Richland, Washington-based Gesa Credit Union has bought a former Applebee’s restaurant building on Spokane’s South Hill and plans to open a full-service retail branch there, after an envisioned, extensive remodel.  

The branch is expected to open in early 2025 in the 5,900-square-foot building at 2107 E. 29th, next to the Grapetree Village commercial complex, says Richard Waddle, executive vice president of Gesa. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2024.

“Spokane residents have embraced the credit union with open arms, and it is now Gesa’s fastest-growing market,” Waddle says. “We plan to continue investing in the Spokane and North Idaho markets to improve convenience for our current and future members.”

Spokane County Assessor’s records show Gesa purchased the roughly 5,900-square-foot building and adjacent land for $2.5 million in September. The assessed taxable value of the site is about $1.9 million, the records show.

Once the South Hill branch is complete, Gesa will have four full-service branches, an express branch, and a lending center in Spokane County.

The South Hill branch will offer consumer and commercial deposit and loan products and services, Waddle says. It will also have local mortgage loan officers.

The future branch occupies a 1.2-acre parcel of land and will have two remote drive-thru lanes.

In all, about 10 employees are expected to be hired at Gesa’s South Hill location.

The architect on the remodel project is Spokane-based MMEC Architecture & Interiors LLC.

Gesa also will expand its footprint in North Idaho later this year, with a full-service retail branch expected to open in Post Falls next month, at 317 S.   Beck, the Journal previously reported. The credit union opened a commercial loan center in Coeur d’Alene last year.