Wild Birds Unlimited, a national franchise of stores carrying bird-watching gear, is set to open a new store at 2925 E. 29th in the Lincoln Heights Shopping Center, on Spokane’s South Hill. 

Franchisees Hanna and David Goss say they plan to hold a soft opening for the store May 25, followed by a larger, grand opening this June.

This is the second Wild Birds store the two have opened; they opened their first in Richland, Washington, in 2017.

There are about 11 Wild Birds stores on the West Side, but none here in Spokane,” says Hana Goss. Part of the company’s goal in opening the store was to bring the franchise to east side.

The next closest Wild Birds store is located at 296 W. Sunset, in Coeur d’Alene. 

The couple say Wild Birds stores offer customers everything they need to get started in backyard birdwatching including bird food, bird houses, and mounting or hanging hardware.

“We also have a variety of nature-related gift items for purchase and art that’s designed for use in your yard,” says David Goss. “Bird watching is the number two hobby in the nation behind gardening, and the best thing about it is you can start at any level.”

The couple say their Richland store has four employees, and they hope to hire a similar number for their new Spokane store.

Goss says the couple worked with Spokane-based Yost Gallagher Construction to remodel the 1,100-square-foot space, formerly occupied by Referee Photo, to include retail space, a nature discovery room for seasonal displays, and a presentation room that will be available for community groups.