Submitted by: Bayou on Bay
In April of 2007, Bayou on Bay opened the doors to Bellingham’s first Cajun and Creole Restaurant on the corner of Holly and Bay street in the heart of Downtown Bellingham. What was to become the bustling Arts District in later years was then a humble street corner with no proud spire sculpture and a dangerously close proximity to Prospect Street cutting right in front of the restaurant.
When owner Steve Crosier opened those doors with his two daughters, they did so with a lot of hope, an incredible passion, over 30 years of experience and all of their eggs in that one basket. They built this dream with their own money, opting to invest their life savings and retirement fund over taking out loans. To the Crosier family, this meant that the business couldn’t fail.
And fail it certainly did not.
Ten years later, Bayou on Bay is still standing strong on that now vibrant street corner, and the hardworking staff is preparing to celebrate their 10th Anniversary with a full weekend of festivities including live music and a plethora of throwback specials.
The celebration begins on Friday, April 7 with the launch of the $10 Throwback menu. Classic favorites from the years are back (and cheap!) Including Blackened Rockfish, Gator Dip, Oyster Po Boys, BBQ Prawn Skewers, Smoked Chicken Salad, Roast Beef Po Boys and more, available all weekend. Visit Bayou during the April Art Walk, indulge in some delicious original dishes and share a toast to a great decade.
Brunch kicks off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 8 with the legendary build-your-own-bloody mary bar available until 3 p.m. There will be surprise bursts of live music throughout the day. Enjoy a $6 Throwback Happy Hour menu from 4-7 and 10-close, where all featured cocktails will be only $6, the price they were when Bayou first opened!
Sunday brunch opens again at 10 a.m. and 10 percent of all sales that day will be donated to the Opportunity Council. The $10 Throwback menu will be available all weekend long, as well as delicious house-made birthday cake. In addition, each patron will receive a raffle ticket with their bill. Fill it out and you will be entered to win one of 10 Bayou on Bay gift cards, with the grand prize card having a $100 value! Winners will be drawn and notified on Monday, April 10.
In a town with a seemingly quick turnover of restaurants, a decade feels even more meaningful and the Bayou crew doesn’t hesitate a moment to credit the community for its thriving success. “It is because of the support of this amazing community that we’re still serving lunch and dinner six days a week in the Bayou Bar and Restaurant, hosting weekly events in the Annex Bar and jumping at any chance to give back,” explains manager Josh Holland. “We currently host a monthly bingo night with proceeds benefitting a different nonprofit each time and Bayou on Bay is excited to extend the charitable gesture to the Anniversary weekend. We will be donating 10 percent of all sales on Sunday, April 9 to the Opportunity Council to support their work to end homelessness in Bellingham.”
When asked about what Bayou has done differently and what could be attributed to the longevity of this restaurant, owner Steve Crosier again credits the patrons. “So many people are rigid in their thinking when opening a restaurant. They want to make their business exactly how they envision it and how they want it to be. But it’s not about that. It’s what the customer wants. You have to listen to your customers.”
One thing that stands out about Bayou on Bay is the incredibly tight-knit staff. Many members of the front and back of house staff have worked at Bayou for almost as long as it’s been around. There is definitely a palpable family vibe, despite the fact that Crosier’s daughters have now moved away from Bellingham to finish college, pursue their own careers and raise their families. “My daughters always say that one of my best qualities is surrounding myself with great people,” says Crosier. “The restaurant business as a whole can attract a motley group, but we’ve had success. We have some truly great people at Bayou.”
Here’s to the next ten years.
