Retail

Businesses along Monroe Street resist 'road diet'

Owners say project could be devastating

September 8, 2016

The city of Spokane has begun work on design plans for a project that it says will improve safety, enhance the streetscape, and reconfigure traffic on North Monroe Street. Although the $4.1 million project isn't due to start construction until 2018, it

Taco Time building on North Ruby set to become a Starbucks cafÃ©

Remodeling to start soon, opening planned for spring

August 25, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Utah-based Wadsworth Development Group & Property Management, which owns the Taco Time fast-food restaurant at 1310 N. Ruby, says the building soon will be converted into a Starbucks outlet. Parker Robertson, Utah-based project manager for Wadsworth, sa

Quilting Bee starts work on new building in Spokane Valley

Barn-style structure to be finished early next year

August 25, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Spokane Valley-based retailer The Quilting Bee Inc. has started construction of a $1.4 million building at 16002 E. Broadway. The company plans to move to the new facility from its current location at 12117 E. Mission early next year.

Goodwill to build new store in Post Falls, plans new outlet in Spokane

Spokane outlet will occupy former Albertsons space

August 25, 2016

Mike McLean

Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest will open a new thrift store in northwest Spokane and will move its Post Falls store to a $3 million facility to be constructed there, says Clark Brekke, president of the Spokane-based nonprofit. In all, Goodwi

Feeding demand for health meal delivery in Spokane

Pantry Fuel owner projects doubling of customer base

August 25, 2016

Linn Parish

Young Spokane-based meal-delivery service Pantry Fuel LLC expects to ramp up growth of its customer base this year, says company founder and owner Jennifer Van Cott. Formed in late 2014 and focusing on healthy foods made with locally sourced ingredients,

Feed Spokane sees number of food donors double

Officials say donations, volunteers still needed

August 25, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Feed Spokane, a Spokane-based nonprofit that retrieves excess food from restaurants and helps organize its redistribution to needy individuals, says while it has doubled its food donor participation this last year, it could still use more. The organizat

RV loan demand speeds ahead

Consumer confidence a contributing factor

August 11, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Both lenders and dealers say consumer interest in recreational vehicle loans has grown here this year, as unemployment and gas prices remain low and buyers remain confident about the economy. While many people might think of motor homes when they hear t

General Growth Properties sees drop in earnings

GGP reports rise in its rental rates

August 11, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

General Growth Properties Inc., the Chicago-based company that owns and operates both the NorthTown Mall and Spokane Valley Mall, has reported a decrease in second-quarter earnings compared with the year-earlier period. The company posted second-quarter

New owner renovates Trade Winds Motor Inn

Iconic motor inn to reopen as Howard Johnson hotel

July 28, 2016

Mike McLean

A Howard Johnson hotel franchisee is fanning new life into the long-vacant Trade Winds Motor Inn on the southwest corner of Third Avenue and Lincoln Street downtown. David Malik, a principal in Portland-based franchisee Comfort Hospitality LLC, says he l

Allsport opens Indian Motorcycle dealership

Liberty Lake power sports center expands

July 28, 2016

Mike McLean

Allsport, a recreational motorsports dealership in Liberty Lake, is now the Indian Motorcycle dealer for the Spokane and Inland Northwest market, says Allsport owner Eric Holt. Holt says he recently expanded the Allsport facility at 19595 E. Broadway wi