Virginia Thomas

Reporter Virginia Thomas has worked at the Journal since 2017 and covers the health care industry. As a reporter, she loves learning about Spokane's many growing industries. She enjoys traveling with her husband, snuggling with her cats, and cross stitching.

Bluebird’s Cottage cafe opens in Spokane Valley

Coffee shop offers DIY flower bouquet bar, monthly themes

February 12, 2026

Bluebird’s Cottage, a cafe offering a build-your-own bouquet bar, has opened in a converted home at 18 N. Bowdish, in Spokane Valley.

Spiceology Inc. expands space, brand partnerships

Rapid growth follows profitability milestone

February 12, 2026

Virginia Thomas

Spiceology Inc. CEO Darby McLean says the company’s main challenge these days is predicting and carefully controlling growth.

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.

Griffiths, Dreher & Evans acquires firm

Janice Penar CPA/PFS served more than 75 clients

March 2, 2023

Virginia Thomas

Spokane Valley-based investment advising and accounting firm Griffiths, Dreher & Evans PS CPAs has acquired a smaller accounting firm with clients here and in Cheney. Deanna Dreher, a certified public accountant and shareholder

Old funeral home to get new life as apartments

Monroe Lofts to include wine cellars, garden plot

March 2, 2023

Virginia Thomas

A former funeral home building on North Monroe Street could be remodeled into apartment units, according to plans filed with the city of Spokane. A change-of-use application calls for renovating the former Hazen & Jaeger Funeral home, at 1306 N. Monroe

Change in Behavior: Frontier Behavioral Health moves to new model

Method intended to address worker shortage

March 2, 2023

Virginia Thomas

Frontier Behavioral Health has created a new model of caring for clients that relies more heavily on employees who have bachelor's degrees that supplement those who have more advanced degree in an industry desperate for workers.

Impacted: Council mulls impact fees with construction moratorium along U.S. 195 corridor set to end

Uniform, citywide fees floated as option

March 2, 2023

Virginia Thomas

The Spokane City Council has a matter of days to decide whether to adjust transportation impact fees before a moratorium on new construction in the Latah Valley area expires. The Council could raise the fee to 600% or more of the current level. It also

Patent claims against Continuous Composites denied

Trial against competitor scheduled for December

February 16, 2023

Virginia Thomas

Six petitions seeking to invalidate patent claims of Coeur d'Alene-based additive manufacturer Continuous Composites Inc. have been denied, and a seventh is set to be reviewed in November. That yet-to-be-resolved issue will occur ahead of a trial

Renovation plans filed with city, although lease said not finalized yet

February 16, 2023

Virginia Thomas

A flooring retailer is looking at opening a store in the former Lowe's Cos. Inc. home improvement store location at 6902 N. Division, on Spokane's North Side. According to commercial building remodel applications on file with the city of Spokane

Virginia Thomas

Reporter Virginia Thomas has worked at the Journal since 2017 and covers the health care industry. As a reporter, she loves learning about Spokane's many growing industries. She enjoys traveling with her husband, snuggling with her cats, and cross stitching.

ARTICLES

Bluebird’s Cottage cafe opens in Spokane Valley

Spiceology Inc. expands space, brand partnerships

Commellini Estate aims to enhance al fresco experiences

Sandos slings sandwiches in northwest Spokane

Griffiths, Dreher & Evans acquires firm

Old funeral home to get new life as apartments

Change in Behavior: Frontier Behavioral Health moves to new model

Impacted: Council mulls impact fees with construction moratorium along U.S. 195 corridor set to end

Patent claims against Continuous Composites denied

Floor & DÃ©cor eyes former Lowe's store on North Side

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Reporter Virginia Thomas has worked at the Journal since 2017 and covers the health care industry. As a reporter, she loves learning about Spokane's many growing industries. She enjoys traveling with her husband, snuggling with her cats, and cross stitching.

ARTICLES

Which industry sector has the greatest growth opportunity in the greater Spokane area?

Popular Articles