Paws Awhile Store to Leave Fairhaven Location

            Fairhaven’s Paws Awhile, a Whatcom Humane Society gift shop, will have to leave its location in the Village Inn building at the end of June 2014 due to higher renting rates.

Thea Mancha, store manager at Paws Awhile, said that the future of the gift shop will remain uncertain until the Whatcom Humane Society holds its first board meeting of the New Year in January. 

             Christina Beirith, a volunteer at Paws Awhile, said that customers voice concern for the store when they see the “For Rent” sign in the gift shop’s window. Although it is uncertain if the shop will find a new location or have to close, Beirith was of the opinion that its current location was the best for the store. “At this point, it’s a little doubtful that we’ll find a place as perfect as here,” said Beirith. “If we do move, it will be a completely new ballgame.”

            Cindi Williamson, a bookseller at Village Books, said she is sad to hear that Paws Awhile will no longer be across the street from where she works. “I assumed they’d always be there,” said Williamson. “It’d be nice if someone could step forward and help them out.” Williamson added that Village Books is a pet friendly store and many of the pets that come in to the bookstore go across the street to Paws Awhile.

            At the back of the Paws Awhile gift shop is a bulletin board that displays information about the Whatcom Humane Society, animal services and events for animals and pets. Jo Pullen, another volunteer at Paws Awhile, mentioned that the bulletin is a good resource for people to gain information about pet health, and about what the Whatcom Humane Society does for the community. “Where will people get information about animal health when we leave?” said Pullen.

Christina Beirith said that she might start volunteering at the Whatcom Humane Society shelter located at 2172 Division Street if Paws Awhile closes. “Shelter help is always needed,” she said.

            Paws Awhile has been in its Fairhaven location at 1200 10^th Street for 15 years and will be celebrating its 16^th anniversary in May. It is the only gift shop operated by the Whatcom Humane Society, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the non-profit organization. The store sells new and used items donated by the community. When the gift shop’s volunteers were asked about where the donated items would go if the store closes, Beirith mentioned that they might have a big sale.

            According to the Whatcom Humane Society’s website, whatcomhumane.org, the organization was founded in 1902, making it the oldest non-profit animal welfare organization in Whatcom County.

When asked what kind of business might be installed in the space left after Paws Awhile moves Jo Pullen said “Nothing can take the place of this store.”

           

South Bay Suites Construction Builds Hopes and Concerns

The construction of the South Bay Suites building on 10^th Street and Mill Avenue in Fairhaven has some locals excited, but some are concerned about the noise and the building’s potential obstruction of the view of Bellingham Bay.  

Fairhaven’s Colophon Café is across the street from the construction site next to Village Books. Teddy Ahlvin, a 23-year-old employee at the café, said that you can hear the construction going on from inside the restaurant. “Every time someone opens the door all the noise from outside comes in. It’s like a weird bell,” said Teddy.

Susan Whitney, 67, is a volunteer at Paws Awhile, a Whatcom Humane Society gift shop. Whitney lives in a condominium about a block away from the construction site and said that when she closes her windows she can’t hear the noise. “I can’t see why people are getting upset,” said Whitney. “People do work on their houses all the time. Don’t they think their hammering annoys their neighbors?”

Many residents and business owners in the Fairhaven community are concerned about new construction compromising the view of Bellingham Bay. Height restrictions for new buildings have been established so the bay can remain visible for buildings further away from the shore.

According to City Councilmember Michael Lilliquist, the height restriction for new buildings varies between 54 feet and 66 feet tall, depending on its location. If the building is located down the hill, it can be taller than a building on top of the hill to help maintain Fairhaven’s view of the bay.

Due to its location, the new South Bay Suites building will slightly obstruct the view of Bellingham Bay for the businesses up the hill on Mill Avenue.

Ahlvin use to work at the Mount Bakery Café at 1217 Harris Avenue, two blocks above the construction site on Mill Avenue. The bakery currently has a view of the bay from its location, but South Bay Suites will take away part of it. “It’s hard to regulate with something like a view,” said Ahlvin.

The lot that South Bay Suites will reside on has never been developed. Construction began about a month ago and, according to southbaysuites.com, the building is expected to reach completion by the fall of 2014. The building’s website also provides the plans for each floor. According to the plans, the building will be four stories tall and include underground parking, office spaces, commercial spaces, and apartments.

The building’s construction includes improvements to the accessibility of Fairhaven’s South Bay Trail, a path that runs next to the development site. The trail has been a recreational outlet for many locals and starts at the corner of North Forest Street and East Maple Street, runs through Boulevard Park, and ends at the Fairhaven Village Green.

John Servais, the publisher of Fairhaven’s website, Fairhaven.com, believes that the South Bay Suites building is expected to fit in nicely with the rest of the neighborhood. “It’s going to be a pleasant looking building,” said Servais.

Susan Whitney expressed her excitement about the business the building will potentially attract to 10^th Street. “One business feeds another business,” said Whitney. “I hope they keep building more businesses to get 10^th Street developed.”

The developers of South Bay Suites were unavailable when reached for comment.