The Shop
Sandwiched between Avenue Bread and The Bagelry, Sojourn is the perfect lunch break shopping stop. Sojourn first opened in 1994, when Owner Peggy Platter saw a lack of boutiques in town and an empty lot on Railroad Avenue, and had a vision. Tired of the big- name stores that once occupied Bellingham’s downtown, Platter was determined to bring a local touch to the city’s shopping market.
“I love being part of the local business community,” Platter says. “Being a small business in a world of online shopping is so important to me.”
Photograph by Aidan Hadley
The Atmosphere
Walking into Sojourn feels like putting on headphones; the sounds of the chaotic outside world are blocked out and replaced with a calm ambiance. The rustic brick walls that line the shop are adorned with effortlessly stylish mannequins, all dressed by the Sojourn team. To the left of the entrance, customers are met with a large jewelry case, showcasing all of the fine accessories Sojourn has to offer. In the back of the shop are the dressing rooms, along with a selection of tops, a mirror, and a perfectly Instagrammable plant wall.
Photograph by Aidan Hadley
The People
While Sojourn may be a small, local boutique, its customer base is anything but small. When curating pieces to sell in the store, Platter wants there to be something for everyone.
Photograph by Aidan Hadley
“Our youngest customer is 13 and our oldest customer is 95,” Platter says. “Sometimes, we have three generations shopping here at Sojourn.”
Despite appealing to a wide audience, however, Platter is still able to have relationships with her customers. She enjoys everything from styling customers who may want help finding the perfect piece to keeping tabs on items customers are waiting for.
Photograph by Aidan Hadley
What You’ll Find
Whether you’re looking for a statement piece or a classic staple for your closet, Sojourn has something for you. They sell primarily women’s clothing, shoppers will find dresses, tights, jeans, jewelry, and more! Aiming to satisfy even the pickiest customers, Platter travels far and wide to find the perfect pieces for Sojourn’s inventory. She focuses on breathable and natural fabrics, and tries to find pieces that can be dressed up or dressed down.
“When I’m at an event, I love to see someone in Sojourn clothes,” Platter says. “It’s nice to see we made someone happy.”
Photograph by Aidan Hadley
Favorites
Platter’s current favorite piece from Sojourn is a pair of wide-leg jeans that she was wearing herself on the day of my visit. She says that she gravitates towards clothes that are comfortable and memorable, which perfectly describes Sojourn’s inventory. Platter meticulously picks out the pieces that make it onto Sojourn’s racks, and she aims for everything she sells to be flattering, gracious, and fitted.
“We want fashion to be fun,” Platter says. “When you wear a good outfit, you feel good.” 1317 Railroad Ave., Bellingham, 360.671.5704, Instagram @sojournbham
