10/06/2026
Thank you Downtown Bellingham! We're thrilled to be a part of the community.
I CHOOSE DOWNTOWN: Ritual Records 🎶
For Ritual Records owner Cory Blackwood, Downtown Bellingham has always been home. After 23 years in Bellingham, he knew that when the opportunity came to open his own business, there was really only one place he wanted to be.
“I’ve always loved downtown. Downtown is the hub of culture for Whatcom County.”
And Ritual Records itself has a pretty great downtown origin story: when Everyday Music announced it was closing, Cory was a regular customer. He reached out to the owner, quit a job he didn’t love, and negotiated a purchase of the business, turning a longtime love of records into a downtown business of his own.
Today, Ritual Records has grown a community of regulars while continuing to bring in new customers and expand its collection of music and art. Their advice for a perfect visit? Always check the new arrivals first, then take your time digging - you never know what hidden gem you might find.
For Ritual Records, choosing downtown means being surrounded by music, art, food, culture, and a community of fellow businesses, and having plenty of opportunities to collaborate with them along the way.
That’s why they choose Downtown. ❤️
