Latest News

Downtown auto dealer fights ouster

Richardson challenges Ford Motor Co.'s move to dump her as operator

October 29, 2009

Jan Richardson, owner of Jaguar-Land Rover-Volvo Spokane, is fighting a move by Ford Motor Co. to terminate her as operator of the downtown dealership.Richardson filed a lawsuit against Ford in Spokane County Superior Court earlier this month a

Retailers voice merry outlook

Merchants here anticipate less snow, higher sales

October 29, 2009

Mike McLean

Despite signs of nervousness on the national retail front, Spokane-area merchants are optimistic that holiday-season sales here will improve over last year's sales, which they say were hampered more by the weather than the recession. Todd Davis,

Kaiser property to get TIF boost

Commissioners to rule on comp plan changes, rezone soon

October 29, 2009

Kim Crompton

A long-term proposal to turn a large piece of land north of the shuttered former Kaiser Aluminum Corp. Mead Works smelter into a mixed-use development has advanced with Spokane County commissioners' approval of a tax-increment financing district at

These are festive times for international real estate funds

They've jumped in value 38 percent this year, but obstacles cloud outlook

October 29, 2009

Personal Investing

Let's get the party started: An overseas run-up in real estate funds is rocking.International real estate funds are up 38 percent in 2009, or about 100 percent above their market bottom in March, according to Lipper Inc. Global real estate funds

In the News: October 29, 2009

October 29, 2009

Oct. 27 / Avista to receive $20 million for feeder upgrade Avista Utilities said it will receive a $20 million stimulus grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for an upgrade of 58 of its feeder lines that serve highly populated of /

Calendar: October 29, 2009

October 29 - November 12, 2009

October 29, 2009

Meetings & Events The Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau will hold its annual meeting, themed Strategic Optimism Ahead, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Tom Norwalk, of the Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau,

Got onion slicing goggles?

October 15, 2009

David Cole

Gadgets," Eric Frickle answers enthusiastically, when asked what The Kitchen Engine, in the Flour Mill retail development, sells more of than anything else. "We sell more gadgets and tools than you can imagine." Frickle, 27, is president and of

Big, Texas-style restaurant sets Cd'A location

Company expects to hire about 160 people there, plans to open in March

October 15, 2009

Jeanne Gustafson

Texas Roadhouse Inc., a Louisville, Ky.-based restaurant chain that specializes in steaks and spareribs, plans to open a large outlet in Coeur d'Alene in March and will employ about 160 people there.Texas Roadhouse has 330 restaurants in 46 in a

Sterling opens call center in Liberty Lake

Spokane bank offers customer service via phone, e-mail at former FirstBank location

October 15, 2009

Mike McLean

Spokane-based Sterling Savings Bank says it's converting a former FirstBank Northwest branch building in Liberty Lake into a call center.The call center, which Sterling calls a customer resource center, occupies a 2,800-square-foot single-story

Fabric chain plans larger Valley outlet

Jo-Ann Stores to move its outlet on Sprague into former Circuit City space

October 15, 2009

Mike McLean

Jo-Ann Stores Inc., the Hudson, Ohio-based specialty retailer that does business here as Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts, has leased most of a building that formerly housed a Circuit City Stores Inc. outlet near the Spokane Valley Mall, says a commercial &