Brad Kerstiens

Downtown Bellingham Shopping & Gift Guide

Whether you're shopping for yourself or someone else, Downtown Bellingham offers a variety of locally owned shops and destinations that are perfect for picking out a memorable present. We've collected a few of our favorite places where you can grab a gift card or buy a one-of-a-kind gift! From gourmet chocolate to outdoor gear to a cafe filled with adorable cats, Downtown Bellingham really does have it all. 

For good measure, we've also included a few great places for gifts in Downtown Fairhaven Village. For even more information about shopping in Fairhaven, visit this blog

NEKO Cat Cafe 

We all have a serious cat-lover in our lives. And if you don't...then it's probably you. Go ahead and spoil your feline-loving friends with a trip to NEKO cat cafe. Or nab a gift card so they can get a dose of cats whenever they need. 

Reserve your spot ahead of time to book an experience in the cat room, a study/purr session, or a private hang-out with 20-30 cats. 

NEKO Cat Cafe also has some excellent swag, from "Itty Bitty Kitty Committee" T-shirts to "Show Me Your Kitties" sweatshirts. You'll also find cat-themed baby clothes, cat toys, coffee mugs, hats, stickers, and more. 

Backcountry Essentials

This outdoor specialty shop in downtown Bellingham is the perfect place to find something special for the outdoor enthusiast in your life, whether they're a skier, hiker, climber, camper, runner... or just enjoy being out and about in the world. 

The experts at Backcountry Essentials will help you find exactly what you're looking for, whether it's for a beginner or an advanced athlete. While you're there, you can also head upstairs and shop the used gear section for deals!

Chocolate Necessities

The name says it all. This chocolate shop has all the necessities for the chocolate lovers in your life. Choose from chocolate truffles, chocolate nut bars, sugar free chocolates, and so much more. This sweet shop offers various gift baskets and boxes, so you can be prepared for any occasion. 

They also have chocolate gelato, so you can grab yourself a treat while you browse! 

Pickford Film Center

Give the gift of great movies! Your cinephile friends and family members will love a gift card to the Pickford Film Center in downtown Bellingham. They can use the card to buy movie tickets, of course, but the Pickford also has a wide selection of snacks, candy, and drinks to enjoy during a show. 

Camber Coffee 

The caffeine-fans in your life will thank you for a gift card to Camber Coffee or a bag of their delicious, carefully sourced and specialty roasted beans. 

Camber also offers various supplies for brewing coffee. 

Flatstick Pub

Grab a gift card to Flatstick Pub to deliver the gift of fun...and beer! In addition to an indoor putt putt course, Flatstick also has one-of-a-kind *free* games like Duffleboard and Dufflepong. 

Delicious pizza plus local beer, cider, and wine make it a proper night out on the town. 

Whatcom Museum 

Give the gift of art, history, and nature programming with a gift membership to the Whatcom Museum in downtown Bellingham!

General members receive a variety of valuable benefits, including free general admission to all buildings; discounted admission to selected programs and events; 1 single-use Guest Pass; 10% discount in the Museum Store; an annual subscription to Whatcom Museum Inside magazine; and more. 

The gift shop is also a great place to pick up gifts!

Mount Baker Theatre

Whether you're shopping for someone who loves live music, plays, comedy, educational events, musicals, ballet, or even the symphony, a gift certificate to Mount Baker Theatre will deliver! Alternatively, gift a membership for access to early ticket sales, ticket exchange privileges, access to the Member's Lounge, and more. 

Local Breweries

Give the gift of beer! Pick up a six pack, growler, or gift card from one of Bellingham and Whatcom County's nearly two dozen breweries. (Yes, that's right, we really do have that many breweries.) 

Keep it classic with a gift from Boundary Bay, Kulshan, Aslan, Stones Throw, or many more. 

Whatcom Art Market 

Located in Fairhaven Village

This is the perfect place to pick up a gift for the creatives in your life! The Whatcom Art Market in Fairhaven Village is a co-op gallery & gift store featuring work from more than 50 local artists from Whatcom, Skagit and Island Counties, and located in Historic Fairhaven. 

Open daily, the market offers fine art paintings, limited edition prints, stunning photography, handcrafted jewelry, fused, stained, & etched glass, textiles, shampoo & lotion bars, balms, soft sculpture, wood work and so much more!

Bay to Baker Trading Company 

Located in Fairhaven Village

Located in Fairhaven, Bay to Baker Trading Company offers an impressive collection of Bellingham and PNW themed apparel, souvenirs, travel accessories, stickers, postcards, home decor, and more.

Village Books and Paper Dreams 

Located in Fairhaven Village

There's maybe no better place to shop for gifts than at Village Books, an independent bookstore with locations in both Bellingham and Lynden. In addition to a large selection of books for any reader in your life, the attached gift shop, Paper Dreams, has gifts for even the pickiest loved ones. 

From toys to fudge to jewelry to candles and kitchen goods, there's something for everyone on your list.

Fairhaven Runners & Walkers 

Located in Fairhaven Village

Have a friend or family member who's always on a trail? Head to Fairhaven Runners & Walkers in Fairhaven Village to find them the perfect running shoes and apparel. They also offer custom fittings. 


You are invited to visit numerous locally owned businesses around Whatcom County with the Think Local First passport! 

At each stop, simply check in using this digital passport and collect points that can be used for prizes.

This pass will not only help you experience the finest retailers in Whatcom County, but also offers many opportunities to win with seasonal promotions throughout the year. 

Start Exploring Today!
Buy a Think Local Gift Card!
        We acknowledge that Whatcom County is located on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples. They cared for the lands that included what we’d call the Puget Sound region, Vancouver Island and British Columbia since time immemorial. This gives us the great obligation and opportunity to learn how to care for our surrounding areas and all the natural and human resources we require to live. We express our deepest respect and gratitude for our indigenous neighbors, the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribe, for their enduring care and protection of our shared lands and waterways.
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