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April 17, 2007

Developer lets market shape plans

Dave Gallagher, The Bellingham Herald

Morgan Bartlett wanted to let market forces determine how his retail center would develop. So far, it’s a strategy that’s worked out well. Bartlett is the developer of Bakerview Square, near Whatcom Community College.

With phase one mostly done, Bartlett said he will start construction of phase two this week, starting with three of the four planned buildings for that area. One building will be a two-story, 4,500-square-foot office where one tenant has signed a letter of intent. A second 1,500-square-foot building is expected to be used as a restaurant. The third building, which has 20,000 square feet of space, is drawing some interest but no tenant signings at this point.

He originally thought that a large anchor tenant, such as a grocery store, was needed in the area, but now he’s more open to the idea of creating a center without the traditional anchor.

“There’s been so much interest from potential medium- size tenants that it has created a situation where the variety will keep this center active,” Bartlett said. “I’ve been pleased with the mix that has been created with the tenants that are already here.”

As for phase one, tenants have been busy doing final improvements to get open. Earlier this month, The Woods Cafe, Cordata Post & Parcel, Jade Hair Studio, Neighborhood Mortgage and M&T Nails opened. Businesses that are expected to open in the next two months include Labels, Shunju, Chicago Title, Oishii Teriyaki & Rolls and Sun & Surf Cafe. IHOP Restaurant broke ground a couple of weeks ago and is expected to be ready in August.

Two new tenants also were recently announced for Bakerview center: Scottrade and Butterfly Life.

Scottrade is a national brokerage firm that’s been around for 25 years and has more than 200 branch offices. More information about the company can be found at www.scottrade.com. Butterfly Life is a women’s exercise studio that will be operated by Judy Baughman and her daughter, Jennifer Josephson. It has a similar format to fitness franchise Curves in that it has a 30- minute workout, but has more weight-resistant equipment, as well as other fitness and weight-loss programs, Baughman said. It will be the third Butterfly fitness center in Washington, with more to come, including in Whatcom County.

“We were looking for an area that is experiencing growth, and this is a great area for new activity,” Baughman said. “It’s basically a new neighborhood, and we want to get established here.”

Baughman said they plan to have the 2,000-square-foot fitness center open by early July. More information about the company can be found at www.butterflylife.com.

Reach Dave Gallagher at 715-2269 or dave.gallagher@bellinghamherald.com.

...this is article printed in the Bellingham Herald, April 17, 2007 and online.