Mobile auto service comes to Spokane

 

A Seattle-based entrepreneur has hired what could be considered the equivalent of a travelling mechanic for the Spokane market.

Now with a full-time mechanic here, Wrench Inc. seeks to remove the logistical challenges of its customers having to leave home for auto repair work.

Edward Petersen, who has family spread across Eastern Washington, formed Wrench Inc. at the end of November 2015 and it debuted in Seattle the following May. This month, Spokane became the company’s fifth market—after Seattle, Phoenix, San Diego and Portland—to employ a Wrench mechanic.

“As someone who’s a tech person myself, it’s such a fun business to be a part of,” says Petersen, who lives in Seattle. “The whole idea is for the customer to schedule an appointment when it’s convenient for them.”

Appointments are scheduled through the Wrench’s website, www.getwrench.com.

Wrench mechanics are full-time employees for the company. Currently, 50 mechanics work for Wrench.

“We can do about 80 percent of the work of a full-service auto shop. We’re not doing heavy transmission work in your driveway,” he says.

Routine oil changes, brake work, and tune-ups are the most common jobs performed on cars. Wrench has performed more than 25,000 auto jobs this year, he says.

“Word-of-mouth has quickly spread and we’re already drawing a large list of repeat customers,” he says.

—Kevin Blocker

 

 

Eye clinic relocates North Side practice

 

Eye Consultants Spokane PS has moved to 9911 N. Nevada, on Spokane’s North Side, from its previous location in the Holy Family Medical Building, at 235 E. Rowan.

“We occupied our old space for close to 30 years, until we moved at the end of September,” says Ann Gower, the clinic’s office manager. “Our first day seeing patients here was Oct. 2.”

The practice was founded in 1980 by Dr. David N. Cohen and was purchased in 2008 by Dr. Gary Fillmore.

Gower says the new location is a 5,600-square-foot basement suite that includes space for the clinic’s optical services, which have been renamed Eye Consultants-Optical.

Eye Consultants, which has a staff of 18, offers adult and pediatric eye exams, treatment of eye disorders, custom cataract surgery, laser eye surgeries, contact lenses, and a full-service optical shop.

Gower says the new space includes new equipment and a more efficient layout, which should allow for an overall better experience for both patients and staff.

“We’re still fine-tuning equipment and other details, but things are going well,” says Gower. “We’ve been well received and are welcoming new patients.”

—LeAnn Bjerken

 

 

Ex-Clover managers to open new taqueria

 

A new, locally owned and operated fast-casual taco shop is coming in February to downtown Spokane.

The restaurant, known as Cochinito Taqueria, will be a joint venture by chef Travis Dickinson and his business partner, Justin Curtis. 

Both Dickinson and Curtis previously worked for Clover, a fine-dining restaurant at 913 E. Sinto, near Gonzaga University.

Dickinson served as Clover’s executive chef for three years, while Curtis had been as the restaurant’s front manager since its opening in 2012.

“We both kind of wanted to start something on our own that offers the quality of fine dining and locally sourced food, in a more approachable, affordable setting,” says Dickinson.

Cochinito Taqueria will be located in a 3,000-square-foot former restaurant space, on the ground floor of the Peyton Building, at 10 N. Post, next door the Volstead Act bar and near the Spokane Transit Authority plaza.

Dickinson says he and Curtis are remodeling the space, which they’re leasing from Spokane-based commercial real estate brokerage Kiemle & Hagood Co.

“Most of the work is cosmetic, so we’re pushing hard for an early February opening,” he says. “It’s a great area and an awesome location for a restaurant, so we’re pretty excited.”

In addition to himself and Curtis, Dickinson says he plans to hire at least 14 new employees to staff the restaurant.

Dickinson says Cochinito, which translates to English as “little pig,” will serve appetizers, tacos, Mexican bowls, combo meals, and several dessert options. He says the restaurant also will offer a selection of beer, wine, and cocktails.

—LeAnn Bjerken

 

 

PT studio set to be renamed Elevation

 

Physical Therapy Associates PS, on Spokane’s South Hill, says it will open its new fitness studio early next month.

Elevation Fitness is a workout studio located on the second floor of Physical Therapy Associates, which is located at 2507 E. 27th.

Physical Therapy Associates owner Kelly Risse says Elevation Fitness previously was known as merely “the studio” by its clientele.

“The studio had grown in such popularity that it needed a proper name,” Risse says in announcing the change. “It felt like a great time to rebrand the studio.”

The studio will continue along its path of offering individual instruction from certified instructors in group class settings.

The fitness club offers classes ranging from gentle yoga to high intensity circuit workouts.

Elevation Fitness will offer free classes during the week of Jan. 8.

Physical Therapy Associates is located in an 11,300-square-foot building with a main floor and a mezzanine level. 

The group, which specializes in orthopedic and sports-related rehabilitation, moved to its current location at the end of 2012 from a 3,050-square-foot building at 3020 S. Grand Blvd.

Risse’s father, John Risse, founded the practice in 1990.

—Kevin Blocker