Part bookstore and part listening lounge coming on 2nd in Downtown Spokane

 

Work has been underway for a while now for a unique new locally owned and operated business coming to 301 W. 2nd Ave in Downtown Spokane. During the daytime hours the space will operate as Good Medicine Apothecary doing teas and herbs, books, records and more. The business owner says this will be Spokane's first Black-Owned/Igneous-Owned bookstore.

At night that same space will transition over to a business called Culture. Culture will be a listening lounge where they plan to give education about the albums they are featuring and listening to them on a HiFi system to experience them like never before. They also plan to serve coffee and tea drinks, Americano, latte, espresso and matcha.

The business comes from Deekon Jones, who also founded and operates the local behavioral health agency, New Developed Nations which has offices at 3026 E. 5th Ave. in East Central Spokane. There is no opening date announced for the new business, but more info will likely be posted eventually on their Instagram page

Small Business Saturday sales and events this weekend!

 It's that time again where we show some extra love to our local small businesses, Small Business Saturday is tomorrow Saturday, November 29th and many Spokane and Coeur d' Alene area businesses are making big plans. For those heading to Downtown Spokane, the Downtown Spokane Partnership has arranged the third year of its Small Business Saturday Swag Bag Giveaway event presented by STCU. On the morning of November 29th, the first 200 shoppers to enter Auntie's Bookstore will receive a free "swag bag" filled with goodies, coupons, gift cards and other fun items from a myriad of downtown businesses. An additional 25 bags each will be given away the same morning at Indaba Coffee (Riverside Ave.), Twenty-Seventh Heaven Bakery, People's Waffle and Shawn O'Donnell's Irish Pub. 

Following the swag bag giveaway event, Auntie's Bookstore will host a day full of Small Business Saturday celebrations, including local author book signings, pop-up shops, giveaways and more. For more information on these events and other events happening in Downtown Spokane throughout the holiday season, visit http://merrymagicaldowntown.org . So far in 2025, 27 new retail businesses have opened their doors in the Downtown Spokane Business Improvement District. Visit https://downtownspokane.org/celebrating-new-business-openings-in-2025/ for a list of new businesses that have joined Downtown Spokane this year. 

Elsewhere in the Inland Northwest, the Scale House Market has announced their first ever Winter Market at the Quarry. A two-day indoor/outdoor holiday shopping experience featuring local vendors, multicultural foods, Santa photos and festive activities. This new market will take place from November 29th-30th from 8:00am-4:00pm at 4422 E. 8th Ave. in Spokane Valley . Visitors can explore dozens of local vendors, offering handcrafted good, artisanal foods, gifts, decor and unique products made across the Inland Northwest.

Guests will also find their usual shopping needs conveniently available at Scale House Market, including locally produced food and grocery items, as well as a curate selection of beer, wine, cider, and more - making holiday shopping both festive and practical. To add a festive touch, 300 shoppers will have access to Charlie Brown- style Christmas trees, a nostalgic holiday favorite perfect for brightening any space.

This is just a sampling of the Small Business Saturday events planned this weekend around the Inland Northwest. For instance, Twenty-Seventh Heaven Bakery in Downtown Spokane is planning their own small market from 8:00am-1:00pm at their store which can be found at 105 S. Madison. Inland Cider Mill at 1020 W. Francis Suite A in North Spokane is planning an all-ages craft & vendor show from 11:00am-4:00pm and many more. And even if they aren't doing anything special, be sure to patronize your favorite small businesses in the Spokane and Coeur d' Alene area sometime this weekend if able.

Adams Tractor to build new dealership on the West Plains

 

A new tractor and equipment dealership is coming soon to the West Plains, well a relocation of one at least. Coeur d' Alene Tractor Co. which does business in the Spokane market as Adams Tractor has purchased an almost 9 acre parcel along US 2, a bit Northeast of the Spokane International Airport, at 8123 W. US 2 with the goal of building there.

The plans call for construction of a new full-service dealership to start work soon, with a potential opening during the Fall of 2026. The US 2 location will replace their existing dealership on Trent Ave. in Spokane that the company says they have outgrown. The new place will have a new construction 14,000 square foot building with indoor, outdoor and a covered display area for customers to view equipment. The new facility will include a showroom, parts department, diesel and small engine service shops, and much more.

The project is in permitting with the design phase not yet wrapped up so there are no renderings available just yet for the project. On the permitting records the architect is shown as ISG of Bloomington,MN. with the general contractor on the project being Hayden based Stancraft Construction Group. The project is estimated to cost $3.5 million. For more information on Adams Tractor, visit their website at https://www.adamstractor.com/

Golden Rule Brake expanding to Coeur d' Alene

 

Spokane based Golden Rule Brake is already well-known for being a trusted name in auto repair and for their cleaver and often humorous signs in front of their four locations. And now the company is working on a fifth store and second location in Idaho coming soon to Coeur d' Alene. The new shop will be conveniently located at 3627 N. Government Way, just north of Costco. Architect Paul Harrington of Romr Architects and Ginno Construction are leading the project. The Coeur d' Alene location reinforces the company's mission to make brake and suspension repairs easy, convenient and trustworthy.

"We're excited to bring the Golden Rule Brake promise -- honest repairs at a fair price -- to Coeur d' Alene," said Dallas Low, owner of Golden Rule Brake. "This new shop marks another milestone for our family business, and I'm especially proud to be working on the expansion with my son, Jeremiah Low, who has become an invaluable part of our team." 

Customers of the new Coeur d' Alene Golden Rule Brake location can expect free brake inspections and upfront, honest quotes with photos, expert technicians trained in the latest brake and suspension technology, family-friendly service built on trust and transparency and convenient service options, including drop-off and financing. Operating on the principle of the Golden Rule -- treat others the way you want to be treated -- Golden Rule Brake provides expert brake, shocks, struts, CV joints, ball joints and tie rod repairs, as well as alignments. The company continues to explore opportunities to expand its honest, integrity-driven service throughout the Inland Northwest.

For more information on Golden Rule Brake, visit their website at http://www.goldenrulebrake.com

Sahara Pizza is back in Hayden

 

Courtsey photo

At one-point Western Washington based, Sahara Pizza had locations in Post Falls and Hayden,ID but both locations were closed some time ago. But a different Sahara Pizza franchise owner who has says they have been with the company for over 20 years has brought the brand back to North Idaho, with a new location that opened this week in Hayden.

The new Hayden Sahara Pizza is located in the new construction "City Center Plaza" at 9627 N. Government Way Suite C, joining Jersey Mike's Subs as the first tenants to open in the new shopping center. The new Sahara Pizza offers pick up, delivery and some indoor dining. It will serve the menu of the Sahara Pizza chain including many specialty pizzas, salads, pastas, chicken wings, grinders, appetizers, desserts and Pepsi products. Gluten free and vegetarian options are also available. 

Sahara Pizza lists 18 other locations already open in Washington, Oregon and two in the nation of Bolivia. For more information on Sahara Pizza visit their website at https://saharapizzahayden.com/ and give the new Hayden location a follow-on social media via Facebook or Instagram

A Bird's Place is now open in North Spokane

 

Courtesy photo

Bird lovers will want to check out a new retail store that opened just last weekend in North Spokane. The new store is called A Bird's Place and is the latest new business to open in the Primer Pet Mall development about a block away from the corner of Francis and Monroe at 1028 W. Rosewood Ave. The business owner told me via email the shop is a pet store for exotic birds.

The new store carries avian supplies, food, toys, treats, cages and more. They also plan to include boarding and trimming of birds and will likely soon carry baby birds while primarily focusing on rescue birds. The shop joins a collection of pet related businesses in the pet mall, including Kraken Coral & Coffee, Priest River Pets, Sittin' Pretty Pet Spa and Mother Bear's Bakery all of which are locally owned and operated businesses that have all opened in recent months as the building was formerly an office building that new owners converted to the new use. 

For more information on A Bird's Place, give them a follow on social media via Facebook

Top Golf applies for building permit in Liberty Lake

 

In August of 2024, Dallas,TX based Top Golf, certainly a well-known name in golf, first expressed interest in coming to the Spokane area with government meetings over the land and site lighting. Now over a year later it looks like actual construction on a new Top Golf location is moving forward with the company filing earlier this week for building permits to start construction at the planned site in Liberty Lake.

The company itself has not yet confirmed the new location but permits we're applied for on Wednesday, Nov. 12th in the company's name at the site. The site is located at the corner of Country Vista Blvd. and Kramer Pkwy. nearby I-90 on the western edge of the City of Liberty Lake. As this news does not come directly from Top Golf there is no news about the construction timeline or estimated opening date just yet.

The public records on the building permit filing show that Top Golf plans to construct a 35,000 square foot "golf entertainment facility" with full-service restaurant and bar. The general contractor for the project is listed as ARCO/Murray who has offices all over the United States including one in Bellevue,WA. A quick look at their website show they have partnered to build Top Golf locations in the past. Top Golf has about 80 locations but has been growing and developing several new locations recently and already has operating locations in Renton,WA and Boise,ID. For more information on Top Golf, visit their website at https://www.topgolf.com

Building permit applied for new Trader Joe's in Spokane Valley

 

We've heard rumors for some time, but today's commercial building permit filing basically confirms that the grocery store chain Trader Joe's is coming to Spokane Valley. The company has filed for a commercial tenant improvement permit to build out a new store at 13414 E. Sprague Ave, Suite 101.

This is the building that was formerly a Shopko department store. A Tractor Supply retail store opened a portion of the building earlier this year. According the permit filings the Spokane Valley Trader Joe's will be store number 296 and it will occupy a little more than 21,500 square feet of space with the general contractor still listed as TBD.

No opening date or construction timeline is available as of my writing this as it is a developing story.

How to Spot a Scam—And What to Do If You’ve Been Targeted

 

Guest column by Kinsey Hiett, Branch Manager, Spokane WaFd Bank

When people think of scams, they picture elderly relatives getting a suspicious phone call. But

the truth is, fraud can happen to everyone. Younger adults have reported falling for scams more

frequently than older generations. Whether you're 18 or 80, it pays to stay informed and know

there are resources in your community to help.

Here in Spokane, we have seen a few ‘sweetheart scams’. In most cases, the client truly

believes they are in a real relationship. The scammer slowly gains their trust before asking for

money or personal information. Our team has been able to stop large wire transfers before they

happen but each time we are surprised by how patience and convincing these scammers can

be. It’s really reinforced how important it is for us to have open, judgment-free conversations

with clients and keep spreading awareness about how these scams work.

Not only are they patient, scammers also create urgency, confusion, or fear—conditions that

make it easier for them to manipulate people into taking actions they normally wouldn’t. The

best defense is knowing the red flags.

Here are seven of the most common warning signs of a scam:

1. They pressure you to act immediately.

Fraudsters don’t want you to think. They’ll insist the matter is urgent—whether it’s your account

being locked, a missed jury duty notice, or a “limited-time offer.” Hang up, take a breath, and

contact the company directly using information from their official website.

2. The sender’s email address doesn’t look quite right.

Scammers often imitate legitimate companies. Look closely at email addresses, if something

seems off it’s probably a scam.

3. They ask for private financial information.

No bank will call or email you asking for your username, password, or verification codes. If

someone does, it’s time to walk away—or better yet, report it.

4. You weren’t expecting the contact.

Did you suddenly “win” a contest you never entered? Get an urgent warning about an account

you didn’t know had issues? If something feels out of the blue, it probably is.

5. They want unusual forms of payment.

Gift cards, cryptocurrency, and wire transfers are all red flags. Government agencies and

reputable companies will never ask for payment this way.

6. They “accidentally” overpay and want a refund.

This is a classic scam. A fake check gets deposited, looks real at first, and then bounces—after

you’ve sent money back. Don’t fall for it.

7. It seems too good to be true.

Job offers that require you to pay upfront, lottery winnings with strings attached, and

unbelievable investment returns all fall into this category.

If you ever find yourself unsure, don’t go it alone. Talk it through with a trusted friend, family

member, or someone at your local bank branch. A second set of eyes can help you spot

something suspicious before it’s too late.

And if you do fall victim to a scam, take action. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission

at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and visit their site for next steps and tools to protect yourself from future

harm.

A Few Simple Ways to Stay Ahead of Scammers:

- Block unknown callers and texts.

- Use separate email addresses for personal and promotional use.

- Create strong, unique passwords and consider a password manager.

- Verify websites before entering personal info.

- Keep your devices and software up to date.

At community banks like WaFd, as well as many other trusted financial institutions, resources

are available to help you stay informed and protect your finances. Whether it’s learning how to

spot a scam, strengthening your passwords, or simply having someone to talk to when

something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to reach out. Staying safe starts with staying

informed—and there are people and tools ready to help.

Kinsey Hiett has been the branch manager at the WaFd bank branch on Division Street in

Spokane since May of this year.

Construction starts for new warehouse and hotel in Liberty Lake

 

Courtesy rendering provided by Daines Capital

Construction work has commenced for a new development adjacent to the Liberty Lake Business Park complex nearby the corner of E. Appleway and Liberty Lake Rd in Liberty Lake. Once complete the project with be home to over 50,000 square feet of new warehouse space and a new hotel on a three-acre site.

The project will be built out in two phases with the first phase being the warehouse building. The new warehouse can be demised into as many as 10 units or could be leased in its entirety depending on what the business needs. Although no tenants can be announced for the new warehouse there is already interest. The new development benefits from easy access to major roads including I-90 via the Liberty Lake Rd. exit, overhead doors and dock access, 30' clear height and each unit has to potential for a second floor or a mezzanine. Delivery on the new warehouse space is planned for some time in 2026.

While a construction start date isn't available just yet, this new development site will be filled in with a second phase in the near future. That phase will be a brand new 100 +/- room Home2 Suites hotel and affiliated surface parking area. This will be built directly to the west of the new warehouse and all accessed via the existing private street around the Liberty Lake Business Park. We'll keep an eye on the project for more in the future on this planned new Liberty Lake Home2 Suite Hotel.

Pre-leasing of the new warehouse spaces is already underway also with it listed via Daines Capital. For more information contact Steven Daines of Daines Capital at steven@dainescapital.com or 509-590-9114 or https://www.dainescapital.com/

Nordstrom Rack to open in North Spokane

 

Seattle based fashion retailer Nordstrom announced this week that they intend to open a new Nordstrom Rack store in Spokane, sometime during the fall of 2026. Nordstrom also operates a full Nordstrom branded store in the anchor position of Downtown Spokane's River Park Square mall and another Nordstrom Rack in the shopping center adjacent to Spokane Valley Mall. The Spokane Nordstrom Rack appears to be a new location based off of information in a recent press release from Nordstrom corporate.

The new 31,000 square foot store will be located at Northpointe Plaza along N. Newport Hwy in North Spokane, the exact space there is not shown in the press release, however. The store will join that shopping center's already strong roster of tenants with big names like Target, Dick's Sporting Goods, Safeway and Total Wine and More. The plaza itself is owned by Kite Realty Group (NYSE:KRG). "We're thrilled to welcome Nordstrom Rack to Northpointe Plaza" said Karly Kilroy, Vice President and Senior Leasing Director at Kite Realty Group. "As one of the most recognizable and trusted names in retail, Nordstrom Rack will enhance the visitor experience and strengthen Northpointe Plaza's position as a go-to shopping destination."

Nordstrom Rack is the off-price retail division of Nordstrom,Inc. Nordstrom Rack offers customers up to 70 percent off of on-trend apparel, accessories, beauty products, home decor and shoes from many of the top brands sold at Nordstrom stores as well as core services like online order pickup for https://nordstrom.com and https://nordstromrack.com , easy returns and alterations at select stores. Nordstrom Rack is the largest source of new customers to Nordstrom. The new location also expands the company's physical and economic impact in Washington, it currently operates six Nordstrom stores and twelve Nordstrom Rack locations, generating more than 3,100 jobs statewide.

Tagliare Delicatessen coming soon to Airway Heights

 

An exciting new quick service restaurant is coming soon to the West Plains. Tagliare Delicatessen, is a unique business with two locations in the Missoula,MT area that has its sights set on the Spokane market with a new location planned to open soon in Airway Heights. The new location is planned to open in the Hazelwood Square shopping center at 10219 W. Sunset Hwy Suite B. There is no set opening date for the shop just yet as construction will have to take place on the suite first to prep the space for the new eatery.

Those familiar with the business's locations in Missoula will already recognize it as the new Airway Heights locations will be the same as their locations there. Tagliare Delicatessen says they will serve award winning sandwiches named after mostly classic rock bands, Wine, Charcuterie boards and more. They offer some delicious sounding options for sides items also including Tim's Chips, whole pickles and even cannoli.

For more information on Tagliare Delicatessen and to watch for their upcoming opening date announcement give the local location a follow on Facebook, a website is also coming soon at http://tagliarespokane.com or to get an idea of the brand visit their original site in Montana at https://www.tagliaredelicatessen.com/