The former Red Lion Pub space, located within the 115-year-old building at 126 N. Division, has entered a new era.

Pure Northwest opened its doors June 28, nearly seven months after the closure of Red Lion Pub at that location.

“I think most people, when they come in and had been in when it was the Red Lion, immediately notice some of the changes, as far as décor,” says Frances Brown, co-owner of the new cocktail bar and eatery.

Brown and Darin Talotti, Pure Northwest’s other co-owner, say they hope their new establishment will become a staple in the downtown district that is home to nearby nightlife spots like Globe Bar & Kitchen, Borracho Tacos & Tequileria, and Fast Eddies Bar & Grill.

“I know that it takes time to build it up,” says Talotti. “The goal is to keep building it up over the next couple of years and hopefully get a steady flow.”

Talotti is no stranger to the restaurant industry in Spokane.

The serial restaurateur previously owned Pacific Avenue Pizza, in Browne’s Addition; was part-owner of The Viking, in Spokane’s North Bank neighborhood; helped open North Hill on Garland Restaurant & Bar; was part-owner of Whisk, a whiskey bar downtown; and has been involved in multiple other ventures in the hospitality sector.

Talotti’s dad and brother owned the Red Lion Pub before the last owner.

That prior relationship ultimately led to Talotti coming back to Spokane after a roughly four-year stint in San Diego and starting Pure Northwest with Brown and Scott Hooper, a minority owner of East4main LLC, the legal name of the cocktail lounge.

“The landlord was familiar with me and asked me if I would come back and run a restaurant,” Talotti says.

Pure Northwest is Brown’s first entrepreneurial endeavor in the restaurant world, although she has worked in the industry on and off since she was 16. She also owns a cleaning business.

The new downtown business is intended to have an upscale, lounge-like atmosphere—more like a laid-back cocktail bar than a sports bar—but offer affordability, Talotti explains.

“It’s hard now to go out and spend less than 50 bucks a person when you actually plan on hanging out there for a little while,” Talotti says. “We want to try and create that atmosphere here where your dollar goes a little further.”

The food menu includes starters like fried bread, honey Brussels sprouts, fried pickles and andouille sausage, fries with curds and gravy, poke nachos, and a charcuterie board.

A smash burger, cheesesteak, Italian sandwich, and a few vegan options headline the handhelds section on the menu. Multiple salads and a couple of dessert options also are available.

A cocktail menu, created by Talotti and a bar owner he collaborated with in San Diego, includes almost 20 cocktails that accompany the establishment’s full bar.

“We wanted nicer drinks, but at an approachable price,” Talotti says.

Brown and Talotti had the space renovated to increase the vibrancy, but much of the existing woodwork and brick features remain the same. The building’s original bar, which Talotti says dates back to the early 1900s, also was left alone.

A small patio area on the Main Avenue side of the building also was added.

The iconic brick building, which still has the easily recognizable Red Lion logo painted on its south side, is being sold to a new owner, Talotti says. The transaction is expected to be completed this month.

The new owner plans to transform the now-vacant apartments located above the Pure Northwest space into Airbnb units, Talotti says.

Brown and Talotti plan to add a brunch service in the near future.

“We plan on doing brunch come football season,” Talotti says. “We’ll open at 9 a.m. possibly on Saturdays and Sundays for college football and the NFL. It’s not a sports bar, but we want you to be able to watch a game.”

Pure Northwest currently is open 11 a.m.-11p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11-1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

While the focus currently is on getting Pure Northwest up and running, Talotti leaves the door open for potential expansion or a similar business venture.

“Based on how it’s going, hopefully we open up another similar type of spot at a different location,” he says.

Small Bites

*Tractor Supply Co. held its grand opening last month at the former Shopko building, at 13414 E. Sprague, in Spokane Valley. The Brentwood, Tennessee-based company also has locations in Deer Park, Coeur d’Alene, Athol, and Kellogg, Idaho.

*Rosie’s Restaurant opened this week, a couple months later than originally expected, at 909 W. First, in downtown Spokane. The new brunch spot is a new addition to Jerry Dicker’s Ruby Hospitality portfolio. The eatery is open 7 a.m.-2 p.m. daily.