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Restaurants & Retail

In Their Own Words ...

May 21, 2020

Mark Schneider Rambleraven Gear Trader 3220 N. Division, Spokane I opened as NW Outdoors in 2017 as a consignment shop for outdoor gear and clothing. Those first three years were challenging, but despite not having a large marketing budget, we've

Xfinity to roll out 5G mobile service in Spokane

Comcast subsidiary offers new plans in 34 cities

May 21, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Competition for fifth-generation mobile service in Spokane has increased with the introduction of a new Xfinity Mobile service. Xfinity Mobile, a trade name of Philadelphia-based Comcast Corp. subsidiary Comcast Cable Communications LLC,

Washington Lottery office to move to NorthTown Mall

New space to house flagship retail store for organization

May 21, 2020

Natasha Nellis

Washington's Lottery plans to open its first retail space in the NorthTown Mall this year, although those plans have already been slowed somewhat by the current pandemic, says Grove Ayers, general manager of the mall.

WARN notice activity decreases

Three companies have furloughed fewer than 500 Spokane workers, latest notifications show

May 21, 2020

Kevin Blocker

In the last month, the number of Spokane County employers filing layoff notices with the Washington state Employment Security Department have arrived at a slower pace than the month prior.

Medcurity plans to add staff, move

Seattle firm invests $200K in medical records tech firm

May 21, 2020

Kevin Blocker

Medcurity Inc., the Spokane-based medical records tech company, has secured $200,000 in funding from a West Side investment firm. WRF Capital, the investment arm for Seattle-based nonprofit Washington Research Foundation, made the investment last month,

McKinstry launches building optimization service

Company aims to improve systems for vacant, low-occupancy facilities

May 21, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Construction and energy-efficiency contractor McKinstry Co., which is based in Seattle and has a big presence in Spokane, has launched a new service meant to help building owners and managers optimize their facilities while occupancy is low due

Social capital drives fund for response to COVID-19

Over $2 million raised for community groups through month of April

May 21, 2020

Mason Burley

We were lost. Not dangerously lost, but definitely turned around and off-course. During the third day of a 50-mile backpack trip with my son's Scout troop, we broke camp and unknowingly started following a ridgeline that led away from our planned route.

SNAP, utilities partner to keep lights on

Requests for payment assistance surge in midst of COVID-19 pandemic

May 21, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Requests for assistance paying utility bills have essentially doubled in Spokane, according to Carol Weltz, director of community action at community service nonprofit Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners.

Next phase of expansion starts at Bella Tess apartment complex

Addition to bring total number of units to 600

May 21, 2020

Natasha Nellis

The city of Spokane Valley has issued permits for the $18.7 million third phase of the Bella Tess apartments. When complete, the project will add 156 living units in five, three-story buildings to the multifamily complex, building permit application

Sonderen Packaging sees pandemic sales boost

Coronavirus-related hoarding drives up demand at custom paperboard maker

May 21, 2020

Natasha Nellis

As more custom paperboard packaging manufacturers are bought out by large conglomerates, Spokane-based Sonderen Packaging Inc. intends to stick to its vision of remaining 'fiercely independent,â€ says principal and co-owner Keva Sonderen.