Aslin-Finch Feed Co., a Spokane-based manufacturer and distributor of animal feed that also operates eight retail outlets, plans to move its store at 5618 E. Sprague across the street to a former furniture store situated between a Home Depot Inc. store and a Costco Wholesale Corp. outlet.


Company President Jay Allert says Aslin-Finch will occupy 17,000 square feet of the 38,000-square-foot building, which most recently was occupied by Furniture Superstore Inc. The company has bought the building and plans to lease out the other half of it.


Aslin-Finchs store across Sprague has only 5,500 square feet of space, and Allert says the bigger space next to Home Depot will allow the store to expand its product lines and to hire additional employees. The company plans to remodel half of the building for the new store, giving it an appearance similar to its 13,000-square-foot north Spokane store, which is located just southwest of the U.S. 2-Nevada Street intersection, he says.


Shea Construction Inc., of Spokane, will be the contractor on the project, and Bernardo Wills Architects PC, of Spokane, designed it. Allert declines to disclose the expected cost of the project, which he expects will be completed in September, in time to open the new location on Oct. 1.


The east Sprague store, which the chain calls its central store and which is one of three Aslin-Finch Feed & Pet Supply outlets in the Spokane area, will be put up for lease after the move, Allert says.


The larger space at the new location will enable the store to expand several departments, including its dog-grooming and Western-style gift departments, he says. The store also will increase its inventory of animal feed and pet supplies, he says.


Aslin-Finch will add employees to the stores staff after the move, but Allert declines to disclose staffing levels, either for the store or companywide.


The chains third Spokane-area store is at 14705 E. Sprague, also in Spokane Valley. Its distribution center and corporate offices are at 10424 W. Aero, on the West Plains.


Aslin-Finch also operates retail outlets in Colville and Kettle Falls, Wash., that do business as The Flour Mill. It has three stores that do business as Aslin-Finch Feed & Farm, one in Coeur dAlene, and the others in Hamilton, Mont., and Stevensville, Mont.


Allert declines to disclose the companys annual revenues, but says theyve been growing.


Mark Lucas, of Kiemle & Hagood Co., handled the real estate transaction involving Aslin-Finchs new store location and will handle the leases at both sites, Allert says.


Contact Mike McLean at (509) 344-1266 or via e-mail at [email protected].