'Home is where the heart is' at Greenhouse

By Elisa Claassen For the Tribune

BELLINGHAM — At the corner of Holly Street and Cornwall Avenue in Bellingham, Greenhouse has large windows that show indoor and outdoor décor, kitchen items and gifts.

BreAnne “Bre” Green, formerly director of sales at Haggen, said she saw that Greenhouse Home’s founders Chris Foss and Foster Rose announce they intended to retire and close the store.

Greenhouse had been for sale but none of the potential buyers had been a good fit for them, Foss and Rose had said.

Suddenly, Bre and her husband Eric announced their interest. The couple said they didn’t want the community to lose the store. Now owners of the business, Greenhouse has 16 employees, most are full time. Not only do the Greens hand select items for the store, but they also continue to expand its offerings.

In her 50-year blog, Bre Green wrote: “Here at Greenhouse, we believe that home is truly where the heart is.

"From home decor and furniture to cookware and kitchen accessories, we have everything you need for your home and even more for your life.

"Your home is an expression of your personality and we want to help give your home the attention it deserves. We pride ourselves on forming intimate relationships with our customers to make sure each and every purchase is made with confidence; knowing we stand behind all of our products.”

Started in 1972, Greenhouse celebrated the big anniversary in 2022. The business started small, opening with only $1,500 in borrowed capital and a passion for tropical plants. It now maintains three floors of stock as well as special services: making gift baskets, home design and consultation, and home staging for the real estate world.

Bre manages the store on a daily basis while Eric continues his 20th year in real estate. Their combined mission, she wrote, is to deliver the highest level of customer service to each and every person, whether it is in the store, bringing value to a seller’s home with staging, or showing future buyers the endless possibilities of how to make a house a home.

While the black-and-white farmhouse theme has been prevalent in recent years, Bre said she will be leading a workshop on Saturday to speak of updating décor with color while on a budget. “You can add warmth with small things.”

During the home show, the Greenhouse will offer a 15% off coupon, Bre said, that can be used for purchases both at the show and at the store. Their booth will be stocked with bestsellers from each department at the store.

Greenhouse is at 1235 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham. Hours are from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit greenhousehome.com. Also visit Greenhouse at the Whatcom County Home and Garden Show®.