In keeping with the building’s history of hosting an Italian restaurant, the Old City Hall will be home to a Seattle-based restaurateur known for his Italian cuisine. 

Ethan Stowell, CEO and founder of Ethan Stowell Restaurants, is bringing his popular Italian restaurant, Tavolàta, to downtown Spokane as the anchor tenant in the Old City Hall building, at 221 N. Wall. 

The company has leased 5,000 square feet of space on the first floor of the building, according to a press release from Spokane-based real estate company NAI Black. 

The first floor of the building formerly was occupied by an Olive Garden restaurant, until the company closed the location in May 2015. 

Ethan Stowell Restaurants operates two Tavolàta restaurants in the Seattle area. 

“I’ve always been impressed by Spokane’s beauty and vibrant culinary scene,” says Stowell in a prepared statement. “When the opportunity arose for us to cross the mountains and create a restaurant in such an amazing place, we jumped at it.” 

Improvements to the space, which will include a main dining room with seating for 172 guests, lounge area, bar, and two private dining rooms, is already underway. The restaurant also will have an outdoor patio with seating for an additional 30 people. 

The restaurant is expected to open late this year or in early 2021. 

Building permits on file with the city of Spokane also indicate the company is planning a second, smaller location in the Wonder Building, at 835 N. Post.  

According to the permits, which have been issued, a Tavolàta Mini restaurant is planned to occupy just under 1,600 square feet in the building. 

Ethan Stowell Restaurants is also the food partner of Flatstick Pub in both South Lake Union and here in downtown Spokane, according to the company website. 

Jon Jeffreys and Chris Bell, of NAI Black, represented Wall Street LLC in leasing the space.