A Twigs Bistro & Martini Bar location appears to be planned for the vacant T.G.I. Friday's space at 14728 E. Indiana, near the Spokane Valley Mall.

Owners of the small, Spokane-based upscale restaurant chain couldn't be reached for comment, but a sign at the 6,700-square-foot building on Indiana indicates that it will be a Twigs restaurant, and members of the family that own the chain have applied for a liquor license for that address. Meanwhile, a building permit to renovate the structure has been sought by an architect.

The chain is owned by a company here called QoL Restaurant Group Inc., which operates Twigs restaurants downtown, on the South Hill, and on the North Side, as well as a Stix Bar & Grill on North Nevada. The company is owned by Jeffrey and Karen Blackwell, of Spokane.

The building on Indiana, located on the north side of the mall property, had housed T.G.I. Friday's sole Spokane outlet, which opened in 2005, says city of Spokane Valley spokeswoman Carolbelle Branch. It closed last year. She says a permit to put up a new sign there, which includes the Twigs name, was taken out July 28 by Baldwin Signs Inc., of Spokane, on behalf of building owner Great Northwest Restaurants Inc., of Roseville, Calif.

Meanwhile, a liquor license application to the Washington state Liquor Control Board for that address was placed July 27, and lists the Blackwells and their son, Trevor Blackwell, as applicants.

The Blackwells opened their first Twigs restaurant, in River Park Square downtown, in 2001. The restaurants are known for their eclectic menu of contemporary American dishes and signature martinis.

Information on the building permit application lists Vandervert Construction Inc. as the contractor and Russell C. Page, of Spokane, as the architect, says Branch. She says the application was submitted by Russell Page Architects for a remodel of the kitchen, dining room, and bar, and currently is in review. The value of the remodel is listed at $140,000, she says.

It's not clear when the remodel will begin or when the planned restaurant will open.