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Arpeggio Owners: Becki Lawson and Michael
Petersen Arpeggio, a new Bellingham restaurant that will open later this month, will have a focus on fresh local and seasonal foods, according to owner Becki Lawson. “We will incorporate these into the menu and build menus around them. Because items are seasonal, the menu will change often,” Lawson says. Lawson owns the restaurant with her husband, Michael Petersen. Together, the two boast 38 years of experience in the restaurant industry. Petersen has lived in Bellingham for 10 years and Lawson about seven years. They’ve worked in food establishments all over the United States. “Bellingham is beautiful — that’s why we want to run a restaurant here,” Lawson remarks. “We’ve done everything except own, and now is the time.” The building was constructed in 1912 and Lawson and Petersen are keeping the old architecture such as columns and old wood to add to the ambiance of the restaurants. Property owner Doug Tolchin owned the building that used to be an Elks Club. Upon showing the property to Lawson and Petersen, Tolchin said he’d like to see a first-class restaurant in the location. “When we decided to open a restaurant, we knew this was the place!” Lawson exclaims. The restaurant will have a European flair, with French and Italian influences, according to Lawson. There will be three separate dining areas, with a total of 2,000 square feet at first. The same menus will be offered in all the areas. The main dining room will have a wine bar, with a focus on wines from the Pacific Northwest. “We have some of the best wines in the world here in the Pacific Northwest — the world just doesn’t know it yet!” Lawson laughs. This dining area will also have live music — local musicians who perform classical and acoustic music, she says. The entryway (with oak doors with French-beveled glass) will open into an area with bench seating, a fountain and a chandelier. This area will have more of a Grecian influence, according to Lawson. The third area will be a library with pictures of famous composers on the wall and shelves of books lining the walls. “This room will be cozier, where people can read, play games and do crossword puzzles while they dine,” she said. Besides these three areas, an additional 2,000-square-foot, full-dining area will be opened in a year. Elegance will be the theme, highlighted by a baby grand piano. “We want to especially target the people who see performances and movies at the Mt. Baker Theatre and the Pickford (Cinema),” Lawson says. Upon opening, hours at the Arpeggio will be from 3 to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. After about a month, hours will extend for lunch and the restaurant will open at 11 a.m. Petersen and Lawson also are opening The Vines — featuring affordable, quality wines and accessories such as decanters, glasses, wine racks and corkscrews — this month at 1323 Cornwall Ave. in the former Maslow Gallery site. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 714-1161.
Barkley Golf Center Owners: Bill and Noreen Chrysler,
Talbot Services The Barkley Golf Center may not fulfill a golfer’s ideal manner of spending time — golfing on a course — but it sure beats working in an office or doing household chores. Plus, it’s much closer than a course for many Bellingham residents and workers. Located in northeast Bellingham’s Barkley District, near the intersection of Woburn Street and Barkley Boulevard, the Barkley Golf Center features a driving range with grass tee boxes. For days with inclement or just cool weather, it has 24 covered stalls that are lighted and heated. The facility also includes separate putting and chipping greens that should be ready this July. A fully stocked pro shop offers golf clubs, equipment, balls, clothing, shoes and gift items. Also, staff members can assess clubs that need repairs and either handle them on site and send them to specialists. Lessons are provided by the PGA — certified teaching staff: golf professional and co — owner Noreen Chrysler and assistant golf professional Ginger Welfringer. Chrysler traces her golf roots to Sudden Valley Golf & Country Club, several miles southeast of Belling-ham. She has been a PGA member eight years with stints at North Bellingham Golf Course, Avalon Golf Club in Burlington and Indian Wells Country Club in Indian Wells, Calif. Chrysler believes the Barkley Golf Center’s site is ideal because it’s just minutes away for families, business people and the golf teams at Squalicum and Bellingham high schools. “I don’t think I could have asked for a better location,” she says. Chrysler loves to teach golfers of all levels and offers a tip applicable to most. “Probably the good majority of people believe the harder you hit it the father it will go,” she remarks. “(Actually,) the smoother you swing, the better the ball will fly.” Much of her emphasis will be on “putting fun back into the game.” She knows how golfers can become so intense and even frustrated while playing. “We want them to have fun,” Chrysler says. “Sometimes that gets lost in golf. “We’re here to make sure their leisure time is just that.”
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