2013 Best of Lynden
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Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, December 24, 2013
The results are in! The Lynden Tribune and Lynden Chamber of Commerce would like to give a huge thanks to all of the readers who participated in our 2013 Best of Lynden Reader’s Choice Awards. We are pleased to present the awards to the winning local businesses listed throughout this publication. Congratulations!
Best of Large Business: WFC The guiding principle at Whatcom Farmers Co-op is “Only the Best,” said Lynden- of cooperative memberbased general manager Don Eucker. ship even to the small-scale So it is rewarding to receive the affirmation of customers with the Best of Lynden buyer. WFC gets the benLarge Business vote. efit of being a member itself “We try to constantly improve,” Eucker said. “It’s been a big process, but we have in several national brand great employees at WFC.” cooperatives: CHS, Land Building on a history going back to 1982, with Rich Stipe as longtime manager, Eucker O’Lakes, TrueValue and Ace. has continued to steer the cooperative since March 2011 in new and innovative directions. The business is on a There have been renovations at existing locations. A new logo is gradually making 10-year upward growth path its appearance. In 2013, WFC took over the TrueValue hardware store in Lynden’s Fairway and in 2014 expects to do 1 Center. The revamped website gives customers instant access to their accounts as well as million transactions for the information on WFC events and news. first time, Eucker said. “Our goal is to take care of our customers by doing the right thing. We appreciate this recognition as Best of Large Business by the community,” Eucker said. Whatcom Farmers Co-op has three main divisions: Retail, Agronomy and Energy. Together, those cover a range of products and services, from getting your corn fields planted to filling your pickup with gas. At the retail outlets — seven of them now in Whatcom County — expect to find anything from a horse harness to a winter coat. The headquarters of the 180-employee organization, including the Lynden convenience store, remains at the corner of Third and Main streets. Local agricultural producers make up the seven-member board of directors, currently headed by seed potato grower Jeff Bedlington. But anyone can come in and shop at a WFC location. And in February a new Rewards Program will be rolled out, bringing the benefits WFC’s Lynden Convenience Store sells gas, while the Country Store carries plenty else.
Home Farm Garden
Best of New Business: Chandara House
Chandra House is located within the Dutch Village Mall on Lynden's Front Street.
A number of restaurants have come and gone in the Dutch Village Mall, but the newest one, the Thai-centric Chandara House, has found a great deal of success and popularity thus far. First opened on Aug. 9 of this year, Chandara House offers a large selection of "authentic Thai" cuisine, including lunch specials, appetizers, salads, soups, noodle soups, full entrees, stir-fried noodles, curries, kids' meals, desserts and drinks. The restaurant's Facebook page features many food photos showcasing Chandara House's many popular lunch and dinner dishes. Restaurant owner Wankanok Hurd said she chose the Dutch Village Mall location because of its beauty, as well as the style of the space and town. Hurd chose to focus on vegetable, MSG-free and gluten-free dishes when crafting the menu. She also places an emphasis on using local ingredients whenever possible. The restaurant, which is open after many performances at the Claire vg Thomas Theatre, also offers takeout, catering and delivery services. Chandara House is located inside Lynden's Dutch Village Mall, and is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday during the winter months. The restaurant is only open on Sundays for private parties, catered events and pre-arranged banquets. Visit the Chandara House page on Facebook, and go to www.EHungry.com to order food online from the restaurant. Call 393-3068 for more information.