GOOD SOURCES in NORTHWESTERN WASHINGTON STATE

---- rewarding the good --------

I don't know these businesses personally, but suggest them as standing out from the crowd.
(In a few cases they caught my eye as providing something out of the ordinary but I have
not checked them out - in which case I say so.)

I do not strive to keep this list up to date.

While I have limited knowledge of most of these businesses, I list them if they are 
much better than average for the area and I have not noticed any warning signs.

There are outlet malls near the freeway in Ferndale and at the north end of Mt.
Vernon (it may technically be in Burlington).

The Safeway in Mt. Vernon (College Way exit east from I-5, IIRC) is sizable, 
is reasonably well laid out, and has washrooms.

Easton's Books in the old ("downtown") part of Mt. Vernon is the best organized and neatest used book store I have experienced. 307 Main St near the visible tulip-chimney, parking behind and on street in front. 360-336-2066. Limited hours: 1030-530 MO-SA.

The Union 76 gas stations in Mt. Vernon (opposite Safeway and WalMart) and
Bellingham (south end at the small mall beside I-5) may still discount regular
gasoline on Tuesdays, and perhaps on week nights in Arlington. However, the station
in Bellingham has the worst explicit doesn't-matter attitude I have seen in some time
- and the age of stock in the convenience store suggests customers are avoiding it.
In contrast, the Union 76 station at the Arlington exit is busy and well-staffed,
and they have a very different view of customers and economics.

Across the street from that great 76 station is O'Brien's Turkey House, a family
business that used to be tucked in close to the freeway until Denny's decided they
wanted to be hidden away and made them an offer. Denny's has the old building, OBrien's
built a new one.

The large US Post Office in Blaine seems to provide good service.

Haggen is a nice grocery store. Their wine shop is good, and at least
some of the staff are true experts (including perspective). Locations include central
Bellingham (go south past the freeway from the north-south road that passes Bellis Fair
Mall, and watch for it on the left). Unfortunately the controlling mindset in the town
of Lynden doesn't want such good stores. But areas to the south have new Haggen stores
- north Marysville and Arlington for example.

I'm partial to 50s style diners and drive-in restaurants. There is one in Bellinghma
many blocks to the north of the small mall and 76 station mentionned above. It is
adequate.

Bellingham airport is a nice facility, but parking is no longer free and jet airline
service has been reduced in favor of turboprops connecting through SeaTac airport.

Here is a list of drive-in movie theatres still operating in WA state:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/northwestlife/134496917_drivein21.html



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Copyright Keith Sketchley          February 14, 2003 (1329PST)
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