Business tidbits: Homeskillet teases return, another RiteAid closes, restaurant for sale

Alyse Smith
·2 min read

Here’s a roundup of the latest retail, business and restaurant activity in and around Whatcom County:

Homeskillet restaurant teases return

Homeskillet, a beloved restaurant that closed in May 2022 after a 10-year run, is teasing its faithful Facebook followers about a possible pop-up on Saturday, Sept. 23.

The restaurant’s Facebook page has an updated cover photo and two new posts teasing a possible pop-up event.

The restaurant was located at 521 Kentucky St. in Bellingham.

Second Bellingham Rite Aid closes

After Rite Aid pharmacy in downtown Bellingham closed on Monday, Sept. 11, another Bellingham location is set to close Wednesday, Sept. 20.

A closure sign posted outside RiteAid pharmacy at 222 Telegraph Rd. in Bellingham, Wash. on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023.
A closure sign posted outside RiteAid pharmacy at 222 Telegraph Rd. in Bellingham, Wash. on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023.

A sign outside the store at 222 Telegraph Road announced the closure, assuring customers they would be able to get their prescriptions at a neighboring store.

The company did not respond to questions about other Bellingham closures or why the two Bellingham locations have closed.

Luna’s Bistro listed for sale

Luna’s Bistro, a restaurant next to Woods Coffee in Barkley Village, was listed for sale 60 days ago and recently dropped its price to $254,900, less than most home listing prices in Whatcom County.

“Great opportunity to continue a fantastic fully operating restaurant with full bar service, modern style decoration great seating space, balcony with view, this is with great room for private parties and/or extra seating, and outside patio seating,” the real estate listing states.

The restaurant opened in 2014 and is at 3004 Cinema Place in Bellingham.

New dog shop opens

Paws for a Beer, Bellingham’s bar and dog park, has opened a pet store specially for dogs, according to an email from the bar.

The Dog Shop will be inside the bar and sell “premium kibble and delectable treats to an array of fantastic toys, grooming essentials, and even a special birthday section, we have carefully curated a selection that we believe will make tails wag with joy,” the email states.

Paws for a Beer is open from 3-9 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and is at 501 Harris Ave. in Bellingham.

The best PSL in Whatcom County

Fall drinks and everything pumpkin spice flavored is back for the season, so we are looking for the best pumpkin spice latte in Whatcom County. Readers can go vote for their favorite coffee spot in our poll. The poll closes Wednesday, Sept. 20.

Bellingham’s September events, trivia, live music and more

Bellingham is full of local festivals, bingo nights, trivia competitions, live music and more. Here’s your guide to Bellingham’s events this month.