New restaurant & coffee shop, The Porchlight coming soon to Valleyford

 

Just a short 10 min. drive south of the City of Spokane Valley is the small community of Valleyford, and that community is about to have a new eatery serving customers from around the region. The same people who also own the nearby Crooked Timber Farm are working on renovating the former Palouse Brewhouse at 12212 E. Palouse Hwy. into a new business called The Porchlight. 

The Porchlight is planning to open for business within the next few weeks, with no opening date available as of my writing this. The business will be a small restaurant and coffee shop with a menu of "simple comforting foods" such as wings, fries, nachos, dinner salads, soup, etc. They also plan to have a few local beers and ciders on tap, as well as a few bottles beers and wines. They plan to offer both indoor dining and an outdoor space for the warmer months. 

The Porchlight will also offer retail sales of the owner's goat's milk soap and lotion. A website for the new restaurant is coming soon to https://porchlightson.com and for now give them a follow on social media via Facebook

Plant Gossip, a new vegan eatery opens in Downtown Coeur d' Alene

Courtesy photos- Plant Gossip

There's been a fair amount of gossip surrounding how good one of Coeur d' Alene's newest restaurants is. That place is called Plant Gossip and it opened recently in a newly renovated building at 400 N. 4th St in Downtown Coeur d' Alene. Plant Gossip promises healthy, clean, good food cooking with no seed oils, no high heat cooking, certified organic, gluten free, no lab products, no animal products, all made from scratch in house.

The business is new to Coeur d' Alene but started as OrVeganic in 2013 in Lawndale,CA. where they relocated from. Once fully operational, Plant Gossip will offer everything from espresso and a "sunrise menu" to soups, raw salads, burgers, tacos, bowls and pastas and more. Also, the business has an "island bar" with a niche supply of gluten free, organic and bio-dynamic beers and wines.

The store also offers retail sales of nut butters. For more information on Plant Gossip, visit their website at https://plantgossip.com/

New businesses open in newly renovated Rathdrum shopping center

 Not long ago the small strip mall, by the corner of Hwy 41 and Vera St in Rathdrum (15580 N. Vera St.) and aptly named Rathdrum Plaza was part car wash, with car wash bays filling the southern end of the building next to the Dairy Queen restaurant. But those spaces we're recently renovated to be storefronts of their own and like many North Idaho commercial properties, they didn't last long as new businesses are already starting to open their doors there.

In the most southerly storefront is now 208 Clothing + Gift , this locally owned and operated business might sound somewhat familiar as this is the first brick and mortar type of location for 208 Tees. The business is a custom tee shirt printing operation that has sold locally inspired and other apparel at a variety of events and via their website. 208 Clothing + Gift is now open and sells clothing and an array of gifts from regional artists and other local businesses. For more information, check their website at http://208tees.com

Next door to 208 is a new coffee shop that is also now open for business, called Bean & Bubb Coffee. Bean & Bubb Coffee is a local woman owned establishment. The menu consists of coffee, Red Bull and Lotus energy drinks, a handful of flavors of bubble teas, chai, Revival teas and lemonades. For more information on Bean & Bubb Coffee, give them a follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572677714106

What would you like to see come to Rathdrum next???

Jewel of the North Neighborhood Gastropub coming soon to Browne's Addition

A new addition is coming soon to the dining scene of Spokane's Browne's Addition neighborhood, with the planned opening of Jewel of the North Neighborhood Gastropub. Jewel of the North will be a local black owned business located in the former Browne's Tavern space at 1924 W. Pacific .

Jewel of the North will be an American gastropub style bar and restaurant, offering vegetarian and vegan options, a dog friendly patio and menu and an upstairs bar from customers 21 and over. According to an email exchange with one of the businesses co-owners they plan to have at least flatbread options, burgers, wings, wraps, and more. In addition to premium cocktails from the bar. Both owners have years of experience bartending and serving at a number of local establishments, this time just branching out on their own, like a "love letter" to Spokane.

Jewel of the North is currently under construction as of my writing this, as is it's social media pages. But, they are currently planning to open for business on Bloomsday weekend.

Makiel's Lobster Rolls planning new location in Downtown Spokane

 

Makiel's Lobster Rolls, a locally owned and operated food truck is taking a big step forward, with the recent announcement that they will be opening their first brick and mortar restaurant location later this month. 

The business, owned by Makiel Duncan will host a grand opening at the new restaurant site on Friday, April 18th, at 115 N. Washington, the space that was last occupied by Wiley's Downtown Bistro. Makiel's Lobster Rolls grand opening will be from 3-9pm that day. They will also be adding to their menu, now also offering a buttery shrimp roll, lobster mac & cheese and loaded lobster tots. For fans of chowder they will also offer Ivar's clam chowder and a crab & corn chowder. In addition to chips and drinks.

For more information on Makiel's Lobster Rolls, give them a follow on social media via Facebook or Instagram

Tay Tay's Cafe opens near Downtown Spokane

 

The Meeting House's Downtown cafe space might be closed for good, but people can still very much meet in the same storefront as it is now the home of Tay Tay's Cafe. Tay Tay's, opened in March at 507 N. Howard, nearby Lewis & Clark High School and is currently planning to host an official grand opening celebration on Tues, Apr 22nd.

Tay Tay's Cafe is a locally owned and operated coffee shop, they describe the business as an inclusive space with a focus on coffee and easy bites. Coffee drinks are created using beans roasted here in Spokane by Anvil Coffee. All their fresh baked goods, and bread is baked in their scratch kitchen, including their dressings and sauces. 

For more information on Tay Tay Cafe's, including a look at their menu check out their website at https://www.taytays.cafe/ or give them a follow-on Instagram

BIPOC Health Equality & Community Wellness Development Center Finds New Home at Northtown Mall

 

Shades of Motherhood Network recently announced the upcoming Grand Opening of their new space, Diverse Roots, which is set to open on Friday, April 11th in the Northtown Mall. The official grand opening will take place that night from 5pm to 7pm, with a ribbon cutting with community members at 6pm. The community is invited to attend and explore the new space and take part in the Black Maternal Health Week art exhibit. "The mission of this space is to provide community connections that will lead people to wellness, mentally, physically, and spiritually" explains Stephaine Courtney, Executive Director of Shades of Motherhood Network.

Diverse Roots is a six-month project, with the goal of fostering community engagement as a versatile center focusing on social and mental health, hosting vendor spaces for BIPOC-owned local businesses, educational classes and special events. Aligned with Shades of Motherhood's mission, Diverse Roots will also be an art gallery and communal space for clients and local doulas, there will also be space for health and beauty classes.

"All of our related programs will have a space and truly, a home here at Diverse Roots." says Kathy Trabitas, Wellness and Nutrition lead at Shades of Motherhood Network. Kathy serves as full-spectrum doula and owner of Wild Roots Wellness, A local tea business. "Community members can have a space to sell their stuff" says Samyra Jefferson, Family Navigator and Doula lead at Shades of Motherhood Network. " There will also be a spot called "Ask a Doula" where community member can ask doulas their difficult questions related to pregnancy and motherhood". Samyra is also a full-spectrum doula of two years.

Diverse Roots is located on the first floor of Northtown Mall, beside Famous Footwear and across from Torrid. For more information or to get involved, check out their website at http://shadesofmotherhoodnetwork.com

The Boiler Room now serving Smacky's on Broadway sandwiches

 A local hotspot has joined forces with forces with a North Spokane hotspot, as The Boiler Room (6501 N. Cedar St, Bldg #3 Suite A Spokane) has begun serving a menu of sandwiches from Smacky's on Broadway (6415 E. Broadway, Spokane Valley). Bringing their beloved, hand crafted sandwiches, known for their fresh ingredients and unbeatable flavor to North Spokane.

"This is a perfect pairing" says Codi Quick, owner of The Boiler Room. "Smacky's on Broadway has been a staple in Spokane for years, and we're thrilled to bring their legendary sandwiches to our guests. Whether you're stopping in for a casual lunch or pairing one with a cold drink on a laid-back evening, these sandwiches are sure to impress". The Boiler Room, a locally owned and operated bar and restaurant, known for their hand tossed pizzas, craft cocktails, and welcoming atmosphere, all of which remain in addition to the new sandwiches.

This is just one of the many exciting changes coming to The Boiler Room under its new owners. Codi and Billy Quick, along with Matt Heilman (Smacky's on Broadway owner) recently took over The Boiler Room and its sister establishment, Birdy's Sports Bar (12908 N. US 395 Suite 5, Spokane), with a vision to revitalize these North Spokane favorites. The new ownership team is dedicated to enhancing the dining and social experience, creating a welcoming neighborhood hub, and strengthening community connections through local partnerships, events and a commitment to quality food and service.

For more information on The Boiler Room, including a look at the menu including the Smacky's sandwiches, check out their website at https://boilerroompizza.com/ 

Broke Sk8 opening soon in the Sprague Union District

 

All are courtesy photos credit- Popsicle Media House / LledRow Multimedia

A cool new skate shop will open later this month on E. Sprague in Spokane. Watch for the opening on Broke Sk8, a local family-owned skate shop coming soon at 1810 E. Sprague Ave. within the Sprague Union business district. Broke Sk8 says they plan to sell custom clothes as well as decks, vintage decks, lightly used completes, new completes, local merch, hardware, safety gear, shoes, accessories and collectables. A little bit of everything one might look for in a skate shop.

Broke Sk8 will host an official grand opening on Sat. April 26th from 11-7, and a soft opening is possible in the days leading up to that date. Exact plans on the opening will be released by the business on their social media. They tell me they hope to get involved with local events and work with local businesses, as well as promote local artists, and musicians with a lot of plans and thoughts already in the works. According to Broke Sk8, their goal is community over capitalism.

For more information on Broke Sk8, check them out on social media via Instagram or Facebook

West Coast Burgers food truck opens in Coeur d' Alene

 While the Spokane and Coeur d' Alene area doesn't have an In n' Out Burger location just yet, the area did recently gain a new food truck that stands to be similar to the iconic California based burger restaurant. After years as a donut vendor called Hello Donuts, the family-owned truck closed down briefly to re-brand as the newly re-opened West Coast Burgers.

Coursey photos - West Coast Burgers

West Coast Burgers is still located at its original site, within the food truck court at the corner of Heartland Dr and Prairie Ave. in Coeur d' Alene (7777 N. Heartland Dr. Coeur d' Alene,ID) . The new menu consists of a few burgers, fries, Philly cheesesteak, chicken tenders and even a sizeable family meal, able to easily feed a family for just under $40. Similar to the icon, West Coast Burgers also offers a menu item called West Coast Fries with cheese, grilled onion and a spread drizzle on top.

Thirsty? West Coast Burgers also offers a menu of dirty sodas and energy drinks in addition to ice cream and milkshakes. They even welcome dogs with a pup cup and pup patty also available. For more information on West Coast Burgers, check them out on Facebook

Kraken Coral & Coffee opening in North Spokane

 

Courtesy photo of the Post Falls location.

Locally owned and operated, Kraken Coral & Coffee opened their unique concept of a business at the beginning of the year. And are expanding with a new second location already in the works in North Spokane. Kraken will join the new Premier Pet Mall development at 1028 W. Rosewood, visible for the corner of Monroe and Francis.

Kraken Coral & Coffee plans to open the new Spokane store sometime in May, after construction is done at the storefront. The business combines saltwater coral, fish and aquarium accessory sales with a coffee shop. The coffee side of the business has a menu of coffee, energy drinks such as Red Bull and some quick serve / prepared food items. The original location of Kraken will also remain open and can be found at 868 S. Spokane St. in Post Falls.

For more information on Kraken Coral & Coffee, check out their website at https://krakencoralcoffee.company.site/ or give them a follow-on social media via Facebook

Coeur d' Alene Resort breaks ground on new high-rise Sherman Tower

This week, Hagadone Hospitality held an official groundbreaking ceremony for their latest project, The Sherman Tower, a 139 room expansion of The Coeur d' Alene Resort, which was recently ranked as Newsweek's #1 Waterfront hotel. The new Sherman Tower will be a 15 story tower, rising along Sherman Ave. in-between 1st and 2nd St and directly north of the main original Coeur d' Alene resort facilities.

In addition to adding over 100 new hotel rooms to the resort's room stock, the new building will also offer a cozy "living lobby" featuring plush seating, a grand fireplace and lively energy, anchored by a cafe with artisan coffee, fresh bites and local art. Also, on the ground floor of the Sherman Tower will be a modern Mexican seafood and steakhouse restaurant that will offer live-fire grilled cuisine, and craft cocktails. A rooftop bar will top the new building with Latin-inspired bites, refreshing drinks, and panoramic sunset views. 

All are courtesy photos- provided by Coeur d' Alene Resort / Hagadone Hospitality.

Construction of the new tower will commence this month as site work has already begun, and an office building at the corner of 2nd & Sherman have already been demolished in preparation for construction. The grand opening is currently planned for May 2027. Once complete the Resort will be home to 470 guest rooms, some of which are large suites. According to building permit data on file with the City of Coeur d' Alene the new building will be constructed with Garco Construction as the general contractor, and LTA Architects is doing the architectural designs.

For more information on the Coeur d' Alene Resort, visit their website at https://cdaresort.com

Simple Wildflower opening in River Park Square

 

Simple Wildflower, a locally owned and operated business is relocating into River Park Square from their current Downtown storefront at 112 S. Monroe. Simple Wildflower describes themselves on social media as Spokane's first permanent jewelry charm bar. The business is also a women's clothing and accessory boutique, offering several other permanent jewelry options and more.

Simple Wildflower will occupy suite 205, on the second floor near the center escalators. The boutique plans to open sometime in May 2025, with an exact date still pending. Be sure to follow them directly on social media for event details.

For more information on Simple Wildflower, visit their website at https://simplewildflower.com or via social media on Instagram or Facebook

Lucky Bistro opens in Spokane Valley

 

Looking for a new coffee shop and eatery to check out? Well, it's your lucky day as Lucky Bistro recently open their doors in Spokane Valley with already several rave reviews coming in. The new shop is located in the former home of Casual Friday Donuts at 325 S. Sullivan Rd. Suite C. and features a menu of coffee drinks and more.

There is also a selection of specials and for those not looking for coffee, there is smoothies, hot chocolate, lemonades and ZipFizz Energy Drinks. Some food items are also available at Lucky Bistro such as salads, wraps, paninis, flatbreads and even a few breakfast options. They are also hoping to serve beer and wine soon, with their liquor license currently in pending status as of my writing this (be sure to check with the business directly).

Lucky Bistro is also running a program called the Clover Club where members pay $12 annually and get a 0.50 discount on all drinks they purchase throughout that year. For more information on Lucky Bistro check out their website at https://theluckybistro.com and be sure to follow them on social media via Facebook or Instagram

New Dream Studio combines community with creativity

 

Courtesy photo of business owner Hara Allison.

Local entrepreneur and photographer, Hara Allison recently announced the launch of her new creative hub and photography studio called Dream Studio, opening very soon in Downtown Spokane. The Dream Studio will be located in a 1150 square foot space at 811 W. 2nd Ave. Suite 204 and will have an official grand opening there on Saturday, March 29th 2025, with a celebration and open house from 1-4pm. The celebration will include hors d'oeuvres, refreshments, live music with Daniel Hall, and swag bags for the first 20 guests. Guests can come and take photos in the beautifully designed sets, tour the studio, and mingle with other creatives.

Dream Studio plans to serve as hub for the local creative community, offering events, classes, hourly/daily rentals and residencies. At Dream Studio creatives have access to three natural light rooms with 11 foot ceilings, a dedicated hair and make-up station, an extensive equipment collection including light stands, modifiers, strobes, tripods, back drops and a large prop closet. 

For more information on Dream Studio, including online booking of the studio visit their website at https://www.dreamstudionw.com/ or give them a follow-on social media Instagram or Facebook

Copow Cafe to open in Downtown Coeur d' Alene

Courtesy photo of the new Copow Cafe storefront in Downtown Coeur d' Alene

 Copow Foods is an organic market and prepared meal pick-up / delivery service that opened a storefront in Coeur d' Alene a few years ago, nearby Costco at 3500 N. Government Way suite 108. But the business is already expanding here and will soon open a new Copow Cafe concept in Downtown Coeur d' Alene. Currently scheduled to open for business in May, the new Copow Cafe will occupy the former Wellness Bar storefront at 312 N. 4th St. about three blocks north of Sherman Ave.

The new Copow Cafe will many of the same market/grocery items similar the location on Government Way but will also have space for indoor dining. The menu of the new Downtown location will feature coffee drinks, smoothies, juices and bowls. All with, as they put it, no fake food allowed as the Copow brand uses organic, colorful food with no seed oils. For more information on Copow, check out their website at https://copow.com

New coffee shop and dog supply store opens in Hayden

 A new locally owned and operated business with a unique concept is now open in Hayden. The new business goes by the name The Hound House and is located at 10157 N. Taryne St, within the same building as Guardian Angels Grooming. And as one would expect yes, The Hound House is a pet friendly shop allowing your fur covered friends and family members to come in as well.

Courtesy photo

The new shop sells merchandise like dog toys, dog treats, grooming supplies and other basic supplies like collars/leashes/first aid/etc. They also have a coffee menu that also includes monthly specials, chai, Lotus and Red Bull Energy Drinks and caffeine free options like hot cocoa and Italian Soda's. 

The Hound House is open Mon-Fri 8am-3pm. Delivery is also available via DoorDash, for more information on The Hound House, check out their website https://houndhousenorthidaho.square.site/ and give them a follow-on social media via Instagram or Facebook

The Evergreen Gear Exchange opening soon on Trent

 

Courtesy photo of the new home of The Evergreen Gear Exchange, before they started to move in.

The Evergreen Gear Exchange, a new locally owned and operated consignment shop focused on equipment, apparel and accessories for outdoor adventures is planning to open very soon in a 4,000 square foot space at 1007 E. Trent Ave #105 in the University District neighborhood of Spokane.

The new business is planning to open on March 15th but they are already open to bring in gear to be consigned in the new store once it's fully open. For more information about their opening and what and when they can accept of your merchandise, check their website and social media pages via https://www.evergreengearexchange.com/

Remi's Cafe to open in former Wandermere Shari's building

 Breakfast and lunch options will soon return to the former home of Shari's at 12502 N. Division in the Wandermere area of North Spokane. This as a new locally owned and operated restaurant recently posted their coming soon banner announcing the pending opening of Remi's Cafe in the space.

Planned to open sometime around the late Spring, Remi's Cafe will be open 7-2 Mon-Fri and 7-3 on the weekends. The menu will consist of items for both breakfast and lunch with breakfast available during all open hours. I'm told they will offer tradition breakfast favorites as well as gluten free and vegan options. A bar for mimosas, Bloody Mary's at the like will also be available.

Remi's will offer indoor dining, take out and will be available on delivery platforms. A website and social media pages will also likely be coming for Remi's

New multi-phase 30-acre Prairie Medical Campus planned in Post Falls

 Today, Kootenai Health and MultiCare announced the planned development of a new multi-phase, 30-acre medical campus in Post Falls at the southeast corner of the Hwy. 41 and Prairie Ave. intersection. The new location, named the Prairie Medical Campus, represents one of the largest medical investments in North Idaho. 

Courtesy photo- Kootenai Health.

Phase one of the project will include a micro-hospital with an emergency department, imaging services, and rooms for overnight patient stays. It will also include a large multi-story medical office building that will initially be home to a new ambulatory surgery center, clinic offices, lab services and more to come.  The micro-hospital will include a 12-room emergency department staffed with physicians who are board-certified in emergency medicine.

Development of phase one of is scheduled to begin in 2025, with an anticipated 24 to 36-month timeline for completing the projects in this phase. Parkwood Business Properties, a North Idaho based commercial real estate company will be working alongside Kootenai Health and Multicare Health System as the development partner.

The new Prairie Medical Campus also has space to accommodate future phases, including the planned development of an expanded full-service hospital, as the region's population continues to grow. 

Jersey Mike's planning new location in the Northpointe area of Spokane

 

New Jersey based Jersey Mike's Subs continues to expand their presence in the Inland Northwest. The quick service restaurant chain recently filed for building permits to open their fifth location within Spokane County. Others already exist in Airway Heights, Spokane Valley, the South Hill and nearby NorthTown Mall in Spokane.

The planned new Jersey Mike's will be located nearby the Northpointe Shopping Center in North Spokane at 9502 N. Newport Hwy. Suite 1, which was a Subway restaurant. There is no news yet about when this location is set to open but will occupy 1,615 square feet there with indoor dining and carry out options. The general contractor for the space's tenant improvement is listed as Granvista of Pomona,CA.

For more info on Jersey Mike's Subs, including to start an online order, visit their website at https://www.jerseymikes.com

KYRS to host 2025 Grassroots Radio Conference

 The Grassroots Radio Conference (GRC) continues to grow and Spokane's KYRS Thin Air Community Radio has been selected as the host station for 2025, bringing the event back to the West Coast for the first time since 2018. Following a nationwide survey of community radio participants, KYRS emerged as the top choice for the conference, receiving 48% of the vote.

Beyond location, respondents highlighted the importance of a strong host station with established partnerships, a dedicated team of volunteers, and experience in the event organization. KYRS met these criteria while also serving as a role model within the community radio movement. "We are incredibly excited to bring the GRC to Spokane" the GRC Steering Committee said in a statement. "This is a fantastic opportunity for college and community radio stations to connect, share knowledge, and celebrate grassroots media." 

The 2025 Grassroots Radio Conference promises to be a dynamic event, bringing together broadcasters, activists, and media advocates from across the country. More details about the event, including dates, speakers and events will be announced by KYRS Thin Air Community as planning progresses. 

KYRS Thin Air Community Radio has been serving Eastern Washington since 2003, providing a platform for diverse voices and fostering community engagement through innovative programming. The station is heard on 88.1 and 92.3 FM. For more information on KYRS, including how to donate to their station, visit https://kyrs.org

9% Milk Tea & Asian Market opening north of Downtown Spokane

 

A new Asian eatery and market, called 9% Milk Tea & Asian Market is coming soon to Spokane. The new locally owned and operated business will be located at 1101 N. Division Suite D, in the same building as Bulldog Liquor & Wine.  Work is underway to open the new place, with an estimated opening date currently targeted for some time in April. I'm told 9% will sell mostly milk teas but will also offer some packaged foods and some desserts, egg waffles and souffle.

Currently the new business doesn't have a website or social media pages set up yet. But we plan to keep watching their progress towards opening on the Inland Northwest Business Watch social media pages!

Battleground Breakers opens in North Spokane

 In case you missed it, a new gaming card shop opened recently in North Spokane. Battleground Breakers is located at 9427 N. Division in the same building as the Avocado Roll Sushi restaurant, the new business is the only card shop located in North Spokane.

Courtesy photos- Battleground Breakers

Battleground Breakers offers Pokémon, Magic the Gathering, One Piece, Lorcana, and sports cards. They also offer a gaming area where they host community events like family game night. They tell me they have and amazing selection of graded cards and games for the whole family. They also have a selection Japanese Pokémon cards.

For more information on Battleground Breakers, give them a follow on social media via Instagram

Teriyaki Spice now open in Downtown Spokane

 A new restaurant is now open on the western edge of Downtown Spokane, but its name will likely be familiar to those following the Inland Northwest restaurant scene. That's because this is a new location of Teriyaki Spice, which is a small chain that has had a location on US 2 in Airway Heights for some time now.

The Airway Heights Teriyaki Spice will remain open with the new Downtown location operating at 1412 W. 2nd Ave., in the former home of Uncle Rusty's Diner who recently moved to a larger building on Francis in North Spokane. The new Downtown Teriyaki Spice will serve the same menu of teriyaki and similar Asian dishes with their own homemade sauces. 

Teriyaki Spice offers indoor dining, carry out orders and delivery. For more info on Teriyaki Spice including a look at their menu, visit https://www.teriyakispice.com/

Sierra opening Coeur d' Alene store on March 1st

 Sierra, the multichannel off-price retailer with active and outdoor products will open their new store in Coeur d' Alene, this weekend Saturday, March 1st. This store will mark Sierra's second store in the state, after opening one in Meridan in 2020. The Coeur d' Alene Sierra store is located in 20,215 square feet of space formerly occupied by Bed, Bath and Beyond space at 440 W. Wilbur Ave, nearby the corner of Wilbur Ave. and US 95.

Courtesy photo

As part of the TJ Maxx family of brands, Sierra claims to be the go-to retailer for discovering great finds on top active for the entire family at amazing savings. The store sells a wide array of apparel, footwear and gear available up to 20-60% less then department and specialty store prices. The new Coeur d' Alene Sierra store will open to the public with a grand opening celebration Saturday, March 1st at 8:00 AM, including music from a local DJ, branded giveaways and more!

To celebrate their arrival in the Coeur d' Alene community, Sierra has made a $10,000 donation to the non-profit Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho. The new store will be open Mon-Sat 9:30 - 9:30 and Sunday 10-8. Another Sierra store is also coming to Spokane Valley, with construction on that store happening now in the Evergreen Crossing Shopping Center at the corner of Evergreen and Indiana, just west of the Spokane Valley Mall.

For more information on Sierra, visit their website at https://sierra.com

Oldies Preservation Society to purchase long running Jazz station KEWU 89.5 FM

 The Spokane based non-profit organization, Oldies Preservation Society (OPS) has been notified by Eastern Washington University that they have accepted their offer of $510,000, plus $300,000 in publicity and advertising credit to purchase the University's non-commercial radio station, 89.5 KEWU. The ownership transition is pending a public comment period and regulatory approval from the Federal Communications Commission, which is expected to come later this year. OPS currently promotes oldies music though it's local broadcast on KOOL 107.1 FM, playing a large variety of music from the first three decades of rock n roll. 

"The KOOL Oldies format is like a museum of great music from the 50s to the 80s, including vintage commercials & the catchy theme songs of old TV shows" said OPS Board Member Bob Anthony Fogal. "OPS plans to continue to serve our local community from 89.5FM as KEWU has done for nearly 75 years". "This is a huge victory for local broadcasting" said Keith Shipman, President of the Washington State Association of Broadcasters. 

KEWU FM celebrated 75 years on the air as of April 7, 2025, the sale of KEWU will enable EWU to invest in opportunities that align with today's media landscape and the career goals of their students. Plans to continue an EWU station as a streaming-only option are under consideration, especially as it could showcase new student work. We reached out to OPS and we're told they weren't sure as of yet what will happen to their existing 107.1 FM frequency they will be vacating upon the approval of the sale from the FCC.

For more information on the Oldies Preservation Society, check their website at http://koolops.org

Landmark Ashley Furniture store coming to Spokane, more stores also coming

 South Carolina based Broad River Retail, one of the largest and fastest growing Ashley licensees recently announced their expansion into the Spokane market with a large new store coming soon to Northtown Mall. The new store will be one of the largest Ashley Furniture stores in the world.

Courtesy photo

The new store will occupy what was a Macy's anchor store attached to Northtown Mall. The store will be a three level, 101,249 square foot store with Ashley Furniture's latest 7.0 store design. Featuring a modern open layout and residential style lighting where guests can envision what the furniture would look like in their own home.

The new store will be a full Ashley Furniture store with a large showroom featuring the best-selling Ashley collections for every room. Also, an Ashley Outlet for a dedicated space for stylish yet budget-friendly furniture and a Sleep Shop with a larger than average selection of mattresses with many of the top brands on the market.

Courtesy photo

The new store is planned to open by the end of the year and will employ about 30 in various roles. Additionally, the company is actively exploring industrial space for a future distribution center in the area and Broad River also indicates they are also already searching for additional retail sites in the area. For more information on Ashley Furniture, visit their website at https://www.ashleyfurniture.com/

BuyWander relocates to much larger space on E. Sprague

 Spokane Valley based BuyWander was recently called one of the 25 fastest growing companies in the Spokane region by Ingnite Northwest. So, it's not surprising that the company recently relocated to a new, much larger location in Spokane Valley. BuyWander is a business that sells returns from various retailers and ecommerce companies and offers a large variety of merchandise.

Courtesy photo of the new home of BuyWander at 12606 E. Sprague Ave. 

Unlike the bin store concept however, BuyWander sells these goods via their website https://buywander.com with items available for pick up at the new location in Spokane Valley. Items are auctioned and then picked up, allowing items being sold at below retail.

This is the fourth location for BuyWander and by far their largest location to date. It is located at 12606 E. Sprague Ave. in a 34,600 square foot building that was last used as the Northwest Motorsport car dealership. The company also tells me that with the new larger building they also do plan on adding an open to the public shopping experience, with BuyWander planning on releasing exact details on that in the near future.

For more information on BuyWander, visit their website at https://buywander.com

New housing development for homeless veterans to break ground in Spokane

 A new housing development for homeless veterans is set to break ground in Spokane, providing 12 one-bedroom units designed to offer permanent supportive housing for local veterans. The project is nicknamed Vets on Lacey will be located in North Spokane in the 6200 block of N. Lacey St.

Courtesy image of the project site plan

This important project was initially a Spokane Housing Ventures initiative but found its new home in the portfolio of Volunteers of America (VOA ) Eastern Washington & North Idaho after Spokane Housing Ventures merged with Catholic Charities to form Catholic Housing Ventures. This project combines HUD'S Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, helping veterans move from homelessness to stable housing. 

Designed with a cottage housing feel, the development will feature 12 one-bedroom units that focus inwards toward common areas, fostering a sense of community for its residents. Construction is expected to begin in February with Kilgore Construction acting as the general contractor, ZBA Architecture doing the architectural design work and Kiemle Hagood doing property management and acting as a development consultant / owner's representative. 

The project will share driveway access with Jayne Auld Manor, a 48-unit family housing complex managed by Kiemle Hagood and owned by Empire Health. The site plan for the development also identifies amenities such as gardens, BBQ with seating area, laundry, bike storage and a veteran's memorial.

Frontier Airlines to return to Spokane International Airport

 

Courtesy photo

The Denver based ultra-low fare carrier, Frontier Airlines, has announced they plan to return to Spokane International Airport with a new flight connection to Denver coming later this year. Frontier Airlines will begin the service on May 20th 2025 with service three times a week. A special introductory fare of $29 for the flight is being offered with some restrictions, for exact prices and details on the flight contact the airline.

The new Spokane to Denver flight is one of 14 new flights announced today by the budget airline. They are also planning to relaunch air service to Boise in May as well, also with a flight to Denver. The company operates 159 A320 family aircraft and has the largest A320neo family fleet in the US. Frontier Airlines continues to expand with many more Airbus planes currently on order with flight offerings to cities in the US, Mexico and the Carribean. 

For more information on Frontier Airlines and to book the new flight from Spokane to Denver, visit their website at https://flyfrontier.com

Move Northwest is our newest sponsor of Inland Northwest Business Watch

 #sponsoredpost

Move Northwest has kept Washington moving for over 120 years. Formerly known as Bekins Northwest, we continually strive to raise the standard to provide our customers with the best possible service in the moving industry. Our highly qualified staff of movers, packers, & drivers are some of the best in the business and your satisfaction is guaranteed. Specializing in full service moves, warehousing, office moving and installations, international crating, and corporate relocations. 

 

Move Northwest looks forward to continuing to serve the Spokane community and is happy to be the #1 local full service moving company in Washington. Yes! We move that. 

 

To get moving, visit their website at www.movenw.com and follow them on IG @movenw

Northeast PDA planning new mixed-use building with childcare center

 The actual project might still be a few months out but planning work is going full steam ahead for a new mixed-use development at the northeast corner of the Wellesley and N. Haven St intersection in Spokane's Hilyard neighborhood. The project is being led by Northeast Public Development Authority (PDA) and is planned to offer 30-40 units of new affordable housing atop a 6,500 square foot childcare facility, with approximately 100 slots and open until 11pm on weekdays and weekends.

Courtesy photo of the project's site plan

The Northeast PDA acquired the subject site in 2023 via the city's PDA asset-transfer process. The vacant site has been deemed a blight on the neighborhood since 2017 and sits predominantly at the gateway to the Hillyard district's commercial core. The total project cost is estimated to be $12.5 million with construction currently anticipated to begin by the end of the year, 2025 and a delivery during the last half of 2026. 

The building will be four stories tall, including the ground floor childcare space. The project will also include substantial site improvements such as sidewalks, landscaping, seating areas, public art,etc. and will be located near high frequency transit stops. Bouten Construction Company will be the general contractor for the project and architectural work will be done by Architects West.

For more information on the Northeast PDA, visit their website at https://northeastpda.com/

Bella's Cafe & Cocktails opens in the University District

 A new eatery and bar is now open in Spokane's University District, on the ground floor of the Catalyst Building at 601 E. Riverside, just off of E. Sprague. The new place is called Bella's Cafe & Cocktails and replaces the Cole's Cafe that had been operating in the space their prior.

Courtesy photo

Bella's Cafe & Cocktails serves a menu of espresso drinks, delicious food and craft cocktails. Similar to Cole's , Bella's does offer gluten free options with the food menu consisting of breakfast items, sandwiches, panini's, bowls, personal pizzas and more, including occasional specials. Beer, wine and cocktails are also on the menu with a "happiest hour" currently available from 4-6 on Mon-Thurs as of my writing this.

While the new restaurant is already open they plan to host an official grand opening soon. For details on this and more information on Bella's Cafe & Cocktails, give them a follow on social media via Facebook or Instagram

Downtown Spokane Partnership to host 2025 Best in BID Awards and Annual Meeting

 

Courtesy photo- Lydia Cowles , owner of 27th Heaven Bakery and winner of most inspirational business owner

All Downtown Spokane stakeholders and fans will want to take note of the upcoming presentation of the winners of the third annual "Best in BID Awards" by the Downtown Spokane Partnership on Thursday, February 20th. In January, the public was invited to vote for their favorite businesses within an 80-block area of the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) in a number of categories. Thousands of voters, voted to determine this year's honorees, who include:

Best new business in 2024: Press Pickleball Club

Best local collaboration: Heritage Bar & Kitchen / Whistle Punk Brewing

Most inspirational business owner: Lydia Cowles of 27th Heaven Bakery

Best place for wellness and relaxation: Anam Cara Healing Center

Best social media presence: Rencorp Realty

Best place for a quick lunch break: Soulful Soups

Best locally owned fashion spot: Garland Resale Boutique

Best spot for a study session or work meeting: Indaba Coffee

Best place for a first date: Wooden City

Best place to take your out-of-town guests: Numerica Sky Ride

Courtesy photo of the Wharton Building in Downtown Spokane, a redevelopment project of Rencorp Reality. Who won the Best in BID award for best social media presence. Once complete the building will house Jupiter's Eye Book Cafe (now open!) a new restaurant called Gangnam Style and residential lofts on the upper floors

The Best in BID Awards are held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the DSP and the Downtown Spokane Business Improvement District. Leadership and representatives will present accomplishments from 2024 and goals and objectives for 2025 to continue building a dynamic, welcoming and vital Downtown.

Courtesy photo of Soulful Soups & Spirits, Best in BID award winner for best place for a quick lunch break.

DSP'S annual meeting is open to members and ratepayers to attend for $10 and $25 for the public. Networking will begin at 3:30pm with a program at 4:00pm, followed by a social hour with entertainment. The event will be held at nYne Bar & Bistro at 232 W. Sprague Ave, tickets are being sold online via https://downtownspokane.org

Inlander Restaurant Week menus to be released this week

Spokane foodies get ready, because it's almost Inlander Restaurant Week time again. Restaurant Week itself will be from Feb. 27th - March 8th, with more than 125 of the region's top restaurants will offer specially curated three-course menus at $25, $35 and $45 price points. The event is presented by STCU with the menus due to be released tomorrow, Thursday Feb 6th 2025.

Starting Thursday, diners can explore participating restaurants and menus at http://inlanderrestaurantweek.com. Site visitors can search for restaurants offering their three-course menus at lunch, in addition to dinner, as well as filter by neighborhood, cuisine and price point. The official event guide will also be available starting Thursday at STCU branches, participating restaurants and Inlander Community Centers inside more then 50 grocery stores including Rosauers, Yoke's, Safeway, Albertson's and Super One. The event guide will also be inserted in the Feb. 27th edition of The Inlander.

"Now in its thirteenth year, Inlander Restaurant Week is the perfect excuse to explore every corner of the Inland Northwest and finally check out that restaurant you've been eyeing - all while giving local eateries a boost during a slower time of the year" said Tamara McGregor, event director of Inlander Restaurant Week. This year, diners can once again support hospitality workers through partnerships with Big Table and CDAIDE. Every menu will feature a QR code for easy donations. Thanks to the generosity of STCU's Here For Good Foundation, donations will be matched up to $10,000 total during the event.

For more information on Inlander Restaurant Week, check out their website at http://inlanderrestaurantweek.com