Briefs: Janicki expands to Montana, Blaine pizza shop changes hands, new skincare boutique opens | Cascadia Daily News

Janicki to expand to Great Falls, Montana

Janicki, located in Sedro-Woolley, is building a new manufacturing campus in Great Falls, Montana, the company announced Tuesday, June 2. The new, $800-million campus intends to meet the “growing demand” from the company’s aerospace, defense and space customers, and will result in 2,000 new jobs when construction is complete. Construction is set to begin in July 2026. The company will continue to operate campuses in Washington and Utah despite the expansion in Montana.

Blaine pizza shop changes hands

Border Town Pizza in Blaine is under new ownership. Owners Laura and Kara Massaro have passed the independent pizza shop, located at 738 Peace Portal Drive, to Tami and Kamal Bhachu. After 11 years of ownership, Kara Massaro said in a social media post that they will be retiring and spending more time with family. “Wonderful changes will be coming, with the same great flavors and staff!” she wrote.

New skincare boutique opens in Fairhaven

Midlife Skin, a small batch, handcrafted skincare line, is opening its first brick-and-mortar store inside the Sycamore Square Building, 1200 Harris Ave., Suite 406, in Bellingham. The grand opening will happen from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 10.

Kate Power, the founder and skincare formulator, said in a news release the boutique spot will offer customers the chance to meet the person making their skincare on site. Previously, Power sold at maker markets.

Midlife Skin launched in 2022 with a focus on bringing natural ingredients and cosmetic science to its skincare products.

Visitor spending in Whatcom County dipped slightly in 2025

Data from Tourism Economics shows a slight dip in spending by tourists in 2025 compared to 2024.
Visitors to Whatcom County spent $772.8 million last year, down 0.4% from the year prior, Visit Bellingham announced in a news release on June 3.

Across the state, tourist spending grew 0.9% from 2024, a drop in growth from the year prior (5.3%). However, data shows that overnight visitors, of which there were 1.46 million, spent more per day this year ($350) compared to last ($300).

By sector, spending on accommodations dropped 2.9% and spending on transportation dropped 4.8%. Tourism jobs also decreased by 4.1%. But food and beverage (2.2%) and recreation (5.8%) saw growth in spending. Retail spending stayed steady.

Nooksack Tribe to close Deming dispensary

Between the Ferns Cannabis, the marijuana dispensary in Deming, will close for good after selling out of inventory, according to an announcement by the Nooksack Indian Tribe on June 2.

Between the Ferns Cannabis, located at 5058 Water St. just off Mount Baker Highway, opened in 2021 as the first tribally owned cannabis shop in Whatcom County.

The Nooksack Tribal Council and Business Council Board of Directors decided to close the business, but promised that “exciting plans are underway for the future of this space that will bring a new revenue stream and continued opportunity for the Nooksack people.”

Closeout sales began Wednesday, June 3. The dispensary will be open 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily until all remaining product is sold. Closure updates will be posted on social media and at the dispensary website at betweenthefernsdeming.com.

Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County leader to step down

The CEO of the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County, John Sternlicht, is stepping down early next year, the EDASC announced in a news release on Monday, June 1.

Sternlicht has led the ESASC since summer 2015 and has brought it into a “new era of economic development that focuses on best practices not only in business attraction, retention and expansion, but also in capacity building for systems and services that enhance the well-being of all county residents,” according to the news release.

Sternlicht said the decision came with “mixed emotions,” and called his work at the EDASC “the most rewarding work I have done in my career.”

“Nevertheless, after 11 years, it is time for a new generation of leadership now that I have essentially accomplished what I set out to do in this position,” he said in the release.

The EDASC plans to begin searching for a new CEO in mid-summer, with a goal to hire by October.

Multiple reporters and CDN Business Contributor Frank Catalano contributed to this report. Send any ideas for business stories to newstips@cascadiadaily.com with “Business Tip” in the subject line.