There’s no better place than Woods.
Upon arriving at The Woods Coffee Shop at Boulevard Park, the first thing one would notice is its beautiful location. The café is sitting right on the Puget Sound and is next to a park that is filled with children playing throughout the day. Being a fulltime student at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA, coffee plays a large role in keeping me alive and chugging as the quarter moves along. In all honesty, I probably spend more time there than in my own room; countless hours have been spent trying to finish an assignment and the only thing that has kept me awake, has been a cup of coffee from Woods. However, late night cramming is not the only reason why I continue to come back to Woods time and time again. Whether I go there to study, hang out with friends, or just to get away from life in the dorms, I have many ways to use this place.
As I sit and think about what makes this coffee shop great, I can list off many things that I like about it, the drinks, the people, the food, and the scent of fresh coffee grounds. There are many different reasons as to why I come here. This made me begin to think that I couldn’t be the only the one to have fallen in love with The Woods Coffee Shop at Boulevard Park. I could go on for hours and hours listing off all the positives (and few negatives) about Woods, instead, I am just going to give a few examples that I believe make Woods a must-try for any person visiting Bellingham.
This specific shop is very unique in that it is situated right on the water, giving it a very different look and feel than the other shops located in Bellingham. In addition to being on the water, the shop is also very close to a public park, which is used by many families. The café is also near a walking trail that leads down to the ocean. Being on the Puget Sound makes this coffee shop a very hot destination and it is rare for it to not be packed with plenty of people when the sun is out. The interior has been decorated to resemble a log cabin; all of the walls are lined with polished wood, and the fireplace near the entrance helps create a warm and friendly environment. The shop has two floors and is spacious enough to hold roughly 100 people. There are two different options for seating as one could either choose to sit in the very large, comfortable chairs or they can sit at a regular table. Regardless of where one decides to sit, you will always have a view of the water due to the large windows that cover the walls of the shop.
Due to the large presence of coffee fanatics in the Pacific Northwest, Woods is forced to compete with many other coffee shops, along with the other Woods Coffee Shops located all throughout Bellingham. In terms of just its surroundings, the Boulevard Park location has the other shops beat. Not only is it located right on the water, but the interior is noticeably bigger and this location is unique in that it offers a special room (known as the Kiln Room) for events, such as conferences and birthdays.
The Woods Coffee Shop is heavily connected with many local farms and organizations. Unlike other coffee companies, Woods has tried to maintain its ties to its founding communities by purchasing many of its products from the local farms such as Edaleen Dairy and Mayberry Farms. Woods is making an attempt to do what many other companies no longer do, and that is remaining close to home. By maintaining their ties to the community, Woods is helping promote growth from within the town and because of this, it has become a staple of Bellingham, Washington. Find out more about the history of Woods and its connections with the community here.
There are a few negative aspects that I will be highlighting about the Woods Coffee Shop at Boulevard Park. The first downside stems from the beautiful location. Since it is located right on the Puget Sound, parking is very limited. On a nice day, it is almost impossible to find parking and in order to find parking, one would have to park a few blocks away, and then walk about five minutes. For some this isn’t an issue, but walking isn’t for everyone and some might find this aspect annoying. The second negative is that the prices are slightly higher than other cafés. For example, at Woods, the usual price for an iced coffee is around $3.00, and at Starbucks an iced coffee is around $2.80. Even though it is more expensive, you’re paying for a delightful time, a superb cup of Joe, and amazing service. I do believe that The Woods Coffee Shop’s positives definitely outweigh its negatives.
Since moving to Bellingham, I could easily say that I have been to Woods at Boulevard Park over one hundred times and after looking at my bank account statement, I have spent well over $500. Clearly, The Woods Coffee Shop is doing something right. My goal today was to provide a detailed review of this coffee shop with the hope of helping you make a smart decision when the time comes for you to decide on where you would like to get your next cup of coffee, tea, or whatever it may be. Whether it’s the location, the variety of drinks, or the ambiance created within, people will continue to find reasons to come and spend their money and time here. As a coffee shop, Woods fulfills its designed purpose. It provides excellent coffee and tea to its customers. As a place of gathering, Woods does a great job at providing its customers with a comfortable place to meet and socialize. If you ever find yourself in Bellingham, make sure to come by and enjoy nice, hot cup of coffee and relax.
Where: 471 Bayview Rd. | Bellingham, WA 98225
Learn More: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG202cmX3GI