The sweet sounds of success
Filed on 30. Nov, 2005 in News & Features
Fairhaven guitarmaker Dake Traphagen’s classical instruments have a worldwide following, incredibly positive word-of-mouth reputation, and hefty price tags. While these are all well and good, they aren’t what keeps the fire burning for the craftsman, whose real focus remains the unending quest to build the perfect guitar. Guitarmaker Dake Traphagen builds each of his guitars [...]
Top properties & building permits
Filed on 30. Nov, 2005 in News & Features
Meetings Business & Liquor licenses Top properties& building permits Building permitsThe following building pemrits have been issued in the past month: 4175 Meridian St., $75,000 for tenant improvements: interior renovations and expansion of existing restaurant at Park Bowl. Owner: Keyes Family LLC. Contractor: M P Costello Design & Construction LLC. 1 Bellis Fair Pkwy 100, [...]
Online-gaming craze creating new digital micro-economies
Filed on 30. Nov, 2005 in News & Features
Escape.Who doesn’t long for it now and then? Our jobs can put us into a pressure cooker we can’t get out of. Our kids, God bless ‘em, can leave our self-control in tatters at the end of a long day. Escaping from these real-world pressures is a common theme for most folks; some people play sports [...]
THE REPLACEMENTS
Filed on 30. Nov, 2005 in News & Features
Three local positions vital to economic growth and development are now open. What are these organizations looking for as they choose successors? J.J.Jensen Growth, economic development and activities on the waterfront have been three of the biggest issues in Bellingham in recent years. In the coming weeks and months, however, the city, Bellingham/Whatcom Economic Development Council (EDC) [...]
R&D Masonry puts down roots with new office site
Filed on 30. Nov, 2005 in News & Features
KennyBrown After putting down temporary roots in Bellingham last year, R&D Masonry Inc. is now building a more permanent solution: a new warehouse and office space in Bellingham’s Irongate area. The Everett-based business has decided the Whatcom County and Skagit County markets, which are seeing steady growth, are areas the company wants to commit to long [...]
Economic development means more than just basic ‘growth’
Filed on 30. Nov, 2005 in News & Features
What has been my approach to economic development as it relates to Whatcom County? To most everyone, Economic Development almost always means the “Growth” of something as a measurement of economic activity; more jobs, income, wealth, population, tax base, size of jurisdiction; more of something. The challenge of Economic Development is bigger than growth. Today Economic Development [...]
Great year almost in the books at the chamber
Filed on 30. Nov, 2005 in News & Features
What an outstanding year it has been for the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry. As the Voice of Business in Whatcom County, we are actively working on your behalf to preserve and promote a positive business environment for you and your business. These efforts have included: Promoting the Community: The 2005 Ski to Sea Festival [...]
Texas Tea: The short-lived Bellingham oil boom
Filed on 30. Nov, 2005 in News & Features
‘Oil Fever’ gripped city after 1890 Happy Valley gusher made an unlooked-for appearance Spectators squeeze-in to catch a glimpse of the newly discovered "Bellingham oil" at the corner of Orleans and Alabama streets on Nov. 6, 1929. JeffJewellwhatcom historical society While our nation looks to reduce its dependence on foreign oil by boosting domestic sources, let’s [...]
The power of the press release
Filed on 30. Nov, 2005 in News & Features
Business wasn’t as good as it should be. In business for four years, the single Mom was worried she might have to close, and then, how would she support herself and her son? It was a business with great potential, in a great location in a growing district, but she couldn’t afford to advertise and [...]
Franchises: Powerful help or expensive drain?
Filed on 30. Nov, 2005 in News & Features
Some owners say the expertise they get from their franchise is invaluable; others feel they are paying too much to get too little. Stacy Bloch, owner of Eagles Games, Models, and Miniatures, was a franchisee of a Seattle-based hobby chain when he first opened his store — but it didn’t take him long to realize [...]
