Vehrs Inc., a Spokane wholesale wine distributor, has leased 50,000 square feet of office and warehouse space in the Spokane Business & Industrial Park and plans to move its operations there from smaller quarters in the Valley.


Vehrs President Tom Murphy says the companys new space at SBIP currently is undergoing some cosmetic changes, but is expected to be ready for occupancy by Sept. 16.


Its new space is double the square footage of the facilities Vehrs occupies in the Ella Industrial Park, at 511 N. Ella.


Murphy says the company started in that industrial park about 20 years ago. As the company has grown, he says, it has taken floor space in several different buildings within that park. The new facility will allow the company to operate out of a centralized location, which should be more efficient and convenient, Murphy says.


Vehrs has enjoyed steady growth in sales recently and currently employs about 40 people, he says. The company expects its employment to remain at about that level.


As a distributor, we were of course affected by last years economic downturn, but our sales are up over last year, he says.


The company sells wines wholesale in Washington state and North Idaho to restaurants, specialty stores, supermarkets, and other retail outlets.


Vehrs currently carries wines from over 100 wineries worldwide, including Latah Creek Wine Cellars and Caterina Winery, both of Spokane.