Mike McLean

Rite Aid consider new store on Spokane's North Side

Rite Aid aims to construct freestanding structure on mall's northern side

February 16, 2012

Rite Aid Corp., the Camp Hill, Pa.-based pharmacy and retail store chain, plans to construct a stand-alone store in the north portion of the Franklin Park Commons shopping center where it would move an existing outlet from another part of the is to

Fuel cell maker ReliOn forecasts big growth surge

Fuel cell maker expands markets, says profitability closer

February 16, 2012

Mike McLean

ReliOn Inc., the Spokane Valley maker of fuel-cell-powered critical backup power systems, says it expects strong revenue growth this year and to attain profitability next year through expanding markets, new product sales, and general settling in on

Steady SBA loan demand expected

Recently implemented incentives encourage post-recession growth, Inland Northwest lenders say

February 2, 2012

Mike McLean

New loan incentives available through the U.S. Small Business Administration are keeping the total SBA loan volume here above pre-recession levels, despite the depletion of stimulus measures that spurred lending in 2010, some lenders here without a

Restaurant near Hope to fall for highway bridge

Trestle Creek Inn stands in right of way for planned improvements, ITD says

February 2, 2012

Mike McLean

The Idaho Transportation Department is in the final stages of acquiring the Trestle Creek Inn building and plans to demolish the longtime night club near Hope, Idaho, to make way for highway improvements, says Barbara Babic, ITD spokeswoman.The

Condron Homes starts 'Made in America' push

Builder: Most imported materials can be sourced from U.S. manufacturers

February 2, 2012

Mike McLean

Prominent Spokane homebuilder Condron Homes LLC is constructing a home with all American-made materials and plans to expand the concept to all of the homes the company builds in the future, says Corey Condron, the company's owner.Home was to at

North Idaho grocers erect 12th store in Bonners Ferry

Super 1 outlet to hire about 85 employees; June opening planned

February 2, 2012

Mike McLean

Manito Super 1 Foods Inc., a Spokane company owned by Hayden-based, father-and-son grocers Ron and Randy McIntire, is constructing a supermarket in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, it 12th overall.The project cost will total about $10 million, including 1

Kalispels look to expand Fatburger franchise here

Economic development agency aims for growth outside current holdings

February 2, 2012

Mike McLean

The Kalispel Tribe of Indians is looking to expand its Fatburger franchise, starting with an outlet in Spokane.Representatives of the Kalispel Tribal Economic Authority met recently with city planners to look into opening a Fatbuger restaurant a

Hotel completes two-year, $4.6 million update project

DoubleTree adds Hilton to name, capping off upgrades

February 2, 2012

Mike McLean

The DoubleTree hotel downtown has completed a two-year, $4.6 million update topped with a name change that references its parent company.Mike McLeod, the hotel's general manager, says the name change to Double Tree by Hilton Spokane City Center,

Incoming residents increase

Licenses surrendered here from other states rise, reversing trend

February 2, 2012

Mike McLean

Out-of-state driver's licenses surrendered in Spokane County increased in 2011 for the second consecutive year following three years of steep declines, but economic analysts have varying views on what that means for the economy here.One analyst

Kodiak security firm emphasizes academy-style training

Continuing programs help reduce liabilities, retain career employees

January 19, 2012

Mike McLean

Spokane security company Kodiak Security Services Inc. emphasizes continued training in an effort to set itself apart from other security firms, says Michael Novak, the company's sales account manager.Kodiak's services range from event ushers to