Starla’s, the natural-wine bar and sourdough pizza project that debuted in downtown Bellingham in 2024, quietly wrapped service on March 28, 2026 as the co-owners said they are moving the concept back to Seattle. The Seattle version is set to lean into a fuller pizzeria operation with table service and more pies, with an opening window sometime between late 2026 and early 2027. The sudden exit has Bellingham diners caught off guard and Seattle pizza fans already scouting for a new slice destination.
On its homepage, the business now lists a Seattle relaunch timeline and notes the Bellingham storefront “has permanently closed as of 3/28/26,” according to Starla's website. The site also directs visitors to the restaurant’s Instagram account for updates and offers a contact email for press inquiries and bookings.
Owners Jordan Koplowitz and Christy Wyble laid out more of the reasoning in an Instagram post that local outlets picked up. WhatNow reported that the post said the team had “decided to move back to Seattle” and told followers to “expect a legit pizzeria.” The message also left room for the still-evolving logistics, noting there is “no signed lease yet” while promising more details soon.
James Beard nod and timing
Jordan Koplowitz, Starla’s chef and co-owner, was named a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist in the Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific category, a nod that has helped raise the restaurant’s profile, according to the James Beard Foundation. The recognition lands just as the team says it wants to shift the concept back toward a full-service pizzeria in a larger city like Seattle.
Seattle roots and what to expect
Koplowitz and Wyble are already familiar names to many Seattle diners. They were among the partners behind Capitol Hill pizzeria Blotto before that project closed, according to CHS. In Bellingham, Starla’s built a reputation for natural wines and ultra-crispy, long-fermented sourdough pies, and the owners say the Seattle outpost will expand seating and service while keeping the pizza-first focus intact.
What’s next in Bellingham and Seattle
Back in Bellingham, the Herald Building space is already spoken for. Reporting shows it is set to become a new pizza-and-wine spot called Pendino as Starla’s hands the address to another operator. Cascadia Daily News reported that Pendino plans to open in the same 1149 N. State St. space in May, a quick turnaround that keeps the downtown restaurant shuffle moving.
Seattle diners wondering where Starla’s will land next are being directed to track the rollout on the restaurant’s official site and social channels, where the team is asking fans to stay tuned for lease news and opening events. For now, the closure in Bellingham and the planned Seattle relaunch mark the end of one chapter and the start of another in the duo’s restaurant story, according to Starla's website.
