Construction has started on Scofflaws Book Club, a new speakeasy-themed bar that's planned to open in the historic Legion Building, at 108 N. Washington downtown.

A Spokane-based Wendy's restaurants franchisee has acquired seven Wendy's restaurants in Nebraska. Wenspok Resources LLC, which does business as Wenspok Cos., will add 250 employees to its current staff of more than 1,000, according to a press

A newly created artisan cheese, wine, and charcuterie shop called Wanderlust Delicato is taking shape in the former Wollnick's General Store space, at 421 W. Main downtown.

Whim Wine Bar is a new wine bar coming to the ground floor of River Park Square downtown mall, at 808 W. Main, next month. The shop is co-owned by Kori Henderson and husband Paul Blacketer, who have both worked in the food and service industries

French Toast Children's Boutique plans to move its store from the Steam Plant building at 159 S. Lincoln downtown to a new 1,100-square-foot space at 1170 W. Summit Parkway in the Kendall Yards neighborhood.

Home décor store White Brick Interiors has opened in 2,000 square feet of leased space at 2055 N. Main, in Coeur d'Alene's Riverstone Village.

Hardwick & Sons Inc. hardware store, a fixture of Seattle's University District for nearly nine decades, is looking at moving to Post Falls, says CEO and third-generation owner Dean Hardwick, who cites rising taxes in Washington state

A new bar called Night Owl has opened at 223 N. Division, in an 800-square-foot leased space between Boombox Pizza and Fast Eddies Bar & Grill. Owner-operator Trent Cochran says he purchased the business in November from his friend Andy Derrickson.