North Idaho

House of Brunch to open in downtown core

Eatery to offer upscale twists on classic options

February 16, 2023

An all-day brunch spot is set to open next month in downtown Spokane. The House of Brunch LLC is scheduled to debut its restaurant in the former Sushi Sakai space at 818 W. Riverside on Thursday, March 2. Jackson Connery, House of Brunch co-owner

What's Happening With: former New Jersey Mining Co.

Idaho Strategic now eyes new direction in rare earth elements

February 2, 2023

Mike McLean

Idaho Strategic Resources Inc., the Coeur d'Alene-based mining company formerly known as New Jersey Mining Co., sees its future in rare earth elements, says John Swallow, company president and CEO. The company took on its new name in late 2021.

Inland Northwest bankruptcy filings trend downwardâ€”for now

Lawyers here expect filings to rise after end of pandemic-era consumer protections

February 2, 2023

Virginia Thomas

Bankruptcy filings in 2022 continued the downward trend of the past several years in Eastern Washington, but bankruptcy attorneys here say filings are likely to climb this year. In 2022, 436 bankruptcy cases were filed in Spokane County, according to d

Quality Powdercoating to construct new facility

Hayden company to build near current location

January 19, 2023

Virginia Thomas

Quality Powdercoating Inc., of Hayden, is constructing a new facility in Hayden. Post Falls-based Donohoe Construction is the contractor on the project. Rich Donohoe, owner and manager of the construction company, says the powder coating company plans

The Top 20 Spokane Business Stories of 2022

Major projects start; iconic firms change hands during year of economic shift

December 28, 2022

Linn Parish

In the Inland Northwest, business news involved more highlights than lowlights in 2022, despite challenges nationally and globally.

Idaho mining execs optimistic about the future

Hecla anticipates higher output; Idaho Strategic expands rare earth sites

December 15, 2022

Mike McLean

Inland Northwest mining industry representatives are optimistic about mining in the coming year and beyond. Coeur d'Alene-based Hecla Mining Co., which is the largest silver producer in the U.S., recently agreed to acquire all outstanding stock in

Demand, prices for wood products expected to slow further

Market reacting to Fed raising interest rates

December 15, 2022

Virginia Thomas

The wood products industry is likely to see a cooling of market volatility in 2023 as demand slows due to inflation and interest rate increases, experts say. Tim Borg, general manager at the Spokane offices of Texas-based supplier and manufacturer of

Kootenai County rebound faces labor, housing challenges

Commercial development continues in Post Falls

December 15, 2022

Mike McLean

Kootenai County is seeing a return to the incremental and measured growth that had been typical of North Idaho's economy over the last decade, although that growth is being challenged by labor and housing shortages, says Sam Wolkenhauer, Post Falls-base

What's happening with: Silver Lake Mall

Shopping center is fully occupied; Black Sheep's sales 'exceeding goals' two years after purchase

December 1, 2022

Mike McLean

Two years to the month after Coeur d'Alene business owners bought the Silver Lake Mall from a large, national real estate company, the shopping hub in north Coeur d'Alene is fully occupied.

It's blue bird beginnings to the ski season in the INW

Early start could lead to extended seasons

December 1, 2022

Erica Bullock

A mix of cold temperatures and early snowfall has regional ski resort operators looking forward to a busy season. A La NiÃ±a winter forecast is raising expectations for colder and stormier than average conditions across the U.S. that also may help