I adore this local bookstore and adjoining gift shop! Anytime I’m in Bellingham, I make a point to stop in here - I always find a great book (or five) to bring home. They have an impressive selection of curated books, including some of our family’s favorites:
• cookbooks (there’s a whole wall in the gift shop by the cooking gadgets) • children’s books (I love that they have a section of picture books about artists, as well as musicians and other cultural icons) • anime and graphic novels (some are downstairs in the tween/teen section and others are upstairs on the 3rd floor) • fantasy and sci-fi (nice selection on the 3rd floor, including a shelf of recommended reads by the staff) • local interest and travel books (1st floor/lower level, including some nice books on the PNW) • home design & gardening (I found quite a few design books I never saw before… and lots on my “to read list”)
There are 3 levels: the 1st floor is accessible from the back of the building (or staircase/elevator on main floor), the 2nd floor is the “main” floor where you enter from the front of the building and shares access to the gift shoppe, and the 3rd floor is accessible from the staircase in the back left corner or elevator - there’s also a cafe/coffee shop upstairs!
The upstairs coffeeshop (Evolve Cafe) has soup, salads, sandwiches, pastries, and coffee/tea drinks. They also have gluten free food options, which is nice. You can eat in the little dining area to the left or there is a bar area overlooking the bookstore to the right. I’ve eaten here several times and the food is nourishing and delicious. (Tip: The cafe does close a bit early, so plan on being there before 4pm if you want something.)
