As tables lay decorated with floral motifs and walls are painted deep, forest green, Daytrip Cafe cultivates nature and the wonders you can experience on a ‘daytrip’ without having to step outside.
“One summer, I would drive a couple of hours just to go somewhere pretty, and I really liked the act of taking care of myself, so (I made) sure I had everything for the day, like a fun drink, food, and an activity for later,” said Aaliyah Synn, owner of Daytrip Cafe.
Drawing inspiration from personal experiences of going on day trips, they created a space for people to either settle down or use as a quick pit stop for their own trips. The cafe opened Dec. 1, 2025, and is located in downtown Bellingham, open daily at 1400 W. Holly St.
“Typically, when I am going on these faraway daytrips, it’s to see a waterfall or a river I’ve never seen,” Synn said.
The cafe is filled with plants, work from local artists, and even disposable photos of the Cascades Synn took themself to emphasize the feeling of being surrounded by nature. Synn prioritized creating a space where customers feel comfortable spending time, interacting or just stopping by.
“If you're going to have to go straight from work to a big adventure weekend, you need some coffee to fuel that adventure,” David Yake, director of sales and sustainability for Tony’s Coffee, said.
Much like Daytrip Cafe, Tony’s Coffee makes its mission to be an outlet that improves customers day to day lives with a comforting cup of coffee. The Bellingham-based roastery sells coffee beans throughout Washington and beyond, but after 56 years of business, the roastery is still as closely connected to the community as ever.
“I love just getting to connect with people,” Synn said.
Small businesses contribute to the cultural fabric of Bellingham’s community, said Guy Occhiogrosso, the President and CEO of the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce.
While large employers can provide an economic foundation, small businesses enrich communities by creating third spaces and inviting people to connect.
Having experience vending at art markets themselves, Synn found it impactful to highlight work from local artists in their cafe. From jewelry, art prints, photography and tufted rugs, there are vast amounts of works to look at, interact with or buy.
“Getting to display art from people that I've vended with, people that live in the neighborhood or people that were regulars at old jobs, it feels really special to be able to show their art,” Synn said.
According to Eric Grimstead, a senior business advisor for Whatcom County’s Small Business Development Center, when people create small businesses in their local community, it generates jobs for residents and keeps the dollars local.
While Synn’s cafe in itself promotes job opportunities, the implementation of local art in the cafe offers more opportunities for local artists to sell their work and is another layer in keeping money local.
Similarly, Tony’s keeps its business local by sourcing certain roastery machinery parts from craftspeople in Bellingham’s Iron Gate District, and finds those relationships are an important part of what they do, Yake said.
Daytrip cafe sources its beans from Hammerhead and serves a Guatemala single-origin cold brew. In March, the cafe will be rolling out more spring specials.
“I'm gonna do something with lychee,” Synn said. “I'm Cambodian, so having a Southeast Asian-inspired drink, I think, is really cool.”
Along with drinks, the cafe sells a variety of pastries, including chocolate chip cookies and gluten-free coffee cake made in-house. In the future, Synn would like to integrate grab-and-go food options.
Synn said they also want to set up a display with flyers on community care in Whatcom County to collect non-perishable foods for the free pantries in town.
“I just love the idea of a free pantry,” Synn said. “I think it's a good reminder that everyone can get involved.”
Katherine Konicke-Dunlop (she/her) is a City Life reporter for The Front. She is in her second year at Western, this is her second quarter writing for The Front and she is majoring in News Editorial Journalism. Katherine can be spotted out hiking, on long walks around town or with her eyes glued to a book in her spare time. You can reach her at katherinekonickedunlop.thefront@gmail.com.
