Month: June 2011

Laura Lee Bosman says she’s a high-energy type of person, and she’s putting it to good use in business.

Bosman and her husband, Doug, have been busy expanding the number of stores they have in the local children’s clothing industry. Earlier this year, the Bosmans purchased Wild Blueberries in Fairhaven and are now getting ready to open The Little Red Wagon in Bellingham’s Bakerview Square retail center.

It will be the second Little Red Wagon for the Bosmans; they’ve operated the first Little Red Wagon for nearly eight years in Lynden. They also own Along Comes A Baby in Bakerview Square.

Tenant improvement work is taking place for The Little Red Wagon in Bellingham; it’s expected to open in early July. The store will offer consignment clothing and gear for boys and girls from birth to children’s size 14.

Laura Lee said having four stores in Whatcom County is a challenge, but one she’s looking forward to. While The Little Red Wagon stores offer consignment products, Wild Blueberries and Along Comes A Baby sell new items, providing two good pairings.

“Along Comes A Baby has products up to age 2, while Wild Blueberries goes through kindergarten. There’s some cross-over, but not a lot,” Bosman said. “Being on both sides of town, they end up helping each other.”

The key to having four storefronts is having solid managers to run each one, she said. Alyssa Beld is the newest manager, operating the Bakerview Square Little Red Wagon when it opens.

Laura Lee previously managed a surgery center, but became interested in children’s products after her two sons were born. She saw an opportunity for a children’s consignment store and opened the first Little Red Wagon in 2003. While she handles the operation of the businesses, Doug Bosman handles the warehouse aspects of the company.

She said the key to running a successful consignment store is to keep it clean and well-organized. The fact that she was getting a strong group of Bellingham customers at her Lynden store prompted her to make plans to open a Bellingham store.

Once open, The Little Red Wagon’s hours in Bellingham will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For details about the business, call the Lynden store, 360-354-7955.

Read the full article by Dave Gallagher at the Bellingham Herald.

J.D. and Rebecca Merris recently acquired The Fireside Martini & Wine Bar in Bakerview Square. In a press release, the Bellingham couple said they want to cultivate a friendly and cozy atmosphere at the bar.

“This is a great meeting place for couples, friends and social groups,” said J.D. Merris, who will cut back on his real-estate activities to manage The Fireside. “In addition to a wide selection of martinis, wine and spirits, we offer five beers on tap.”

Merris said The Fireside Martini & Wine Bar will start offering lunch later this summer. Its menu will be expanded gradually and will emphasize local and organic food.

“We’ll draw upon our passion for food and phase into a new menu that will please foodies,” Merris said. “We’ll also be training our staff so our new gluten-free options stay that way during preparation and serving.”

The Fireside Martini & Wine Bar, which opened May 1, 2010, is at 416 W. Bakerview Road. It retains the same operating hours, 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, until lunch is added. Jazz will be offered Friday and Saturday nights. For details, call 360-738-1000 or see firesidemartini.com.

Read the full article by Dave Gallagher at the Bellingham Herald.