Neighborhood-Kids All Local. All for Kids. All the Time.

Fountain Galleria Says Good-Bye

by Theresa Carpine2/20/2008 10:52:22 AM

After over a century of business, Fountain Galleria is closing its doors in March this year. This locally-owned drug store has been a mainstay in the Fountain neighborhood at Meridian & Broadway, with an assortment of gifts and house wares. But the big draw for the store’s littlest customers was always the extensive toy selection on the store’s lower level.

The train section features some of the most popular products in the store.

“When we bought the drug store 32 years ago, there was a small toy section, but it was just little, cheap things,” said Fountain Galleria owner Mary Deets. “We wanted to change the focus, so we started offering specialty toys.”

That change included a slew of puzzles and games, dolls and stuffed animals, and other creative and educational toys. One of their most popular sections was the model train area with Thomas the Tank and Brio train sets.

“The trains are so popular because appeal to both boys and girls. They’re not a trend item, and people make an attachment to them for life. With the smaller set,” Mary said, lowering her hand to about two feet off the ground, “we’re known as ‘The Train Store.’”

For the rest of the month, everything at Fountain Galleria will be marked down 25% for the closing sale. As the toys on the shelves and other items begin to disappear, long-time customers make their last visits to the store to make final purchases and say good-byes. After transactions were completed, customers could be seen exchanging hugs with employees.

 With discounted prices until the store's closing in mid-March, the shelves at Fountain Galleria are beginning to look a little bare.

Western student Lauren Herold has been working at Fountain Galleria for about a year and a half. She’d worked at toy stores before and felt that this store was pretty amazing. “I love the clientele here, the young, Bellingham families. There’s such a good energy here,” she said. “And there aren’t very many toy stores left in Bellingham. I think places like Fountain Galleria help remind people about the importance of toys and play.”

Despite the sadness that comes with the stores closing, Lauren wishes Mary well as she begins her retirement. “It’s a bittersweet time, but I’m happy for her,” Lauren said.

What Mary will do with her newly acquired free-time has yet to be determined. “This is rather consuming job at the moment,” Mary explained. “I’m not sure about what will come next.”

Anne Berrett has been shopping at Fountain Galleria for as long as she’s been in Bellingham, the past 15 years. “I could always find unique gifts for my grandkids here. My heart just sank when I heard the store was closing,” she said. When asked what toys she especially liked, she mentioned the wooden toys and the many European toys that Fountain Galleria carries. “There are so many quality toys here that can expand the imagination,” she said.

Little customers were always able to test out the toys at Fountain Galleria.

Neighborhood-Kids.com, along with the rest of the Bellingham community, bids a sorrowful good-bye to this beloved family store, and thanks Fountain Galleria for the many memories and inspiration that it has been for kids and adults alike.

Fountain Galleria is located at 2416 Meridian Street in Bellingham and can be reached at (360) 733-6202. Store hours are 9 AM to 10 PM Monday through Saturday, and 10 AM to 7 PM on Sundays. Doors will close by mid-March 2008.