term as dean of the college. Burton ...
Saturna Capital hires three.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Jim Gibson, Peter Nielsen and Chris Norman have joined Saturna Capital. Gibson, previously the chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Premier Agendas Corp., is the new chief financial officer for Saturna. Nielsen joins Saturna as a senior investment analyst. Nielsen ...
First American Title staff changes.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)(First American Title Insurance Co.)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2007 ... First American Title & Escrow of Bellingham has appointed Tammy Walker, who has been with the company for 15 years, the supervisor of the escrow department. Elizabeth Thompson, who has worked for First American in Western Washington for eight years, ...
James receives EcoBroker certification.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Fairhaven Realty's Michael James has earned EcoBroker certification through a program that trains Realtors on the energy and environmental issues that affect real ...
Assist2Sell promotes Thetford.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Assist2Sell Home Buyers & Sellers Advantage has promoted Realtor Tami Thetford to manage the Assist2Buy division. Thetford, who has ...
Changes conducted at Whatcom Symphony Orchestra.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Concert lecturer Cecil Isaac and artistic administrator Mary Passmore have retired from the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra. Isaac, who gave the "story behind the music" talks before every symphony concert, will be replaced by Western Washington University music history and theory professor Dr ....
ICU promotes Karber, hires Vance.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)(Industrial Credit Union)(Matt Vance)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2007 ... The Industrial Credit Union promoted Petra Karber to the position of human resource coordinator. Karber has been with ICU for five years, and will be responsible for implementing human resource policies, maintaining the work environment and overseeing benefit and compensation packages. ICU ...
Halliday elected to WTC board.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Robin Halliday has been elected as chair of the board of directors for the Washington Technology Center. Halliday has served on the board of directors since August 2002 and has more than 25 years of management with small technology companies through the DIS Corporation, which ...
Bellingham Athletic Club adds DeRoche.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)(Erik DeRoche)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2007 ... The Bellingham Athletic Club has hired Erik DeRoche as a new personal trainer. DeRoche recently completed his doctorate in chiropractic at the Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Ore., has a master's in exercise science from the University of South Carolina and ...
Kuepfer new network services manager at 3D.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)
Aug 01, 2007 ... 3D Corporation has hired Paul Kuepfer as its network services manager. Kuepfer has 12 years of technology support experience, including with Santa ...
Bruner promoted to manager at TeaQuent Stop.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Alex Bruner was promoted from his position at the Spice Hut to manage its sister store TeaQuent Stop in Bellis Fair mall. Bruner will be ...
RE/MAX agents earn designations.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)
Aug 01, 2007 ... RE/MAX real estate agents Matt DeSpain-Tonjes and Scarlett Bourcier have attained new professional designations. DeSpain-Tonjes trained with Bob Schwarz, the creator of the staged homes ...
Rogers hired as manager of ReUse Works.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)(Thoren Rogers)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2007 ... The nonprofit appliance salvage organization ReUse Works has hired Thoren Rogers as the manager and job coach. Rogers is a former RE Store assistant manager and is a lifelong resident of Whatcom County, attending Ferndale High School, Whatcom ...
Kohler to run new Banner Bank pocket branch.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Banner Bank has hired Lowanna Kohler as the assistant vice president/ branch manager for the new Sehome pocket branch on Samish Way next to Blockbuster video. Kohler worked for Bank of America in Bellingham before joining Banner Bank. The Sehome Banner Bank, which will open in late August, ...
Elefson promoted to assistant vice president of Peoples Bank.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Peoples Bank promoted Rusti Elefson to assistant vice president. Elefson, who graduated from Washington State University, has been ...
Bodman leaves Western provost position.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)(Andrew Bodman)(Western Washington University)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Andrew Bodman has resigned from the position of provost and vice president for academic affairs at Western Washington University. Bodman will teach urban and physical geography in Western's Huxley College of the Environment in fall 2008. ...
HoGlin receives multicultural market certification.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Travis HoGlin has received the multicultural market certification from Countrywide Home Loans. The certification demonstrates HoGlin, who works out of the Barkley Village ...
Countrywide Home Loans hires loan officer, two production assistants.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Countrywide Home Loans has hired Josh Henry as a loan officer at the Barkley Village office. Henry graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in math and economics, and has worked for Whatcorn Educational Credit Union. The Barkley Village ...
Taylor to manage Custom Cushions and Foam.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)(Rachel Taylor)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Rachel Taylor, manager of Dream On Futon Company's cover manufacturing operations since 1997, will manage the store's new branch, Custom Cushions and Foam, at 1101 N. State St., in the alley behind Depot Market Square. Taylor is the ...
Northwest Washington Theatre Group adds two board members.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)
Aug 01, 2007 ... Cliff Thies and Marilyn Timmer have joined the Northwest Washington Theatre Group board. Thies joins as an ...
Maguire to design two rain gardens for Bellingham businesses.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)
Aug 01, 2007 ... The Philbin Group Landscape Architecture firm's Molly Maguire is focusing on incorporating rain garden designs into two Bellingham businesses. The rain gardens, which reduce environmental damage from stormwater runoff, will be installed at ...