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Bellingham Business Journal articles from July 2004
This monthly publication covers local business trends through news and analysis.
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Bellingham Business Journal archives from July 2004
Birch Bay lands major condo project.(Gold Star Resorts)
July 1, 2004... Gold Star Resorts has received permit approval and $10 million in financing from Frontier Bank to begin construction of an 86,000-square-foot building consisting of 62 condominium units and 8,000 square feet of retail space at 7836 Birch Bay...
Lakeway Inn purchased for $8.85 million.(FIT Investments)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Best Western Lakeway Inn and Conference Center is now under new ownership and management as former owner Fred Poppe has sold the hotel, restaurant and bar.
FIT Investments of San Francisco, Calif., doing business as Today's VI LLC,...
Waterfront musings.(Publisher's notebook)
July 1, 2004
Banner buys Sunset site, Bank Northwest builds in Lynden.(Banner Bank )
July 1, 2004... Banner Bank continues to expand its influence in Whatcom County, purchasing property on 1250 Barkley Blvd. from Wells Fargo Bank for $1.4 million.
The property is located near the Lowe's Home Improvement shopping center on Sunset Drive....
Thai restaurant going in former Sheehan's site.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... A local restaurant owner will open a second location in the former Sheehan's restaurant location in Barkley Village. On Rice 2 Thai Cuisine, owned by the Ying-Ruay Corp., has been negotiating with Talbot Real Estate and recently received its...
Vines Building on State Street sold, to be renovated.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Developer Brian Finnegan, owner of WestCom Properties, has purchased the former Vineyard Christian Fellowship building, also known as the Vines Building, at 906 N. State St., and has plans to remodel it for commercial use.
Finnegan bought...
Mortgage subsidiary opens in Fairhaven.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Heritage Northwest, Inc., a subsidiary of Montana-based Heritage Bank, has opened an office in Fairhaven.
The company offers a variety of residential-loan services as well as loans for commercial projects. The two Bellingham employees,...
SMO Multimedia expands, buys two companies.(Thermsol Conus Inc., Wildlife Optics Corp.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004
D'Anna's expands into wholesale.(D'Anna's Cafe Italiano, Michael D'Anna)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... After receiving final approval from the USDA earlier this month, Michael and Florita D'Anna, owners of D'Anna's Cafe Italiano on N. State St., have been approved to expand their wholesale business, D'Anna's Italian Products, into the production...
Lakeway Mobile Estates sold for $9 million.(Rio Grande Investors)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Lakeway Mobile Estates, a 218-unit mobile-home park on the east side of Lincoln Street between the Cost Cutter and the former Samish Drive-In, has been sold to two investment groups for $8.998 million. The site was sold by an ownership group of...
Roeder to get new industrial building.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Bellingham real estate agent Rodger Spero is planning to build a light industrial building at 2698 Roeder Avenue, across the street from Bellingham Cold Storage.
The building will have 5,500 square feet of space and have four or five...
Billy McHale's gets local owner.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Rob and Kristy Knopp are in the process of purchasing the Bellingham Billy McHale's restaurant, located on 4301 Meridian St.
The restaurant chain, which filed for bankruptcy several years ago and is attempting to emerge from it, approached...
New commercial building approved for Samish Way.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... A new commercial building is in the works for the corner of E. Maple and Otis streets, at the north end of Samish Drive.
Samish Way Plaza, which will be built in a currently empty lot at 1240 E. Maple, next to the Aloha Hotel, will be a...
Ah, the lure of the coffee bean.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Think there are too many coffee places in this town? Apparently there isn't, based on the latest projects taking place in Bellingham.
Starbucks Coffee will be spending $90,000 on tenant improvements to open its ninth coffee shop in...
Renovations for city permit center nearly complete.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... City officials expect quicker service with new building permit center
With renovations for the new building permit center expected to be completed this month, city officials are setting firm goals to make sure building applications are...
Big changes for Advanced Health Center.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Advanced Health Center, a private practice that includes three chiropractors and seven massage therapists, is downsizing and moving from 1611 N. State St. to 2406 Iron St.
Lindon Keeler, a chiropractor and owner of the business, will...
Ryzex to add sales staff, new president.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Ryzex Group, a Bellingham company which sells new and used barcode-scanning equipment, is adding 25 to 50 new employees to support its purchase of the hardware sales and service business from bankrupt competitor Datavision Inc.
Ryzex...
Palm tree business comes to Bellingham.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Mark Wayne has brought a bit of the tropics with the opening of his business, Palm Country.
Open since mid-April, the tree nursery features tropical, cold-hardy palm trees that withstand the Northwest's cold, dark winters.
Wayne...
United Way hires new president.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(United Way of Whatcom County)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The United Way of Whatcom County announced in June the selection of Pete Atha as President and Chief Professional Officer. Atha's appointment is the result of a nationwide search conducted by a search committee made up of board members and...
King Nissan car dealership under construction.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... With final permitting approved, Dawson Construction will begin construction this month of a 13,500square-foot King Nissan dealership on 1516 Iowa St.
The $1.565 million dealership, located on two acres, will have a service shop area,...
Bellingham bank expanding into Tacoma area.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Horizon Financial Corp plans )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Bellingham-based Horizon Financial Corp. announced plans for the first Horizon Bank branch in Pierce County, just south of Tacoma. Horizon has purchased a building that was formerly occupied by another bank in Lakewood, and management expects...
Chiropractor opens a Bellingham practice.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Cascade Chiropractic names changes Life Chiropractic)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Dr. Zsolt Muller purchased a portion of Cascade Chiropractic in June and changed the name to Life Chiropractic, located on 1400 King St.
Before coming to Bellingham, Muller had a practice in Minnesota. His practice will center around a...
A slice of Bavaria on the Guide.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)
July 1, 2004... Michael and Suzanne Bode brought a bit of Bavarian food and hospitality by starting a sausage stand on the corner of Guide Meridian and Smith Road, next to the Chevron gas station.
Bode's Bavarian Sausage Stand is in a custom-built trailer...
Homeland Security to build border facility in Blaine.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has filed for permits to build a 20,000-square-foot Customs and Border Protection Sector Headquarters facility in the Blaine Business Park near the Nature's Path facility.
The facility will be on...
Slabjacking comes to Whatcom County.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Slabjacking Inc)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... A new company from Camano Island has begun offering sunken concrete solutions in Whatcom County.
Superior Slabjacking Inc. was started in April by Shannon Schwehm and Patrick Hayes.
"We were in the process of buying our house on...
WorkFirst introduces presentation for local businesses.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(WorkFirst)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The WorkFirst partnership of Whatcom County has put together a PowerPoint presentation entitled "Uniting Business with People Who Want to Succeed."
The presentation is being used to inform business owners of the free resources available,...
New pizza restaurant to open in Fairhaven.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Jesse Cantu has sold the Fairhaven Jalapenos Mexican restaurant, and the new owners are applying for a liquor license for a new restaurant in the same location, Fairhaven Pizza Company.
Cantu, who also owns the downtown Jalapenos on Holly...
WWU compiling list of international companies.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Bellingham/Whatcom Economic Development Council)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Western Washington University's entrepreneurial studies program, in collaboration with the Bellingham/Whatcom Economic Development Council, is in search of businesses owned by Canadian or other international entities to help create a database...
Long Term Care Solutions now open for business.(The buzz: tips, rumors & miscellaneous pieces of business information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Cindy Sherwin has opened Long Term Care Solutions, an new business that helps individuals plan for their long-term care needs.
Sherwin launched Long Term Care Solutions on June 1. Her office is located in the Bellingham National Bank...
Whatcom Electric: continued growth in the forecast: starter manufacturer breaking ground soon on addition to manufacturing facility.(Company Profile)
July 1, 2004... Dan Bell believes the key to success in business is fixing a customers' problems. Finding solutions has made Bell's company one of the biggest on the West Coast.
In July, Bell hopes to break ground on an expansion project for his company,...
On the job: city will lay groundwork to help port on G-P project.(redevelopment of property from Georgia-Pacific)
July 1, 2004... In reaching an agreement to acquire i37 acres of waterfront property from Georgia-Pacific, the Port of Bellingham has stepped to the forefront to begin work on the largest redevelopment project this community has ever seen.
However,...
Ridin' the high lonesome with the geek posse.(Gy Smith's computer repair company)
July 1, 2004... Gy Smith faced a tough deadline.
Smith was working on starting his own computer repair company in November 2003 when he discovered he had two weeks to come up with a name and logo for the yellow pages of a phone book.
"I had a few...
Block watch: how's business? What are your concerns? Your successes? How's the neighborhood? This month, BBJ's neighborhood watch program visits Hannegan Business Park.
July 1, 2004... Economies can be judged in many ways--unemployment numbers, retail sales and home construction are all examples of indicators of the strength of an economy.
But sometimes, the best index is the response from small-business owners who say...
Fish tales: the forced evolution of the local sport-fishing industry.
July 1, 2004... When Jim Jorgensen has taken folks out to fish in years past, he admits he's been nearly fanatical in his focus to catch at least one fish.
"If I didn't catch something when I went out with some clients, then I would consider the day a...
Sports-fishing industry facing an aging consumer base.
July 1, 2004... Starting May 1, the Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife adopted a statewide moratorium for sports fishing for wild steelhead, for example. The two-year moratorium requires anglers to release any steelhead that is not marked as a hatchery...
Integral Technologies hopes to break the mold with new product: conductive plastic could have hundreds of industrial and commercial uses, from cell-phone antennas to floor-heating units.
July 1, 2004... If a company invents a component that will transform how an entire industry can make products, there must be plenty of riches and accolades awaiting the inventor, right?
Not so fast.
In today's business world, where many large...
Condo mania! Former real-estate 'stepchild' stepping out of the shadows as availablity of local homes dwindles.(condominiums)
July 1, 2004... When Troy Muliat was planning his Harris Square development in Fairhaven, he envisioned one condominium building with about 36 units and two apartment buildings with 63 units. That all changed once he started actually selling condos.
"The...
Despite vacancies, area's multifamily building binge continues: glut of available units shows no sign of slowing down construction of new complexes--at least for now.
July 1, 2004... If there is a slowdown coming in local multifamily construction, those in the industry haven't seen any sign of it.
The 2004 Whatcom County Real Estate Report, published in June, concluded that vacancy rates at apartments were at their...
Top properties.
July 1, 2004... Contracts
The following contracts have been awarded in the past month:
SR 548, culvert replacement, $269,438 to Colacurcio Brothers Construction, Blaine. Issued by WSDOT Administration.
Whatcom Creek/Holly St. restoration project,...
WannaDance Mobile DJ Services.(Company Profile)
July 1, 2004... Owner: Drew Graham
Address: 2217 E St.
Phone: 647-9523
Startup date: June 1
Square footage: 1993 GMC Safari
Web site: www.wannadancedj.net
Initial investment: $10,000
If you go to enough weddings, eventually the...
Core Therapeutics PT & Pilates Studio.(Company Profile)
July 1, 2004... Owner: Elizabeth Hampton
Address: 1000 McKenzie Ave., suite 15
Phone: 752-CORE (2673)
Fax: 752-0271
E-mail: elizabeth@elizabethhamptonpt.com
Startup date: June 1
Square footage: 680
Web site:...
ADditude Creative Marketing.(Company Profile)
July 1, 2004... Owner: Jane Atherton
Phone: 676-5263
Startup date: June 1
Website: www.additudecreative.com
E-mail: smartads@additudecreative.com
Initial investment: Under $5,000
Jane Atherton has learned about marketing from just...
CVB honors local tourism leaders with awards.( Bellingham/Whatcom County Convention & Visitors Bureau )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Bellingham/Whatcom County Convention & Visitors Bureau presented several awards to local businesses, officials and individuals within the tourism industry during its awards luncheon on May 20.
The American Museum of Radio & Electricity...
McIver joins Steele Financial Services.(Keeping Up With People)(Jen McIver)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Steele Financial Services has announced that Jen McIver has joined the company. A graduate of Indiana University, McIver has worked as a computer analyst for the last eight years, the last four of which were spent at Safeco Investments.
...
Gould joins Allstate, Angell awarded for volunteerism.(Keeping Up With People)(David Gould has joined Allstate Financial Group)(Carl Angell received award for his commitment to volunteering in the community)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... David Gould has joined Allstate Financial Group as a personal financial representative. Gould will offer local customers variable annuity, variable life and mutual fund products, in addition to traditional life insurance and long-term care...
Bates joins Fairhaven Realty.(Keeping Up With People)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Penny Bates has joined Fairhaven Realty. Bates is a graduate of Grinnell College and the University of Virginia and has more than a decade of experience in housing finance, including extensive knowledge of first-time homebuyer programs.
Wallace-Rice Benefits adds Billingsley.(Keeping Up With People)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Wallace-Rice Benefits has recently added Andy Billingsley. Billingsley will specialize in offering clients a new health care product called a Health Savings Account, as well as individual and group medical, dental, life, long-term care and...
Blu Sky Web Solutions appoints new creative director.(Keeping Up With People)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Blu Sky Web Solutions has expanded its graphic-design capabilities with the recent hiring of Allison Henry as creative director.
Henry, a Bellingham native, provides graphic-design work for all customer projects. Her addition enabled Blu...
John L. Scott hires new managing broker.(Keeping Up With People)(Philip Hickok to managing broker of the Bellingham office)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... John L. Scott Real Estate has announced the promotion of Philip Hickok to managing broker of the Bellingham office.
In 2000, Hickok moved to Bellingham and joined John L. Scott. He brings four years of experience as a licensed real estate...
Ofteness photos featured on phone book covers, website.(Keeping Up With People)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Aerial photos by Tore Ofteness have been chosen for the covers of the 2004-2005 Verizon Superpages for Bellingham/Whatcom County as well as the Seattle area. Ofteness announced his photographs of the Northwest were also featured in the...
Windermere adds new associate.(Keeping Up With People)(sales associate Damian Pro to its Bellingham office)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Windermere Real Estate has announced the addition of sales associate Damian Pro to its Bellingham office.
Pro has worked in consulting for nationally recognized broadband carriers throughout the country for the past four years. He holds a...
Holeman, Rene, Baklund join Keller Williams Realty.(Keeping Up With People)(Jacob Baklund, Erin Rene, Pete Holeman appoints at Keller Williams Realty)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Pete Holeman has recently joined Keller Williams Realty Bellingham. Holeman's last career was as a firefighter with Whatcom County Fire District 7.
Erin Rene has also joined Keller Williams Realty. Rene brings to her career as a real...
Four new agents join Coldwell Banker.(Keeping Up With People)
July 1, 2004... Ron Wright, Larry Fast, Ryan Larsson and Roxie Millsap have joined Coldwell Banker Realty.
Wright is lifelong resident and a native of Bellingham, except for his time in Seattle attending Seattle Pacific University. Wright has been active...
Opportunity Council announces new board officers.(Keeping Up With People)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004
Swan-Waite participates in Harvard program.(Keeping Up With People)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Renee Swan-Waite, director of student activities at Northwest Indian College, took part in Harvard University's Management Development Program June 20-July 2. Designed to provide new perspectives and skills to college and university...
Allsop promotes new product manager, hires sales associate.(Keeping Up With People)(Jane Gayamat to product development team as product manager)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Allsop has promoted Jane Gayamat to its product development team as a product manager. Gayamat fills this role after more than four years as Allsop's international sales coordinator.
Succeeding Gayamat in the sales department is Christie...
NWCS promotes McNitt.(Keeping Up With People)(Northwest Computer Supplies promotes Tim McNitt )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Northwest Computer Supplies has announced the promotion of Tim McNitt to retail operations manager. McNitt, an alumnus of Purdue University, has career experience in higher education, web design and retail management. He has written, published...
Murray earns real estate license.(Keeping Up With People)(Meredith Murray earned her Washington state real estate license )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Meredith Murray of the Jumper Team at Keller Williams Realty recently earned her Washington state real estate license and is now a licensed assistant to Eric Jumper. Murray is the second licensed Realtor in Jumper's office.
Arc of Whatcom hires new assistant director.(Keeping Up With People)(Joel Bergsbaken)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... The Arc of Whatcom County has announced that Joel Bergsbaken has accepted the newly created position of assistant director.
Bergsbaken brings with him 16 years experience providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities in...
Wells Fargo announces new store manager.(Keeping Up With People)(Melanie Berghof appointed as a manger)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Melanie Berghof has been named manager of Wells Fargo's Bellingham store.
Berghof leads a seven-member team in the Bellingham office. She began her financial services career as a teller in 1995 and most recently served as a store manager...
Carpenter joins AAA Washington/Inland Travel.(Keeping Up With People)(Dawn Carpenter)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Dawn Carpenter has recently joined the Bellingham AAA Washington/Inland Travel Agency. Carpenter joins the staff of Jan Bubb and Melinda Shenk, who collectively have more than 40 years of experience in the leisure travel industry. She returns...
3D Computer CEO appointed to BTC advisory committee.(Keeping Up With People)(Bellingham Technical College's Computer Network Technology Advisory Committee)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... 3D Computer Corp. CEO David Koshinz was appointed to Bellingham Technical College's Computer Network Technology Advisory Committee.
Koshinz will serve a three-year appointment to the advisory committee, which advises, assists and provides...
Van Beek elected as president of society of women accountants.(Keeping Up With People)(Judi Van Beek elected as president of North Cascades Chapter of the American Society of Women Accountants)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Smith Gardens, Inc. accounting staff member Judi Van Beek has been elected as president of the North Cascades Chapter of the American Society of Women Accountants, along with Andrea Neil of Olympic Health Management as president-elect. Other...
New admission coordinator at Bellingham Health Care.(Keeping Up With People)(Sharron M. Beam appointed at Bellingham Health Care and Rehabilitation Services)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Sharron M. Beam is the new admission coordinator at Bellingham Health Care and Rehabilitation Services. She will be responsible for marketing and customer services.
Beam has experience managing programs serving both seniors and the...
SBDC counselor wins statewide award.(Keeping Up With People)(Washington Small Business Development Center Network State Star Award for Counseling for Megan Watt)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Megan Watt of the Small Business Development Center of Western Washington University's College of Business and Economics was this year's recipient of the State Star Award for Counseling.
The award, presented by the Washington Small Business...
Bothman represents Bellingham at national BALLE conference.(Keeping Up With People)(Business Alliance for Local Living Economies)(Ken Bothman of La Fiamma Wood-Fire Pizza)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Ken Bothman, owner of La Fiamma Wood-Fire Pizza, attended the second annual Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALE) conference in Philadelphia, Penn. from May 20 through May 22. The conference brought together more than 250...
Metzger appointed to railway museum board.(Keeping Up With People)(Eugene "Skipp" Metzger appointed to the board of directors for The Bellingham Railway Museum)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Dr. Eugene "Skipp" Metzger has recently been appointed to the board of directors for The Bellingham Railway Museum.
Metzger comes to the board with 20 years of administrative leadership in public education, and 10 years of experience owning...
Dyrland receives multiple awards.(Keeping Up With People)(Erik Dyrland of Erik Dyrland Farmers Insurance Agency)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Erik Dyrland, owner of the Erik Dyrland Farmers Insurance Agency, has qualified as a Topper Club Agent by Farmers Insurance for the 16th time in his 17 years as a Farmers Agent. The Topper Club award is given to agents for consistently high...
Poor communication can affect the bottom line.(Staffing Solutions)
July 1, 2004
Constructive complaints a valuable commodity.(Lessons I've Learned)
July 1, 2004
National tourism numbers show promise.(Inside tourism)
July 1, 2004... Now that summer is under way and we are in the prime of the visitor season, what can we expect for the coming months and balance of the year?
Overall, things look mixed for the travel and tourism industry, but for our region there are some...
Improve your relationship with your banker.(On small businesses)
July 1, 2004
Sullivan Plumbing adds Galyean.(Keeping Up With People)(Gary Galyean )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Sullivan Plumbing has added Gary Galyean to its staff of plumbers. Galyean comes from Eureka, Calif. and has more than 25 years of plumbing experience. He carries a certified journeyman plumbing license from the State of Oregon. For the past 10...
Visiting Nurse welcomes Sanders.(Keeping Up With People)(Donna Sanders and Jean Brock appointed at Visiting Nurse Personal Services)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Donna Sanders has been hired as home health supervisor and scheduler for Visiting Nurse Personal Services, a regional nonprofit home care and home health organization.
Sanders comes to VNPS experienced in home care, assisted living,...
Waddell & Reed employees receive top honors.(Keeping Up With People)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Doug Whitener, Time Goering and Shawn Morton of Waddell & Reed were recently recognized at the company's national Circle of Champions meeting in Grapevine, Texas. The event honors top financial advisors and managers within Waddell & Reed, Inc.
Haggen hires, promotes new managers.(Keeping Up With People)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Haggen Inc. has announced that Cheryl-Ann Jones has been promoted to director of food service.
Jones will be responsible for overseeing the direction of the service dell, chef's counter and orient express departments. Jones began working...
Burkhardt Research Services celebrates five years.(Awards/Anniversaries)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2004... Burkhardt Research Services is celebrating five years in business.
Founded in May 1999, Burkhardt Research provides research services on individual competitors within the market environment, such a competitor's immediate and evolving sales...