Bellingham restaurant Billy McHale's is closing at the end of this month.
From the Bellingham Herald:
Bellingham Billy McHale's to close at end of June
Billy McHale's is closing its doors when its lease is up at the end of June, after 22 years in business.
Owner Kristy Knopp said several factors led to the decision to close on June 30, chief among them the unknowns of the Canadian dollar and the possible move of Costco, which shares a parking lot with the restaurant, 4301 Meridian St.
Knopp, who has owned the restaurant for 10 years, didn't want to take a gamble on a five-year lease with such uncertainty.
The restaurant employs 65 people, and Knopp said increases in the minimum wage and health care were adding to the restaurant's costs, as well as upkeep on the building and equipment.
I have eaten there a bunch of times - it was one of my Dad's favorite places. What prompted this post is that the James G. Murphy auction company will be selling off the fixtures.
A lot of commercial restaurant equipment but also, a lot of the decor items and the model railroad that ran around the restaurant.
I bet it will be amateur hour with people bidding way to high for a piece of history. I will be there but more for people-watching than buying anything.
