Pizza Factory closes in Post Falls, Domino's Pizza to take over Mullan Ave. space

In early June of this year the Post Falls location of the Pizza Factory chain sustained significant damage when an elderly woman crashed her Subaru into and through most of the restaurant. And, while Pizza Factory insisted they would re-build and re-open we have discovered that the Post Falls Pizza Factory is now out of business and the signs above the space have already been taken down.

Pizza Factory does say however they hope to find a new location to re-open the pizza restaurant somewhere else in Post Falls but as of now has yet to say exactly where that might be. In the meantime Post Falls resident's can still get their fix of Pizza Factory pizza from the Coeur d' Alene Pizza Factory location who has started delivering to Post Falls ( Coeur d' Alene location is at 503 W. Appleway 208-765-3434 )

But, the space where the Post Falls Pizza Factory was ( Highland Crossing shopping center, 3904 E. Mullan Ave ) will be filled with the smells and tastes of pizza before we know it. That's because the space is continuing to be fixed up and is already leased to Missy & Jim Hightower, franchisees of many of the Kootenai County area's Domino's Pizza locations.

Domino's Pizza will remodel the space for their use and open their restaurant in the coming months. The new Domino's Pizza location will actually be a relocation of the small, current Domino's at 112 W. Seltice Way by the Idaho State Liquor Store . While the current Domino's will close, they are planning to open a second Post Falls location on the west side of Post Falls at some point in the near future.

The new Domino's on Mullan Ave. will still feature late hours ( as late as 2am on Friday & Saturday ) , delivery and carry out of the chain's many pizza's, pastas, sandwhiches and specialty items. But the extra space will allow for dine in as well with enough space for 50 dine in customers and a small banquet room. This is the second area Domino's Pizza locations to add dine in recently as the Coeur d' Alene location on Neider Ave. recently remodeled to allow for dine in, something not found in all Domino's stores.

We will keep an eye on if and when Pizza Factory comes back to Post Falls , and where we may see another Domino's location so keep checking back.

And, for more information on Domino's Pizza, including their menu and online ordering feature visit their website at-

http://www.dominos.com

N. Ruby Taco Time to be remodeled into a Starbucks

One of Spokane's more visable Taco Time locations is about to undergo a major conversion. The Taco Time near the Gonzaga University campus at 1310 N. Ruby is scheduled to close soon and be remodeled into a new Starbucks Coffee location. 

Construction is to begin within the next couple of weeks and should allow for the new Starbucks to open in early 2017. Starbucks will occupy the entire 2200 square foot structure and will be in a lease agreement with  the Utah based building owner. The new coffee shop will feature indoor seating and a drive though. The buildings proximity to Gonzaga and all other parts of the University District should make this Starbucks a successful location.

While this Taco Time will be gone the chain, will still be a big part of the Spokane fast food scene with 9 other locations remaining in business around the area. This is just the next chapter in Starbucks' expansion around Spokane after announcing new locations off of Aero Rd in Medical Lake & N. Greene in Spokane, they also are working on developing a store in Downtown Coeur d' Alene and numerous recent remodels of their existing locations.

For more information on Starbucks, visit-

Www.starbucks.com

Northwest Pizza Company to open location in Spokane Valley

Northwest Pizza Company, a locally owned and operated pizza restaurant with just one location in Hayden is growing and expanding their presence into the Spokane area for the first time. The restaurant recently leased a space at 10604 E. 16th , in Spokane Valley and is developing a new small second location there.

The new Spokane Valley Northwest Pizza Company location will be nearby the Exxon gas station at the corner of E. 16th & University.Unlike the businesses original location however the Spokane Valley location will not offer dine in, but will offer both take out and delivery of their pizza's. No opening date as been set as of now for when the new location will open but they are hoping to be operational in either September or October.

Northwest Pizza Company considers themselves a gourmet pizza restaurant that has been in the Hayden Creek shopping center at 8158 N. Government Way in Hayden for the last couple of years and a space on Neider for a time before that. They make many different kinds of specialty pizza's and allow customers to also build their own pizza for a good sized list of toppings. In addition to the pizza's though Northwest Pizza Company also offers salads, sandwiches and more . Some of their pizza's are available gluten free and online ordering is available.

For more information on Northwest Pizza Company, including a look at their current menu ( likely the same menu as will be available at the Spokane Valley location ) check out their website at-

http://nwpizzaco.com

BNSF constructing vehicle unloading facility in Spokane

Following BNSF railway's recently completed $10 million worth of upgrades to their local railyard, the Fort Worth,TX based railroad has moved onto another new investment in the Spokane area.

This investment is in a new much larger vehicle unloading facility to replace a facility currently in open for business on Mission Ave. The new BNSF vehicle unloading facility will serve the 12,000+ vehicles each year that the railroad delivers to the Spokane market. The cars, trucks, vans & SUV's are unloaded off of the rail cars then staged to be loaded onto semi trucks and delivered to car dealerships trough-out the area.

The new planned facility will be just west of the aforementioned railyard , and on a 13 acre site that is already owned by BNSF, the site is off of Wisconsin Ave. near Havana St. .  Plans call for a small office building, fencing and other security features and about 1000 vehicle storage spaces .

The former facility is much smaller with only 445 storage spaces, there are currently no plans for what will happen to this facility after the new one opens. BNSF hopes to have the new vehicle unloading facility operating by the end of 2016.

For more information on BNSF, visit their website at-

http://www.bnsf.com

Liquor Licence Watch- 08/25

Lately the liquor license filings have started to get interesting again with the prospect of licenses for new Spokane area bars & restaurants . It's early in the process for all of these but here are some names of places we will likely see opening soon...

Outlaw BBQ & Catering Market
4427 W. Wellesley Ave , Spokane
Note: already a local catering business but since this application is at a actual storefront address we think they may be planning a restaurant of their own.

The Thirsty Dog
3027 E. Liberty Ave. , Spokane
Note: Same address as the Market Street Grill a now closed family restaurant off of N. Market.

Four Eyed Guys Brewing
3023 E. Trent Ave. , Spokane

Izumi Sushi & Asian Bistro
4334 S. Regal Ave , Spokane
Note: Looks to be in the former Café Italiano at the Regal Pond shopping center.

There is also a license application filed with the Liquor Control Board for a Squid & Bull at 304 W. Pacific #160 in Downtown Spokane. This however appears to be a parent company for the new Hogwash Whiskey Den we already know of and will likely mention again when it gets closer to opening.

Our Rumor Mill page has returned !!!

Just a quick head's up that the Rumor Mill page of this site is back up ! All the local new business rumors that are fit to type can be found there, and it's all new ( I took it down because the info was getting outdated ) .

Some of the rumors I address are-

Is Chick-fil-a coming to Spokane?

Is IKEA coming to Spokane?

Is Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen coming to Spokane?

Is Trader Joe's coming to Coeur d' Alene?

And, more....

Check it out, by clicking on the rumor mill tab above on this page or by going to-

http://www.inlandnwbusiness.com/p/rumor-mill.html

New businesses start to open at Hayford Crossing in Airway Heights, more new projects to start nearby

Here at Inland Northwest Business Watch we've been closely watching the developments of the new Hayford Crossing shopping center in Airway Heights. The shopping center, while not the largest in the local market is still noteworthy being one of the largest new commercial developments in Airway Heights recently.

The center is located on the southwestern side of the US 2 / Hayford Rd. intersection on the eastern side of the City of Airway Heights. And, now many of the business at Hayford Crossing are complete and starting to open for business, here are the details-

Pawn 1 - Now open

Dollar Tree- Now open

Sprint, Supercuts & Jimmy John's - Under construction but no confirmed opening dates yet. 

STCU- Coming to a pad site, not opening till 2017 

Grocery Outlet- Under construction, set to open at 9am on Sept. 29th .

A limited amount of inline storefront space is still available for lease at Hayford Crossing. Also plans for the development showed a office building to be built at sometime next to the main shopping center.

 Interestingly enough a couple of other new projects are launching soon about a block east of the Hayford Crossing shopping center. Dave Malet real estate broker with HomeSmart Advisors says via Facebook that ACE Hardware & Dairy Queen are getting ready to build new locations by O' Reilly Auto Parts along US 2 . This in addition to several of commercial construction projects around Airway Heights, for more these projects keep an eye on Mr. Malet's Facebook page at- http://www.facebook.com/airwayheightsrealty.org

And, for more information on business leasing oppertunites at Hayford Crossing check with Hawkins Edwards Real Estate at-

http://www.hawkinsedwardsinc.com

 

Hotel RL Spokane at the Park unveiled near Downtown

The Spokane based Red Lion Hotel chain has officially brought it's new Hotel RL branding to the property just next door of their own headquarters office building. Hotel RL is the company's more upscale hotel offering and like Red Lion Hotels itself has been expanding aggressively . The Hotel RL branding only launched last Summer with a property in Houston and the Spokane location will be the second hotel branded as such in Washington State after a Hotel RL opened in Olympia in July.

Hotel RL Spokane is located where the 400+ room Red Lion at the Park ( 303 W. North River Dr. ) has been for sometime. The building has underwent significant remodeling over the last few months and was unveiled at a grand opening celebration last week.

Everything at the hotel has been subject to the upgrades and among the things that are new at the Hotel RL Spokane is-

- A " Living Stage " an on site stage where the hotel plans to host many events from performers to thinkers to " anyone with a passion and a point of view, to share their ideas with the world " .  A event schedule is already out for events on the living stage.

- A Victrola Coffee location. Considered one of Seattle's most distinguished coffee roasters has a small location serving their coffee's inside the hotel.

- A location of This Bike Life . Biking is an awesome way to see a city up close, and guests staying at the Hotel RL Spokane can stop into a full bike shop adjacent to the hotel lobby. This is the 3rd location of This Bike Life and is a full service bike shop with sales, service and bike rentals.

- A new concept for the hotel's restaurant . When the hotel was still under the Red Lion brand it did have a bar & restaurant on site. But with the upgrades to Hotel RL, the restaurant has been upgraded and it's menu and name have changed. Their new name is The Restaurant at the Hotel RL . It formerly was the Dam Bar & Grill.

Guests arriving at the Hotel RL Spokane at the Park will notice a major piece of the hotel missing. That's because the hotel has no front desk, to allow for more public gathering space . But, no worries guests can still easily get in their room via on site touch screen kiosk's ( with staff standing by ) or via the Red Lion's HelloRewards app on their mobile device.

Guest can also use the HelloRewards app to interact with hotel staff and allows their smartphone to act as a room key. Also, all rooms now feature 55" flat screen TV's.

Red Lion Hotels, and their sister companies TicketsWest & Westcoast Entertainment have been a part of the Spokane business community for many decades. This is the area's only planned Hotel RL branded hotel but Red Lion still operates 2 other hotels in Spokane, Red Lion at the River nearby and a new Red Lion Inn & Suites on W. Sunset Hwy near Spokane International Airport. There is also a Red Lion branded resort along the Spokane River in Post Falls.

For more information on Red Lion Hotels, including online room reservations, visit- http://www.redlion.com

" Nettleton Corners " business complex moving forward at Kendall Yards

Late last week we mentioned Kendall Yards' developers plans to add new commercial buildings west of the already up and coming Kendall Yards Business District. We are now learning a bit more about this portion of the development and what we may see open for business there.

The buildings are apparently being called Nettleton Corners and will have construction starting in the coming weeks at the corner of W. Summit Pkwy & Nettleton Ave. , and is adjacent to the Olmstead Green city park. The development area will consist of 2 buildings and will have access to the Centennial Trail in addition to views of the Spokane River & Downtown Spokane.

Because it's currently early in the development process exact business names can't be released but they're are businesses already lined up to open in the Nettleton Corners section, here is what we are learning is planned-

- Brewery or brew pub ( possibly the Kendall Yards Brewing Co we once mentioned but have yet to see )

- a Mediterranean restaurant

- A market that will house a deli, coffee shop and ice cream parlor .

- A small boutique hotel

Some space is also still available for lease and the project should be complete by Spring or early Summer of 2017. Here is a look at a rendering of the planned buildings-

While Nettleton Corners is perhaps the biggest recent development to come from the uber successful Kendall Yards development it's far from the only thing in the works there. Many new homes & condo's are being built, a couple of new additions are coming to the Kendall Yards Business District, more apartments are planned , a grocery store called My Fresh Market and a new medical office building are all in various stages of construction.

We will continue to watch for more on this and all the other developments at Kendall Yards!

 

S.S Beryl becomes The Barrel Steak & Seafood House

Last year an iconic North Spokane seafood restaurant changed hands to well known local restaurant group. And, while they admit they've had some trial & error with perfecting a new menu they are moving forward and have now officially re-named the restaurant The Barrel Steak & Seafood House.

The concept is still similar but the new Barrel Steak & Seafood House is a more upgraded restaurant. The new owners ( Nelson & Phelps Hospitality, Inc. ) say they have cleaned up the patio, fully updated the kitchen & bathrooms and created a fresh & friendly menu that ensures better quality and selection.

The Barrel's menu features steaks that are seared on a Montague & delicious seafood dishes that fresh and whenever possible acquired from here in the Northwest. The restaurant remains locally owned and operated and shows no signs of ending it's almost 50 years of operation ( 50 years in 2018 ) . Nelson & Phelps has a strong history of local restaurant success with several other restaurants operating under their banner like The Steelhead Bar & Grille , both Fieldhouse Pizza & Pub locations, Selkirk Pizza & Tap House and The Screaming Yak.

For more information on The Barrel Steak & Seafood House, find them on Facebook at-

http://www.facebook.com/thebarrelspokane

The Wake Up Call adding University District / North Spokane locations

The Wake Up Call, a Spokane Valley based small chain of coffee shops is expanding again. In 2015 they opened their 5th location at 3526 E. 5th Ave in the Freya / Thor couplet near Fred Meyer. But now The Wake Up Call is now heading even more into the Spokane proper with 2 locations they now have in the works.

The company officially announced they will start construction soon on their sixth location in North Spokane. The new North Spokane location will be built on the lot that was formerly the Home Environments store at 6909 N. Division ( corner of N. Division & Wedgewood ) . The retail store has already been demolished and construction is coming soon for the new Wake Up Call. It will be much like their existing locations in Spokane Valley with a drive though and small indoor lobby / seating area. And, of course it will use the easily recognizable London phone booth style building which surely has caused a few area visitors to do a double take as they drive by.

(Note: this photo is an example rendering of a Wake Up Call location, it may not be an exact rendering of the 2 locations mentioned in this article. However it will be similar. )

In addition to the North side location and likely not as far along in the planning process, Sweeto Burrito has shared that The Wake Up Call will be their neighbor by their new location now under construction at N. Division & Nora in the University District. This is the site in the Division / Ruby couplet where several older buildings we're recently demolished. We have reached out to Wake Up Call as to when the University District location will open but as of now have not received a response. The Wake Up Call planned at 6909 N. Division however they say will be open by late fall this year.

The Wake Up Call sells a menu of several specialty coffee and espresso drinks, in addition to the same drinks you'd likely find at most any coffee drive up in the area. They also have some pastries and snack selections at each location. For more information on The Wake Up Call find them online at-

www.wakeupcoffee.biz

Or, on Facebook at-

www.facebook.com/wakeupcallcoffee 

New retail / restaurants planned west of Olmstead Green in Kendall Yards

With few vacancies in all sections of Kendall Yards, the developers are going full steam ahead with the development that is proving to be one of the most successful in the Lilac City. New homes and new condos are rising and there is plans for a major expansion of the development's apartment community, The Highline at Kendall Yards .

The commercial side of the development is growing too, with the recent announcement of My Fresh Market, a new grocery store to be built in the development at W. Summit Pkwy & N. Monroe. And the spaces in the main Kendall Yards Business District are mostly occupied with a few more tenant spaces in the works there too.

Now, Kendall Yards' management has made the announcement that the commercial area of the development will be expanding westward with 2 new buildings being planned just west of the Olmstead Green Park near the corner of W. Summit Pkwy & Nettleton Ave. . The buildings will continue on with Kendall Yards' modern architectural style and like the other most of the other parts of the development, the building will have direct access to the Centennial Trail and sweeping views of the Spokane River and the Downtown Spokane skyline.

Construction on the new buildings is still coming, but won't be far away as Kendall Yards estimates the buildings will be complete and ready to open for business in the Spring or Summer of 2017. Businesses have already been lined up to open in the new buildings but they decline to say who just yet. Some space is also available for lease, and more information on those spaces can be obtained via Adam Jones of Greenstone Homes at 509-368-1810 .