Winco Foods is planning a $7 million remodel of the former Joe's Sports store next to the Value Village on east Bellis Fair Parkway, according to the Bellingham Business Journal.
Winco is an employee-owned company known for selling lots of bulk items similar to Costco.
Local Chamber of Commerce President Ken Oplinger says the permit is a sign that there is a demand for this type of store in Bellingham.
He says Winco has considered building a store in Bellingham for the last few years.
The company currently employs more than 14,000 people, and has 86 stores and 4 distribution centers in Washington, Idaho, Nevada, California, Oregon, Utah and Arizona.
