What does a native of Argentina who spent a year living in Utah decide to do after traveling across the Pacific Northwest in search of a permanent home in the U.S.? She builds a women's fashion boutique in Spokane County.

Mountlake Terrace, Washington-based Premera Blue Cross plans to open a new health care clinic later this year at 1601 N. Division, in a space near Gonzaga University that Einstein's Bagels once occupied.

As published earlier this month by the Cheney Free Press, the Spokane Tribe of Indians plans to break ground on a new hotel in Chewelah this summer. That publication also reported the tribe has announced plans to begin construction soon on the second

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Spokane Downtown-South has opened a new, six-story hotel on the lower South Hill that has more than 100 rooms and several amenities for guests.

Transitions, a Spokane-based program that works to end poverty and homelessness for women and children, has moved its New Leaf Café program to the YMCA facility at 930 N. Monroe, from its former location in a Catholic Charities facility at 12 E. Fifth.

Irina Ustimenko is direct when asked why she started a bakery business. 'It was my dream, and I like sweets,” says Ustimenko, who was born and raised in Ukraine before moving to Spokane about 20 years ago.

Nina Booth, operations manager for the Meeting House, in Spokane's South Perry District, says she expects the new café and coffee shop to open Feb. 3. The café is located at 1801 E. 11th, which is two blocks east of South Perry Pizza.

It's only fitting that a former Gonzaga University basketball player, a local physician, a couple of restaurateurs, and a one-time track and field athlete at Spokane Falls Community College team up to purchase a restaurant and bar as eclectic