Historic downtown Ferndale has been struggling the past decade as the many “For Lease” and “For Sale” signs in retail storefront windows pointed out. But recent building acquisitions and new tenants have made those signs more of a rarity.
While some of the changes were already in the works at the time, there enough vacancies to make it worthwhile for the Ferndale Downtown Association, Ferndale Chamber of Commerce and the City of Ferndale to host a tour of spaces and buildings available for sale and lease in the Ferndale area back in September of 2017.
One of the most visible locations, the former location of Hawley’s Auto Parts at 1990 Main Street, has been the scene of excavation work as the current property owner prepares the property for sale. Recently, a 3-story mixed use building design was proposed for the site.
Last year, two vacant downtown buildings were acquired by Ferndale locals, Chris and Bobbie Crawford. One was the former home of the First National Bank of Ferndale many years ago on the northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and Main Street. The other, on the alley on the south side of Main Street between 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue was the former location for ioCreative, a marketing consultancy, at 2013 Main Street. Both buildings are being prepared for two yet-to-be-announced businesses.
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Click for more informationNext door to the former ioCreative location, the Little Red Bird Gift Boutique opened at 2015 Main Street in the space vacated when Bob & Cyndy’s Trophies closed.
Across the street from the former ioCreative location, a barber shop that had stood vacant for over a year was recently converted into the new location for KD’s Barber Shop.
To the west, the block on the north side of Main Street between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue has also been the location of several changes.
The large space at 2044 Main Street that has been the location of International Athletic for the past 3 decades will soon house a new retail furniture store. Omar Avelar of Bellingham announced plans to open K&A Furniture back in January.
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Click for more informationOne door down to the east is the former location of Babe’s Place at 2038 Main Street. Building owner and also owner of the popular Chihuahua’s Family Mexican Restaurant, Alex Hernandez, says work is underway to reopen a yet-to-be-announced business in the building later this year.
A little further down the block to 2034 Main Street, the Curry House restaurant recently expanded into 2 vacant retail spaces resulting in the new Curry House Cafe & Bar.
On the corner of 2nd Avenue and Main Street, the Leader Block Building has been a hub of activity since completion of its major exterior and interior remodel. It is now home to Leader Block Wine Company and a barbershop.
Not everything happening downtown is on Main Street. Business principals behind a new brewery coming to Ferndale announced just a few days ago they had signed papers securing the future home of FrinGe Brewing at 5640 3rd Avenue, the former home of the Ferndale Police Department. They say they are in the process of cleaning up the building and preparing for the brewery build out.