Little Tokyo Hibachi & Bento Box opens in Spokane Valley

 A new locally owned and operated restaurant serving both Japanese and Indonesian cuisines is now open in Spokane Valley. The new establishment called Little Tokyo Hibachi & Bento Box opened earlier this month at 509 N. Sullivan Rd. Unit E taking over the space that was formerly the Kokoro Ramen restaurant.

Little Tokyo is owned by a husband & wife who have spent years cooking in Japanese steak houses, including Fujiyama in Liberty Lake. The menu consists of several hibachi dishes, bento boxes and even ramen options. Additionally, the new restaurant will also bring the owner's Indonesian backgrounds by introducing such dishes as rendang, nasi goreng and more. 

Indoor dining and carry out is available with a posted menu and online ordering available on their website at https://littletokyospokane.com/ also give them a follow-on Instagram

West Plains Industrial Development Progress

 Note: This is being re-printed from a newsletter written by SVN Cornerstone's Omar Sadaoui, CCIM. Huge thank you to Omar for giving his permission to re-run this here and to discuss local commercial real estate sales / leasing options please reach out to him at omar.sadaoui@svn.com

Welcome to our first “Beneath The Crane” report for Spokane, WA. As an Industrial Specialist at SVN Cornerstone, I actively track over 56 million SF of Industrial real estate in Spokane, WA and the surrounding market. This report aims to provide relevant information and updates regarding industrial developments that are currently under construction and being delivered. Today’s report features the West Plains Sub-Market, which remains the most active area in Spokane for new construction and new deliveries. In 2024, deliveries exceeded 810,000 SF of logistics space, and currently 440,866 SF is under construction. This development is contributing to higher vacancy rates as new projects are being delivered.

1. King Beverage Inc.

Address: 3520 S Geiger Rd, Spokane, WA 99224 Total Building: 187,277 SF Lot Size: 19.98 Acres Building Height: 45-foot Warehouse: 144,027 SF Office: 22,500 (Two-Story) Enclosed Loading and Storage Areas: 31,980 SF Contractor: Divcon Inc. About: King Beverage completed a Sale Leaseback of its 90,000 SF facility in Spokane Valley earlier this year, while construction was being completed. Status: Under Construction/Owner User

2. Thorpe Rd Flex Park

Address: 5807 W Thorpe Rd, Spokane, WA 99224 Total Building: 20,750 SF Lot Size: 2.04 Acres Building Height: 25-foot Spaces: Two buildings and 6 spaces ranging from 2,500-4,875 SF. Contiguous options for each building of 9,750 and 11,000 SF. Side yards fenced and graveled. 250 SF office/restroom. Developer: 4X Thorpe Rd LLC About: This small-bay business park has great access to I-90 and fills a gap in the market for smaller spaces where supply has been constrained by the cost of construction. The development is speculative and currently pre-leasing with a target completion date of January 2025. Status: For Lease/Build to Suit

3. McFarlane Phase III

Address: 11603 W McFarlane Rd, Spokane, WA 99224 Total Building: 202,800 SF Loading: Dock-high and Grade-level (Cross-Dock) Ceiling Height: 30-foot with ESFR sprinklers Developer: AT Industrial Contractor: Divcon Inc. About: Speculative Class A logistics park, McFarlane III is the third phase in a multi-tenant industrial development. The project is nearing completion and will be ready for occupancy Q4 2024. Status: Under Construction/For Lease

4. Blue Beacon Truck Wash

Address: 10414 W Geiger Blvd, Spokane, WA 99224 (I-90, Exit 272) Total Building: 10,639 SF Lot Size: 3.13 Acres Contractor: Walker Construction About: The new Blue Beacon Truck Wash location near the Amazon GEG1 fulfillment center on the West Plains is underway. The Blue Beacon Truck Wash company began in Kansas in 1973 and today has over 110 locations nationwide and growing. Like all Blue Beacon Truck Wash facilities, the Spokane location will be open 24 hours/day, providing two bays with truck washing, RV washing, motorcoach washing and exterior horse trailer washing services. Status: Under Construction/Owner User

5. Hydac Manufacturing

Address: 1615 Willow St, Cheney, WA 99004 Total Building: 19,400 SF Lot Size: 2.59 Acres Warehouse: 14,000 SF Office/Showroom: 5,400 SF Building Height: 33-Foot Contractor: Baker Construction About: HYDAC provides fluid power solutions to OEM’s, manufacturers and end users of various heavy duty mobile and industrial equipment. Founded in Saarland, Germany in 1963, HYDAC now has 50 international subsidiaries, roughly 500 sales and service partners, 14 product lines, and around 10,000 employees worldwide. Status: Under Construction/Owner User

The Artisan's Guild opens in North Spokane

 A new local Artisan Marketplace called The Artisan's Guild is now open in the at Northtown Square shopping center (across from Northtown Mall). The new business opened last week and is currently home to 25 different vendors with room remaining to grow up to 30 different vendors. 

The Artisan's Guild is the dream of the business owner who has spent years as a vendor herself. The goal is a space to promote awareness for various causes and disorders, while also creating a space for other crafters to be able to forge a path to get their own creations out and into the world. One other unique thing about The Artisan's Guild is the business also includes space dedicated to vendors under the ages 17 and under.

The new shop is located in a 1500 square foot storefront at 4727 N. Division Suite #100-C , which was last used as float spa. The Artisan's Guild is open Tues-Thurs 10-6 and Fri.-Sat. 10-8, for more information the new Marketplace follow them on social media via Facebook or Instagram

New commercial development coming at Hwy 41 & Early Dawn in Post Falls

 Work commenced a few weeks ago for what will eventually be a new commercial development along Hwy. 41 at the corner of Early Dawn Ave. in Post Falls. The project which is called Early Dawn Commercial Center will offer three new buildings, with building A (the building facing Hwy. 41) offering new spaces for retail and/or restaurants and the other two buildings being available as flex space. One of the building A suites even allows for a drive thru. 

Pre-leasing is already underway with what I'm told is already a few interested parties, but no releasable tenant names just yet. Per the marketing information for the project the development is set to be completed in the 1st quarter of 2025. 

For information on leasing space at the new Early Dawn Commercial Center, contact Danny Davis with TOK Commercial at 208-691-6003 or check the TOK Commercial website at https://www.tokcommercial.com/

New mixed-use building planned in the Post Falls City Center area

 A large new mixed-use building is planned for a site at the southeast corner of Spokane St. and 4th in the City Center area of Post Falls. Plans call for removing a couple of structures that are currently on the site for the new building.

The new 50,000 square foot mixed use building named "Nonna" has already gone in for permitting with construction starting soon. With a deep desire to better their hometown, this exciting development was conceived by mother-daughter duo Laura and Kelsey Horn, who both graduated from PFHS (Laura class of '92 and Kelsey class of '19). This new development will occupy most of the north block and will abut Republic Kitchen + Taphouse. 

The upper floors of Nonna will house 33 apartment units with 9,800 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor. A 3,000 square foot space on the ground floor is already taken by Horn's and will be a new brunch resturant called Miss Dazee's. Over many years of travel the pair have visited numerous cafes and brunch spots, inspiring their dream of opening a unique brunch venue in their hometown.

HDG Architecture, co-founded by Post Falls native and childhood friend of Laura, Josh Hissong is the architecture firm behind the project. The ground-up build will serve as a catalyst for the burgeoning neighborhood, which has seen a handful of other developments in recent years, including a few others that HDG was involved with. 

Petunia & Loomis moving to new space in Downtown Spokane

 Local oddities store, Petunia & Loomis is on the move to a new home. After some time on Riverside, the business in the process of relocating to the storefront at 224 N. Howard, in-between Boo Radley's and Addicus. Meaning the business will stay open and remain in the Downtown area.

Courtesy photo of the new home of Petunia & Loomis.

The new location will be a bigger space for the business, allowing them to do more events and activities. They plan to soon host regularly scheduled tarot classes, bug pinning classes, creepy crafting clubs, murder mystery parties, small concerts/ performing arts events and more. Currently they are working on preparing the new space and hope to be open in time for Small Business Saturday. The original location on Riverside is now already closed.

For more information on Petunia & Loomis, visit their website at http://petunialoomis.com

Raising Canes planning Coeur d' Alene location

 Work is underway on Spokane's first Raising Cane's restaurant on Newport Hwy. north of The Y, in a neighborhood which is becoming a hub of chicken restaurants. But it looks like the North Spokane site isn't the only Raising Canes planned to be coming to the Inland Northwest.

Raising Canes also recently applied for site development in Coeur d' Alene at 201 W. Neider Ave. directly at the corner of US 95 and Neider Ave., this is a pad site in front of the At Home store there (former K Mart). No actual building permits have been issued as of today as the city and the company are still working on the details of the planned new restaurant.

Plans currently call for a 3,368 Square foot restaurant building with a dual lane drive thru. The general contractor for the project is listed as Embree Construction Group,Inc. of Georgetown, TX with architectural work done by PM Design Group of Englewood,CO. . Since it is early in the development process no details are available on the actual construction timeline or opening date.

For more information on Raising Canes, visit their website at https://raisingcanes.com

Livaway Suites eyeing Spokane Valley site for a new hotel

 Livaway Suites, an up-and-coming chain of extended stay hotels is eyeing a site in Spokane Valley. The Lehi, UT based hotel chain recently applied for a pre-development conference with the City of Spokane Valley to construct a new hotel at 13110 E. Nora Ave.. While no actual building permits have been issued as of today, the Livaway Suites website does show Spokane as a "coming soon" site. The company also recently opened a hotel in the Tri-Cities and will open another in Missoula in the middle of December.

According to Livaway Suites' website the hotels offer "An extended stay experience that feels more like home". The suites are offer vibrant interiors inspired by Scandinavian home decor and all locations feature on-site fitness centers, smart guest laundry, upgraded vending areas and a co-working hub. A representative with the chain says they hope to build their prototype hotel in Spokane Valley.

The prototype Liveaway Suites is a 4-story 126 room hotel, all suites are equipped with kitchenettes with full-sized refrigerators, cook-tops, microwaves, and dishwashers. They do point out that is still early in the process of building here so further details, like opening dates, etc. are not yet available.

For more information on Livaway Suites, visit their website at https://www.livawaysuites.com

Sirinya's Thai Restaurant & Lounge now open in Downtown Spokane

 Sirinya's Thai Restuarant recently opened a new second location, this time in Downtown Spokane. The new restaurant is located at 230 W. Riverside in the former home of Garageland and is actually just one of two new places in the same block as Bardic Brewing & Cider recently announced their plans to open a second location of their own in the former Mountain Lakes Brewing Co. space at the corner of Riverside & Browne.

Courtesy photos

Sirinya's Thai will also keep their original location open as well at 13614 W. Sunset Hwy in Airway Heights. Both locations offer the same menu of Thai entrees and a full bar. Indoor dining and carry out is available as is delivery via UberEATS, DoorDash and Grub Hub

For more information on Sirinya's Thai Restaurant, including how to place an order for food online visit their website at https://sirinyasthairestaurantandloung.godaddysites.com/

Stock Your Larder opens in Spokane Valley

 A locally owned and operated business called Stock Your Larder recently opened a new storefront at 12510 E. Sprague Ave Suite 5 in Spokane Valley. The new store is a home, body and pantry boutique featuring handmade herbal remedies, natural cleaning supplies, and minimal ingredient foods. 

Courtesy photos

The majority of the merchandise at Stock Your Larder is made by the owner using only essential oils (no fragrance chemicals). Among the best-selling items is a laundry soap, with 5 ingredients and works in hard water and HE machines. Also, a "Nighty-Night" Magnesium cream.

In the rest of the store customers will locate such finds as small batch, single source olive oils and balsamic vinegars, coffees, teas, a decent sized sourdough and baking section and a whole lot more. For more information on Stock Your Larder, or to shop online visit their website at https://stockyourlarder.com/

Houston TX Hot Chicken opening second Spokane location this month, Post Falls coming soon.

 Following the successful opening of their first Inland Northwest area location, the Las Vegas based Houston TX Hot Chicken chain of quick service restaurants is working on bringing more locations to our area. With one location even opening later this month.

Courtesy photo

Houston TX Hot Chicken opened at 1839 N. Ruby in November of 2023, and now in November of 2024 they will open in North Spokane. The new North Spokane restaurant will be a little north of the Y at 9412 N. Newport Hwy. and is set to host a grand opening on Saturday, November 16th at noon. There will be complimentary food & beverages to the first 250 people in line, there will also be a $1,000 spice challenge, munch madness challenge and a car meet with all cars welcome.

Additionally, construction has commenced for a new standalone Houston TX Hot Chicken restaurant in Post Falls. As this location involves building an all-new building for the business an opening date for this location won't happen until sometime during the first quarter of 2025.

The company prides themselves on all-natural and never frozen chicken on a menu that features hot chicken in the form of sandwiches, tenders and more. In the Las Vegas area the company's locations has gathered attention, including being ranked as a "Top Place to Eat in Vagas" in 2021 by Yelp. And, although the restaurant's menu includes chicken of all spice levels, they have been noted in the media for their "Houston, we have a problem!" spice level which at 2m SHU requires customers to sign a waiver to purchase.

For more information on Houston TX Hot Chicken, visit their website at http://hhc.ooo

Spokane Food & Event Services to host grand opening on Thursday

 A new business offering commercial kitchen space and lot more is planning to host a grand opening later this week in Spokane. The business, called Spokane Food & Event Services is located at 723 N. Crestline and will host the event on Thursday, Nov. 7th from 4:30-7pm at which guests will be able to the tour the space and network. Light refreshments will also be provided.

Courtesy photo

Spokane Food & Event Services offers a large commercial kitchen space used for catering, event production, classes and commissary rentals. Soon the business will also have a small retail shop as well with ready to eat meals, snacks, frozen items like cookie dough and other Spokane produced items.

Local biscuit maker, Domestikated Biscuits is also joining the new space, with their items being among the options in the new retail store space. For more information on Spokane Food & Event Services, visit their website at http://www.spokanefoodandevents.com or give them a follow on Instagram

Chipotle Mexican Grill opens in Post Falls on Tuesday

 

The wait is over, the first location of the quick service restaurant chain, Chipotle Mexican Grill is set to open on Tuesday 11/5. The restaurant is located on the eastern edge of Post Falls at 950 N. ID 41, a bit north of the Hwy 41 & Mullan Ave. intersection. 

The new restaurant will also feature the brand's signature Chipotlane , a drive thru lane that allows guests to conveniently pick up digital orders without having to leave their cars. The Post Falls Chipotle will be open daily from 10:45a-10:00p . Each Chipotle location includes about 30 new jobs with this location currently actively hiring. For info about jobs with Chipotle visit http://chipotle.com/careers

For more info about Chipotle and their menu, visit https://www.chipotle.com . The chain also already operates five locations in the Spokane area and another new location is currently in the planning phase in Coeur d' Alene.

Little Euro opens today on the South Hill

 Little Euro, a breakfast and lunch place from the same owners as Old European is opening to the public today (Mon. 11/4) at 1235 S. Grand Blvd on the South Hill. Additionally, there is also a second Little Euro restaurant that remains open at 517 N. Pines in Spokane Valley.

The new restaurant features both indoor dining and take out, making the same delicious items with many coming from their Grandma Marie's original Danish recipes. The menu consists of many entrees from the more traditional to European specialties like Goulash and of course the Aebleskivers (Danish pancake balls) that the restaurants have become known for. There is also a kid's menu and beverages like freshly squeezed orange juice and even freshly brewed coffee from Indaba Coffee Roasters.

Little Euro is open every day from 7a-2p, for more information on Little Euro visit their website at https://www.littleeurorestaurant.com/ . 

Also special thanks to Jennifer of the Instagram for covering the soft opening and taking the above photos. Check her page out at https://www.instagram.com/spokanecurious

River Park Square to host Elk Soup Native Arts Market this Sat. 11/2

 Elk Soup and River Park Square are inviting the community to join in a vibrant celebration of Native American culture and artistry at the Native Arts Market.  The event will take place Saturday, November 2nd from 10a-6p at River Park Square in Downtown Spokane. More than 20 participants are expected and will be set up on the ground floor of the shopping center. 

Elk Soup's Native Art Market will feature a diverse array of handcrafted works by talented Native artists, providing a unique to support and engage with Indigenous creativity. Attendees can explore various art forms, including traditional crafts, contemporary pieces, and unique gifts that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Native communities.

In addition to the art market, there will be a silent auction where guests can bid on exclusive items. Event organizer Jeff Ferguson, of Elk Soup, invites attendees to “join us to help celebrate the arts, culture and heritage our people have shared since time immemorial.” Also, as a special offer for those who purchase from any of the Art Market vendors, Indigenous Eats, located in River Park Square's food court, will be offering 10% off their menu items. (See the restaurant for details.).

Elk Soup, is a Spokane based Native led non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Native families and communities. For more information about this event and Elk Soup's initiatives, visit their website at https://www.elksoup.org  

Southwest Airlines expands flights at Spokane International Airport, including new non-stop to Chicago

 Southwest Airline's Summer 2025 schedule is promising new and returning non-stop flight options from Spokane International Airport. The newly expanded schedule provides travelers with new non-stop service from Spokane to Chicago Midway International Airport. It also renews seasonal non-stop service to Dallas Love Field and increases daily Spokane service to Sacramento International Airport.

Courtesy photo

"Southwest Airlines has been a tremendous partner in providing service in response to the abundant opportunities in Spokane - becoming the first to debut nonstop service to Dallas Love Field to provide passengers with easier access to destinations across the Midwest, East Coast and Florida - and we are grateful for their continued investment in our airport community with this expanded schedule" said Ezra Eckhardt, Spokane Airport Board Chair. 

Southwest Airlines expanded summer schedule runs from June 5th - August 4th 2025. It includes service to Chicago Midway five times a week, Dallas Love Field on Saturday and Sunday and daily service to Sacramento. The expanded service at GEG also helps improve one-stop connections to several destinations across Southwest Airlines' 117 city network, including Austin, Nashville, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Diego, Washington D.C. and more. 

To purchase tickets or view flight options with Southwest Airlines, visit https://southwest.com and for more information about Spokane International Airport, visit https://spokaneairports.net

Daily Habit Espresso re-opens stand on Country Homes Blvd.

 Most people in Spokane are familiar with the Daily Habit Espresso chain of espresso stands that have been in existence for over two decades. They have now wrapped up the remodel of their oldest location, the stand at 6702 N. Country Homes Blvd. The chain also operates locations at 2124 N. Division, 4627 N. Assembly and 5629 E. Trent.

Courtesy photo of the Country Homes Blvd. Daily Habit Espresso

During construction Daily Habit continued to serve customers from out of a curbside mobile trailer and provided their customers with concierge service with runners delivering orders to their car. Daily Habit Coffee is custom coffee with the largest selection of flavors and what they claim are the best granitas in town. Locally based owners Monte and Katie Yokey are excited to reopen this location and plan to have a week of amazing specials during the grand reopening week. 

For more on Daily Habit Espresso, include the dates and details of the upcoming grand reopening week follow them on social media via Facebook or Instagram

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers applies for a building permit in Post Falls

 The growing Wichita based quick service restaurant chain, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers looks to be coming to the Inland Northwest. The company recently filed for a building permit with the City of Post Falls for a new restaurant at 498 S. Beck Rd within The Pointe at Post Falls development site.

We reached out to confirm with Freddy's corporate office and we're told they are in the early stages of development for a new restaurant location in Post Falls. Their current plan is to begin construction in the spring with a possible opening in the Summer of 2025. They tell me the location will feature indoor dining, a drive thru and mobile ordering. 

Per building permit data on file with the City of Post Falls, the new restaurant will be slightly larger than 3000 square feet with a valuation of $1.3 million. The general contractor for the project is listed as Wolverine Building Group of Grand Rapids, MI and the architectural design work done by Henderikson Architecture, LLC also of Grand Rapids, MI

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is a growing chain of quick service restaurants serving steakburgers, hot dogs, frozen custard, milkshakes and more. As of 2023 the chain was operating over 500 locations in 35 states. The company already operates a location in Missoula and several in the Boise area.

For more information on Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, visit their website at https://www.freddys.com 

Aamco Transmission & Total Car Care planning new location new Airway Heights

 Aamco, the Pennsylvania based chain of franchise owned transmission and automotive repair shops in planning a new location on the Western edge of Spokane, near the city of Airway Heights. Plans call for the owners of the other Spokane area Aamco locations to renovate the former Schwan's food service warehouse at 9810 W. Flight Dr. into a full-service auto repair business.

Currently Aamco plans to open there sometime in the Spring but will renovate the space first, so there isn't a set opening date for the new location just yet. The shop will be approximately 7000 square feet with remodeling work planned to be done by Liberty Lake based Liberty Contracting & Development, LLC. Aamco itself has over 500 locations, including ones in North Spokane, Spokane Valley and Coeur d' Alene which will also remain in business.

For more information about Aamco Transmission & Total Car Care, visit their website at https://aamco.com

Fourth Avenue Capital breaks ground on 240-unit apartment community in Liberty Lake

 Fourth Avenue Capital, with offices in Seattle and Spokane has commenced construction on Signal Point Apartment Homes, a luxury suburban apartment community within the mixed-use Meadowwood Technology Campus in Liberty Lake.

The development will feature 240 apartment homes, complimented by an expansive resident clubhouse, gym and leasing center. Move ins are currently projected for mid-2025. "Liberty Lake continues to be one of the most sought-after markets in the Spokane metro area" said Chris Rossman, managing partner with Fourth Avenue Capital. "It's excellent schools, small town charm, and abundant recreational opportunities make it an ideal location for Signal Point"

Located at 24085 E. Mission Ave. is perfectly situated to take advantage of Liberty Lake's many amenities. As part of the Meadowwood Technology Campus residents will also enjoy a wide range of amenities and services in the master planned community. Signal Point will feature a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartment homes ranging from 733 to 1,318 square feet. Each unit will be outfitted with high-end finishes, including quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, under cabinet lighting, wood-style flooring and oversized windows. Many homes will also include walk-in closets and extra storage space.

For more information on Fourth Avenue Capital, visit their website at https://www.fourthavecapital.com