Bellingham Mall, Bellingham, Washington 1973

This authentic 1970s color photograph, captured in 1973, showcases the retail landscape of Bellingham Mall in Bellingham, Washington. The archival image features the prominent Valu-Mart discount department store, a staple of the Pacific Northwest during the era, alongside the Bellingham Mall signage and neighboring Town & Country storefront. In the distance, signs for Albertson’s and Kona Kai Restaurant are visible. The expansive asphalt parking lot captures the automotive culture of the early seventies, featuring a bright blue Volkswagen Beetle, a yellow Ford F-Series pickup truck, and a large cab-over truck camper. A directional sign in the foreground points toward the “Exit Ramp 1 Block South.” Opened in 1972, Bellingham Mall was the city’s first enclosed shopping center, later becoming the Bellis Fair area’s predecessor. While the original Valu-Mart transitioned to a Leslie’s and the mall itself underwent significant changes to become a modern power center (Sunset Square), this record preserves the functional, boxy architecture and vibrant commercial life of the early 1970s. All our images are available as royalty-free instant downloads for use in books, media, and creative projects – or make your own prints for home, work, or as a truly unique gift.