Soulful Soups planning new second location

 

Fun Fact: Did you know the word soup, is believed to come from "Sop", a medieval dish where bone broth was poured over slices of bread. Another fun fact is that I stole that fact off of the Facebook page of Soulful Soups! Soulful Soups and Spirits is a locally owned and operated restaurant serving a selection of several delicious soups from a Downtown Spokane storefront at 111 S. Madison after changing ownership a few months ago. And now, the new owners of Soulful are expanding with a new second location.

The new location will be slightly different however with a bigger focus on sandwiches and doing business as Soulful Soups and Sandwiches. They will still have a menu of soups and their classic beer bread as well. This new space will be within the Wonder Market building at 835 N. Post Ave, just north of Downtown Spokane and nearby the Spokane Arena. Soulful will take over the space that was formerly used by the now closed High Tide Lobster Rolls business. Work is underway and they tell me that they hope to open there sometime during the month of April.

For more information on Soulful Soups, visit their website at https://soulfulsoupspnw.com/

Kootenai Health breaks ground on new campus in Post Falls

 

Earlier this week, Kootenai Health in partnership with Multicare Health System broke ground on their new Prairie Medical Campus, nearby the junction of Hwy 41 and Prairie Ave. in Post Falls, expanding access to care in a growing region. The Prairie Medical Campus will be built out in multiple phases on a 30 acre campus style development.

Phase one includes a micro-hospital with a 12-room emergency department, advanced imaging services, and rooms for overnight stays, along with a three-story medical office building featuring clinic offices and lab services. Future expansion plans at the campus include a full-service hospital. "This campus represents our responsibility to plan ahead and serve our community; not after the need outpaces us, but now, when we can meet the need as it arises." said Jameson Smith CEO of Kootenai Health. "We exist the serve our community and advance medical care in our region. The Prairie Medical Campus is a direct reflection of that commitment"

Construction of phase one of the Prairie Medical Campus is expected to continue though 2027 with this development ultimately serving more patients than Kootenai Health's main campus in Coeur d' Alene. This groundbreaking actually follows another smaller nearby investment by Kootenai Health in Post Falls. 

The organization also held a ribbon cutting in January for Kootenai Health Pharmacy less than a mile south of this site at 4129 E. Early Dawn Ave. Suite A106. The new retail pharmacy allows for drive-thru and walk-in service for pick up of prescriptions. 

For more information on Kootenai Health, visit their website at http://kh.org and for more information on Multicare Health System who they are partnering with visit their website at http://www.multicare.org

Range Market opening at Millworx in Post Falls

 

The new Millworx mixed use development at the corner of Idaho St. and 4th in Post Falls is about to gain an exciting new tenant. Work is underway at 949 E. 4th St (ground floor of the North Yards building) for The Range Market. The new business is described as a one-of-a-kind, modern artisan butcher and market offering the finest meats, cheeses and wines, along with a thoughtfully curated selection of grocery items and unique gifts.

The new locally owned and operated Range Market will open in the coming weeks as they are currently in the process of building permit approvals. The ownership notes that they believe family is at the heart of everything they do. With a story-based generations ago with their grandparents, The Halls, who owned a small-town grocery store. The Range Market will also offer some quick service foods as well.

For more information and to follow along their progress towards opening day, follow their social media pages: Facebook , Instagram or TikTok

New neighborhood market coming to the West Hills Neighborhood

 Citing a need for a market type business in the neighborhoods along W. Sunset Hwy, west of Downtown Spokane a local business owner has leased a building with big plans. Plans are now underway to renovate the former Linnie's Thai Cuisine building at 5306 W. Sunset Hwy in the locally owned and operated West Hills Neighborhood Market.

There is no opening date for the new market just yet, other than mentioning it should be ready and open by the end of the year. They say they plan to carry standard grocery items, including those that might have been forgotten on a recent shopping trip, in addition to traditional convenience store items. They also note that since the closure of this restaurant there is little for quick meals too and while they don't plan to operate the business as a restaurant they are looking into offering ala carte offerings and a seating area for travelers, area employees and residents alike.

As of now the West Plains Market has no website or social media pages set up, be we will keep an eye on their progress. 

Crumbl opens in Spokane Valley this week

 

The Utah based cookie chain, Crumbl Cookies is expanding in the Inland Northwest with the grand opening of their new Spokane Valley location this week. The new store is set to open tomorrow, March 20th 2026 at 8:00 AM. This location is nearby Walmart at 15735 E. Broadway Suite 3B2, east of the Broadway and Sullivan Rd. intersection.

Crumbl also already operates a location in Spokane at 7808 N. Division Ave. Suite 4 and in the plaza out front of Costco in Coeur d' Alene. Crumbl was founded in 2017 and has enjoyed rapid growth to become a well-known brand with over 1000 stores in the United States and Canada. The Spokane Valley location, like all Crumbl stores will carry a selection of about 7 classic flavors and 5 rotating cookie flavors that the brand claims to have over 300 flavors that they rotate thru.

Carry out and delivery are available as is catering. For more information, visit their website at https://crumblcookies.com 

Eddie's Kitchen & Tavern planning Spokane Valley location

Eddie's Kitchen & Tavern, the rat pack-inspired neighborhood favorite known for its generous comfort food and a lively welcoming atmosphere, is expanding. The restaurant has announced plans to open a second location in Spokane Valley at 12928 E. Mansfield Ave. with an anticipated opening in April 2026. The restaurant also will keep their original location open at 10115 N. Newport Hwy in North Spokane. 

The new Spokane Valley restaurant will feature the same crowd-pleasing menu that has made the original Eddie's a local go-to, including stacked burgers, house-made classics, and a robust gluten free selection. Guests call also look forward to an expanded steak line-up. The restaurant will feature a full bar, plus a variety of games and entrainment options such as: Trivia nights, shuffleboard, Golden Tee Golf, Pinball machines and pull tabs (pending license approval).

"Our goal has always been to create a place where friends, families and a few lovable misfits can gather, relax, and have a great meal," said the Eddie's team. "Spokane Valley has been on our radar for a while, and we're excited to bring the Eddie's experience to the neighborhood." For restaurant information and updates visit Eddie's Kitchen & Tavern on social media via Facebook or Instagram

Fireweed Baking Co. opening storefront near Downtown Spokane

 

A new locally owned and operated bakery is coming to Spokane. Lynette Pflueger, who once managed the Common Crumb Bakery in Downtown Spokane's Saranac Commons Building is going off on her own with plans for a unique new bakery called Fireweed Baking Co.

Fireweed Baking Co. is currently planning to open sometime in April with an official grand opening to be held on Bloomsday weekend (Saturday, May 2nd). The new business will be located within "The Dormitory" building at 1516 W. Riverside which is also already houses a coffee shop and office spaces. Fireweed Baking Co. plans breakfast and lunch fare including soup, salad, sandwiches, and bowls in addition to fresh baked goods and grazing boards (charcuterie, cheese, etc.) as well as retail items of some of the house made components like cracker, granola, spiced nuts, etc..

Also, they will offer hot beverages including drip coffee and hot tea. They say their tea selection will include signature blends and custom options to suit every mood and taste. The business will be open during the morning and daytime hours but plan to have occasional evening events such as private or ticketed dinners, bringing in guest chef and brand collaborations.

While the new Fireweed Baking Co, storefront will open regardless they are also hosting a Kickstarter to get them off the ground. It closes on Sunday but if you would like to donate to help Fireweed, check out... https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fireweedbakingco/a-storefront-for-fireweed-baking-company?ref=nav_search&result=project&term=fireweed%20baking&total_hits=1 

And, for more information on Fireweed Baking Co., visit their newly created website at https://www.fireweedbakingco.com/

BECU planning new location in Liberty Lake

BECU (Boeing Employees Credit Union) is open to all and is expanding in Spokane County, to be more accessible to its growing membership here. The credit union announced recently that they are planning a new neighborhood financial center in Liberty Lake. This would be the fifth BECU location in Spokane County as the credit union also has already operating locations in Spokane Valley, North Spokane, South Hill and nearby Division St, just north of Downtown Spokane.

The new Liberty Lake BECU Neighborhood Financial Center will be a 3,000 square foot new construction facility. Located at the corner of Harvard and Indiana, part of the NoLL mixed use development there. They say the new location will offer a convenient option for the credit union's 29,000 members in the region. BECU is deeply invested in communities across Spokane, supporting organizations such as Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, The Scale House Market, Launchpad Inland Northwest, and more.

"As one of the fastest growing communities in Spokane County, Liberty Lake is a place where families, local businesses and community organizations are thriving," BECU Chief Member and Digital Experience Officer, Jason Rudman said. "By opening a location here, we're making it easier for members who live and work between Spokane and Coeur d' Alene to access the financial services they need, while strengthening our ongoing commitment to the greater Spokane region."

BECU continues to grow elsewhere in the Northwest as well as the Washington-based credit union also announced new neighborhood financial centers coming soon to Auburn and Mercer Island,WA. The new locations will feature both in-person and digital services, such as video banking. Member consultants will be available to support member with opening accounts, mortgages, personal loans, auto loans, business services, and more. For more information on BECU, visit their website at https://becu.org

Beyoutiful Local Market opening in Hillyard

Locally owned and operated business, Beyoutiful Local Market will open their doors tomorrow (March 10th, 2026) in the heart of the Hillyard neighborhood. The business was previously Beyoutiful Bath, Body and Burn and has spent several years as a tenant at Northtown Mall. During their time in the mall, the owner also launched a weekly market of local vendors in the mall's food court area during the holiday season. It's that market that is now expanding into this new year-round space, only a few miles away. The bath and body store will move with the new market store opening as well.

Beyoutiful Local Market will be located within the former Hillyard Variety space at 5009 N. Market St. The owner says the new store will have several local vendors selling items from bath and body, candles, jewelry, art, pet items and more. The new location will also offer some extra space allowing for future events like DIY parties and classes as well.

For more information on the new Beyoutiful Local Market, give them a follow-on social media via Facebook or Instagram

Spokane nominated for Strongest Town competition

 

Spokane is a Strong Town (or city?), we all know that but now the nation has a chance to take note as well as Spokane is one of 16 cities nominated in the 2026 Strongest Town competition from the Minnesota based non-profit organization Strong Towns. The organization is dedicated to cities and towns in the United States and Canada achieve financial resiliency though civic engagement. For information on what Strong Towns advocates for, visit their website at https://www.strongtowns.org

Spokane is as of my writing this, one of 16 cities that will be removed tournament style, similar to March Madness over the coming weeks. Spokane is joined by cities like Madison,WI , Stowe,VT and even the much larger Chicago,Ill. with voting done online at https://www.strongesttown.com/ . The site also allows voters to read about what the origination and its members deem making the cities listed the "Strongest town". Voting is open to all, however.

Spokane was presented to the competition by Spokane based Spokane Reimagined ( https://spokanereimagined.org ) who meets and advocates for many similar local level issues. The Spokane page of the Strongest Town competition page notes the "building opportunity for all" ordinance, which legalizes fourplexes citywide and encourages denser development near transit. The city has also eliminated parking mandates for all uses and lifted height restrictions on new buildings in the Downtown core. Among a few other things including building a better transit system by boosting and encouraging ridership on Spokane Transit. 

Inland Northwest Business Watch owner/writer Matt Behringer with Chuck Mahron, founder of Strong Towns

There is also a page on https://www.strongesttown.com that explains what Spokane stands to win should the Lilac City win the competition. This includes a documentary on the city produced by Strong Towns and a screening with (in-person or virtual) appearance by Strong Towns founder Chuck Mahron. Who I (Matt Behringer, owner of this blog) am seen with above after the documentary screening in 2025 Strongest Town winner Marion,OH.

I think many in the Inland Northwest would love to see the Strongest Town 2026 title come to Spokane. So, vote now on https://www.strongesttown.com , with the first round of voting now through Mar. 13 at 11:59pm CST