It’s summertime, and that means ice cream. As a sweet treat, my family has made finding new places in Bellingham and Whatcom County to get our scoop on and try new flavors something of a game. It’s a wonderful addition to our other explorations around the county. Here’s a look at some of our favorites.
Edaleen Dairy
In 1975, Ed and Aileen Bransma combined their names to create Edaleen Dairy and with less than 100 cows and a handful of workers in Lynden, WA. Edaleen produces and bottles its own milk, creates cow-to-cone ice cream and operates its own retail stores. What started as a small family company has expanded to six locations. Through the years, Edaleen has been ahead of the curve by
combining experience, innovative ideas, and technology. Add the freshest local milk and that’s a recipe for the best tasting milk and ice cream around.
Edaleen Dairy has locations in Lynden Sumas, Blaine, Ferndale and now Historic Fairhaven in Bellingham. At every location you will find Edaleen proudly serves milk and ice cream produced from their own herd of cows.
THE GUIDE STORE & COMPANY HEADQUARTERS
9593 Guide Meridian Road
Lynden, WA 98264
360-354-5342
GROVER STORE
1011 E. Grover Street
Lynden, WA 98264
360-746-8664
SUMAS STORE
908 Cherry Street
Sumas, WA 98295
360-988-0189
FERNDALE STORE
5905 Portal Way, Unit 103
Ferndale, WA
(360) 393-4215
BLAINE STORE
458 Peace Portal Drive
Blaine, WA 98230
360-366-8760
FAIRHAVEN STORE
1200 10th St., Suite 104
Bellingham, WA
360-220-9833
https://www.edaleendairy.com/
Sirena Gelato
The smell of freshly made waffle cones meets customers on the sidewalk outside Sirena, which makes it pretty hard to resist a stop inside. Once there, you’ll have to choose from decadent flavors such as Turkish Hazelnut, Black Cocoa (super dark chocolate) and Thai Coconut. Not sure what gelato is? It’s an Italian-style ice cream typically made with milk instead of cream, and has a dense, creamy texture because it has less air content than ice cream. This equals less fat and calories, but you’d never know from the taste and texture. Whatever that magic combination is, it’s heavenly.
960 Harris Ave., Bellingham (Fairhaven)
360-733-6700
sirenagelato.com
Chocolate Necessities
A trip downtown to visit the FIG at the Whatcom Museum is likely to end with a visit to Chocolate Necessities for gelato. Owner Kevin Buck is not only an excellent chocolatier but he knows his gelato, and Chocolate Necessities homemade gelato is hands-down my favorite. It’s traditional to get two flavors when ordering gelato, which makes for lots of fun pairing. Will you try Belgian Chocolate and Cherry, Salted Caramel and Pear, or Roasted Almond and Espresso? The possibilities are nearly endless. Or indulge in the Gelato Panini: gelato baked inside a pastry on the Panini press, so it’s warm on the outside and cool on the inside.
1426 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham
360-676-0589
chocolatenecessities.com
Lafeen’s
Come for the donuts, stay for the ice cream at Lafeen’s Donuts on Electric Avenue, right across the street from Whatcom Falls Park upper parking lot. As you might guess, a trip to the park often includes a visit to Lafeen’s as well. This cozy shop is a favorite for all the surrounding neighborhoods and a gathering spot retired teachers. Serving local favorite ice cream brand Edaleen, you can choose from 16 flavors for your cone, sundae or shake, including Grandma’s Cake Batter, Cotton Candy and Espresso Almond Fudge.
1466 Electric Ave., Bellingham
360-647-1703
lafeens.com
The C Shop
A family trip to Birch Bay wouldn’t be complete without a visit to The C Shop. Known for its homemade candies, ice cream is also on the menu, with 20 flavors of Cascade Glacier-brand ice cream to choose from, including Key Lime Cheesecake and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. Plus there’s a tempting sundae menu that may turn your scoop into something more grand, like the Mount Baker – their own brownie topped with ice cream, homemade hot fudge sauce, whipped cream and, yes, a cherry on top. An added summer treat, the C Shop makes its own Sno Cones.
4825 Alderson Rd, Birch Bay
360-371-2070
thecshop.com
Of course, I’d be remiss not to mention Acme Ice Cream and Mallards, which are also among our favorites. If you want the scoop on those scoops, check out Lauren Kramer’s Insider Blog on Locally Made Ice Cream in Whatcom County.
