Whatcom Roundup: New downtown bar, restaurant; Big Lots closing; Texas Roadhouse update

Here’s your weekly roundup of the latest retail, business and restaurant activity in and around Whatcom County:

New restaurant coming to downtown Bellingham

Love from London, a restaurant planned for the former location on JoJo’s Doughnuts, is progressing toward opening its doors. The restaurant filed a permit to the city of Bellingham for a “Type 1 Hood” in February, and the permit was approved July 3. Ownership first filed a permit for an ice cream shop back in September . The restaurant is at 1301 Commercial St. in downtown Bellingham.

New bar, lounge concept planned for Bellingham

A new license for a spirits/beer/wine rest lounge has been filed under the name “1012 C ST.” The permit does not include any other information, but was filed July 18. The new lounge will be at 1012 C St. in Bellingham.

Big Lots closure

Big Lots , the chain furniture and home goods store, is closing its Bellingham location. The store announced the closure on its website with a banner reading “closing this location.” No closing date has been announced. The store is hosting a closing sale and offering 20% off select products as of July 25.

Big Lots is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at 1650 Birchwood Ave.

Front street shop closing in Lynden

Opal and Oak, a family owned housewares, clothing and gift shop in downtown Lynden, will permanently close July 31.

The shop announced its closure on Facebook, citing a “family situation taking priority.”

The shop is currently hosting a closing sale with discounts of 20% to 40%. Opal and Oak is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 655 Front Street, Suite 6 in Lynden.

Bellingham Texas Roadhouse progress

Texas Roadhouse’s new restaurant location coming to Bellingham is making steady progress. Although no opening date has been announced, the restaurant is set to open in the fall, according to an email from a spokesperson from the company.

The new Bellingham restaurant has also posted operating hours for the restaurant online , and is planned to be open from 4-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday at 4331 Meridian St.