Latest News

One Tree Hard Cider: Good times for hard cider

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September 22, 2016

Now in its third year of operation, Spokane Valley-based One Tree Hard Cider LLC plans to keep expanding by extending its distribution area and creating a second tasting room here. The company increased production this year hoping to increase sales, a

Franchisee opens first Mattress Depot on the South Hill

Seattle retailer also looks to develop Valley presence

September 22, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

A franchisee of Mattress Depot USA, a Seattle-based mattress retailer, has opened the chains's first Spokane-area store. The store is located in about 2,400 square feet of leased retail space in the Regal Plaza shopping center, at 3104 E. Palouse Hig

Retail sales increase by 7 percent in Spokane County

Some businesses, though, report construction impacts

September 22, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Taxable retail sales throughout Spokane County increased 7 percent through the first half of this year, compared with the year-earlier period, county budget and finance office statistics show. Through six months, businesses in Spokane County had $4.6 bi

Rockwood Health owner considers selling business

Hospital giant CHS said exploring strategic options

September 22, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Community Health Systems Inc., the Tennessee-based hospital operator that owns Rockwood Health System in Spokane, released a statement Monday saying it is considering selling its entire business. The struggling hospital giant confirmed in the release th

Spokane software provider PacifiCAD to refocus its offerings

Company sells Autodesk manufacturing, plant assets

September 22, 2016

Kim Crompton

PacifiCAD Inc., a 27-year-old Spokane reseller and servicer of software for Autodesk and some other products related to engineering design, is preparing to diversify its offerings. The company says it has sold its Autodesk manufacturing and plant assets

Washington Trust Bank parent posts increase in earnings

Company's workforce nears 900 employees

September 22, 2016

Washington Financial Corp., the Spokane-based parent of Washington Trust Bank, has reported net income of $26 million through the first half of 2016, up from $21.5 million through the year-earlier period. As of June 30 this year, Washington Trust had tot

Scrap metal woes pile up

Spokane area feels global decline in demand

September 22, 2016

Spokane-area scrap metal collection and recycling companies say a global market slowdown has battered their industry in recent years, and industry forecasts indicate a rebound in demand for scrap metal is still at least three years away. 'It's really

Spokane-area exports grow by $17 million

Exported goods topped $800 million here in '15

September 22, 2016

Goods exported from the Spokane and Spokane Valley metropolitan area totaled a little over $823 million last year, marking a 2.1 percent increase from 2014, according to the International Trade Administration's 2015 Metropolitan Area Export Overview rel

Fred Meyer tests new retail strategy at Spokane-Cd'A stores

Company puts $22 million into its four area stores

September 22, 2016

Mike McLean

Fred Meyer Stores Inc. is investing $22 million to convert its four Spokane-Coeurd'Alene area stores into a new nationwide model for its parent company, Cincinnati-based Kroger Co., and Kroger's family of superstore brands. The biggest changes will b

Small Business Watch

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September 8, 2016

Staff Report

Mountain Dog Sign Co. has relocated its sign manufacturing facility in an effort to streamline and expand its operations. The business moved earlier this summer from its 3,500-square-foot space in the Meadowwood Technology Campus, at 24001 E. Mission, i