Bellingham’s Waterfront Tavern has never exactly tried to be the city’s most polished establishment, and that has always been part of its charm. The property has now been sold to the owners of Gruff Brewing. Located at 521 W. Holly Street, the tavern is one of those old-school bars that feels like it has collected decades of stories, spilled beer, and questionable decisions. It is also known for one of Bellingham’s darker bits of local lore: over the years, several infamous s

Canadian shoppers have long played an important role in Whatcom County’s retail economy. From grocery stores and gas stations to restaurants, clothing retailers, and big-box stores, cross-border spending has historically provided a meaningful boost to local businesses. Recent data suggests that this spending has slowed noticeably. During the second and third quarters of 2025, personal vehicle border crossings from Canada into Whatcom County were down approximately 28% compa

Key Questions As gas prices have spiked in Washington State, have they also spiked in Canada? How has the relationship changed between gas prices north and south of the border? And when gas prices are meaningfully different on one side of the border, how does that affect border crossings? Gas Prices Remain Higher in British Columbia Gas prices in British Columbia are typically higher than in Washington State, which has historically encouraged some Canadian drivers to cross th