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Bidding farewell to local landmark
The King Frog mascot, who perched atop the King Frog 1 Hr. Photo Lab for more than 20 years, relinquished his throne at the end of April. Owner Dick Nolan closed the lab in January. A private owner now has the frog.
Bruce Cox, co-owner of the auto dealership next door, brought the photo lab property for expansion.
Business Bank of Skagit expands to Whatcom
President and CEO of Business Bank of Skagit County (BBOSC), Don Zimmerman, announced in April the bank’s early profitability and expansion to Whatcom County with a new Loan Center in Bellingham.
“One year ago we had a lot of excitement, opening our first branch, today we announce profitability in our first fourth quarter.” Zimmerman said in an April announcement.
Zimmerman also announced the expansion of BBOSC into Whatcom County with placement of a Loan Production Center in Bellingham. Business Bank’s Senior Vice President of Real Estate Rick Tremaine will handle oversight of the office. Newest member to the team, Kirby Duncan, vice president commercial lending, will manage the office. Both men were raised and live in Whatcom County and are looking forward to bringing BBOSC and their services to the community of Bellingham. Steve Bendtsen will also be located in the Bellingham office.
The BBOSC Loan Production Center is temporarily located in the Fairhaven neighborhood of Bellingham. The permanent BBOSC location, on Meridian Street in Bellingham is currently undergoing leasehold improvements. Anticipated occupancy is July 2006. The Loan Production office provides a full range of loan products including commercial and mortgage lending.
Hampton Inn scores ‘Outstanding’
The Hampton Inn Bellingham Airport rated “Outstanding” on Hilton Hotel Corporation’s recent Quality Assurance evaluation, completed in April.
The evaluation, incorporating service, product, facility and franchise standards, is a strict review where less than 10 percent of franchisees receive an Outstanding rating. This is the second consecutive Outstanding review for the newly renovated Hampton Inn.
The evaluation offers a total possible score of 3,000 points; the Hampton Inn received 2,835 points resulting in a 94.5 percent rating. Hotels must score above 90 percent to receive an Outstanding rating.
Mannino’s returns
At the beginning of the year, Mannino’s owner Guy Giacalone closed the popular restaurant in Fairhaven to reopen with a new cuisine and name: Spoon, Urban Bar & Supper Club. Four months later, responding to customer demand, he has reopened once again as Manninos Bella Cucina, featuring family Italian cuisine.
The change to Spoon threw customers off, admitted Giacalone. “We hadn’t realized the extent of loyal following we had. People came in asking where the Caesars went. No one knew who we were,” said Giacalone. “They just loved the old Manninos.”
‘Inside Bellingham’ recognized by national association
The city of Bellingham’s Public Works Department is the recipient of the 2006 Exceptional Performance in Journalism Award from the American Public Works Association for the television show “Inside Bellingham.” The award is for outstanding contributions that raise the level of public awareness of the public works profession.
“This award is testimony to our belief in the importance of informing our constituents about how tax dollars are being spent to provide essential services,” said Public Works Director Dick McKinley.
“Inside Bellingham,” in its third year on BTV10, is produced by the city in collaboration with local video production company Black Dog Productions. For more information and a schedule of programs currently airing on BTV10, visit the city’s website at www.cob.org.
Heininger buys MotorSports Accessories
Heininger Automotive of Bellingham has purchased the assets of MotorSports Accessories of Fife, Wash.
MotorSports Accessores was the creator, manufacturer and distributor of a unique line of hitch covers for SUVs, trucks, campers and motor homes since 2000, and was founded by custom car chassis designer/builder Art Morrison. As a result of his chassis business growing at warp speed, the company chose to spin off the hitch related products to Heininger Automotive.
“The hitch caps and the following Morrison has created fit into our game plan perfectly. Many of our customers are currently buying the product and a number of new accounts will come along with the sales of the business,” states Jeff Heininger of Heininger Holdings, LLC.
Heininger Automotive supplies companies such as GI Joe’s, Tractor Supply, REI, Cabela’s, Camping World and many other nationally recognized retailers.
Local Web sites offer free classified ads
BellinghamPlaces.com and its related Web sites, providers of information about local businesses, have begun offering free classified ads.
“With our Web site traffic going over 1,500 visits per day, this is an ideal method for advertising jobs, cars, property, rentals and so much more,” said owner Cale Luna.
The free classifieds are available to visitors at any of Luna’s Web sites, which in Whatcom County include FerndalePlaces.com, LyndenPlaces.com and BlainePlaces.com. Similar Web sites serve the Skagit county communities of Anacortes, Burlington, Mount Vernon, La Conner and Sedro-Woolley. The Web sites combine to list information for more than 3,700 local businesses and organizations.
Boundary Bay beers win two medals in World Beer Cup
Bellingham’s Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro brought home two medals from the 2006 World Beer Cup, an international craft brewing competition widely considered “the Olympics of brewing competitions.”
Boundary Bay’s Best Bitter (ESB) won a silver medal in the Special Bitter or Best Bitter category and Cabin Fever won a bronze medal in the Strong Ale category. The awards were announced April 14 during the World Beer Cup gala at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle. More than 900 members of the brewing industry attended the gala.
In addition to ESB and Cabin Fever, Boundary Bay’s Imperial IPA held a position of honor at the World Beer Cup – it was served as the beverage accompanying the entree during the awards gala dinner. Boundary Bay’s Imperial IPA won a gold medal at the 2004 World Beer Cup.
Hilltop Restaurant named caterer for Lynden fair
The Hilltop Restaurant has been selected by the Northwest Washington Fair to serve as its caterer for company picnics and grandstand entertainers.
Companies are able to offer picnics at the fair – scheduled Aug. 14-19 in Lynden – for their employees or customers. The picnic packages may include gate admission and/or reserved seats for grandstand performances. The Hilltop Restaurant, a finalist for the 2005 Whatcom County Small Business of the Year, also will handle the culinary needs of the fair’s grandstand entertainers: Styx, Terri Clark, Merle Haggard and MercyMe.
Founded in 1959, the Hilltop Restaurant has been owned by Tom and Barb Kilpatrick since 2001. It’s located on the Guide Meridian, just south of Axton Road.
Eview invites local businesses to become charter members
The Bellingham Business Eview is a local online cooperative of Bellingham businesses that serves as an independent credentialing and ratings organization that links businesses with consumers. Additionally, it assists affiliated businesses with services such as one-on-one consulting, marketing assessments and Web site help. Pete Nelson and Blaine Fritts co-founded the company.
Businesses that become charter members will receive an initiation fee waiver and free membership for three months.
County leadership programs present at national conference
Mary Dumas and Laura Callioux presented a side-by-side case study on the development of the Leadership Whatcom and Leadership Skagit programs at the 26th annual Community Leadership Association Conference in Hartford, Conn.
The session examined how to create and sustain necessary partnerships for successful leadership programming while attending to the potential influence political climate has on how leadership programs are initiated, organized, designed, and refined.
Leadership Whatcom is a 10-month nonpartisan program for existing and emerging leaders who want to focus on leadership skills as well as apply their learning to various complex issues and assets in our county. Applications for the 2006-07 program are available at www.leadershipwhatcom.org. June 15 is the deadline for applications.
Leadership Skagit’s 10-month program is designed to inspire people who want to become leaders and to prepare them for these community leadership roles. The vision of Leadership Skagit is to develop leaders at all levels in our community. Deadline for the Skagit program was June 1; for more information visit http://learningcenters.wsu.edu/skagit/lsapply.html.
Facilities in the NW adds two members
Facilities in the Northwest, the online reservation system for banquet and event venues, has added Smuggler’s Inn Bed and Breakfast and Room2Think. Smuggler’s Inn sits right on the international border between British Columbia and Blaine and is both a bed and breakfast and events venue. Room2Think, located in downtown Bellingham, is Bellingham’s creative meeting space, an off-site location where companies can explore creative visions, develop new ideas, make new plans, and seek new horizons. It is a 2,500-square-foot space that includes high speed Internet, presentation materials and more.
Sirena opens at Barkley Village
A second Sirena Gelato opened early March in Bellingham’s Barkley Village, with local entrepreneur Brian Ugurlu at the helm. Ugurlu is the son of Fahri and Robin Ugurlu, the owners of Coppa Mediterranean Bistro and The Harborside Bistro. They opened Sirena Gelato in Fairhaven last year after Brian trained in Italy to learn the business.
The success has inspired a second shop, with a third one in the works for downtown Bellingham. “Our next plan is to look at locations in the Seattle area,” said Ugurlu.
Classic Glass teams with Glass Doctor
Classic Glass of Lynden has purchased a Glass Doctor franchise serving Whatcom County. Glass Doctor is the largest chain of full service glass repair and replacement services for homes, automobiles and business in the United States.
Entrepreneur magazine ranked Glass Doctor the “Best of the Best” in their category of glass repairs.
“With an exceedingly qualified and knowledgeable team supporting us, we have a strong presence in the marketplace,” said Richard Walter, Glass Doctor founder. “In addition, we are able to deliver the highest level of customer service in Whatcom County. “
Gaming site is golden
Spirit Gaming Ltd. reports that since the launch of its new online poker sites, www.goldenspiritpoker.com and www.goldenspiritpoker.ws, in February, the company is cash flow positive.
The Bellingham-based company reports that to date, there are approximately 1,000 registered Golden Spirit Poker players with about 35 percent of those players depositing funds into their accounts. The majority of the registered players are getting familiar with the new software and playing for fun. Eventually, the company expects more of these players to deposit funds into their accounts and play for cash. The Web site has received more than 2 million hits with more than 50,000 unique visits to date since the launch of the new site.
Hexcel reports first quarter results
Hexcel Corporation reported results for the first quarter of 2006 in April. Net sales for the quarter were $307.0 million, 5.6 percent higher than the $290.6 million reported for the first quarter of 2005. Quarterly operating income was $29.8 million, after reflecting stock compensation expense of $3.4 million, $3.0 million of business consolidation and restructuring expenses, and transaction costs of $1.2 million associated with the secondary offering during the first quarter of 2006. Net income for the quarter was $14.5 million compared to a net loss of $22.4 million in the first quarter of 2005, which included a $40.3 million loss on early retirement of debt in the prior year. The resulting net income available to common shareholders for the quarter was $14.5 million, or $0.15 per diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $24.7 million, or $0.46 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2005.
Hexcel has a composite manufacturing operation in Burlington.
Metals & Materials finishes project in Russia
Metals & Materials Co., together with their partner Almex USA Inc., of Long Beach, Calif., has recently completed startup and commissioning of metal refining system at Kamensk-Uralski Metallurgical Plant in Urals, Russia. The system is used to improve metal quality for production of aluminum parts for military and civil aircraft and space shuttle programs. Metals & Materials Co is international metallurgical technology organization located in Bellingham.
Peoples receives industry award
Charlie Guildner, senior vice president and real estate loan manager for Peoples Bank, announced that Peoples Bank was recently named Lender of the Year by SunTrust Mortgage, Inc., a nationally known mortgage lender and wholly owned subsidiary of SunTrust Bank, one of the largest banking institutions in the nation.
This award is given to a financial institution that maintains an outstanding correspondent relationship with SunTrust Mortgage. Financial organizations in five northwestern states were examined as candidates for this award.
Peoples Bank is based in Lynden.
Podcasts a success for PRWeb
PRWeb, the Ferndale-based, direct-to-consumer press release newswire, celebrated the completion of 200 podcast episodes in the first 60 days of its new press release podcasting service, PRWebPodcast.com.
The podcasting service brings PRWeb press releases to life in four audio formats. The service has proven to be a “sound decision:” PRWeb tracked more than 30,000 podcast episode downloads during the same 60-day period.
St. Joseph Hospital receives national acclaim, top hospital
St. Joseph Hospital was recently named one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by Solucient, an independent health care research organization.
The 100 Top Hospitals award recognizes hospitals that have achieved excellence in quality of care, operational efficiency, financial performance, and adaptation to the environment.
“We are honored to be in this elite group,” said Nancy Bitting, St. Joseph’s Chief Executive Officer. “I am really proud of all the hard work from the hospital’s employees and their focus on our mission of serving our community.”
Among Solucient’s findings, the 100 Top Hospitals treated sicker patients requiring more complex treatment, yet had better patient outcomes and lower costs.
Environmental trade show seeks exhibitors
The Northwest Environmental Summit and Trade Show (NWES) on October 18-19, 2006, takes place at the Tacoma Convention Center.
Organizers are hoping to substantially increase attendance at the Summit, focusing on participation by environmental compliance managers and decision makers. To find out how to participate, visit www.nebc.org.
Whatcom EDC moves ahead with reorganization
The Bellingham Whatcom Economic Development Council has been in a reorganization phase. Recent discussions with local elected officials and community development practitioners have provided insight toward a more effective EDC role in the community.
Some of the tasks the EDC plans to resume and/or initiate include:
• Reintroduce the Revolving Loan Fund with updated print materials and informational workshops.
• Partner with the Small Business Development Center and the Center for Economic and Business Research at Western Washington University. Programs and projects will include administration of the Business Retention and Expansion Survey and updates of local and regional demographic and economic data for inclusion on the EDC Web site and in local relocation packets.
• Continue working with local economic development practitioners to strengthen presence with the small cities and rural community.
• Create and publish an informational newsletter.
The board will also be considering a number of organizational items including:
• Expanding emphasis on retention and expansion of local businesses, while providing assistance to companies relocating within and to the area.
• Reviewing the EDC’s membership structure to be more reflective of the community-wide participation in economic development.
La Conner marina gets makeover
In August 2004 Ken and Babette Gundersen purchased the small marina in La Conner, now called Pioneer Point Marina. The marina’s location underneath the picturesque Rainbow Bridge on the Swinomish Channel has superb access to the San Juan Islands, as well as all points north and south.
In the last year and a half the Gunderson’s have done an extensive overhaul of the facility. Existing docks have been replaced, lengthened and upgraded. Mini storage facilities have been added and the existing facilities have been completely remodeled. The marina has two indoor dry storage buildings for boats up to 35 feet; covered or uncovered outdoor dry storage; wet moorage and mini storage. In addition there is now a full-service yard onsite offering detailing, repairs, service, launching/hauling, canvas service and a boat brokerage. Other tenant facilities include a laundry room, shower/bath, ice machine, power and Internet accessibility.
The dock slips are full and on a waiting-list basis. Currently the Gundersen’s are planning a Stage 2 upgrade that includes adding more docks for wet moorage. The marina also has office and shop space available for businesses offering boat services.
Jelita Arts moves to Fairhaven
After 18 months in downtown Bellingham, Jelita Arts, Bellingham’s only store with a large selection of Asian antiques, has relocated to Fairhaven. Julia Clauset, the owner of Jelita Arts, opened the store in April after buying out the former tenants, BarleyTwist Antiques. Jelita Arts specializes in distinctive Asian and Western antiques plus glass art, ceramics, jewelry and paintings by local and international artisans.
Clauset was among the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce members who traveled to China in March. She went to see how current Chinese products compare with the antiques she carries in her store. In May, she exhibited her antiques at the Brimfield, Mass., Antiques Show, the largest outdoor antiques show in the country.
Local researcher publishes on Internet consumerism
Using his own experience on Wall Street along with mentoring by one of the nation’s leading experts on “trust,” Western Washington University master’s graduate Drew Weidenbacher has completed research that points to the importance of “virtual reputations” in Internet consumerism.
Weidenbacher’s research, which was published as a master’s thesis in March, is titled “Willingness to Rely on eBay Sellers: The Effects of Value Similarity and Trust.”
“We looked at one of the most popular e-commerce sites, eBay, and did several pilot studies to determine what information about sellers was most important to buyers’ decisions,” Weidenbacher said. “Sellers with long experience and good previous-buyer ratings were more trusted. The findings indicate the importance of trust to e-commerce and that trust in eBay sellers is based on sellers’ virtual reputations.”
The former stock market trader’s research uniquely examined Internet consumerism from a behavioral perspective, rather than from the typical economic standpoint.
“Everything that has ever been written or quantified in economics and consumer behavior takes on a new meaning in this ‘Internet Age,’” Weidenbacher said. “The Internet is here to stay. Consumers and businesses alike need to understand how e-commerce behavior differs from behavior with ‘brick and mortar’ merchandising. Consumers and businesses must find that new place in the middle, where buyer meets seller in cyber space.”
Cat Nap Inn featured in Cat Fancy Magazine
Cat Nap Inn Bed & Breakfast Exclusively for Cats was featured in the May 2006 issue of Cat Fancy Magazine, the preeminent cat magazine in the United States. The issue featured Cat Nap Inn as “A Swanky Stay” and profiled owners Kolleen Fox and Hans Kruithof’s journey of bringing a dream to life. Fox said, “It is an honor to be recognized as one of the premier facilities in the U.S.”
Cat Nap Inn was custom designed and built with cats’ needs and preferences in mind. The Inn is committed to the cat’s health and safety as well as a pleasurable experience for both the owner and cat.
Cornwall Place joins downtown projects
Cornwall Place, a two-building project designed to meet commercial and residential needs in downtown Bellingham, has been proposed for a site at the corner of Cornwall Avenue and East Maple Street.
The project’s first phase features a seven-story building with four floors (28,477 square feet) of office space and four condominiums on the upper three floors. A below-grade parking garage will accommodate approximately 200 full-size parking spaces.
The second phase consists of a mixed-use building up to 15 stories high. The actual size and commercial/residential make-up of the second building will be determined by market demand at the time of construction, according to Cabochon Construction & Development of Bellingham, developer of Cornwall Place.
A two-level pedestrian plaza, featuring cascading water, planters and a reflecting pool, will connect Cornwall Place’s buildings, according to a site plan developed by Zervas Group Architects of Bellingham.
The site of Cornwall Place currently is used as a parking lot behind Boundary Bay Brewery. It is just a block from Depot Market Square, new home of the Bellingham Farmers Market, and close to the city’s recently acquired Georgia-Pacific property, which is the subject of long-term planning.
Pre-application documents for Cornwall Place recently were submitted to the City of Bellingham. Construction of the first building isn’t expected to start until early 2007.
Broadway Chiropractic celebrates five years
Broadway Chiropractic celebrates its five-year anniversary with patient appreciation week, June 14-16. To honor their patients Broadway Chiropractic will be offering complimentary chair massage, large discounts on chiropractic care for new patients, and catering by Moshi Moshi Sushi and Ellen the Caterer.
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