History

We founders met after church one day at Birch Bay and found ourselves discussing the fact that our region had no educational store or place to buy sound educational gifts for our children and grandchildren. From that point forward we began our dreaming and planning. Launching Success Learning Store opened in May 2003 after a year of extensive research into the needs of educators in our region. We had a lot to learn about business as we were mostly teachers. To our pleasant surprise, folks loved the store and we have grown every year since!

We soon found ourselves working closely with private schools and a growing number of homeschooling parents in addition to our public school teachers and principals.

In 2005 we allied with Dallas Pen Corporation to prepare our general catalog and online store. Our local Chamber of Commerce then heralded us as one of the best new small businesses.

A year later we allied with Appalachia Distributors (also known as STL) to enlarge our homeschooling department and to achieve their designation as HOMESCHOOL HEADQUARTERS for this part of Washington State. Shortly thereafter, we worked with A-1 Uniforms to provide our customers with a wide range of low-cost school uniforms.

Once we moved into our new 5600 square foot building in the Cordata/Bakerview area of Bellingham, we were able to expand by adding a new department in educational games and toys.

Again, we were nominated one of the top 3 best small businesses in Whatcom County.

In 2009 we contracted with TecKnoQuest to provide e-books through our web site.

"We attribute the success of the Learning Store to our co-founders and long-time partners Bob and Sandy Hiorns, who recently retired."

-Barbara and Dan, owners.