Architectural Information

The original single-story structure, with a basement, had a brick exterior and shops on either side of a central entry topped with  clerstory windows.

In the intervening years the cornice was removed, and the building was covered with stucco. 

Photo courtesy Whatcom Museum Photo Archives

  1970s photo courtesy Gordy Tweit

In the 1970s, the building was extensively renovated.  A brick-faced second story was added to the front portion and new shop windows were installed.  (See photo left, taken before construction of the new Village Books building.)

Photo courtesy Gordy Tweit 

A view of the west side (the back) of the Fairhaven Cash Grocery building reveals the basement, occupied by Village Books.  Original bricks of the 1891 building can be seen in the area where the stuccoed facade has worn away.    A passageway connects the basement to the 2004 Village Books building.   In warm weather, this area is used for outdoor seating for Colophon Cafe and is part of the Fairhaven Village Green.

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