Briefs: New Bellingham shoe store, upcoming gala, U-haul adds a Ferndale dealer

The Good Feet Store opens in Bellingham

The Good Feet Store celebrated its grand opening Saturday, Jan. 10, at 1225 E. Sunset Drive, Suite 150, in Sunset Square, Bellingham.

The new location will offer custom arch support fittings, specializing in a “three-step system” of supports. Each visit includes complimentary foot measurements, a pressure map analysis and a test walk to determine the best fit. 

The store accepts FSA and HSA accounts and offers financing.

Whatcom Business Alliance hosting 39th annual Black and Gold Gala

The Whatcom Business Alliance will host its 39th annual Black and Gold Gala on March 26 at Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham, celebrating outstanding achievements in the local business community.

The event will honor 12 finalists across six categories: Business Person of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Startup of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Employee of the Year, and Public Servant.

Last year’s gala sold out a month before the event. Organizers anticipate similar interest this year. For more information, contact Barbara Chase at 360-746-0418 or [email protected].

Northwest Washington home sales show mixed results in 2025

Northwest Washington’s residential real estate market experienced divergent trends in 2025, according to reports by broker Adrik Brashear of Bellingham-based real estate firm The Muljat Group.

Skagit County’s median home sales price rose 0.9% to $585,900, marking the 15th consecutive year of increases, according to data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. However, sales volume declined 6.6% to 1,296 homes, the fourth drop in five years. Among Skagit communities, Anacortes led with a $743,120 median price but suffered the steepest sales decline at 9.6%.

Whatcom County saw its median price dip 1.6% to $625,000, while sales fell 5% to 2,302 homes. Bellingham’s median price fell 1.3% to $755,000. Days on market increased significantly in both counties, jumping 27.5% in Whatcom and 7% in Skagit.

Brashear noted that declining mortgage rates could motivate buyers, though effects may not be immediate.

T-Mobile closes Sunset Square location

The T-Mobile store at 1225 E. Sunset Drive, Suite 135, in Sunset Square, Bellingham has closed. Customers are directed to visit the T-Mobile Store at 1863 Main St. in Ferndale.

T-Mobile is closing independent dealer locations and transitioning to a nearly 100% app-driven model by 2027 through its T-Life app, according to The National Wireless Independent Dealer Association.

Contractor Training Day on Jan. 30

The Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce will host a free Contractor Training Day Friday, Jan. 30 from 1–4:30 p.m. at Skagit Valley College’s multipurpose room. The event targets construction contractors seeking to strengthen their business practices and expand opportunities.

Training sessions include: Contractor Registration & Compliance with Rudy Franco (Washington Department of Labor & Industries), Creating Construction Contracts with attorney Hector Leal and Government Contracting strategies with Cara Buckingham (APEX Accelerator). Topics cover maintaining proper registration, drafting protective contracts and securing government subcontracts.

Registration is required. Contact: Silvia Reed at [email protected].

Jornada de Capacitación para Contratistas el 30 de Enero

La Cámara de Comercio de Mount Vernon organizará una Jornada de Capacitación gratuita para Contratistas el viernes 30 de enero, de 1–4:30 PM en la Sala Multiusos de Skagit Valley College. El evento está dirigido a contratistas de construcción que buscan fortalecer sus prácticas comerciales y expandir oportunidades.

Las sesiones incluyen: Registro y Cumplimiento de Contratistas con Rudy Franco (Departamento de Labor e Industrias de Washington), Creación de Contratos de Construcción con el abogado Hector Leal y estrategias de Contratación Gubernamental con Cara Buckingham (APEX Accelerator).

Se requiere inscripción. Contacto: Silvia Reed, [email protected].

U-Haul adds Ferndale dealer

U-Haul Co. of Washington announced that LocktStorage has become a U-Haul neighborhood dealer serving the Ferndale community. Located at 2195 Buchanan Loop, Lockt Storage will offer U-Haul trucks, towing equipment and moving supplies.

Free workshop: ‘Building a Business Plan That Works’

This free online workshop covers core components step by step, helping participants develop clear, usable plans.

The event is presented by Steve McCaslin, a Washington Small Business Development Center-certified business advisor serving Skagit and Island counties. It happens Jan. 22 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. To register, contact the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County, 360-336-6114 or [email protected].

Dakota Creek Industries 2026 apprenticeship applications open

Dakota Creek Industries is accepting applications for its Washington state-approved three-year apprenticeship program. The program combines 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training annually with 216 hours of classroom instruction at Skagit Valley College.

Apprentices earn a living wage with periodic raises and full benefits. Upon completion, participants receive an internationally recognized trade certification and a Multi-Occupational Trades associate degree. Available trades include marine electrician, machinery assembler, production welder and shipfitter/fabricator. Applications are due May 1 and the program starts July 1. For more information, contact Carrie King at 360-293-9575 or [email protected].

Darrell Kirk is a Washington-based freelance writer and photographer.