Spokane-based Nelson+Phelps Hospitality Inc. plans to open a Fieldhouse Pizza & Tap House in Liberty Lake, its second such outlet. 

Last summer, the company began remodeling a 5,000-square-foot space for that restaurant. That space, located at 1235 N. Liberty Lake Road, once housed a Blockbuster video store. The company’s original Fieldhouse restaurant is located in the River Ridge Shopping Center, at 4423 W. Wellesley, on Spokane’s North Side.

Co-owner Liz Nelson says the company is currently leasing the Liberty Lake space, with renovations so far costing about $75,000. 

Vandervert Construction Inc., of Spokane, is overseeing the renovations, and the company plans for finishing touches to be put into place by a small crew of subcontractors. 

“We hope to have it completed in time for the holidays,” says Nelson. 

She says the location will employ about the same number of staff as the original Fieldhouse, between 15 and 20 people. 

“We decided on Liberty Lake because it seemed to be an area with lots of sporting events, and not many places for families to gather after games,” she says. 

The menu will be similar to that of the original Fieldhouse location, with pizza, pasta, sandwiches, soups, and salads. Fieldhouse also will serve several local beers on tap, with growlers also available to purchase and refill.  

Liz Nelson and her husband, Curt, along with business partner Todd Phelps, began Nelson+Phelps in 2006, starting with shared ownership of the Steelhead Bar & Grille in downtown Spokane. 

“We’d done business together for a few years prior to that, but mostly my husband and I were silent partners in some of Todd’s businesses,” says Nelson. 

Through their company, the trio owns the Steelhead; Morty’s Tap & Grille, on the South Hill; and Selkirk Pizza & Tap House, on the North Side. Phelps also owns and operates The Screaming Yak, on west Francis Avenue.

Nelson says the company also purchased the former SS Beryl restaurant, a longtime popular establishment at 6404 N. Wall, taking over ownership in October and beginning some minor renovations. 

“We’d like to do more, but with our other current projects, we’ve decided to hold off for a while,” she says. 

So far, the SS Beryl has undergone updates to its kitchen and bathroom areas, with the restaurant remaining open throughout. Nelson says future renovations, which will include the dining and bar area, won’t take place until next year. 

“At the moment we’re just updating and replacing equipment to make things more efficient,” she says. 

Nelson says the company’s next big project is its plan to restore the historic building at 706 N. Monroe, formerly known as The Hop, a concert venue, restaurant, and bar. 

“If all goes well, in a year or two, we’d like to turn that building into both a special event center and the base for our corporate offices,” says Nelson.