Fairhaven's Favorite - The Colophon Cafe and Deli

The Legendary Colophon Cafe and Deli in Bellingham, Washington



"Mama Colophon", the imaginary founder and logo of the Colophon Cafe came about in 1985, when the cafe opened. Serving only lattes, ice cream and bagels with cream cheese, all containing milk products, the proprietors decided a cow was a likely mascot. After purchasing a cow silk-screen for the wall, the rest was history. Now, there are hundreds of cow items throughout the restaurant. Cows peer from every wall and post. Our Holstein menus greet visitors to the downstairs part of the cafe, while a large cow mural graces the brick wall in the upstairs deli over the ice cream counter. Mama Colophon has a lot to say, too, in the Colophon Cafe's cookbooks. Her thought provoking quotes are liberally scattered through the books for amusement as well as education. Our 'real' owners are Chris Brainard and David Killian. Both David and Chris were employees first; they loved the Colophon Cafe so much, they bought the place!

Our Fairhaven History The building housing the Colophon Cafe in historic Fairhaven was built in 1891 and served as a meeting hall for several "Secret Societies" of Fairhaven, including the Knights of Pythias. An ancient ballroom still occupies the vacant upper stories In 1893, McIntosh Hardware made its home here. Other businesses located on the main floor throughout the century have been "Norman's Clothing Store", "Kulshan Variety Store", and during the prohibition, a speakeasy operated here. The Colophon Cafe opened in 1985. The downstairs area of the Colophon was added where a hardware store had once stored merchandise. This basement area can still be identified by the oversized pillars (used to support the appliances displayed the floor above, and the antique, hand operated elevator which transported items to the next floor. It is said the elevator is still functional, although the city doesn't take kindly to rope operated conveyances.

Cow Paraphernalia

The Colophon Cafe in historic Fairhaven is a cow lovers paradise! With a cow for a logo, pictures, ceramics and lights began to appear all over the restaurant from the day it opened. Customers kept trying to buy the decor, so we began stocking items for sale.

Shelves in the upstairs Deli of the cafe display quality T-shirts by Vermont artist Woody Jackson along with his postcards, aprons and mugs. Ceramics, collectible salt and pepper shakers, plates, and many other items dot the shelves. Cow lights and aprons are also available for purchase to complement any decor.

Cow mania is big! And cow lovers will find their heart's desire at the Colophon Cafe.