Blaine-based small business Chewzy Cookies will open its first storefront in Bellingham, with a grand opening on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 1259 Barkley Blvd. The business currently only does online ordering for pickup at the cookie cabinet or sells at pop-up locations. The new location will be a drive thru with a walk-up window and outdoor seating, and will serve cookies, ice cream sandwiches, energy drinks, coffee and more. Try free cookie samples at the grand opening. Visit chewzycookies.com for more information.
The Whatcom Artist Studio Tour kicks off this week, beginning on Saturday, Oct. 3. The tour will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 3, 4, 10 and 11. Blaine artists featured are Shawna Morris, Blind Bird Studio, 264 H Street suite B; and Brian Major, Major Arts Studio, 978 Harrison Avenue. The Vault Bistro and Wine Bar, 277 G Street, will also host a kickoff group show, with an opening ceremony on Friday, Oct. 2 from 4 to 7 p.m. To view the map of all tour locations, visit studiotour.net.
At its Monday meeting, the Blaine City Council:
- Approved an interlocal agreement with Whatcom County resolving a dispute over the deannexation of H Street in Blaine. Under the agreement with the county, the city will maintain the road until July 2030, when the road becomes the responsibility of the county. During this interim period, the county will plan, design and pursue grant funding to repair the road. Blaine will be responsible for 20% of the costs to repair, with a maximum of $250,000.
- Agreed to place an item regarding accessory dwelling unit (ADU) zoning amendments on its Oct. 12 meeting agenda. The council will potentially take final action on the ordinance that would update the city’s ADU code. The ordinance would allow for one ADU on substandard parcels; and allow ADUs to be 1,000 square feet, or up two-thirds the size of the principal dwelling unit, among other updates.
- Closed a project contract with Magnum Power for its work on the Circuit 11 upgrade project. The contract, entered into in November 2025, totalled about $1.6 million. The project aimed to improve the city’s electrical infrastructure along Semiahmoo Parkway.
- Approved the public works department’s purchase of three backup generators for its sewer lifts stations. The total cost for the three generators is $76,185.
- Approved a $27,820 payment to Premium Services for its installation of a block valve on a water main on Yew Avenue. The council certified an emergency situation, which waived bidding requirements in this case. The public works department identified an immediate risk to the city’s water infrastructure due to cracking and sloughing on Yew Avenue.
- Approved a two-year agreement with CSD Attorneys at Law for legal services. The agreement will continue through 2028. The agreement provides the city with discounted rates, capping an attorney’s hourly rate to $400 an hour.
- Approved an agreement with Opportunity Council that allows the city to receive utility payments from the Opportunity Council on behalf of a customer. Opportunity Council assists eligible customers with late utility bills. The agreement will continue through September 2027.
The Blaine City Council appointed two commissioners to fill vacant positions on the Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee. Todd Woodyard was appointed to the vacant hotel position. His term will run through 2029. Woodyard works as a report manager at Semiahmoo Resort Golf and Spa. Kimberli Shea was appointed to the vacant chamber representative position, and will serve a partial term through the end of 2026. Shea has about 15 years of experience as the Blaine Chamber of Commerce treasurer.
