Grocery Outlet planning a new store in Deer Park

 Deer Park will soon be getting a new option for grocery shopping. The California based chain of discount grocery stores, that operates mostly with local franchisees is currently in the planning process for a new store to be built at 507 W. Crawford St, next door to Tractor Supply on the edge of the Town of Deer Park. 

The project is currently in the SEPA application process to help determine its environmental impact. In the application the developer indicates they would like to begin construction at the site during the fall of 2025. This would likely mean the new store would open sometime in 2026. While actual building permits have not been issued just yet, Garco Construction has been chosen as the general contractor for the project an a worksite storage trailer is already on the site as of my writing this.

The plans show a new construction building at about 16,000 square feet with Grocery Outlet being the sole tenant and a new surface parking lot. Once open this will be the fifth location for Grocery Outlet in Spokane County, according to the Wikipedia the company boasts 480 stores chainwide as of May 2024 but the chain is currently expanding and opening new stores in many markets. For more information on Grocery Outlet, visit their website at http://groceryoutlet.com/

New multi-tenant commercial building to be built in Liberty Lake

Courtesy photo, provided by Daines Capital

Located on the western side of the city of Liberty Lake is a planned new commercial development, being marketed as the Ridgeline Center. The new building will be constructed soon at 19701 E. Appleway, across Appleway from Ridgeline High School and will offer space for one or multiple tenants focusing primarily on office or medical office space users.

All together the new building will offer 15,000 square feet of space with an onsite surface parking lot. Spaces can be demised down to 2,000 square feet and parking is offered at 5.17 to 1000 SF. Construction will be begin this summer with an estimated completion sometime around the summer of 2026. The general contractor for the Ridgeline Center project will be Silvey Construction and architectural work done by Bernardo Wills. 

There are currently no tenants to be announced as opening in the new building just yet. But I'm told there already has been a lot of interest, so we expect to know more about this once it gets closer to completion. Daines Capital is marketing the space for lease, with more information available by calling Steven Daines at 509-590-9114 or email steven@dainescapital.com , also visit https://dainescapital.com for other commercial real estate opportunities in the Inland Northwest and beyond.

The Thrifty Gift opens in Dalton Gardens

 

A new for-profit thrift store has opened in a unique building in Dalton Gardens, nearby Coeur d' Alene. Located in a former dentist's office building, The Thrifty Gift is a 1000 square foot retail store located at 6176 N. Government Way, by The Mall Storage. They've even incorporated the former dental chair rooms to display their array of merchandise.

The Thrifty Gift sells everything from adult to kids clothing, yard art, home decor, DVD's/books/magazines, collectables, handmade creations from the owner and a lot more. The owner are a daughter and her mother who have established roots in Kootenai County and say they have priced their items to make it back into the community, they even offer a punch card program for their more frequent buyers. The Thrifty Gift is currently open Tues-Say 9am-4pm and more information about the business can be found on their website https://thriftygiftdalton.square.site/ and give them a follow-on social media via Facebook .

Trailbreaker Cider opens new location in River Park Square

 

Courtesy photo- Trailbreaker Cider owner Trent Maier.

Just in time for Hoopfest, the Liberty Lake based hard cider company, Trailbreaker Cider has expanded and opened a second location in Downtown Spokane's River Park Square. The new place is similar to the Liberty Lake location, which also remains open, with the full line of locally produced Trailbreaker Cider's, several local beers and regional wines and a restaurant menu as well.

The River Park Square Trailbreaker Cider is located on the 3rd floor of the shopping center in-between the food court and the AMC Movie Theater ticket counters. They plan to add to the Downtown menu as the longer they are open but are starting with pizzas, salads, cheesecake and a few other of their staple items. For more information on Trailbreaker Cider, check out their website at https://www.trailbreakercider.com/

Sahil's Halal Market opens near Downtown Spokane

Food and other market items are available once more at 417 E. Third Ave., just east of Downtown Spokane. The former home of Alpine Delicatessen, a now closed European market and deli has reopened with a different local owner and a different type of cuisine. 

Sahil's Halal Market recently opened there and carries a selection of Middle Eastern and Asian foods with a selection that is growing the longer they are open. Sahil's currently has spices, sweets, drinks, dried fruits, naan, pastries and will soon have freshly baked breads and halal meats. For more information on Sahil's Halal Market, including the new grocery items they are getting in, give them a follow-on social media at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577229477927

Soulful Soups to return, at a different location in Downtown Spokane

 An iconic local restaurant that closed down at the end of April is returning. Today it was announced that Soulful Soups and Spirits will transfer ownership too local couple Aaron & Kaden Earle who plan to re-open the restaurant in new location.

Courtesy photo of the inside of the new Soulful Soups location on S. Madison.

Soulful Soups will relocate to a storefront at 111 S. Madison, the former Downtown One Tree Cider Taphouse and might be prepared to open as soon sometime in July and should be prepared for full service this fall. I'm told everything will be the same with the new location and owner, even with the recipes for the businesses soups, the only exception is they will now have a tap system for draft beer, wine and ciders. 

The original Soulful Soups and Spirits at 117 N. Howard is currently being converted in a Supa! Authentic Japanese Kitchen from a completely different owner as Soulful Soups. For more info on the re-opening of Soulful Soups give them a follow-on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/soulfulsoupsandspirits

Eats on Spokane Street opens in Post Falls

 An exciting new food truck court is now open in Post Falls called Eats on Spokane Street and is of course located on Spokane St, at 106 N. Spokane St next door to Post Falls Brewing Company. The new project has outdoor food truck spaces and a pavilion style building that also houses a couple of new eateries. Plans call for the site to also be home to some events with a night of live music even planned for tonight (June 20th) from 5-8pm.

The opening vendors of Eats on Spokane Street include:

Charcuteria serving Italian sandwiches, salads, charcuterie boards, kids sandwiches and gelato.

Angel's Eats and Treats serving Philly Cheesesteaks

Woody's Smoked Salmon serving smoked salmon sandwiches on sourdough and chowder

Taco Works

Melfit Healthy Kitchen serving healthy meals created by a chef, nutritionist and personal trainer.

Nachos Cantina serving sheet pan nachos with smoked meats. 

Additionally, Eats on Spokane Street still have room for three more food vendors to join the project. For more information, visit their website at https://www.eatsonspokanest.com/

Ellie Mental Health expands to Post Falls with new clinic at Millworx

 Access to quality mental health care is growing in North Idaho. Ellie Mental Health recently announced the opening of their second regional clinic in Post Falls at 949 E. Fourth St. Suite 106 in the new Millworx mixed-use development. The Coeur d' Alene clinic, located within the Riverstone development will also remain open.

Courtesy photos. 

Ellie Mental Health of North Idaho conducts over 1,000 individual patient visits each month and aims to double that positive impact. Ellie Mental Health is a modern outpatient provider on a mission to normalize therapy, reduce access barriers, and empower clinicians to thrive. They say their clinician-first model creates flexible, supportive environments that allow mental health professionals to focus on delivering high-quality care to individuals, couples, families, and organizations. "Our second location is now open and accepting new patients," said Jamie Major, one of the local owners said. "We're proud to be in-network with most major insurance providers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, Aetna, Pacific Source and more."

An official grand opening will be held on the afternoon of Thursday, June 26th 2025, hosted by the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce, the public is invited to attend. For more information on the new Post Falls Ellie Mental Health visit their website at https://elliementalhealth.com/locations/post-falls-millworx-id/

McDonald's to build a new restaurant along Hwy 41 in Post Falls

 A great deal of new construction is either underway or coming soon along the Hwy 41 corridor from its junction with I-90 in Post Falls up to the city of Rathdrum. One such development site in this section is North Point Plaza, a commercial development from Hayden based Corhaven Properties that had a new Grocery Outlet and 7-11 open earlier this year. And now the developers have announced a new McDonald's restaurant will also be joining the development soon. 

This will be the third McDonald's in the City of Post Falls with the others remaining open after the new location opens. The McDonald's will be built new next door to 7-11 by the corner of Hwy. 41 and Poleline Rd. , construction on the new building is planned to start in either late summer or early fall of this year with opening planned for some time in the first two quarters of 2026. The restaurant will be about 3,800 square feet with indoor dining and a dual lane drive thru.

The North Point Plaza development at 41 and Poleline Rd. also still has room for a few more tenants and is actively marketing the prime piece of real estate. For more information on building at North Point Plaza, check out the project's page on Corhaven Properties website http://corhaven.com/portfolio-item/introducing-north-point-plaza-your-premier-retail-destination-in-post-falls-idaho/

El Jefe's Grill coming soon to Coeur d' Alene

 

A new quick service restaurant specializing authentic Mexican BBQ made with mesquite is coming soon to Coeur d' Alene, and possibly other area locations in the future. Work is underway on El Jefe's Grill set to open in the storefront space at 405 E. Best Ave. Suite 104, by the corner of 4th / Best and Appleway. The business is locally owned and operated and the owner tells me their chicken, carne asada, wings and even their salsas will be roasted on the Mesquite BBQ. He says there will also be other menu items that he says everyone will be sure to love including rice bowls, Sonoran hot dogs and more.

El Jefe's Grill will also have a bar with 8 beers on tap as well as many bottled options to choose from. Additionally, the bar will have a good wine selection and pre-made cocktails. The opening date has yet to be announced but will surely be announced soon on their social media pages. A second location in a yet to be announced site somewhere in North Idaho is also being planned, watch the El Jefe's Grill social media pages for that as well.

For more information On El Jefe's Grill, visit their website at https://eljefesgrill.com/, and give them a follow-on Facebook or Instagram

Piccolo Pizza planning location in Post Falls

 Piccolo Pizza, a favorite local restaurant in Liberty Lake is working its way across the border with work underway on a new second location coming soon to Post Falls. Piccolo will join the Millworx mixed-use development in a space along 4th St. across from the Kindred & Co. Bookstore. They are hoping to open in the space sometime this Summer with opening date announcements coming soon on their social media pages.

The Post Falls Piccolo Pizza will be mostly the same menu as the Liberty Lake location which includes pizzas, pastas and a few other Italian favorites. However, this location will have some new items as well. It will also offer a full bar featuring Italian inspired craft cocktails, wine and beer. 

To learn more about Piccolo Pizza check out their website at https://piccolopizza.net/ or visit them in person at 21718 E. Mission Ave. in Liberty Lake. An Instagram page has also already been created for the new Post Falls location which can be found at https://www.instagram.com/piccolo_pizza_millworx_/

Catch by Just Poke opening inside Spokane Valley Walmart

 The catch of Spokane's new restaurant scene this weekend will likely be the grand opening of a new quick serve poke' restaurant called Catch by Just Poke'. The restaurant will be the first of two locations by in the Spokane area by the recently formed Western Washington based chain and will be located within the Spokane Valley Wal-Mart Supercenter at 15727 E. Broadway.

The new Spokane Valley Catch by Just Poke will open on Saturday, June 7th, 2025, however they plan to have deals all week long, starting with the biggest deal of them all, 50% off any Poke' bowl and first responders and teachers can get a bowl for free on Saturday and Sunday (with shown ID). The menu of Catch by Just Poke' includes Hawaiian Bowls, hot and cold bowls, Musabi and more. For those in the market for something else the business also has Acai bowls, fresh smoothies, lemonades and dole whips. 

Catch by Just Poke is also currently working on a second location in the Spokane area, that will open in Airway Heights. The Airway Heights Catch by Just Poke doesn't have an opening date set just yet but will be sometime over the summer and will also be located inside a Walmart store at the Airway Heights Walmart 1221 S. Hayford Rd.

For more information on Catch by Just Poke, including how to place an online order, visit their website at https://catchbyjustpoke.com