Thank you to our community!!

What a night!! A huge thanks goes out to our wonderful community surrounding Birch Bay Square. Last night we had roughly 200 community members attend our courtyard dedication event for our hometown fallen hero, Army Spc. Aaron Aamot. The nights processions included speeches by Mike Kent of KGMI, Levi Ware, part owner in Birch Bay Square, and our very own Pete Kremen, Whatcom County Executive. Pete Kremen presented the parents of Aaron Aamot a plaque officially dedicating February 11th Aaron Aamot day for Whatcom County. Later mall owners Levi Ware and Herb McAbee presented them with a replica plaque dedicating and honoring Spc. Aamot for his service to his country and announced the same plaque will be mounted in the Birch Bay Square courtyard naming it the “Aaron Aamot Courtyard.” Then as if that wasn’t enough, last but not least Aamot’s family was presented with another dedication piece signed by the President and Commander in Chief himself. Thank you again, we cannot tell you enough how honored we were to share such an event with the community. You can view more photos of the evening on the photos page at http://www.birchbaysquare.com

-Levi Ware

2010 Winter Olympics Festivities at Birch Bay Square

Birch Bay Square is gearing up for the 2010 Winter Olympics to keep you informed, engaged, and entertained during all it’s games and festivities!!!

Birch Bay Square will be your TRANSPORTATION STATION & CENTRAL HUB in the U.S. for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games offering daily parking with transportation into Vancouver B.C.

On Thursday, February 11th at 6pm, Birch Bay Square will be kicking off the Olympics with a dedication ceremony to one of Whatcom County’s very own fallen soldiers, Aaron Aamot.  Aamot lost his life serving his country November, 2009 in Afghanistan. In memory of him, Birch Bay Square would like to rename their courtyard the “Aaron Aamot Courtyard.”

Along with the dedication Birch Bay Square will have it’s very own torch lighting ceremony, the American and Canadian National Anthems, and some great guest speakers accompanied by Bob’s Burger and Brew with food and beer available for all to enjoy. This will be a great way to gear up as a community for the Vancouver Olympics.

Parking and shuttle service begins running the following day, Friday the 12th, at 8am. (more info on BBS parking & transportation page)

Birch Bay Square is looking forward to hosting a great tailgate party all month long to celebrate the Vancouver Olympics. We hope to see you all there!!

Community Day Event…

A big THANKS to all who came out to share in the grand opening festivities of the Market at Birch Bay, The Wood’s Coffee & Nail Masters at the 1st Annual Community Day Event!

Sponsored by the owners of Birch Bay Square, the 1st Annual Community Day Event was a fun-filled day of jam packed activities and entertainment including kids bouncy houses, free airbrush tattooing, cotton candy & hot dogs, fresh cooked donuts and kettle corn, a kick-off ceremony by your local Karate Quest, a Bob’s Burger & Brew french fry eating contest, live music by Levi Ware, free haircuts by the BLVD Hair Studio & Toni-N-Guy Hair Academy of Bellingham, a grand prize helicopter ride, and much much more!! We hope everyone enjoyed this event as much as we did and look forward to seeing you all next year!! ~Levi & Stephanie Ware, Event Coordinators

Interested in being a part of next years community day? If so please contact levi@farnorthventures.com

Birch Bay Square Grand Opening Community Event!!!!!

Come one come all to our Grand Opening Community Event Saturday, May 23, 2009 from 10AM-3PM

Join us in Celebrating the Grand openings of The Market at Birch Bay, The Woods Coffee, & Nail Masters!! Live Radio Remote out in the Parking Lot with KGMI & Mike Kent starting at 10AM.

Family Fun Activities throughout the day include FREE Hot Dogs & Cotton Candy, Kids Bouncy Houses, Airbrush Tattooing, Fresh Cooked Kettle Corn, Fresh Cooked Seed Donuts, Bob’s Burger French Fry Eating Contest, Live Music by Levi Ware, Free haircuts by BLVD Hair Studio & Toni-N-Guy Hair Academy, Raffle prize giveaways including gift certificates from Bob’s Burger & Brew, a Pearl Pendant from Candie’s Jewelry, a grand prize HELICOPTER RIDE and much much more!! 

It’s all happening at Birch Bay Square Saturday, May 23rd so come out bring your family & friends and join the fun!!!!

Agenda of Events:

EVENT AGENDA                                                    TIME                                    LOCATION

Radio Remote w/KGMI and Mike Kent            10:00-11:00AM                 (NEXT TO STAGE)

Grand Opening Kickoff by Karate Quest            11:30-11:50AM                 (STAGE)

Bob’s Burger French Fry Eating Contest            12:00PM                             (STAGE)

            *Raffle Drawing

Bow Wow Woof Doggie Fashion Show            12:30-1:00PM                    (COURTYARD)

            *Raffle Drawing

Live Music by Levi Ware                                        1:00-1:45PM                       (STAGE)

            *Grand Prize Raffle Drawing

What stores would you like to have…?

Hello everyone in our local community,
Just wanted to let you all know that we are here, not just as a center but as a part of the community. We have plenty of parking lot space available for your local or high-school event and we want you to know that we’d be happy to have you here. We also welcome your comments and input on what types of stores you would like to see here at Birch Bay Square. Please feel free to leave a comment with the types of stores you’d like to see here at Birch Bay Square and we will take your comments into consideration when putting together the tenant mix…

Thank you very much

Nail Masters grand opening!

Residents of North Whatcom County and lower B.C. prepare yourselves for the grand opening of Nail Masters at Birch Bay Square!

As long time leaders in the manicure/pedicure industry Han Nguyen, owner, and his staff are in fact Nail Masters. With five other thriving locations Han has established and honed his skills to an art form. With a keen eye for business, Han “knows a good thing when he sees it”, which is why Nail Masters is set to open its 6th location here at Birch Bay Square!

The carpet is in, the chairs are set and, to celebrate his April 3rd opening Han is offering manicures and pedicures for half their standard price. Han is “excited to make your nails look their best,” so come on by for Nail Masters’ grand opening and receive your half price manicure/pedicure!!

Birch Bay Square-heating up even as the economy cools down

With the addition of The Market, The Wood’s Coffee, and Nail Masters, residents of North Whatcom County will soon be on the doorstep of convenience, no longer subject to a long drive to accommodate their daily needs. 

Construction of The Market at Birch Bay is moving full steam with the final cutting of the concrete floors, new plumbing to the deli, produce and bakery, as well as the installation of the displays and refrigeration for “the beer cave,” wine cellar and cheese bar. 

Simultaneously, Wes Herman (owner of The Woods Coffee), is busily at work on the finishing touches of his 9^th location, soon to be right here at Birch Bay Square. With its trademark finishes, including an indoor/outdoor fire place, outdoor seating and a comfortable living room atmosphere, The Woods will be the perfect spot to sit, relax and enjoy a fine cup of your favorite drink. 

Blaine veterinary clinic accepting donations for pets

Isabelle Dills-The Bellingham Herald

BLAINE – Northwest Veterinary Clinic, 8115 Birch Bay Square St., is accepting donations to help people care for their pets.

The economy has made it difficult for some people to afford what they need for their animals, said veterinarian Joann Timmerman.

A number of items are needed including pet food, blankets, pet carriers and other basic pet supplies. The items will be donated to the Blaine Food Bank and the Whatcom Humane Society.

Birch Bay grocery store now looking at a spring opening

Dave Gallagher-The Bellingham Herald

Getting a grocery store open in the Birch Bay area continues to be quite a challenge.

The Market at Birch Bay is still going through the permitting process, said Kevin Weatherill, CEO of The Markets LLC. He expects to get final approval for county permits soon, and if that’s the case they’ll be able to finish the remodel in time for an April opening. They had originally hoped to be open in December, which later got pushed to February.

The 25,000-square-foot store will be the biggest spot in Birch Bay Square.

The issue has been figuring out what’s needed to convert the building to meet the needs of a grocery store.

“There have been issues that have come up, lengthening the permit process,” Weatherill said. “The building was originally designed to handle several smaller tenants. It’s a part of the process that’s taking a little longer than we expected.”

Plans for a grocery store in the shopping center have been in the works since 2005, when the decision was made to convert what was an outlet mall into a regional shopping center. Different parties have planned for a new store, only to have the projects fall through before The Markets stepped in last year.

Weatherill said the remodel of the Lakeway Cost Cutter is on hold until they get the Birch Bay store finished and opened.

“The Lakeway store remodel is still on the board, as are three other stores, but we want to pace ourselves,” he said, noting they had two major remodels done around the same time last year, which made things a bit hectic.

Best burger: Bob’s Burger and Brew

First Place Burger, Bellingham Herald

Locations: Birch Bay, 8120 Birch Bay Square, 366-3199, hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; Downtown Bellingham, 202 E. Holly St., suite 101, 734-1350, hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday

From the boss: “What sets Bob’s apart are the big portions, the quick service and the fact that it’s locally owned. The owner, Peter Wasley, makes sure all the cooks know how to cook the burgers properly and that when the food hits the table it’s hot and fresh. We have a really good crew here; they work really hard.” Angela Dunn, lead server and manager, downtown Bellingham Bob’s

Reader rave: “Size, proportion and consistency. You can go to any one (of the Bob’s locations) and know you’re going to get a good burger. Everyone’s talking and enjoying themselves – it’s a nice place to meet.” Kris Cracker, Bellingham

Highlights: Got a craving that only a thick, juicy hamburger topped the way you want it can fill? You never have to look too far for a Bob’s Burger and Brew to satisfy it. With seven per mb locations in the county, chances are, there’s one near you. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in a fun and friendly atmosphere that’s as amenable to a lively group getting together to watch the game on a big-screen television as it is to a quiet lunch for one. Santa suggests checking out gift cards for those hard-to-buy-for burgerholics on your holiday shopping list.