Two of downtown Bellingham's most recognized gathering spots are at risk of closing this summer. Vince Lalonde, the owner of both Temple Bar and the downtown Mount Bakery cafe, announced on July 17 that he intends to sell Temple Bar and consolidate his bakery operations, with both businesses potentially shutting their downtown doors by late August if a buyer is not found.
Lalonde shared the news in a social media post on Friday morning, describing his desire to "lighten his load" and step into a new phase of life with less of the stress that comes with running multiple businesses. He was candid about the emotional weight of the decision, writing that the work had been "beautiful, wonderful, incredibly stressful, challenging, joyful and rich."
Temple Bar, the intimate cocktail bar at 306 W. Champion St., opened in 2002 and has built a devoted following over more than two decades as a fixture of Bellingham's nightlife and arts community. The Mount Bakery cafe next door, which operates in the same block and is sometimes referred to as Temple Brunch for its weekend brunch service, is also on the table. Lalonde said he plans to continue operating the Mount Bakery's Fairhaven location at 1217 Harris Ave., and that location is not affected by the announcement.
A Long History in Downtown Bellingham
Mount Bakery was established in 2000 by original owner Olivier Vrambout. Lalonde came on as the cafe's first non-family employee and eventually purchased the business from Vrambout in 2007. Over the nearly two decades since, he expanded the operation significantly, opening the second location in Fairhaven in 2011 and later growing that space into a full cafe.
Lalonde acquired Temple Bar in 2019, adding the beloved bar to his portfolio just before the pandemic reshaped the restaurant and bar industry. Temple Bar closed for nearly a year in 2022 for extensive renovations and to allow the business some recovery time after the worst of the pandemic challenges. It reopened to welcome back a community that had clearly missed it.
The July 17 announcement came just days after another longtime downtown institution closed abruptly. Avellino Coffeehouse, which had operated for 20 years on Railroad Avenue, shut its doors for good on July 11. The back-to-back closures have drawn attention to what observers are calling a difficult stretch for downtown Bellingham's independent business community, with several establishments that opened before the 2008 recession now navigating a changed economic environment.
What Happens Next
Lalonde said he anticipates that service at both locations will continue through at least late August, pending a sale and an agreement with the landlord. That timeline gives the community several weeks to visit before any final closure, and Lalonde indicated he wanted to give loyal customers time to prepare for the transition.
He extended a heartfelt thanks to the many staff members who have worked at both establishments over the years, crediting them as "responsible for making both the Mount Bakery and Temple Bar everything that anyone has ever loved about these now iconic Bellingham destinations."
Whether a buyer steps forward to keep either business running under new ownership remains to be seen. Temple Bar's long history, loyal customer base, and established liquor license make it a potentially attractive acquisition for an entrepreneur with the right background. The downtown Mount Bakery space, located in a high-foot-traffic block near the Pickford Film Center and the city's arts corridor, similarly has real appeal for the right operator.
Also nearby, Welcome Road Wine and Coffee, which is located just one door down from Temple Bar on W. Champion St., has been watching the developments on the block. The concentration of closures and transitions in this stretch of downtown reflects broader pressures on independent food and beverage businesses, including rising rents, labor costs, and a consumer landscape that has shifted since the pre-pandemic era.
What It Means for the Neighborhood
Temple Bar and Mount Bakery are not just businesses. They are part of the texture of downtown Bellingham's daily life. The bakery has been a weekend brunch destination for residents for a quarter century. Temple Bar has served as a backdrop for countless birthdays, first dates, post-show drinks, and community conversations. Their potential loss would leave a meaningful gap in the downtown social landscape.
For residents who want to show their support for Lalonde and his staff before any potential closure, the next few weeks represent the window to do it. Stopping in for brunch at the downtown Mount Bakery or an evening at Temple Bar is a direct way to contribute to the businesses' bottom line as Lalonde works through the sale process.
Updates on any ownership changes or confirmed closure dates are expected through Lalonde's social media channels and local news outlets. The Downtown Bellingham Partnership is another resource for tracking the health of the business community in the city center. For context on other recent shifts in Bellingham's business landscape, earlier reporting on the Fairhaven and waterfront corridor offers a broader picture of how the city's neighborhoods are evolving.
