Trader Joe's Plans Second Location in Bellingham?

A Trader Joe's Store in 2018Photo bySikander Iqbal

BELLINGHAM, WA – The City of Bellingham has approved the interior demolition of offices and the entrance vestibule at the former Bed Bath & Beyond building, located at 4255 Meridian Street according to City Records. This demolition apparently is in preparation for a planned Trader Joe's location, bringing excitement to local residents and shoppers.

The site is situated in the same shopping center where a new Texas Roadhouse is currently under construction, adding to the area's variety of retail and dining options. This may be the second Trader Joe’s location in Bellingham, providing more convenience for fans of the popular grocery chain.

An expansion of Trader Joe's to the former Bed Bath & Beyond building on Meridian Street could bring numerous advantages to Bellingham. This new location will repurpose the currently shuttered building. Additionally, the Meridian Street site offers more parking capacity compared to the frequently full parking lot at the James Street location near downtown.

Having two different Trader Joe's locations in Bellingham may also help distribute the customer flow more evenly. A new Meridian Street store will attract more Canadian shoppers, which could reduce traffic congestion and ease parking challenges at the downtown location. This expansion would enhance convenience and accessibility for all Trader Joe’s customers in the region.

According to documents, the contractor tasked with the demolition is J Hughes Construction from Mill Creek, and the building designer and structural engineer is B & T Design & Engineering, Inc. from Issaquah.