Whatcom County Made
Whatcom County (Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Sumas, Everson, Deming, Custer, Blaine/Birch Bay) has many local companies that were founded here and have stayed here. A very very "short list":
- Brenthaven Urban gear such as backpacks, computer cases, binder/planner covers, fanny packs, and luggage just to name a few. Their products are extremely sturdy and seem to last forever! They began their manufacturing in the Fairhaven District (Bellingham) and have remained there even though shipping labor overseas would be less expensive. Brenthaven contracts with many national companies that request a certain product that only Brenthaven can create and deliver.
- Woods Coffee Created in 2002, owner Wes Herman opened his first Woods Coffee Shop in Bender Plaza in north east Lynden. Since then, the family-owned business has opened five more stores (six total) and plans a seventh store at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Chestnut Street near the Bellingham Farmer's Market. They specialize in many varieties of "fancy" coffees and their coffee shops all have the Northwest flavor of wood panels and beams, local art, leather furniture, rock fireplaces and comfy nooks.
- Barlean's Organic Oils In 20 years, Bruce Barlean has helped take the family company to a multi-million dollar business. Their manufacturing plant is at the corner of Slater Road and Lake Terrell Road, Ferndale. They make dozens of Omega Oil products and a recent survey in the nation's health-food stores, showed that Barlean's made five of the top 10 selling nutritional supplements. They have the number one Omega 3 product by volume.
- Smith & Vallee Woodworks Wesley Smith and Andrew Vallee are an amazing pair. Located in Deming, their shop has three additional employees. They cut the trees on-site (often with their customer picking out the tree they want) and dry the wood in their kiln. They assemble the furniture and cabinets in their shop and personally install the built-in pieces themselves. This has earned them a reputation for doing things right and standing behind their products/business. An incredible side note - in 2000, they embarked on an adventure to show the value of wood and how it could be used to its fullest potential. They meticulously documented that they created 55 pieces of furniture from just one tree. The furniture and their documentary became an exhibit at the Whatcom Museum of History & Art entitled "The Tree Project" and has been featured in magazines.