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Monday, January 30, 2017

Vandervert Construction to relocate their HQ to Downtown Spokane

Vandervert Construction, is surely a name you know if you read this blog often because of my postings about their many commercial construction projects. But this time Vandervert is embarking on a project for themselves, a relocation of their corporate headquarters.

Vandervert Construction will join in on the revitalization of the western side of Downtown Spokane with this move. That's because the company will soon have it's HQ in the former Spokane Home Healthcare building at 1309 W. 1st Ave. ( a block west of KHQ on 1st ) . The company hopes to be operational in the new building sometime this Summer and will use the entire building.

They are moving from their long time headquarters at 608 E. Holland Ave. in North Spokane which they now have up for sale. Vandervert Construction offers both commercial general contracting and design-build services and their completed projects dot the landscape of the entire Inland Northwest region. Their projects range from retail to hotels to office space and much more.

For more information on Vandervert Construction, visit-

http://www.vandervertconstruction.com

Friday, January 27, 2017

Wet Seal closing all stores, two in Spokane

It's not a good time for retailers, especially the largely mall based chains. Yet another clothing chain, Wet Seal , has announced they will close all remaining stores. They had been operating over 170 stores in 42 states, all employees will be laid off. Their stores are mostly teen driven with clothing and accessories.

In the Spokane area Wet Seal has two stores, one in Spokane Valley Mall and the other in Northtown Mall . It is assumed the stores will host some sort of going out of business sales. And, there is no mention of a last day of operation just yet.


Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Work may start soon for a new shopping center on Regal, across from Target

S. Regal from 46th Ave southward to 57th Ave. is in a time of transition. Within the last couple of years we've seen the new Target / PetSmart anchored Regal Plaza shopping center open. And, likely within the next few months we'll hear who will be going into the Commons on Regal commercial development near 55th & Regal and when construction will start there. But, that's not all in this commercial corridor as KXLY ( yes, the TV & radio company KXLY ) and a couple of real estate brokers are now going full steam ahead for another new shopping center. Their planned center would be directly across S. Regal from the Target center and even utilize an entry point via the S. Regal / Palouse Hwy intersection.

The new KXLY shopping center , which is currently going by the name KXLY South Complex is hoping to start construction this Spring. And, once the full build out of the project is reached it will contain 180,550 square feet of retail / restaurant space and over 800 parking spaces in the surface parking lots that will be mostly placed behind the buildings in an effort to make the shopping center more pedestrian friendly.

Currently one tenant is already signed onto opening a store at the shopping center. The name of that tenant has not been released but it is said to be a 48,000 sq. foot regional grocery store chain. The chain is not new to Spokane, and there is a rumor of this being a new Yoke's Fresh Market but it is not confirmed. Several other national and local tenants are also considering leasing space in the development and we expect to hear of at least a couple more planned tenants before construction gets underway.

We don't have a rendering of what the new shopping center might look like just yet as they will go before the City of Spokane's design review board later tonight to help hammer out a design that meets all of the city's needs and wants. The current plans call for 2 multi tenant in-line buildings along Regal south from Palouse, a smaller building behind one of the inline buildings ( maybe a bank ? ) and the building for the regional grocery store chain also right along Regal on the southern section of the project site. Several more buildings would also be built on the back half of the site, but these will be included in a future phase.

As part of the project KXLY will actually acquire a piece of the Southeast Sports Complex from the city of Spokane to allow an entry road to the enter the shopping center from the corner of Palouse Rd. & Regal , where the Sports Complex currently has it's parking lot. As part of that sale KXLY will construct a new soccer field on the back half of the their land and the parking lot will be re-configured. The $300,000 the city will receive from KXLY for the land acquisition will go towards future trail development within the Southgate neighborhood.

Marketing of space within the new KXLY shopping center but will certainly be done by Kimele & Hagood of Spokane. Keep watching for more...

Question:

What businesses would you like to see open at this new KXLY South Complex?

Tell us in the comments to this story on our Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/inlandnorthwestbusinesswatch

Two more mixed use buildings being planned in Kendall Yards

Kendall Yards has many many construction projects in the works right now from new apartments to a new medical office building and even a grocery store and more. But as if that wasn't enough happening in the trendy development, I've uncovered documents from a City of Spokane pre-development conference that we may see construction start soon on two more mixed use buildings.

The developers are working on two buildings side by side on the south side of W. Summit Pkwy. ( the main road in Kendall Yards ) . This is on the vacant lots just east of The Inlander's office space and west of N. Monroe. Plans are for the building further west to be a six story building with retail space below and " residential " above but it doesn't mention if the residential is to be apartments or condos.

The further east of the two buildings will be a smaller building with four stories, still with retail space on the ground floor and in this case office space above . Both buildings would share a underground parking structure which plans call for between 250-300 parking spaces.

Not much is known about these new buildings but given Kendall Yards history of growth this will likely happen. The only questions are when it will be built and what it will contain, condos or apartments, what kinds of stores / restaurants ? There is mention that construction should start this Summer.

We'll keep an eye on this development and the rest of Kendall Yards. But, first a quick question  " what would you like to see come to Kendall Yards? " Comment to this articles post of Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/inlandnorthwestbusinesswatch

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

STCU / Rocket Bakery's new shared space downtown opens this morning

Usually I don't schedule posts so early in the morning, but right now ( 6:00 am ) is the opening time for the newest Rocket Bakery in a hip new storefront Downtown. And, it's not just Rocket Bakery it's also STCU ( Spokane Teacher's Credit Union ) who will share the new space.

The joint location is in a 2900 square foot, two story space located on N. Wall St. ( 207 N. Wall ) behind the new Urban Outfitters store and immediately to the east of River Park Square. Rocket Bakery will be entirely on the ground floor and will be basically the same as other Rocket Bakery locations in terms of drinks, pastries and a small lunch selection. The items will be the same but the look of the space will be different and we expect it to be pretty cool.

We've also been told local artists Cain & Todd Benson are actively working on a mural within the new space. The mural will be large filling an interior wall, going up the stairs and will be " face-filled " and depict familiar downtown landmarks with sly nods to both Rocket Bakery and STCU. We'll hopefully be checking that out soon along with the excellent coffee's of The Rocket.

In addition to Rocket Bakery, STCU will open a branch in the space. This new branch will also open today and is a more modern and efficient location. It is to replace the STCU location that was on the second floor ( skywalk level ) of the Crescent Court building less then a block away from this new location. STCU CEO Tom Johnson had said the credit union and Rocket Bakery chose to join together in the same location due to their cultural similarities. Both have also been perennial favorites in The Inlander's annual Best of the Inland Northwest contest.

STCU is a growing locally owned and operated credit union that isn't stopping the expansion here as they are also planning to open their 21st location later this year in Airway Heights. Founded by educators in 1934 they are a not for profit cooperative with 161,000 members.

Rocket Bakery is also locally owned and operated and has been in business since 1992. Today they own a handful of locations around Spokane including their original on N. Argonne in the small town of Millwood. The business owners , Jeff & Julia Postlewait also co-own the popular Rocket Market on the South Hill that is a community hub for local food, wine and art.

For more information on STCU , visit- http://www.stcu.org

And, for more information on Rocket Bakery, visit- http://www.rocketspokane.com 

Friday, January 20, 2017

O'Doherty's Irish Pub to close north side location

Poor sales is claiming yet another local restaurant. O'Doherty's Irish Pub's North side location at 10208 N. Division will close this Saturday Jan 21st. This location had only been in business for about 6 years , much less than the original O'Doherty's in Downtown Spokane. Both the Downtown and Valley locations will remain open for business.



Also, disappointing is it looks like most if not all of the closing locations employees will be let go and they were just told this week of the impending closure.

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Mixed use building purposed in CdA near Sherman Ave.

An exciting new five story building is about to become a reality in a somewhat distressed part of the City of Coeur d' Alene. The building will rise along Coeur d' Alene Lake Dr. just a couple of blocks south of Sherman adjacent to the O'Shay's Irish Pub.


The building will be modern with mostly apartments. All upper floors will be divided into rental residences , 30 apartments in all. The ground floor of the building will be commercial with 2500 square feet total of space, currently being marketed for lease geared towards coffee shops / quick service restaurants. The commercial space is divisible and a drive though and patio dining area is available. This space leases for $18.00 per square foot.

Details on the apartments, including their rental rates are not yet available. The location, while near some less then ideal properties is still great. The new building will have direct access onto the Centennial Trail and is only an couple of blocks from I-90 for commuters. It is also thought that this new development may spark other projects in the area with several other vacant parcels up for sale along the same roadway.

The project is being developed by local business person Ben Widmyer who is also acting as the leasing agent for the project. More information can be found on http://cbcsr.com or by contacting Mr. Widmyer directly at 208-292-3770 . If construction goes as planned groundbreaking will be in the next few months and a completion date of next Jan or before.

Monday, January 16, 2017

Papa John's Pizza adding new Inland Northwest locations

The well known Kentucky based Papa John's Pizza chain is expanding it's presence in the Inland Northwest. One of the chain's franchisees for this area has brought the pizza place back to North Idaho and another location is in the works for North Spokane. Here is the details-

Papa John's is now open in Hayden,ID

One of your more common email questions of me lately has been when is the new Papa John's in Hayden going to open? And, unfortunately the wait was a bit longer then we all expected but I am happy to report the Papa John's Pizza in Hayden has opened for business.

The location offers both carry out and delivery and can be found in the same shopping center as Super 1 Foods . Their address is 240 W. Hayden Ave Suite A , near the Hayden Ave. / US 95 intersection. To place and order call 208-772-5341

A new Papa John's coming soon to North Spokane

As one franchise location finishes and opens their doors the next new location is announced. Ryan Towner and Dallas Lightner of the commercial brokerage NAI Black have secured a lease for a new Papa John's in the Northpointe Plaza area.

We don't know exactly when this location will open, although it will be a bit since they just leased the space. But it is said to be at 9600 N. Newport Hwy. which is somewhere either in or around the Northpointe Plaza itself. We'll likely have more on this soon...


As of today Papa John's operates 6 locations in the Spokane area and the new one in Hayden. This comes after a franchisee who owned all of the area locations folded in 2011 leaving the Inland Northwest without any open locations.

The company is the third largest take out and delivery chain in the world being in operation since 1984. The company however has been highly controversial with CEO John Schanatter being a vocal opponent of the Affordable Care Act. Also, the company has been in legal trouble at times including for a class action lawsuit for underpaying some 19,000 delivery drivers.

For more information or to begin an online order, visit their website at-

http://papajohns.com 




North 40 Outfitters looks to be nearing construction for a new Airway Heights store

It's been a rumor for years, but in fact it is actually true that North 40 Outfitters ( formerly known as Big R Stores ) is planning on opening a store in Airway Heights. The plans have been on hold and the location has been moved around but there is a plan.

And, now finally it looks like 2017 will be the year North 40 finally builds their store. Actually there is a chance we'll see dirt being turned within the next 3 or 4 months.

This is because the land owners have filed to do a pre-development conference with the City of Spokane ( site technically falls in Spokane city limits, but near Airway ) . The conference is for a new big box store at the northeast corner of US 2 and Deer Heights Rd. near where the new Dairy Queen just opened. In the application it mentions actual construction starting in the Spring.

The only thing about this is that the included site plan never actually mentions what business this plan is for. However everything about the plan matches North 40 Outfitters store plans, in fact the contractor ( Young Construction Group ) and architect ( h2a Architects, PA ) are the exact same two who we're involved with the recent expansion of the North 40's major remodel / expansion of their store in Coeur d' Alene.

The plan, as it stands today calls for a store of 85,000 square feet " ag and outdoor retailer " with a garden center and areas designated in the new surface parking lot for outdoor stock / display , much like North 40 Outfitters stores usually have. The store would face US 2 but be set back a bit with lots of parking in the front.

Along the front of the property, right along US 2's right of way it shows 3 pad sites likely to be sold / leased to other businesses. Although example buildings are shown, no business names or exact plans are included.

We'll keep an eye on this project as it's clearly not a done deal, but it's looks extremely positive that this is North 40 and that they will be building this new Airway Heights store soon. Orginaly North 40 Outfitters had mentioned using some land nearby this site for a new distribution center also to serve their other stores in our region, this seems to not be part of the plan just yet.

Stay tuned...


Thursday, January 12, 2017

Chronicle Apartments open house to highlight Downtown's newest place to live.

In case you haven't heard, The Chronicle Building, the Downtown building that was once home to Spokane's afternoon newspaper, the Spokane Chronicle is being converted into Downtown Spokane's hottest new place to live.

The upper floors are being converted from office space into 32 apartments of various sizes and floor plans. The bottom two floors will remain commercial however with Nodland Cellars occuping a portion of that space.

And if you're interested in leasing one of these new residences you'll want to take note that the building owners, Centennial Properties will be hosting a open house tonight ( Friday Jan.13th) from 5p-8p at the building which is located at 926 W Sprague.

If you're not able to make it they also a website at-
http://www.thechronicleapartments.com/

And, here is a look at a flyer for the new Chronicle Apartments-