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Much more beautiful than a MallWednesday, November 5, 2008) click image for larger view
Shopping in Fairhaven means enjoying walking around a beautiful and authentic historic district. No make believe here. And no sacrificing the charm for commerce. You see, that tree is allowed to grow and it is blocking the signage for several shops and restaurants. We love it in Fairhaven. You explore Fairhaven by walking and looking in windows and entering shops - not by spotting the neon signs from two blocks away while driving. This photo was taken yesterday afternoon at the central corner of our historic disttict - 11th and Harris. Within 20 seconds of walking of this corner - with the colored leaves from this tree on the sidewalk where you walk - is a shop that specializes in hand crafted soaps made right in the premise. There is a kitchen tools shop that offers the best names in cooking wares and table settings. There is a home decor shop that is packed like an old Victorian drawing room with an amazing array of gifts and accessories. There is one of Bellingham’s finest restaurants - serving prime rib, steaks and seafoods in a building over 100 years old but redone inside in a warm wood style that would compliment any New York steak house. There is the Fish & Chips double decker bus where you have your choice of salmon, halibut or traditional cod with your chips - and an Italian soda if you want. And of course under that tree is the most charming flower, plant and garden decor experience you will find anywhere - with an almost secret garden you can explore. And there are several more shops with the leaves of this tree on their front sidewalk which are unique. Every business in Fairhaven is locally owned. Not a single chain store. The Christmas Holidays are approaching. Fairhaven invites you to visit and enjoy and shop and dine. There is parking - free and as close to shops as any mall parking lot is to its inside hallways. Don’t buy that rumor that parking in Fairhaven is scarce. It is plentiful - just not at the curb in front of the store you may want to visit. It is probably a short block away - and the walk is half the fun of visiting Fairhaven. We invite you to our historic district. Halloween in Historic FairhavenFriday, October 31, 2008)
Gordie Tweit takes a photo of three charming little ones all dressed up on Halloween - as he has for 45 years. The long line of parents and kids stretches out the door of Fairhaven Pharmacy as it does each year and for about four hours Gordie carefully shoots roll after roll of color film. He knows each photo will be special to some child. And next week most of the photos will be displayed in the drugstore windows and a couple weeks after that the parents can stop by to pick up their kids photos - free. It is the annual gift by Gordie and the Fairhaven Pharmacy to the community.
Enjoying it as much or more than the little ones, Gordie gets ready for the next photo.
After his photo is taken, this little guy gets to choose his own candy and Elsie then records which one he picks.
Most businesses gave out well over 1,000 pieces of candy - one to a child. A glance down Harris Avenue.
Skyla is almost lost in the middle of the kids as she hands out candy on the front steps of Dos Padres restaurant.
Justin as Batman hands out treats at his shop in the Harris Square courtyard.
Each year James places a comfortable stuffed chair outside his shop door at 10th and Harris and gives out candy to the trick or treaters. All the owners of shops, galleries, reataurants and street level businesses in Fairhaven enjoy making this one afternoon a year a special fun time for the parents and children. Till next year, thanks for visiting - and come back to enjoy our shops and dining places. Sycamore Square building still vibrantFriday, October 24, 2008) click photo for larger view
Still vibrant outside and inside. Built in 1890 and restored by Ken Imus in 1973, the Sycamore Square building glows in the late afternoon sunshine along with the street trees. Yep, Ken planted those back then. Originally named the ‘Mason Block’, Ken changed the name to ‘The Market Place’ and present owner Pek changed it again to ‘Sycamore Square’. Inside the building is filled with four retail shops, two restaurant and maybe ten business offices among the four floors. The atrium inside rises through all four floors making it one of the most treasured inside spaces in the historic district. Anytime of year it is a great place to enter for dining out or business. April, the manager, keeps the building in top shape. We invite you to visit Fairhaven soon and enjoy the contemporary use we have put our ten historic buildings. Charles X. Larrabee is honored todaySaturday, October 18, 2008)
Sculptor Bob McDermott is photographed next to his heroic bust of Charles X. Larrabee this afternoon. Over 200 people enjoyed the unveiling of the statue on this unusually sunny and warm day of October. Charles Larrabee invested and built in Fairhaven in the 1880s and stayed here through the depression of the 1890s. He died in 1914. His widow shared his fortune by endowing many projects that we still enloy today such as Larrabee State Park which was the first state park in Washington state. She also endowed Fairhaven Park, the land for the Fairhaven Library, Elizabeth Park, the Bellingham YWCA building and many more local projects. Brian Griffin, of course, headed up the effort to fund and commission the statue. David Ebenal provided the location of the pedastal and bust on the property of his Young and Waldron buildings. A photo gallery of more views from today is now posted. C.X. Larrabee bust (statue) to be unveiled SaturdayWednesday, October 15, 2008)
Maren and Ryan have paused to check it out - and it is between Flats Tapas Bar and the Rustic Coffee Bar on 11th for all to see. And It will be unveiled on Saturday afternoon at 3 pm. The sculptor who created our Dirty Dan statue on the Village Green, Bob McDermott, has created a bronze bust of Fairhaven builder C.X. Larrabee. If Dirty Dan started Fairhaven, then Larrabee helped build it. He was active from 1889 until 1915. We owe much to him and his wife - as will be made known to all who attend Saturday. All are invited. Brian Griffin, the fellow who gave us our Village Green is behind this neat project. Even some of Larrabee’s decendents will be on hand for the ceremony. Hope to see you there. 1000 McKenzie building soldTuesday, October 14, 2008)
One of the contemporary buildings in Fairhaven has sold. While not historic, it has long served our community with health services. Built in 1986, this quiet building, surrounded with trees, is home to 10 health related businesses. While it is located a half block from historic buildings, it is a quiet place with a pastoral air to its grounds. Tim Imus has owned it for years and has nurtured the green surroundings of the building. He has now sold to 32nd Street Properties LLC, a very reputable local property management company. Michael Bayless of the firm said they are “… very excited to be part of the Fairhaven commercial district.” This is their first property in Fairhaven. We welcome them to our historic district. Their business number is 756-1000. This continues our long record of having all our properties and businesses locally owned. Fairhaven is a model for the new concept of Urban Villages which allow people to live, work, shop and play in a local area. While Fairhaven is well known for its shops and restaurants, the health services are very strong in numbers and variety. We value our newer buildings and diverse businesses along with the historic buildings and their unique shops and restaurants. Harris AvenueWednesday, October 8, 2008) click photo for larger view
A bit of info for those who have not been to Fairhaven. Fairhaven has two main streets - Harris Ave and 11th Street. These two streets have 8 of our 10 historic buildings - dating from 1888 to 1904. Today is sunny and warm with folks out window shopping and enjoying the quiet ambience. Fairhaven is for walking. To enjoy everything takes walking. As you can see, Harris Avenue is a hillside and good walking shoes are benefit here. There is always plenty of parking around the edges of the historic district - while the core streets are often full of parked cars. Whether you come from Seattle or Vancouver for a day or weekend, plan to park on the edges of the district and enjoy walking. Everything is within 3 blocks and all parking is free with no time limits. We invite you to visit Fairhaven. Oh, and that building with Artwood in the photo is the Morgan Block, built in 1890. Good Earth Pottery is also in the building. Quiet beauty of Historic FairhavenFriday, October 3, 2008) click image for larger view
A different beauty emerges in our historic district during the fall rainy season as is shown with this view on Harris Avenue. A little noticed abstract metal sculpture at A Lot of Flowers at 11th Street comes to attention on these cloudy days with the light misty rain. The greens come out more. The colors of the brick buildings take on a richer hue. We who live in the Pacific Northwest like it. I come from the Midwest - Wisconsin - and grew up with the hard rains that were not pleasant. The NW rain to me is a soft, gentle one that allows one to be outside, walking or doing things without ever really getting too wet. And with such pastoral thoughts, we invite you to enjoy Fairhaven on these quiet fall days. The shops and restaurants are havens of dry warmth. It all works together. The Handmade Life Opening Celebration Thursday Eve from 6 to 9 pmTuesday, September 30, 2008)
All are invited to come by the newest shop to open in Fairhaven on Thursday evening from 6 to 9 pm. This is especially convenient for local business owners who can meet Lauren and Justin and welcome them to Fairhaven. They will have some of their artists there to talk of their work. And there will be a bit of bubbly also. Their shop features hand made items from local artists and the list is long. Jewelry, paintings, etchings, handbags, bath products, knit goods, stuffed animals, and more. The courtyard at Harris Square is one of those tucked away places in Fairhaven. We have several of these places and it is what makes walking the historic district such an enjoyable pastime. Harris Square is on Harris between 9th and 10th Streets. Also on the square is Village Family Health, Studio 910 Salon, Cascadia Physical Therapy and Chispa. Hope to see you there. This Thursday, Oct 2, from 6 to 9 pm. Aisling Eyewear Open - despite constructionFriday, September 26, 2008) click for larger image
Kate stands at her open shop door, beckoning us to come on in. Her Aisling Eyewear is located in the new McKenzie Alley, between the Waldron and Young buildings. Near 11th and McKenzie. Well, that big yellow backhoe is in the process of tearing up part of McKenzie - and inadvertantly blocking the most used entrance to Kate’s cool new shop. McKenzie almost always has empty parking spaces. But for the next couple weeks, it will not have any parking spaces. And so - we here at Fairhaven.com want to let you know that, while you may have to purposely walk up McKenzie Alley from the 11th Street side - next to Rustic Coffee and Flats Tapas Bar, please do so if you wan to check out hundreds of cool eyewear - glasses frames. Kate will be there to greet you. Jimmy’s provides luxurious experienceSunday, September 21, 2008)
Pampering is always nice to experience. And Jimmy’s Personal Care, just opened in Fairhaven, is all about professionals providing soothing body treatments. On Saturday he had his Grand Opening with refreshments and special upgrades in services. Enjoying a pedicure from Tiffeny is Taimi Gorman and from Ralph is Phyllis McKee, two Fairhaven business owners. Jimmy is looking on. He has outfitted his spa with heated chairs and the latest in equipment and he offers an extensive line of services, including waxing, facials, microdermabrasion and, of course, manicures. Located in the new Young building at 11th and Mckenzie, he is open 10 to 6, Monday thru Saturday. Haven open house shows off designsWednesday, September 17, 2008) click photo for larger view
Haven Design Workshop just moved into their new offices in Fairhaven - on the third floor at 907 Harris Avenue. This evening they held an superbly put together Open House for their business - but on the first floor where they could provide a first class event. Building owner, Tim Imus, was enlightened in his decision to allow the Haven staff to repaint and redo the interior of the currently empty shop space. Haven showed off their abilities at residential design - interiors and exteriors and total building. They may be new to Fairhaven but these guys have been at their craft for some time and are good. And at least a couple hundred people showed up over the three hours to welcome them to Fairhaven. Very nice evening. Fairhaven Runner’s Waterfront 15K beautiful startSaturday, September 13, 2008)
Starting for the first time from the heart of the Historic District in Fairhaven, almost 700 runners and walkers started in bright sunshine at 8:45 this morning. This scenic race goes along the Fairhaven and Bellingham waterfronts for almost 5 miles and then returns on a slightly different route closer to the water. Yes, it uses the popular Taylor Dock for the return leg. The race was the idea of Steve Roguski, owner of Fairhaven Runners & Walkers, a couple years ago. It is now well accepted as an annual mid September event. You can just see the shop on the far left of the photo. This view looks south on 11th Street towards the intersection of Harris Avenue where the race started. A gallery of 29 photos is posted for your enjoyment. Salmon BBQ a success for allSaturday, September 6, 2008) click photo for larger view
Chef Kyle Bornstein adjusts the huge fillets of King Salmon at the second annual BBQ on the Village Green today. The Old Fairhaven Association put on the event, bringing back to life the salmon fests of the 1980s that we all loved so much. Next to Kyle is Cate Howell serving the fish, then Wayne Kwaitkowski who organized this year’s feast serving corn on the cob, and Frank Howell serving cole slaw. Skylark’s Hidden Cafe provided the cole slaw. The Jazz Group provided a fine background of music for the afternoon. A photo gallery is now posted with some more photos. Free sailing courtesy Corinthians and Boating CenterSaturday, September 6, 2008) click photo for larger view
Heading out to those beautiful sailboats are folks bound for their first sailiing experience. All afternoon, the Corinthian Yacht Club of Bellingham and the Boating Center of the Fairhaven waterfront offered free sailing for those who had never experienced it. About 120 people took advantage of the offer. And the weather was perfect, with a light breeze for an enjoyable hour long sail on Bellingham Bay. The Corinthians provided six sailing yachts of 30 to 40 feet long with the owners crewing each boat. They did it to help people discover the Boating Center. If you have not re-discovered the Bellingham Bay Community Boating Center, then we encourage you to do so. Rentals, instruction and boat storage are all included. Click on the link below to learn more about where they are and to check their website. And our Thanks to the Corinthians for helping more people discover the beauty and magic of sailing. Harris Bay provides a perfect anchorageWednesday, September 3, 2008) click photo for a larger image
Fairhaven’s waterfront is on Harris Bay, named after - yes, Fairhaven founder Dan Harris. And this small bay is indeed a fair haven for anchoring boats. Year round it protects well anchored boats from the big waves of storms. And it adds to the fun of Fairhaven. This Saturday, there is free family sailing down at Harris Bay courtesy of the Corinthian Yacht Club and the Bellingham Bay Community Boating Center. This is for anyone who does not have sailing experience or access to a sailboat. Families or groups of 4 to 6 can signup until all the spaces are reserved. It goes from 10 am to 4 pm and reservations are required and can be made by calling the Boating Center at 714-8891. The Boating Center is down off Harris Avenue - of course. Taylor Dock is rocking this eveningSaturday, August 30, 2008) cick photo for larger view
A sunny but chilly evening still had hundreds down on the Taylor Dock for some dancing to free music, courtesy of the Bellingham Parks. John Parry, Joe Paquin and friends provided what they called “honkytonkcajunhipiebillyblues” - and the crowd loved it. Plus there were boats sailing by and some anchored near so as to listen. And there were fresh cookies being sold from a table and just a fun time. And there was dancing. A great evening in Fairhaven with a backdrop of the San Juan Islands. Preparation for holiday weekend requires pretty pedicuresFriday, August 29, 2008)
Jimmy’s Personal Care has been bustling since opening earlier this month in the new Young Building on 11th Street. The salon offers manicures and pedicures, facials, hot stone foot massage and even teeth-whitening. Customers are greeted with refreshing drinks and fresh fruit. They plan a grand opening party on September 20th. Jimmy, a former downtown Bellingham restaurant owner, says the Fairhaven District has welcomed him with open arms. They don’t yet have a website, but call them at 933-4268. Hot Sundae on a Cool EveningTuesday, August 26, 2008) Taimi Dunn Gorman
Portland, Oregon resident Jocelyn Nelson Bristow digs into a Colophon Cafe hot fudge sundae on this unseasonably rainy August Tuesday night. Jocelyn was visiting her Mom in Fairhaven for a few days before returning to Oregon. They had dinner earlier at The Black Cat in Sycamore Square. Fairhaven restaurants were home to more than a few customers tonight even in the drizzle. Strolling on the Village GreenFriday, August 22, 2008) Taimi Dunn Gorman
Strollers, dog walkers and diners crowd the Fairhaven Village Green on this sunny Friday afternoon as the statue of founder Dirty Dan looks on in front of the Colophon Cafe. The neighborhood was bustling all afternoon with locals, tourists and Alaska ferry travelers shopping, visiting with friends and just taking in the scenery. The weather is supposed to be perfect for Ferris Beuller’s Day Off, the movie on the Village Green Saturday night. Sherman Alexie on the Village GreenSaturday, August 16, 2008) click photo for larger view
Sherman tells another of his wild stories to a packed Village Green this evening during the Chuckanut Radio Hour. Chuck and Dee Robinson, the hosts of the radio show, are as slack jawed as the rest of us listening to his incredible stories of growing up as a Spokane Nation Indian. Chuck is also the Executive Procuder of the show. After the live radio program, when it got dark, the movie “The Business of Fancydancing” was shown by Epic Events. Of course, the movie screenplay was written by Sherman. It was - still is as I write this - a beautiful summer evening in Fairhaven. A Photo Gallery of this evening’s Radio Hour is posted. Its been good, FairhavenFriday, August 15, 2008) click photo for larger view
Frank and Cate Howell retired at 5 pm this evening after a very successful retirement sale. Their Mud in Your Eye Pottery shop has been one of Fairhaven’s best known shops for over a decade. Selling the business was not feasible because Frank has made most of the pottery. Their sale over the past few weeks was a complete success - and their shop was literally empty this evening when they closed. Friends stopped by to celebrate with them. The place had a festive air. All of us in Fairhaven wish them the best for their years ahead. Notice that For Rent sign in the left side of the photo? Tim Imus is looking for a new tenant for one of the more successful retail locations in Fairhaven. That number is 360 319-6989. We hope that some really unique shop with products that are locally made or crafted will carry on the legacy that Frank and Cate have established. We will miss being able to walk to the back of the shop and watch Frank at his potter’s wheel as he effortlessly created perfect pieces. But we look hopefully forward to a new fun shop in this over 100 year old building. Mid Summer on 11th StreetFriday, August 8, 2008)
A fierce and fast chess match on a table in front of the Colophon Cafe on 11th Street is a perfect activity for a not too hot August afternoon. Tom, on the left, and Bill were very focused on their game. August in Fairhaven is hard to beat with anywhere. Temps in the 70s, blue skys and breezes. We invite you to come enjoy our little historic district. Fairhaven flowers at their best in AugustWednesday, August 6, 2008)
The Old Fairhaven Association, the organized group of Fairhaven business owners, has overseen the hanging flower baskets for many years. They hang from all the old fashioned light poles in the Historic District. There are several people who deserve personal thanks as they have been key each year for the flowers. Vicki Rogers has made sure the funds were available and has gotten grants from the tourism taxes most years. Ken Imus has hung the baskets for many years with help from his sons Brad and Tim. The Lions Club of Fairhaven members have watered the flowers every morning each summer for years. They use a renovated golf cart that Brad Imus has kept in repair. The Association makes a yearly donation to Lions in return for their volunteer watering each morning. The baskets are hung each year in late May and taken down in the fall. The flowers are at their finest now during mid August. It is one of those beautiful items in Fairhaven that we can easily take for granted, so a little credit is in order. The building in the background? That is the home of Village Books - but the lower windows are actually the Book Fare restaurant on the second floor of the bookstore. One of our many newer buildings that was built with some charm. And the top of the building across the photo is the Village Inn. |
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