Shabby Fabrics  builds new facility

Coeur d’Alene-based quilting company Shabby Fabrics has begun construction of a $1.5 million office and warehouse facility at 3875 N. Schreiber Way. 

Ginno Construction Co., of Coeur d’Alene, is the contractor for the project, and H2A Architects, of Coeur d’Alene, designed the new building.

Shabby Fabrics is an online-only business that specializes in selling quilting fabrics, patterns, books, and laser-cut quilt kits. Owner Jennifer Bosworth says the business currently employs 27 people and is actively hiring. 

Bosworth says the company is now in its 11th year of business and decided to build a new structure as it has begun to outgrow its current space, which is at 3896 N. Schreiber Way, across the street from the planned new building.

“We decided to build rather than buy an existing building, because we like this area and most facilities we found weren’t large enough,” she says. “Construction started mid-September, and we are anticipating moving in by June of 2017.”

Bosworth says the new building will have about 17,300 square feet of space, with 6,300 square feet of that set aside as office space and the remaining 11,000 square feet to be used as warehouse space.

“Everything we need is nearby, including large-format printing companies, the post office, and FedEx,” she says. 

She says the new facility’s design is expected to enable the business to function more efficiently. 

“The flow and speed of order fulfillment will be significantly improved so that most orders can be processed same day,” Bosworth says. 

—LeAnn Bjerken

Retro Donuts set to open later this month

 

Spokane-based Retro Bros Inc., which does business as Retro Donuts, plans to open on Oct. 14 in about 1,700 square feet of leased space at 10925 N. Newport Highway, says John Fine, company president and co-owner. 

The business will offer more than 60 different donut flavors, with about 45 on display daily, says Fine. Maple bacon bars and donuts with tropical fillings are some of the donuts the shop will sell, says Fine. GiGi donuts, which are filled with egg, sausage, gravy, cheese, and Canadian bacon, will be served on Saturdays and Sundays. Lemonade, black coffee, a coffee bar, orange juice, and milk will also be available, he says.

Retro Donuts, which Fine refers to as a “donut experience” rather than a donut shop, will shy away from “crazy toppings,” says Fine, and chooses to go “back to the basics, but with noticeable flavor enhancements and high-quality ingredients.”

A music playlist of nearly 400 songs will add to the retro vibe in the donut shop, says Fine, and the donut making will be in view of the customers. 

The shop will employ three full-time and five part-time workers, he says. 

Retro Donuts will be open Tuesday to Saturday starting at 6 a.m. and Sunday starting at 7 a.m. Closing hours aren’t posted, but the business will be open until at least 3 p.m., says Fine. 

—Samantha Howard

 

Boutique owner starts second shop

Based on the success of Buffalo Girls Vintage LLC, owner Ginger Lyons has started a second jewelry boutique, called Reckless Boutique LLC.

Located at 3103 N. Monroe on Spokane’s North Side, both businesses operate in a 1,800-square-foot converted residence.

“We moved Buffalo Girls upstairs, and Reckless Boutique takes up the entire lower level,” Lyons says.

While Buffalo Girls offers its own line of jewelry, Reckless Boutique relies on other lines of jewelry and curated designs, she says.

Both businesses sell original and repurposed jewelry, home décor, and artwork. Lyons and five employees use salvaged metal for their creations and often stamp it with quotes, names, or inspirational messages for both businesses.

Among some of the more popular items that are starting to emerge are jewelry items made from brass bullet casings, says Lyons, whose husband works in law enforcement.

“As word has spread, we’ve now got agents from the FBI, DEA, Spokane Police and (Spokane County) Sheriff’s Office, and Border Patrol dropping off brass casings so we can repurpose to sell,” says Lyons, a retired military veteran herself.

The brass casings are cut, soldered, and serve as the centerpiece in rings.

“We’ve got cops in here all the time. It’s probably one of the safest places around,” Lyons says.

—Kevin Blocker

Kabob House opens on the North Side

Yakima-based Kabob House Mediterranean Grill has opened a Spokane restaurant in the Ruby Retail Center, at 2118 N. Ruby, on Spokane’s North Side. 

The 2,800-square-foot space that the restaurant occupies formerly housed William Seafood Market & Wine, which closed earlier this year. 

Owner Ahmed Baqer is leasing the space from Ruby Retail LLC. Tim Kestell and Jim Quigley, both of Kiemle & Hagood Co., handled the transaction.  

For only being open for a few weeks, Baqer says so far the restaurant is doing well.

“We’ve been very busy since we opened,” he says. “That was a little surprising since we didn’t do any advertising, just a Facebook announcement. But we’re really happy to be here.” 

Baqer owns two other Kabob House Mediterranean Grill restaurants, opening the first in Yakima in 2009 and a second in Ellensburg last year. 

Baqer says the Spokane restaurant currently employs 22 people, and its most popular items are the chicken kabob and the chicken shawarama. 

All three locations feature the same menu, which includes several Mediterranean dishes, kabobs, sandwiches, pita sandwiches, gyros, salads, appetizer plates, and desserts. 

The restaurant also offers catering for special events, as well as delivery services within a five-mile radius.

—LeAnn Bjerken