Day Trip: Bellingham’s Fairhaven

Fairhaven mixes modern trends with historic beauty

By Seattle Mag December 31, 1969

Category: seattlepi.com teaser headlines

 

Fairhaven mixes modern trends with historic beauty

Located in the southern end of Bellingham, Fairhaven is a neighborhood that mixes modern trends with historic architecture. Founded in the late 1880s, this small, quaint community is filled with independently owned boutiques and restaurants, all just a short walk from the glistening waters of Bellingham Bay.

EAT + DRINK 

Open since October, Magdalena’s CRÊPerie (1200 10th St., Suite 103 360.483.8569 magdalenascreperie.com) serves crêpes filled with grilled veggies, smoked salmon, fresh fruit or ice cream.
>> Flavors such as raspberry truffle, snickerdoodle and creamsicle satisfy sweet-tooth cravings at Katie’s Cupcakes (1005 Harris Ave.; 360.393.4632 katiescupcake.com).
>> With its rustic atmosphere, Le Chat Noir (1200 Harris Ave., Suite 310 360.733.6136) is perfect for a romantic dinner (share the cheese fondue) or drinks with friends.
>> Take in a weekend wine tasting (Saturday, noon­–6:30 p.m. and Sunday, noon–4:30 p.m.) with local winemakers, importers and distributors at Purple Smile Wines (1143 11th St. 360.756.0422 purplesmilewines.com).


SHOP + RELAX 
With more than 100 rotating cheeses from around the world, Quel Fromage Artisan Cheese & Accoutrements (1200 Old Fairhaven Pkwy., Suite 101; 360.671.0203; quelfromage.com) lives by its favorite French proverb: “He who does not eat cheese will go mad.”
>> The impossible-to-miss corner shop, A Lot of Flowers (1212 11th St.; 360.647.0728), stocks in-season flora, handmade gifts and garden gnomes.
>> Striking wood furniture and home accessories abound at Artwood (1000 Harris Ave. 360.647.1628 artwoodgallery.com).
>> A petite space packed with women’s (and some men’s) clothing, 4 Starrs Boutique (960 Harris Ave. 360.647.8953 fourstarrsboutique.com) features big-name brands and locally made Wes J Clothing. >> Fairhaven staple 12th Street Shoes (1204 Harris Ave. 360.733.2066 12thstreetshoes.com) reminds us that fashion can be pain-free (think Kenneth Cole, Dansko and Indigo by Clarks).
>> Independent Village Books (1200 11th St. 360.671.2626 villagebooks.com), a local literary hotspot since 1980, overflows with customer recommendations.
>> After a dehydrating winter, rejuvenate at Blessing’s SalonSpa (1201 11th St., Suite 101 360.671.9650 blessingssalonspa.com), an Aveda salon that offers soothing facials and hydrotherapy treatments.

Originally published in March 2010

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