Taxable retail sales here made substantial gains in the first quarter, according to figures released recently by the Washington state Department of Revenue. In the city of Spokane, such sales grew 4.8 percent to about $717 million, from about a

The Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute has taken additional steps to pursue development of a new $6 million wet-lab facility here.At meetings this month, SIRTIs board pledged up to $250,000 to be used to operate the in

WestCoast Hospitality Corp. Chairman Don Barbieri says hed like to fill the legislative seat being vacated by 3rd District state Rep. Jeff Gombosky, but only if hes appointed to the posthe doesnt plan for now to run for election. thats on

Two restaurant-chain operators, Falls Caf Inc., of Edmonton, Alberta, and Mad Anthonys Inc., of Bellevue, Wash., have submitted proposals to the city of Spokane to lease the former Saltys at the Falls restaurant building, at 510 N. Lincoln, it

Empire Health Services, the nonprofit operator of Deaconess Medical Center and Valley Hospital & Medical Center, is making several moves to strengthen its business acumen and improve communications with physicians, staff, and the community.The

Lauri Seghetti remembers that as a child she often liked to rearrange the furniture in her familys home.Beyond that apparent genetic disposition, the Spokane woman cant explain exactly how she came by the creative talent that led her to an

Though Spokane isnt in the running to land Boeing Co.s planned 7E7 manufacturing plant, some aircraft-parts companies here stand to benefit if the big aerospace manufacturer opens the plant elsewhere in the state.Boeing is conducting a for

On a recent Thursday morning, dripping flower-laden baskets brightened the new location of Revival Lighting LLC, at 14 W. Main. A half-block to the west, two bicyclists sipped drinks in front of the Rocket Bakerys 5-year-old east downtown caf, a

For the first time in years, some businesses here are beginning to direct their gaze northward for more than a passing glance, stirred by a recent rise in the value of the Canadian dollar and a healthy business climate in Canadas western loonie,

Global Credit Union, of Spokane, has opened its first branch in the Tri-Cities and plans to open its second branch there in October.Global opened a branch office in Pasco on June 18, inside a new Yokes Washington Foods Inc. supermarket, says