Mike McLean

Free People store to open in downtown Spokane

Outlet here will be third Urban Outfitters affiliate

November 17, 2016

Free People LLC, a women's clothing and accessories store affiliated with Philadelphia-based Urban Outfitters Inc., plans to open a store in the former J.C. Penney building downtown, building permit information on file with the city of Spokane shows. T

Short-term rentals, long-term fix

Scores of vacation home operators aren't licensed; city seeks compliance

November 17, 2016

Mike McLean

The planning department for the city of Spokane is trying to get the word out that short-term rental operators using online home-stay networks such as Airbnb and VRBO are required to obtain licenses from the city and state. The Spokane City Council adopt

Litehouse expands operations in Sandpoint

Salad dressing maker expects further growth

November 17, 2016

Mike McLean

Litehouse Inc., the Sandpoint-based salad dressing maker is in the midst of a $6.2 million expansion project at its Sandpoint manufacturing plant where it hopes to continue increasing its production and its workforce. The company plans to break ground be

Electrical engineering firm H2E thrives on field work

Liberty Lake-founded company inspired by Montana roots

November 3, 2016

Mike McLean

To dress for success at Liberty Lake electrical engineering and consulting company H2E, engineers should be comfortable in work boots, says CEO Neil Heckerman. H2E engineers have a different skill set when it comes to the common perception of electrical

Coldwell Banker Tomlinson group opens Valley real estate office

Agency looks to grow; opens with 13 agents

November 3, 2016

Mike McLean

Coldwell Banker Tomlinson, a prominent real estate agency here, has opened a Spokane Valley office six years after closing an office there during recession-era consolidations. Abbey Parsons, managing broker at the Valley office, says 13 agents are based

Panera Bread constructs North Side bakery-cafÃ©

Chain to open at third INW site near Lowe's

November 3, 2016

Mike McLean

Panera Bread, the Kirkwood, Mo.-based bakery-cafÃ© chain is erecting a new store at 6550 N. Division, in a retail center anchored by a Lowe's hardware store. Vandervert Construction Inc., of Spokane, is the contractor on the project. Russell C. Page Ar

â€”Junior Achievement of Washington/North by Northwest

Raising financial literacy

Junior Achievement initiative to involve 1,900 kids here

November 3, 2016

Mike McLean

Junior Achievement will partner with Spokane Public Schools for the second year in presenting middle school students with a day of hands-on experience with financial challenges they'll likely face as adults. This school year, Junior Achievement Finance

Carl's Jr. eyes new restaurant on North Side

Eatery would be second burger joint at intersection

November 3, 2016

Mike McLean

A franchisee of Carpinteria, Calif.-based Carl's Jr., the national burger chain, wants to construct a restaurant at the southwest corner of Northwest Boulevard and Maple Street, preliminary planning documents recently submitted to the city of Spokane sh

Winter forecast lifts ski hills' hopes

Snow resort operators expect best season in years

November 3, 2016

Mike McLean

Inland Northwest ski resort operators are anticipating a strong ski season, especially in light of long-range weather forecasts of above- average snowfall. 'The forecast is looking really good,â€ says Brad McQuarrie, general manager at Mt. Spokane Ski

Al French concern buys back North Side medical building

Partners look to construct neighboring apartments

November 3, 2016

Mike McLean

Al French and business partner Robert Daugherty have bought back the Franklin Park Medical Center building they developed in 2005 and sold to a California ownership group in 2009. The partners also plan to develop a $15 million-plus apartment building n