Third Planet Boutique — Attraction in Bellingham

Not a great vibe, something has changed. Third Planet always felt more than a store, it was an experience, a place I would always take friends to from out of town, to walk or drive by and smile, to find gifts for birthdays, and to wander in when the inspiration hit, find that magical little thing that just clicks. I went in today though, and it just felt…hollow. I waited at the back counter for 5 minutes (clocked it), one of the floor staff looked busy heading up the stairs, made brief eye contact and I smiled at them, and patiently waited. But then when they came down, they looked the other way and just stood there. A quick “excuse me, could I get some help?” with an upbeat tone. Definitely within earshot, but no help, no acknowledgment. It didn’t feel good. This place that always felt like synchronicity, a focal point of community and connection, especially after living in Lawrence, KS for a few years, where the only other Third Planet exists, but now it just felt like a business. Sure, maybe it is only business, and this post may expose me to criticism of being impatient or putting too much expectation into this place; but if it’s only a business, I can just shop online, right? If I don’t like it then leave? Bad attitudes can see themselves out? Bummed to even think this way.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a niche store, lots of interesting things to purchase. Spend your money if you’ve got it… but the vibes are off, for me anyway. Maybe this just isn’t a place for me anymore. I probably won’t come back now, and won’t want to bring folks here anymore, and walking by will only feel nostalgic for something that may have never existed in the first place. Doesn’t...

Very cute shop and cute items. Staff said hello, but talked amongst themselves about their lives while I was shopping, which is fine. I would’ve asked if I needed help with anything. I would have given five stars except I purchased an item there for $32.95. The same exact item is online for $18.90, but I would rather support a small business. But, I digress.

The only problem I had was when I checked out, the cashier gave me an option to give a tip. Why would I give a tip for going into a store walking around and making my own purchase? No one helped me find anything, the people that were working, were talking amongst themselves about their personal lives and when I went to check out, I was the one that greeted the cashier.

As a consumer, I would advise getting rid of this, It makes customers feel cringe and for me a little bit irritated to be asked to pay extra for items that are already priced almost double what they can find elsewhere. I get that you’re a small business, but if you’re charging that much for the items that you’re selling, perhaps offer your staff better wages instead of asking your customers to tip on top of the price they’re paying...

It's a nice store with many locally made options, but it's pricy. Very pricy compared to other similar stores such as The Stone Moon and Karma Cards in bellingham. A resin necklace here is almost 30$ and i got a real crystal, hand wire wrapped necklace at KC for 15$. I understand locally made = local support and perhaps buying at a higher price, but not that much. The crystals are also spendy. I spent 20$ on an opalite TOWER at KC, if i wanted a raw small gemstone here it would be the same price. Most shops that sell glass pieces only require you to have an ID to buy, not just to look. As well as the fact most glass shops sell to 18+ (such as Gathering Glass) not 21+(here) and most glass shops have better prices as well (Gathering Glass or Sugar on Magnolia). While the stone moon and karma cards may not have such a vast array of options, between the 3 stores of Gathering Glass, Stone Moon, and Karma Cards, i think you'd get a lot more bang for your buck between them, than to shop here solely. Thats not to say it isn't a nice store with nice stuff and a really nice crystal selection, because...