Active & outdoor retailer Sierra opening Spokane Valley store this weekend

 

Courtesy photo- Sierra

Part of the TJ Maxx family of brands, Sierra, the off-price retailer known for offering high quality active and outside products at low prices will open their newest store at Evergreen Crossing Shopping Center in Spokane Valley on Saturday, August 23rd. The store is within a 19,000 square foot space at 13824 E. Indiana Ave, and is the second Sierra store in the Inland Northwest as another opened earlier this year near the corner of US 95 and Wilbur Ave. in Coeur d' Alene.

The new Spokane Valley Sierra store will open its doors with a grand opening celebration Saturday starting at 8:00 am, including music from a local DJ, Sierra branded giveaways, and a hidden tag activity offering shoppers a chance to win a Sierra gift card. The store will offer a wide selection of active and outside apparel, footwear, and gear - all from top-tier brands at prices the fit every budget. To support the local community in Spokane Valley, Sierra has made a $10,000 donation to the non-profit organization, Our Place Spokane .

"We're excited to be returning to Washington, bringing Sierra's off-price shopping experience to the residents of Spokane Valley,"  said Amanda Johnson, Assistant Vice President, Marketing Director with Sierra. "Our goal at Sierra is to support and active lifestyle for everyone by providing access to premium apparel, footwear and gear. We're committed to helping people find everything they need to stay moving year-round, doing the activates they love the most."

Sierra was founded in 1986 and is part of TJX Companies,Inc. the leading off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the US and worldwide. The brand reports currently having 132 stores and also sells via its website https://sierra.com

New Planet Fitness coming soon to North Spokane

 

The national fitness club chain, Planet Fitness is expanding and adding to their Inland Northwest presence with a new location now in the permitting phase in North Spokane. The company, operating under Fit SpokNorth,LLC filed for a change of use permit for a new location at 9534 N. Newport Hwy. This will be located in the southern end of the building that was once a Shopko store, just north of The Y in North Spokane. This will be the last vacant space in the building as the other spaces are already occupied by a Ross and HomeGoods stores.

Building plans included in the permit filing show the new Planet Fitness will take a 24,501 square feet space for a gym, storage area, tanning/massage and locker rooms/showers. As the information for this new location is coming from a source other than Planet Fitness or its franchise holder no opening date is available just yet. The tenant improvement project is expected to cost $1.2 million and while the general contractor is shown as TBD, the architect on the project is DKMullin Architects of Moscow,ID.

This will be the fourth Planet Fitness location in Spokane and Kootenai County as others are already open at 1617 W. Northwest Blvd in Spokane, 13112 E. Sprague Ave. in Spokane Valley and 200 W. Hanley in Coeur d' Alene. Planet Fitness is a New Hampshire based company with around 2800 locations in North America, Australia and the Dominican Republic, for more information, visit their website at http://planetfitness.com

You read us, now help us!

 

Nice to meet you! I'm Matt Behringer, writer, editor, CEO and all-around good guy at Inland Northwest Business Watch.

Inland Northwest Business Watch is not a large company with a newsroom, agenda, big high paid staff or really much more than a 40-year guy with an a somewhat unusual obsession with finding and supporting new local businesses. But now that I've built this site many in the Spokane and Kootenai County area do turn to me to find out what's going in there. Sure, I miss a bit, and I misspell somethings or use bad grammar occasionally (and you all love to call me out on those!) but I still love what this site has become. But, despite its small size it's not free to run so it's that time I get to join the crowd of people asking for a bit of your money as a thank you or as a tip.

Donating to Inland Northwest Business Watch is not now, nor will it ever be required but it does help pay the bills that lately have been increasing. For those of you familiar with me , Matt Behringer, that 40-year guy who runs this site you know I relocated at the end of 2023 to Ohio but do the site remotely and with the assistance of Spokane based connections. But my goal is to return to the area more frequently to meet in person with local business owners and those making a difference in the Inland Northwest and donations do assist in this. I want to tell more businesses stories!

Donations will always be available by clicking the "Support us" link at the top of the page. But I also recently added a "Buy Me a Coffee" link as well at the URL listed below. Want to give $2 as a thank you? You're awesome and thank you. Have I helped you find leads and want to make sure this site doesn't go anywhere and toss a larger monthly amount my way? You're also awesome and thank you. Just can't give anything but want to keep checking the site periodically because you want to impress your friends with knowing when a new restaurant is coming to Spokane? You're awesome too and thank you!

Donate via Buy Me a Coffee-

https://buymeacoffee.com/inlandnwbusiness

Photos and leads are welcome!

Another way to support Inland Northwest Business Watch is by being our boots on the ground. As I mentioned, I now live in a small town north of Columbus,OH and do this site remotely from there. I plan to make frequent visits to the Lilac City and might end up living there again in the future but for now this can be a site partially ran by the community. If you know of something opening, even if it's your own business, send me an email and tell me what you know. 

See construction starting somewhere, snap a picture and email it to me! I can and will give you credit, unless you don't want it. 

My email (which I also have to pay for!)-

Matt.Behringer@inlandnwbusiness.com

Thank you for your time! 

New Rum & Tapas Bar coming soon to Downtown Spokane

 

Work and licensing is under way for a new Rum & Tapas bar that is coming soon to Downtown Spokane. Local business owner Brian Harkey, who owns Cease and Desist, also in Downtown Spokane is planning to open a new business called Plunder which will be located at 108 N. Washington Suite 105. The space was last used a long running business called Left Bank Wine Bar.

Plunder doesn't have an opening date as of yet, but they do hope to open with the next couple of months. The place is described as a Rum/Taquila/Mezcal bar with tapas style bites. Food items will be from Latin America with things like Ceviche, Cubano sliders, Empanadas' and similar with many exciting drink options.

A website and social media for Plunder are also coming soon. Keep and eye on the Inland Northwest Business Watch social media in lieu as I plan to include updates as this exciting new eatery progresses.

Avenue29 Apartments now open on the South Hill

 

Courtsey photo - Avenue29 Apartments.

Avenue29 Apartments, a newly constructed 21 unit apartment building is now open and welcoming new residents on the vibrant South Hill. Located off of the intersection of 29th Ave. and Grand Blvd. (717 E. 29th) the property offers convenience and accessibility in one of Spokane's most desirable neighborhoods. Within a one-block radius of Avenue29 is a grocery store, pharmacy, banks, restaurants and medical offices. With schools ( Hutton Elementary and Sacajawea Middle School ), coffee shops and fitness centers also located just minutes away, eliminating the car for most day-to-day needs. "We always envisioned this project as a gateway for moving into this part of town"  said Ross Blevins, a member of Avenue29, LLC and neighborhood resident. "We are excited to further strengthen the community with a diverse array of folk who will call Avenue29 home and hopefully become permanent residents of the neighborhood."

The community features a mix of modern studio, and one-bedroom apartments designed with spacious floor plans, abundant natural light through large windows, and in-unit appliances residents know and trust. Select units include enhanced accessibility features, making the community a welcoming option for residents with varying mobility needs.  Public transportation is also readily available, with a major STA bus stop located adjacent to the front of the property.

For more information on Avenue29 Apartments, including who to contact about leasing an apartment in the community, visit their website at http://www.avenue29apts.com

Mallory Paint Store planning new location on the South Hill

 

Mallory Paint Store, a regional chain of Benjamin Moore Paint retail stores is planning a new location on Spokane's South Hill. This will be the company's fourth location in the Spokane area, with two more stores located in North Idaho. 

The new South Hill Mallory Paint will be located in the same shopping center as Target at 3104 E. Palouse Hwy Suite A2, which was formerly used as a mattress store. Like the other locations this new Mallory Paint Store will carry all colors of the Benjamin Moore Paint brand including paints, stains and primers and an array of painting supplies. Currently the store is planning to open at the beginning of September.

For more information on Benjamin Moore Mallory Paint Store, visit their website at https://mallorypaint.com

Miniso & Urban Planet opening at Spokane Valley Mall

 While other malls, especially those in more rural areas are dying off and turning to other non-retail uses, Spokane Valley Mall continues to pull in shoppers and even new businesses. The mall recently announced on their social media pages that Minso, a rapidly growing and trendy chain of Chinese based retail stores will host a grand opening celebration on Aug 9th at their new location on the lower level of the mall in-between Victoria's Secret and Box Lunch. The new store carries toys, plushies, collectables, beauty essentials and more.

Additionally, Spokane Valley Mall also recently added a new location of the Urban Planet chain. Urban Planet is a newer brand for the US the claims to be where "streetwise fashion meets bold attitude". the Spokane Valley Mall Urban Planet store is located on the second floor of the mall nearby the food court. Areas nearby the mall are growing too with the Evergreen Crossing shopping center across Evergreen Rd. from the mall will soon be home to a new Sierra and Five Below store and the new Dave & Busters opening August 11th along E. Mansfield just northwest of the mall. 

What would you like to see come to the Spokane Valley Mall?

Konala planning new location nearby Gonzaga

 Konala, the growing North Idaho based chain of quick service restaurants serving an array of protein packed bowls, salads and more is continuing their expansion in the Spokane area. The company recently opened their first Spokane location at 6740 N. Division in North Spokane. And one more can be confirmed to be coming soon.

The newest Konala restaurant will occupy the former home of Forza Coffee on the ground floor of the mixed-use Matilda Building at 1021 N. Hamilton, in the Logan neighborhood across the street from Gonzaga. The company is working on the plans for this new location, but an exact opening date won't be known for a little while due to possible construction and permitting delays. However as of right now we're hearing this new location should open sometime around January 2026 as remodeling will be necessary to the space.

Konala founder and CEO, Trace Miller confirmed for us that they also have a couple more locations in the works in Spokane and Kootenai County but nothing that is far enough along to confirm just yet. The company has also been in the news lately for securing multi-unit franchise deals in Montana, Utah and New Jersey with new corporate owned locations also in the works in Nevada. With this level of growth, it might not be very long before Konala's healthy fast-food locations are found nationwide, for more information about their brand, visit their website at https://konala.com

After repairs, Petunia & Loomis is celebrating a grand re-opening in Downtown Spokane

 

After months of cleanup, construction and even some creativity, the curiosity shop Petunia & Loomis recently announced their grand re-opening beginning today (Aug. 1st) thru Aug. 3rd. The extensive repairs come on the heels of two devastating floods that hit the store in December and February. "Two floods in two months nearly swept us away" said Manager Jesse McCauley. "But like any good gothic ghost story, we came back stronger - and spookier - than ever."

The store now boasts brand-new floors and an upgraded layout that enhances the immersive, eerie experience customers have come to love. With expanded product line, returning fans and new visitor alike can look forward to curated oddities, magical supplies, antique curios, and haunted home decor that reflect the store's signature dark charm. Additionally, Petunia & Loomis is rolling out a calendar of creepy and creative events, including: 

Bug Pinning classes

Tarot classes

Tattoo pop-up's

Kids classes

and of course, their annual Krampus event in December. Petunia & Loomis is located in Downtown Spokane at 224 N. Howard. As of my writing this the store is open Mon-Sat 11-6 and Sun. 11-5, for more info on the store visit their website at https://petunialoomis.com/

Fresh Today Cafe opens in Northtown Mall

 

A new restaurant opened recently within the Northtown Mall in Spokane. The owners of Fresh Today Catering,LLC have opened a new place called Fresh Today Cafe in the food court area on the second floor of the mall. 

Fresh Today Cafe officially opened in June and will serve sandwiches, flatbreads, soups, salads, comfort foods, grab and go items, breakfast, cakes, pretzels, cookies, brownies and more. They also will routinely post specials via a "fresh sheet". Fresh Today does also plan to continue their original catering and bakery side of the business. Indoor dining is provided in the mall food court and menu items are also available for delivery via Doordash.

For more information on Fresh Today Catering visit their website at https://freshtodaycatering.com/ and give Fresh Today Cafe a follow-on social media via Facebook

Veteran duo introduces D1 Training to Coeur d' Alene with new location

 

Courtesy photo

In June local entrepreneurs and veterans Richard Smith and Kyle Parkinson opened a new D1 Training location at 8632 N. Government Way.  D1 Training is a leading fitness enrichment concept utilizing the five core tenets of athletic-based training. The new group fitness facility employs a sports-science backed training regimen led by certified trainers to help people of all ages achieve their sport and fitness goals.

D1 Training offers four age-based programs including Rookie (ages 7-11), Developmental (ages 12-14), Prep (ages 15-18) and D1 adult. Each fitness program is based on the five athletic-based tenets: dynamic warm-up, performance, strength program, core and conditioning, and cool down. Outside of group workouts, D1 Training offers group, semi-private, and one-on-one training with world class coaches. D1 Training has been expanding across the nation though franchising, D1 Training has more than 100 performance centers open with over 100 more centers currently in various stages of development.

For more information on D1 Training in Coeur d' Alene, visit the CdA location's webpage at https://www.d1training.com/cda/

New Blvd Doughnut Co / Union Roasters co-branded shop opening in Coeur d' Alene

 

What's a better combination then coffee and doughnuts? Go ahead, I'll wait...

Well, maybe there's a couple others that are close but it's that combination that is coming next week to the new location of Union Roasters, with their newest venture Blvd. Doughnut Co. at 1515 Northwest Blvd. in Coeur d' Alene. The owners claimed in a recent social media post that the doughnuts will be the PNW's holiest donuts made in small batches made fresh every morning. Additionally, the new shop will also have the full menu of the local coffee company Union Roasters who also has locations already open in Midtown Coeur d' Alene and on Tea Olive Ln. on Coeur d' Alene's northwest side. 

The new shop is scheduled to open on Monday, July 28th at 6am. Another new Union Roasters shop is currently in the planning phase to eventually open on the ground floor of the new Thomas George high rise in Downtown Coeur d' Alene. For more information on the company, visit their website at http://unionroasters.co and for more information on Blvd Doughnut Co., check out their page on Instagram