There are the Whatcom restaurants and retail stores that won't be around in 2021

In what has been one of the most difficult business climates ever, many Whatcom County retailers and restaurants were able to find a way to survive this pandemic year.

The number of announced permanent closures of restaurants, bars and retail stores is fairly similar to recent years. At the end of 2020, the number of counted Whatcom restaurant/bar/catering businesses totaled 22, which is similar to the totals posted in 2019, 2018 and 2017. When you add in retail stores and service businesses, the total counted is 45, which is also similar to closure totals in recent years.