Retail

Freeform buys office furniture store in Tri-Cities

Acquisition said to link efficiently to operations in Spokane, Boise offices

March 16, 2023

Richland, Washington, office furniture and supply store Brutzman's Office Solutions has been acquired recently by a company with Spokane roots. Brutzman's changed hands March 1, having been sold to Freeform, a Boise, Idaho-based commercial interior

Marandos owner to restart Otis Orchards eatery

Restaurant slated to open this month in longtime location of Otis Grill

March 16, 2023

Dylan Harris

The kitchen will soon heat back up at the location of the former Otis Grill restaurant. The new eatery, to be called the Otis Restaurant, is expected to open this month at 21902 E. Wellesley, in Otis Orchards.

Cookie Crunch: Girl Scouts council here sets goal to sell 1 million boxes despite supply-chain disruption

Local council delays shipment with promise of securing more product

March 16, 2023

Karina Elias

The Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington & Northern Idaho council has been building its annual cookie sales, cresting 1 million boxes of Girl Scout Cookies sold for the first time in 2022 and keeping that goal amid a national cookie shortage.

Big Table expands hospitality worker outreach

Spokane-based nonprofit aims to grow presence to 10 cities by 2029

March 2, 2023

Karina Elias

Spokane-based nonprofit Big Table has grown steadily and is opening a fourth location next month. Launched in Spokane in 2009, Big Table was formed to assist workers in the hospitality and restaurant industry with struggles, including housing stability

Commellini Estate aims to enhance al fresco experiences

Historic family-owned venue envisioned to host more public occasions

March 2, 2023

Virginia Thomas

Commellini Estate Venue & Event Restaurant has a historical past that its owners, relatives of the original founders, say they hope to build on as they plan to increase public events at the wedding and event venue.

Sandos slings sandwiches in northwest Spokane

Breakfast, lunch stand plans two more stands after busy first weeks

March 2, 2023

Virginia Thomas

The co-owner of a new drive-thru sandwich shop in Northwest Spokane claims demand has been stronger than he had expected. Isaac Houger says Sandos, which opened Jan. 26 at a stand at 1602 N. Ash, sold more than 4,450 sandwiches in its first four weeks.

Convention bookings expected to rebound by 2025

Current activity levels off last year's pace, but outlook is stable

March 2, 2023

Maureen Dodroe

It's been three years since COVID turned the tourism and hospitality industry upside down. That's about 1,100 days of heartbreak, uncertainty, loss, rebuilding, and success. Coming out of the pandemic, we knew it would take three to five years for

Sustainable Stays: Some INW hoteliers focus on green practices

Consumers seek out eco-friendly facilities, contribute to strategies

March 2, 2023

Erica Bullock

Hotel companies are pursuing ways to reduce the environmental impacts of their lodging facilities through property upgrades, energy tracking, and flexible environmental policies that are spurred by consumer demand, and financial and energy savings

What's Happening With: QlispeÂ´ Raceway Park

Kalispel Tribe plans full road course, dragster event schedule at raceway

March 2, 2023

Mike McLean

The Kalispel Tribe of Indians is planning full road course and drag racing seasons starting this spring at its QlispÃ© Raceway Park, formerly Spokane County Raceway, almost 1 1/2 years after buying the property.

Chicana Esthetics caters to multicultural skin

Studio owner: Diverse clients need specialized cosmetic treatments

March 2, 2023

Karina Elias

Chicana Esthetics LLC has seen strong growth in its number of clients since launching in November as a cosmetic skin studio focused on skin health issues for people of Native American, Asian, African American, and Latino backgrounds.