Submitted by: Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce
The Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Bellinghamopoly, the Bellingham-themed monopoly game which features local businesses, events and parks is available in local stores for holiday gifting.
The game can be purchased at Whatcom County Haggen locations, Woods Coffee shops, Village Books and Paper Dreams, the Whatcom Museum, Launching Success, Greenhouse, Yeager’s Sporting Goods, The Chrysalis Inn & Spa, Home2 Suites by Hilton and the Western Washington University student bookstore on campus.
The game pieces are inspired by icons of the Bellingham community; tokens include a coffee cup from Woods Coffee, a book from Village Books, a Viking Helmet from Western Washington University, a Haggen shopping cart, a statue from Mount Baker Theatre with the final token being chosen by the community with a social media contest.
Board spaces are sponsored by iconic member businesses, events and parks. “We planned the game board intentionally to focus on places and events that people would recognize. We want it to be fun for locals and visitors,” said Shelli Jones, Marketing Coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce.
In Bellinghamopoly, the railroad properties have been converted to Port of Bellingham properties and the Boardwalk is occupied by WWU. In lieu of a jail, players will find themselves with a sprain and sent to the waiting room at Care Medical Group.
The community cards—traditionally known as “chance” cards—are represented by local nonprofits and community organizations. The customizable cards feature logos and verbiage to reinforce the local identity of the game. One example is:
You adopted a pet from the Whatcom Humane Society! Move ahead to the park and take a walk! If you pass start, collect $200.
The idea for creating this community-focused game came from Bellingham City Councilwoman Pinky Vargas who had been inspired by the 2017 Lyndenopoly game. “Pinky recommended that the chamber of commerce look into a Bellingham-themed monopoly game. The chamber staff enthusiastically took that idea and started working on it twelve months ago.
“We were encouraged to learn that the games are made in the USA and are earth-friendly,” said Jones.
Proceeds of the game will benefit the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization.
Late for the Sky is the game design company based in Cincinnati, Ohio which specializes in creating custom “opoly” games.
Late for the Sky Production Company began making specialty board games in 1984. They are dedicated to working toward the manufacturing of completely earth-friendly games. One-hundred percent of the unused paper involved in making games is recycled. The fiberboard used in making the set-up boxes and game boards is all recycled material. Late for the Sky is an alcohol free printing operation that uses only soy based inks. Corn based shrink wrap is currently being used and will soon replace all petroleum based shrink film. Plastic game trays that hold game parts, currently a high impact styrene, are being replaced by a water bottle grade #1 recyclable material. Metal game tokens are being transitioned from lead-free pewter to zinc. Recycled glass is becoming an alternative to styrene “house and hotel” game pieces. All of their games are made in the USA – produced in Late for the Sky’s Cincinnati facility. The game parts are all domestic, and most are produced less than 50 miles from the operation.
The Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce has been serving its members and the local business community for more than 100 years as the voice of business in Bellingham and Whatcom County. The Chamber is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit that promotes the community and a strong economy; provides programs and events for its members; facilitates factually based dialog between business, the government and the community; and represent business interests with government and the community.
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