A $1 million renovation project is expected to get under way later this month in the western portion of the 40-year-old Heritage Village Shopping Center, just north of the Division Street Y on Spokanes North Side.


Dave Black, CEO of Tomlinson Black Commercial Inc. and managing partner of Heritage Village Partnership, which owns the center, says the exteriors of the building that contain s40,000 square feet of floor space in the 48,000-square-foot retail center will be remodeled. The renovation will update that portion of the center so it matches the east end, which underwent a $600,000 renovation in 2001.


The western portion of the retail center currently is largely vacant, and the only tenant in that part of the center, Loulous of Spokane, has announced plans to close its Loulous II North ski shop there by months end. The winter-sporting goods retailer says its consolidating operations because of the current economic landscape and a mild winter that hurt the ski industry.


Three new tenants have agreed to lease space at Heritage Village and plan to open after the remodeling work is completed, says Randy Jassman, an agent with Tomlinson Black Commercial.


Aspen Way Development LLC, a Billings, Mont.-based franchisee of Aarons Sales & Lease rent-to-own stores, has leased 8,500 square feet of retail space there and plans to open an Aarons outlet. That store will be the companys second in the Spokane area.


Christian Supply Centers Inc., a Portland-based Christian-products retailer, has leased 8,700 square feet of floor space there for a new outlet, which will be its fourth store here.


IBR Plasma Centers LLC has leased 8,400 square feet of floor space and plans to open a plasma-donation outlet there.


The west end of Heritage Village, which is located at 9310 N. Division, previously housed an Oak Mill furniture store, which closed about a year ago.


Black says Lydig Construction Inc., of Spokane, will be the general contractor on the remodel and improvements. Bernardo-Wills Architects PC, of Spokane, designed them.