The residents of Liberty Lake spoke. Vanessa Orozco listened.

Now, Chavelitas Pub Grill & Cantina, a restaurant that is a fusion of Mexican and American cuisine, is set to open in June at Liberty Lake’s new Trailhead Golf Course clubhouse, says Vanessa, who co-owns the restaurant with her dad, Tony Orozco, and other family members. 

The City of Liberty Lake council members approved the lease with a 5-to-2 vote at a meeting in January, following an eight-month-long application process, Vanessa says.

“When I first presented my (proposal), I presented a full-blown Mexican restaurant,” she says. “But they said, ‘no Mexican food.’ I took the feedback they gave me, and two weeks later, I returned with the same presentation, but I changed the menu.”

Prior to its demolition in 2022, the former clubhouse at 22304 W. Country Vista Drive was occupied by Palenque Mexican Restaurant, which moved to 21951 E. Country Vista Drive. 

The decision to lease the space to Chavelitas was based on the best business case for the city, says Lisa Key, Liberty Lake's director of planning and engineering.

“Because we have a number of Mexican restaurants in the city, they felt it was important they had a variety on the menu,” Key says. “That’s what (the council) heard from the residents. They wanted a variety at the restaurant.”

Although a large number of applicants initially showed interest, the final number came down to three restaurants, including Chavelitas, Saranac, and Kasé, a sushi restaurant, says Key. 

Vanessa and Tony Orozco, co-owners of Chavelitas, have found success with both American and Mexican cuisine at Casey's Place and Las Chavelas. (Photo by Tina Sulzle)

The Orozcos currently own Casey’s Place, a popular sandwich shop located in Spokane Valley, and Coeur d’Alene-based Mexican restaurant Las Chavelas, which Tony founded 34 years ago. 

“I’m really excited for the fusion part,” says Vanessa. “Because the fusion part isn’t just going to be from Casey’s Place or Las Chavelas, it’s a fusion of American and Mexican culture.”

The menu at Chavelitas, a name coined by her sister, Diana Orozco, and refers to a petite version of Las Chavelas, will include a mixture of Casey’s Place and Las Chavelas signature items, including the Casey’s Club, a reuben, and both cobb and chef salads. Menu items from Las Chavelas will include enchiladas, tacos, and pollo al creme.

Vanessa is also getting creative and combining the two cultures with new food items, including a Mexican-inspired French dip with carne asada and a few items she wants to keep secret until the restaurant opens.

Chavelitas will feature a full bar, complete with signature tequila and mezcal cocktails, beer, and wine.

Although she’s worked at Las Chavelas and Casey’s Place since she was 14, it wasn’t until the pandemic hit that Vanessa really made her mark on the family-owned business.

“I knew sales were a big deal and the pandemic hit, and I had to get really smart,” Vanessa says. “I had to do Door Dash. I had to do Uber. I created family packs. I put us all on Instagram and social media and we got a big following and a lot of support. I grew the business to double what it was in sales.”

She attributes the success to providing customers with an inexpensive alternative to at-home cooking. 

"We created family meals with enchiladas, rice and beans, and chips and salsa," Vanessa says. "And we only charged $30. I wasn't doing it to make money, I was doing it to help people out. I knew the support and love would be returned back to me, and it was." 

Vanessa, now 32, says taking over her dad’s business wasn’t always the plan.

"I was going to be an attorney," says Vanessa."But I love doing business... my brain just works that way. I love hospitality."

When she went to work for her dad, she made it clear she wanted to eventually take over ownership.

Tony, who has started seven restaurants in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, has had his eye on the clubhouse for nearly three decades.

“For thirty years, I’ve wanted to go into Liberty Lake,” he says. 

Vanessa’s brother, Seattle-based architect Orlando Orozco, designed the restaurant based on a Palm Springs-themed vibe, she says.

The 1,800-square-foot restaurant will seat 90 people and include a lounge and patio overlooking the golf course.

Chavelitas will hire 20 new employees to start. The restaurant will be open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Vanessa said she’s proud to follow in her dad’s footsteps as a restaurant owner.

“I don’t want to say I learned more than I did in college, but I learned a lot from my dad,” Vanessa says. “I owe a lot of my success to my dad.”

Small Bites

*Wallaroo’s Furniture and Mattress is closing its North side store location after six years in business, says owner Nathan Chetrit.

Located at 1001 N. Division, the closing date will depend on how much inventory they have left, says Chetrit. “Probably within the next month or two, as long as inventory lasts.”

Chetrit owns nine Wallaroo stores across Washington, Montana, Utah, and Idaho. The Spokane Valley location, located at 12614 E. Sprague, will remain open.

“The homeless population on Division has been an issue,” Chetrit says. “We hear from our customers they would rather go to the Valley area because they feel more safe.”

* Soulful Soup & Spirits, located at 117 N. Howard, is closing its doors after 25 years in business, says owner Lauren D’Arienzo.

The building owners sold the property, and D’Arienzo says she was unable to extend the lease.

The restaurant and bar, which has been open since January 2000, will close April 17. She purchased the restaurant in 2011.

D’Arienzo also co-owns the St. Bernard restaurant and lounge at Schweitzer’s ski resort with Scott Lea.