Send all business inquires & press releases to matt.behringer@inlandnwbusiness.com

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

SCRAPS shelter to relocate

The Spokane regional animal shelter SCRAPS ( note: SCRAPS stands for Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service) has located a new larger shelter building to house the agency's stray dog's and cat's and will move to the new location in the coming months. The new location the is the former Harley Davidson dealership space at 6815 E. Trent Ave in Spokane. For the transition from a vacant former motorcycle dealership to the shelter will require an extensive remodel.

The remodel is scheduled to take about 11 months to complete and will cost, in all, about 4 million to construct which includes the initial 1.7 million to purchase the Trent Ave. commercial structure and land.

The new SCRAPS home will have over 30,000 square feet of space to house 140 dog kennels and 98 cat cages.SCRAPS also hopes to attract more city and town governments to begin using SCRAPS for their animal shelter needs since the new building will be much larger then their current home.  SCRAPS currently has agreements in place with several of Spokane Counties municipalites to provide services.

SCRAPS has been pressing for a new, larger regional animal shelter space for some time as the exsisting shelter in North Spokane has become outdated and simply too small for the local needs. Funding for a new animal shelter has been placed before voter twice before,both times it was rejected.Funding for this new shelter will be much lower however then the amounts that we're placed on the ballot.

With the new shelter location The City of Spokane will also join SCRAPS for it's animal sheltering services. The city had priorly used another group called SpokAnimal, the city will continue incur no lease increase in the switch from SpokAnimal however it is expected some jobs with SpokAnimal will be lost,no word however as to how many.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Jacklin Seed to leave Post Falls

Jacklin Seed a Post Falls company that processes and markets seed for Bluegrass growers has made the announcement that they plan to close their Post Falls plant and move operations to Scooteny Springs Seed operation outside of Othello,Wa . The Scooteney Springs plant will switch to the Jacklin Seed name once the move is made.

Jacklin Seed while not the largest employer is the Inland Northwest has had a huge presence in the local community both business wise and on a community involvement level. Jacklin was acquired in 1997 by a larger firm, Boise based Simplot. Simplot want to relocate it's Jacklin Seed branch to be better positioned to the bluegrass seed market in Central Washington. Due to aggressive development in the last several years Bluegrass fields have turned quite rare in Post Falls / Rathdrum Prairie area.

25 employees of the Post Falls Jacklin Seed operation will not be transitioned to the new plant and an additional 40 employees will stay on but will be transitioned into a new office somewhere in the Spokane area.

Jacklin Seed has operated in Post Falls since 1936 and at it's current location at the end of Riversbend Ave. since 1977. Jacklin / Simplot's site will likely go up for sale after the closure due to it site being in high demand,along the Spokane River and by the new I-90 / Beck Rd/ W. Pointe Pkwy interchange that provides tourists and locals a more direct connection into the Cabela's store area.

The closure is not expected for sometime however as the company wanted to notify workers of the closure with enough time to fine a new job. No date has been set yet however it will be over a year.

For more info on Simplot's Jacklin Seed visit their web site at-
http://www.simplot.com/turf_horticulture/jacklinseed








 

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Business Talks Radio Show primeres

There is a new way to get to know what's going on with local business in Spokane. That new way is radio show that signed on the air for the first time last Wed. called Business Talks. The Business Talks radio show is aired on Spokane's AM 630 KTRW radio station live every Wednesday afternoon at 12:30 pm. The show broadcasts from inside of the Scratch Resturant on W. 1st Ave in Downtown Spokane.

Business Talks is hosted by a pair that have had their name's in the Spokane media scene for some time, Kent Adams and Tom McArthur . The show is meant to provide an outlet for local businesses to share their businesses story to the community.

Business Talks is also re-aired on KTRW on Saturday mornings at 10:00 am. For more info on this new business radio show visit their website at-
www.businesstalks.us

Monday, January 14, 2013

Actor Patrick Dempsey's deal to purchase Tully's OK'd

After some hard times and last year's chapter 11 bankrupcy filing the popular Northwest coffee cafe chain, Tully's Coffee has been sold. The source of the winning bid is what is facinating, Tully's was bought via bankrupcy court auction by a group of investors being lead by Patrick Dempsey, a Hollywood actor famous for his role as McDreamy on the ABC hit drama Grey's Anotomy .

Dempsey's investment company called Global Baristas LLC agreed to pay 9.2 million dollars for the chain. A competing bid came in higher (that bid was about 10.6 million) from a second group that had partnered with Starbucks however the judge has since ruled that the auction was fair and that Dempsey's group with win the company.

Tully's has it's headquarters in Seattle and operates a total of 47 Tully's branded cafes around Washington and California. Some of those Tully's locations are here in the Spokane and Coeur d' Alene area. Look at the bottom of the article for a list of local area Tully's Coffee locations.

As a result of the sale none of Tully's employees will be laid off, In total Tully's employs about 500 chain wide.The close on the sale is expected towards the end of this month.

For more info on Tully's Coffee visit their website at-
www.tullyscoffeeshops.com

Or for the wholesale side of the operation,which includes the sale of Tully's branded Keurig K Cups visit-
www.tullys.com

Spokane and Coeur d' Alene area Tully's Coffee Shop locations-

2001 W. Pacific Ave Spokane   PH:509-747-3088

2009 E. 29th Ave  Spokane PH: 509-532-7776

12120 N. Division St Spokane  PH: 509-465-4408

97 W. Prairie Shopping Center Dr. Hayden,Id PH: 208-762-3232








Friday, January 11, 2013

Shopko may open store in St. Maries

Green Bay,Wisconsin based Shopko Stores is looking to a build a new small store in the Inland Northwest,This time about an hour south of Spokane and Coeur d' Alene in the Benewah County city of St. Maries.

Shopko hopes to have a new store in St. Maries open by early 2014 but construction is to far out right now to speculate when this store might open exactly. The store is expected to be around 35,000 square feet and will be part of a new retail model that Shopko has developed for the nations smaller cities. St. Maries is 1 of 5 sites being developed as potential sites for this new Shopko concept store.

The new smaller Shopko stores offer a more compact store but yet many of the same items one would expect in a larger store like some grocery items,home goods and consumable goods.

So where will the new St. Maries Shopko be? That too is a bit too early to tell for sure but one possible site has been identified.That site is the land behind the Archie's IGA grocery store on E. College Ave . Currently a small mobile home park sits on the site but would most likly be removed to make way for the new building.

For more info on Shopko visit-
www.shopko.com

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Golden Corral Buffet coming to Coeur d' Alene

While it's not 100% confirmed as of yet,many of my sources say that a Golden Corral Grill & Buffet will open in 2013 in Coeur d' Alene.

The Golden Corral restaurant chain will take the space along US 95 near Neider Ave. just north of the Super Supplements/ Northwest Pizza Company shopping plaza. A self storage business that had occupied the site is already in the process of being torn down.

Golden Corral is a popular national chain of buffet style restaurants based out of North Carolina. Currently they operate 1 location in the Spokane/ Coeur d' Alene market at 7117 N. Division St in North Spokane.

For look at the menu of Golden Corral as well as how to apply for a job with the chain check out their website at-
http://www.goldencorral.com/

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Dickey's Barbecue Pit coming to Spokane

Dickey's Barbecue Pit , a mostly franchised chain of some 140+ locations in 43 US states will open it's 6th Washington State location soon. And that new location will be right here in Spokane.

Dickey's BBQ is a Texas based chain and plans to open at 12628 N Division St.  which was formerly Camino Real Mexican Restaurant in North Spokane's Wandermere area. More specifically by the corner of N. Division and Falwell Rd.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit's menu is much of what you would expect of a BBQ establishment. Also included are BBQ sandwiches. The new location will offer catering.

For more info on Dickey's Barbecue Pit,including jobs and a copy of the full menu visit-
www.dickeys.com

Monday, January 7, 2013

New apartment building opens for the chronically homeless

A brand new 4 story , 51 unit apartment building has opened it's doors to the first of many new tenants in Downtown Spokane. And that news alone would be enough to catch a few eyes but it's who the new apartment building is intended for it's what's commanding much positive attention. The new building called, Father Bach Haven will house Spokane's chronically homeless.

Homelessness is a very serious issue for Downtown Spokane,especially during the cold winter months so this new building opening is a much needed relief for some. Father Bach Haven is made up of 30 studio apartments and 20 1 bedroom apartments. All units come equipped with built in furniture and to building also offers on site social services.

To rent an apartment at Father Bach Haven tenants must make under 13,000 a year and pay rent that is set on a sliding scale that is dependent upon the tenants income. Rents are set around 30% of the tenants income.Already more applications then there are apartments have been filed but those down on their luck are still welcome to apply.

Father Bach Haven is located in Downtown Spokane at 108 S. State St. next door to the House of Charity shelter. The apartments are venture of the non profit Catholic Charities Spokane who also run the House of Charity.

For more info on Father Bach Haven and how to donate to Catholic Charities Spokane visit-
http://www.catholiccharitiesspokane.org/

Or on their Facebook page at-
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Catholic-Charities-Spokane/117844471560026

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Updated info-Bumpers Family Fun Center Moves to Spokane Valley

Updated info since I originally posted this news item-
The new Spokane Valley location of Bumpers Family Fun Center will be much larger then the original one at Northtown Mall. The new location is 77,000 square feet and will include a few new features. Those new features include a full service restaurant and a 24 lane bowling alley which will be in suite b of the building and will use the name Gutters .

Also the new Spokane Valley Bumpers will a mini golf course and a bumper car area.Not all features are open as of yet but are coming.

The original post from Dec. 28th 2012-

After many years in the basement of the Northtown Mall, Bumpers Family Fun Center,has officially closed in the mall and relocated to Spokane Valley. Bumpers opened on December 20th at the former home of Players & Spectators at 12828 E. Sprague Ave. Spokane Valley in between Pines Rd. and McDonald Rd.

Bumpers also operates another location in Lewiston,that location remains open at 201 1st St. in Lewiston

Bumpers Family Fun Center is a full family amusement facility and arcade.It is believed (although,I have not yet confirmed this)that all of the center previous attractions will also move to the new Spokane Valley location. Those attractions include video games,mini golf, train ride, tube crawls,a bounce castle and a snack bar.

For more info on Bumpers Family Fun Center visit them at-
www.bumpersfuncenter.net

Or on Facebook at-
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bumpers-Fun-Center/249980259853

No word as of yet with what Northtown Mall's management plans to do with the large basement suite that is now empty. We will continue to check back on any new developments with that space.

Local business happenings update-Jan 5th 2013

Just a short update today.


Lovely Little Stitches 02/10
New cross stitch store now open at 9212 E. Montgomery Ave, Spokane Valley.

Artemis 02/10
Home Decor and Vintage good store Atemis opened in Dec. at 1021 W. 1st Ave 
Spokane

Claire View Senior Apartments
A new senior apartment complex called Claire View is planned for 3146 E. 44th Ave
 in Spokane. Site plans call for 61 new apartments to be built.

Beyond Beads 02/10
Beyond Beads which was at 12019 E. Sprague Ave in Spokane Valley has closed.


To view all the local business happenings I've been able to get posted visit-

To Submit a new,closing,moving or expanding business click the contact us link or e-mail-

Do It Best Hardware opening in Rathdrum

A new hardware store will open sometime this month in Rathdrum. The new store is part of the chain, Do It Best Hardware. And will operate as Rathdrum Trading Post Hardware . Trading Post Hardware is a operator of some 1,000+ member owned Do It Best stores scattered around the United States and the World.

Rathdrum Trading Post Hardware will employ 10 at their 10,000 square foot location by Rathdrum Drug in the Stein's IGA Plaza at 16484 N. Hwy 41 (Nearby the Hwy. 41 and Hwy 53 junction).

At this time I cannot find a website for the Rathdrum store however if you would like more info you can visit Do It Best Hardware's national site at-
www.doitbest.com

A photo of the new Rathdrum store-




Silverwood hints at new ride in 2013

With the opening of the new US 95 freeway and interchange directly out front of the park and a increase in visitors over the past few seasons,2013 should be a huge year for Silverwood Theme Park north of Coeur d' Alene.

But that's not all that will be bringing in visitors this summer,Silverwood has began hinting at new ride that will open this year. They have posted multiple hints on their Facebook page,with that we know so far that the new ride at Silverwood will be....

-102 feet high
-Riders will be looking down from the top
And,whatever this new ride is, it will not be in any other amusement parks in the United States.

The official announcement is expected on Jan. 22nd. Check back with Inland Northwest Business Watch as i'll post as soon as I know.

Friday, January 4, 2013

St. Vincent de Paul building new apartments for the mentally ill

Coeur d' Alene's St. Vincent de Paul is a well known,established, non-profit that assists local residents with mental issues, various social services and even transitional housing for the very low income residents who otherwise would be homeless.

And now the volunteers and staff of St Vincent de Paul are adding to the that assistance with the recent ground breaking  and development of a new 14 unit apartment complex that will be built in the 100 block of East Homestead Ave in Coeur d' Alene. All of the 14 apartments will be rented in to low income persons with a mental disablement.

The new apartment building will be called John O'Brien House and will be built by Contractors Northwest Inc ( a.k.a CNI ) with a final price tag expected to be around 2 million dollars.The apartment home is expected to open in July and the development is a partial result of the huge demand for a similar St Vincent de Paul apartment complex call Lynn Peterson Home which is located in North Coeur d' Alene and has continued to be full since it's opening back in 2010.


Wednesday, January 2, 2013

The Roadhouse is open in Spokane Valley

In recent history Spokane has lacked a major country bar. But after much speculation The Roadhouse at 20 N. Raymond Rd ( the former Hotteez night club building ) has filled that void. The Roadhouse actually opened to the public in November and the owner ,Fred Lopez is the same person that's also behind The Ref Sports Bar in former Owens Auction Gallery space a few blocks west of The Roadhouse just off of Sprague Ave. in Spokane Valley.

The building has undergone a complete remodel and also now offers a food menu as well as drinks. Daily food and drink specials are offered.

The Roadhouse features live music and a DJ as well as a mechanical bull. The new bar and restaurant is open 4pm to 2am and has several tv's for watching virtually any sports game.

For more info on The Roadhouse visit their Facebook page at-
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Roadhouse/507343459278239

Rosa's Italian Market & Deli goes out of business

It's a sad day to report the end of Rosa's Italian Market & Deli across from Post Falls City Hall on 4th St in "Downtown" Post Falls. Rosa's opened in 2009 but quickly became a favorite little restaurant of many in the Spokane and Coeur d' Alene region. The owner also held an annual North Idaho Italian Festival in the City Center area by the restaurant. No word on that event's fate.

Rosa's Italian Market is already closed however some limited classes and catering may still be available.The reason for the closing is due to the business owners issues with surgeries,etc... . The following is Facebook post from Rosa's earlier this week giving a full explanation-


I learned from my doctor that I wont be able to continue the long hours on my feet that it requires of me to run the store. I never really recovered from the injuries to my foot/ankle from 2011 and now find that I need more surgery, which I will have done in the beginning of March. I will still run the wine tasting and apps classes till the end of February for the Groupon customers. I will also run a couple more cooking classes for my "stragglers" on a private basis, who need to make up a class. Catering on a limited basis will be an option for those of you who just can't live without my cooking. I just need enough notice, so please call and leave me a message. I will keep this page up to post recipes, information on classes and catering options for the holidays throughout the year.
Please don't be sad for me. I was able to live my dream for 4 years and during that time won numerous awards and recognition for the store and our food, but most importantly made many new friends, most who became family. I don't have enough space to thank everyone who has traveled this journey with me, you know who you are and I love you.
I can't say I learned a whole lot I didn't already know in 2012, with the exception being perhaps how very much I, and Rosa's Italian Market & Deli meant to so many of you... I really had no idea how much I mattered to so many of you, and as a result, I am eternally grateful to you all... Thank you for stopping me in public to share the love, or ask "what's next?"... It's a New Year, and I am happy to report that the possibilities are endless... For us all... Happy and Healthy 2013, Facebook Family...





For more info on Rosa's Italian Market & Deli check out their Facebook page at-
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rosas-Italian-Market-Deli/412926150692


New hot yoga studio coming to CdA/Hayden

A new and growing trend in Yoga has arrived here in the Coeur d' Alene area , That trend is Hot Yoga. Hot Yoga is exactly as it sounds, relaxing yoga practiced in a room with a hot temperature ( 75 to 95 degrees). The new studio bringing hot yoga to the local area is called The Yoga Room CDA and will be located nearby the Coeur d' Alene Airport in Hayden at 10183 N Aero Dr. Suite 7 .

The Yoga Room will offer yoga classes with a monthly fee or a drop in rate. Also The Yoga Room plans to partner with Real Life Ministries by opening there studio to members of church groups for free.

The Yoga Room will celebrate their Grand Opening on January 15th 2013.

For more info on The Yoga Room and their hot yoga classes visit their website at-
http://northwestyoga.webs.com

Also look for them on Facebook at-
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Yoga-Room-CDA/216086708524340

New rehab hospital to open in Post Falls

The Spokane and Coeur d' Alene area's medical community is poised to grow significantly in 2013 with several major new medical projects projected to open this year. In fact one of the local economies strongest sectors will undoubtedly be health care with all that is new and improved ,and as baby boomers continue to reach their retirement age.

To add to the local health care sector growth comes last months announcement of a new rehabilitation hospital that will be built in Post Falls. The new hospital will be called the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Northwest and will be constructed on vacant land to the east of the existing Northern Idaho Advanced Care Hospital on Cecil Rd,near Mullan Ave.

The project is a joint venture between Kootenai Health and New Mexico based Earnest Health,who is also the operator of the Advanced Care Hospital next door. The new rehab hospital is set to cost 11 million dollars to build and will open in the fall of 2013.

Once open the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Northwest will have 30 patient beds and approximately 120 new employees in a brand new 33,000 square foot structure. The ground breaking ceremony took place back on Dec. 12th and construction is projected to begin sometime in the spring.