Ferndale Bob’s Burgers & Brew building sold – restaurant closed

Bob’s Burgers & Brew has had a location in Ferndale since the mid-1980s. So many were surprised to discover yesterday that the location at 1781 Main Street was not open for business.

Restaurant Owner Mike Kildall said Sunday, December 10th was their last day. The building was sold in November but Kildall says he rented it through the end of the year.

According to Whatcom County Assessor’s Office records, the building was sold to Salish Highlands LLC. According to Washington State Department of Revenue records, that corporation is associated with 1788 LaBounty, LLC which owns the building next door that houses Mt Baker Lanes.

Mt Baker Lanes Owner Ann Stack said they have had conversations with the building owner regarding the plans for the restaurant building. “Nothing is for certain at this point,” Stack said options the owner has mentioned to her include leveling the building, rebuilding and/or leasing it any number of possible businesses.

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Kildall said he will be forwarding to the new building owner contact information of businesses who had expressed interest in leasing in the past.

Kildall says in the early 1980s he was in Alaska when his brother, who had opened a Bob’s Burgers & Brew location in Lynden, contacted him with news the Pioneer Center on 3rd Avenue in Ferndale was open and leasing spaces. “I basically bought the business over the phone,” Kildall said.

Kildall was no stranger to the restaurant business having ran The Western Cafe at 2012 Main Street from 1971 until he sold it in 1978.

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It was January of 1991 when Bob’s Burgers & Brew moved from the Pioneer Center location to where it is now, at 1781 Main Street. Kildall’s brother went on to create a chain of restaurants but Mike says he opted not to be part of that.

Kildall said he and the staff closed up Sunday with little fanfare or forewarning.

“I want to thank the people of Ferndale and the surrounding community for their decades of patronage,” Kildall said. “I finally listened to that Kenny Rogers song … ‘You got to know when to fold them.’“