Colorful bottles, locally grown plants, and beautiful artwork line the walls of a welcoming new shop in Fairhaven. It might look like any of the bottle shops in Bellingham, but this one is unique; the beverages are non-alcoholic! 

Bloomhaven is focused on providing non-alcoholic beverages to people in the Bellingham area. The shop is queer-owned and woman-owned, founded by Molly Flynn, a leader in the local non-alcoholic community, and Brandon Paul Weaver, owner of Seattle’s Liberty bar.  

Photograph by Caylie Mash Photography

“I have been sober for eight years. I got sober in 2016, and it was a barren wasteland out there for non-alcoholic drinks,” Flynn says. “I felt like I needed something to replace the alcohol in social settings.” 

Located in the heart of Fairhaven, Bloomhaven occupies the former space of Gold Fern Wine Bar. The shop partners with local businesses for art, plants, photography, and merchandise, and stocks non-alcoholic beverages from around the Pacific Northwest and beyond. 

The idea started to take shape for Flynn in the midst of the COVID pandemic. She recalls there were some non-alcoholic drinks available before the pandemic, but it really began to take off in 2020. 

“I started an Instagram, @mollymakesdrinks, and brands started to send me products to sample and to share with people,” she says.  

The non-alcoholic beverage industry is growing rapidly, with a 25% increase in the no-and-low alcohol category from 2019 to 2023, according to an analysis by Pennsylvania State University College of Agricultural Sciences. 

Photograph by Will Story

Though it has a focus on sobriety, Bloomhaven is meant for anyone who wants to have non-alcoholic beverage choices. 

“There are a lot of really valid reasons for why someone might want to have a non-alcoholic option for themselves or for someone they love,” Flynn says. For example, some people within the LGBTQ+ community may be going through hormone replacement therapy, which is usually not compatible with alcohol. People who are pregnant or going through hormonal treatment for menopause may also seek non-alcoholic options. 

According to Gallup polling data, the rate of adults under 35 who drink—whatever their reasoning—has fallen by 10% over the past 20 years. 

Guests can expect a wide range of products, including The Pathfinder spirit, Jøyus wine, and Self Care Brewing beer. Bloomhaven also stocks a selection of recipe books and barware. 

Photograph by Will Story

“Some of them develop flavors to be their own thing… Others use an actual alcoholic tequila, for example, and then they remove the alcohol from it,” Flynn says. “The Pathfinder is a great place to start because it is one of our most popular products and one of my personal favorites.” 

Bloomhaven aims to create a safe and welcoming space for the community to connect and enjoy non-alcoholic beverages. The shop has received a warm reception from the Fairhaven community for its friendly atmosphere and impressive curated selection of drinks. 

Molly says her friend of 15 years and business partner, Brandon Paul Weaver, has been a great mentor to help the business start off smoothly.  

“Everything came together for Bloomhaven really organically,” Flynn says.

1201 11th St., Ste. 101, Bellingham, bloomhavenna.com