Spokane's Blessings Under The Bridge to be on Rachael Ray Show

While not the normal for profit type of business that is usually highlighted on this blog, one local up and coming non profit group is set to receive some exciting national attention by appearing on the Rachael Ray Show.

That group is Blessings Under The Bridge, a Spokane based non profit that works to give back to the city's homeless population. And while, yes, Blessings Under The Bridge is a faith based non profit all those in need are welcome to take advantage of their services.

Blessings Under The Bridge feeds the homeless population in Downtown Spokane every Wednesday night from 6pm - 7:30 pm . Those " feeds " take place fittingly underneath the I-90 freeway bridge on the southern edge of Downtown. They meet and serve near the corner of 4th and McCellan, with meals prepared at BLRB's site by a volunteer crew.

Blessing also provides those in need with blankets, etc... all at no charge. Donations and volunteer workers are welcome, more information is on their web site at the bottom of this article.

So, when will Blessings Under The Bridge be on The Rachael  Ray Show?

The group will be highlighted during the Rachael Ray Show episode tomorrow, Wednesday ,February 11th 2015 . It is also possible the show will be re-run at later dates.

Check local listings for exact air times, however the new episode will air locally on KXLY channel 4 at 3pm.

We're not sure what all will be said about Blessings Under The Bridge on the program. It's thought possibly a highlight video, interview , etc. . The Rachel Ray Show's web site simply id's this portion of their show as "  Meet a Couple Who Has Dedicated Their Lives to Helping Others  "


For more information on Blessings Under The Bridge visit their web site at-

www.butb.org

Or, find them on Social Media at-

https://www.facebook.com/BlessingsUTB

Indaba Coffee launches Indiegogo campaign to support new Downtown location

One of my prior posts about Indaba Coffee opening a new second location has taken a huge step forward. The popular coffee shop in Spokane's West Central neighborhood has launched an online fundraising campaign to raise extra funding to open this new location.

While it is implied that this new Downtown Indaba Coffee will still happen regardless of the campaign, it is an important part of the businesses goals. The fundraising is being done on the web site indiegogo.com.

In my personal opinion, I highly recommend visiting the Indaba project page and doing what you can to support Indaba. Indaba Coffee gives back to our city in many ways and such a business helps to set a standard for what business can be , local and caring.

Here is the link to indiegogo.com campaign -

 https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/indaba-downtown

The campaign includes many interesting perks, everything from a hand shake for $ 1 up to coffee for life for $ 30,000 . The campaign continues through March 15th 2015 and is requesting a goal of $ 30,000 . As of my writing this ( on Feb 9th ) the site has already earned almost $3,000 , a success for the early date but with still a long ways to go.

Here is some information on the purposed new Downtown Indaba Coffee location, from a former posting on this web site-


The West Central neighborhood's anchor coffee shop, Indaba Coffee, will expand there reach soon with a new second location in the heart of Downtown Spokane.

The original location, which can be found at 1425 W. Broadway will remain open. And, the new location will open in the coming weeks / months in a first floor storefront in the Bennett Block building, corner of Main and Howard . The new Downtown Indaba Coffee will take a small space in between Mizuna and the former Spokane Exercise Equipment store.

The new location will employ 5 and will feature their single origin coffees and provide a venue for barista competitions. Here is exactly what to expect from Indaba from company owner and founder Bobby Enslow-

" We will be offering several coffee options for your espresso or pour over coffee. We also have some fun surprises for those really into specialty coffee. As we continue to pioneer specialty coffee in Spokane, people can expect to find unique coffee cocktails, spectacular hospitality, and the usual amazing cup of coffee. "


For more information on Indaba Coffee find them at-

www.indabacoffee.com

Or via Facebook at-

www.facebook.com/indabacoffee



Update: The new location will be designed by Uptic Studios of Spokane, the same firm that also designed Casper Fry , The Flying Goat and many more local buildings. Renderings of the new Indaba are said to be coming on their Facebook page.

Spokane Convention Center expansion wrapping up, open house scheduled

After several months of construction work the project to " finish " the Convention Center is nearing it's end and we're now only days a way from the official opening.

An opening open house and dedication ceremony has been scheduled at the Convention Center. This event will take place Feb. 24th from 2 - 4 pm. The ceremony will take place at the center's east entrance. Here are the details...

 

 



As is implied in the promo ad, some more details on this open house is still coming. For more as it is announced follow the Spokane Convention Center via the links at the bottom of this article.

 

 

 

As a reminder here is what was all included in this long time coming expansion-

 



- Adds 90,000 square feet of new space to the building

 

- Adds around 20,000 square feet onto the main exhibit hall space

 

- Creates new meeting spaces

 

- Makes Spokane more marketable to conventions and shows. This means Spokane will be on caliber with other major Northwest cities like Seattle and Portland.

 

-Exhibit hall space will now be over 100,000 square feet

 

- Newly redesigned Centennial Trail running behind the convention center. This is one of the busiest sections of the entire Centennial Trail system.

 

- Increases access and beauty of the Spokane River as it flows by the Convention Center

 

 

 

 

For more information on the Spokane Convention Center check them out at -

 

www.spokanecenter.com

 

Or, find them on Facebook at-

 

https://www.facebook.com/spokanecenter

 

Spokane area Radio Shacks included in national closure lists

Last week the struggling national but outdated electronics chain Radio Shack announced they would enter into Chapter 11 bankruptcy and make changes to their stores including closing over 1,000 stores.

Today, the list of those stores that will close was published and many of the Spokane area stores are on the list to close. In fact many stores nationally will close and hold going out of business clearance sales, Alaska is the only state where no store closures are planned .

We're also told the Radio Shack stores that stay in business will be redesigned under a plan from one of the company's largest shareholders. If that plan goes forward the stores will be a hybrid store of sorts with half Radio Shack and half a Sprint cell phone store.

Here are the Spokane / Coeur d' Alene area Radio Shacks closing:

Northtown Mall Radio Shack
4750 N. Division St Suite 1009 , Spokane

Northpoint Shopping Center Radio Shack
9656 N. Newport Hwy Suite 5A , Spokane

East Spokane Radio Shack
4808 E. Sprague Ave Suite 204 , Spokane

Post Falls Radio Shack
3134 E.Mullan Ave Suite A , Post Falls


There is no last day of business for the stores mentioned as of yet.

Red Lion Hotel at the Park, to renovate, become upscale Hotel RL

Overlooking Riverfront Park and Downtown Spokane, The Red Lion Hotel at the Park is already a not to shabby hotel. The high rise building, at 303 W. North River Dr. has stood as a sort of flagship property for the Red Lion Hotel brand for many years. In fact, the hotel is directly next door to Red Lion Hotel's corporate office building.

But now the Red Lion Hotel at the Park is set for an extensive upgrade and complete re-branding. It has been announced that the property will leave the Red Lion branding for Red Lion's newly created Hotel RL branding.

Hotel RL is a more upscale hotel style with more amenities and modern services then before. This upgrade is supposed to make the property among the nicest hotels in the Spokane market.

Upgrades and renovation work will begin soon , if they haven't already. It is expected that property will re-open as Hotel RL at the Park in about a year. The hotel and attached restaurants will remain open during any construction work.

As I mentioned before, Hotel RL's include more modern services, which will continue on at this hotel. Once the transition is complete guests will be able to book rooms the same way they do airplane seats and use their smartphones as keys to access their rooms. Wifi service will also be available, and actually already is.

No news as of yet if there will be changes to properties restaurants. In the hotel today is Windows Restaurant , Atrium Café & Deli and The Dam Bar & Grill. The Dam Bar & Grill opened just last year in the space that was last the Parkside Lounge. The hotel also offers meeting space and ballroom style event space.

For more on the Red Lion at the Park , visit their web site at-

http://www.redlion.com/park-Spokane

Red Lion Hotels also operates two other Spokane area hotels. Those hotel properties are not affected and will likely remain as they are. Here are the links to those Red Lion properties-

Red Lion River Inn Spokane -

http://www.redlion.com/river-inn-Spokane

Red Lion Templin's Resort , Post Falls -

http://www.redlion.com/templins

Ridpath Hotel renovations kick into high gear

Last week renovation work on Downtown Spokane's landmark Ridpath Hotel got going once again after many, mostly unexpected delays.

KXLY ran a story last week on this very topic, which you can read in the link below-

http://www.kxly.com/news/spokane-news/ridpath-renovation-shifts-into-gear/30997824

It is an interesting story complete with a small photo gallery of what the historic high rise looks like today.

And, given this exciting news and KXLY story. I figured it's time to remind everyone exactly what is planned at the former hotel. The Ridpath will not re-open as a hotel, but instead is being revamped for use as a large apartment complex.

New owner / developer Ron Wells of Wells & Company will convert the building to the new apartments and will change the name to Ridpath Club Apartments .

Here the most recent details on the new Ridpath Club Apartments:

- Opening to new tenants June 2015 , about a year after the originally purposed opening date. This was due to legal issues and a major water pipe leak.

-The building will have " micro apartments " , with studio and 1 bedroom apartments.

- According to the above KXLY story, a waiting list of over 200 has already formed for those apartments.

- Luxury penthouse style condos will occupy the top two floors.

-The ground floor, and the other empty spaces that from the " Ridpath Block " will be made available as new retail / restaurant spaces. Unclear when business may be able to open in these new spaces, but the above story indicates a bistro / wine bar may be in some of the space.

- Rental rates will range from around $400 per month up to $ 1400 per month .

- The new apartment building will include many on site amenities , including...
-Underground parking garage ( parking does include an additional cost)
-Private storage including bicycle storage
-Fitness Center
-Theater Rooms
-Washer and Dryer in the 1 bedroom units
-Laundry Facilities
-Community Lounge
-Swimming Pool
-Great views of the city and surrounding area's on upper floors.

The apartment floor plans, as purposed when the project was originally started last year-

And, the all important rendering of what the building will look like once this project is complete-

Additionally of interest , The Ridpath had a Motor Inn style hotel across First from the main hotel. This property will not be part of the Ridpath Club Apartment project.

But new life is coming to the motor inn section, nicknamed The Ridpath Annex. That building was purchased late last year by Washington Trust Bank, who will convert that building to office building for much of their Downtown based staff.


For more information on the new Ridpath, including leasing , contact  Wells & Company :

Phone :
509-954-6940

Web site:
www.wellsandcompany.biz

Important note: This is only an article about the new apartments / building project. I am not affiliated with the project and question about the apartments / commercial space should be directed to Wells & Company.

The Blackbird, sister restaurant of Manito Tap House coming soon

Later this year the South Hill's Manito Tap House will have a new sister restaurant. And, while this new restaurant will have some similarities to Manito, it will be a totally different establishment.

This new place will be called The Blackbird and will be opening soon, north of Downtown Spokane on the first floor of the historic Broadview Dairy building. The Blackbird's address will be 905 N. Washington St. #100. The location will also be convenient as it is only a couple of blocks east of the Spokane Arena, helping it to possibly score some business from the events there.

Here is The Blackbird's logo-

The Blackbird will serve an gastropub style menu. While we haven't seen a menu we're told The Blackbird's menu will be a bit more upscale then the menu at Manito Tap House. The new restaurant will have a wood fired grill and smoker.

Also, The Blackbird will have a full bar and a good sized beer and wine selection. There will be 4 wines on draft, 34 beers on tap and 150 - 200 bottled beers.

This new restaurant will seat about 115 inside and 130+ outside with 2 outdoor patios planned.

Work is being done now to prepare The Blackbird for opening. And currently they plan to open in mid-to-late May. In all about 70 - 80 jobs will be created.

For more information, check out The Blackbird online. There website is currently under construction, but should be up in the near future and they are available on Facebook. Here are those links-

www.theblackbirdspokane.com

https://www.facebook.com/BlackbirdSpokane

David's Pizza to open soon by Spokane Arena

You have likely already heard the news, David's Pizza is returning to operating a stand alone restaurant in Spokane. But we have now learned that, that new restaurant will be ready and open fir business within the next few weeks.

 

David's Pizza had operated a pizza restaurant in the Hamilton St. corridor by Gonzaga for a few years, building a strong reputation. But that location was forced to close after the site was sold to make way for a new multi tenant retail / restaurant building. However David's never actually went out of business, they have been making and serving their pizzas from inside Famous Ed's ( 2911 E. 57th Ave , Spokane ) since that closure.

Famous Ed's will continue to serve David's Pizza, but David's will now have a new permanent home of their own. That new home will be a formerly vacant building adjacent to the former Hostess factory across the street from Spokane Arena.

David's Pizza's new address will be 803 N. Post St. . And here is a look at what the new restaurant should look like once completed and open for business-



And here is the big news, the new David's should be open before the end of February, although there is no exact date set yet.

The Post St. location will employ about 20 and hiring is underway for those positions now. The menu at this new location will be basically the same as before with a few new items, which we will see as the opening gets closer.

For more on this exciting new restaurant opening, plus David's at Famous Ed's check them out at-

www.davidspizza.com

Or via Facebook-

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Davids-Pizza/109169974700?ref=br_tf

The Justice Network goes on air in Spokane, Nationwide

Spokane has a new TV channel, well sort of. In the middle of January KREM's digital channel 2.2 made the switch to a become part of a newly formed TV network called The Justice Network.

The network is a national channel that launched at the same time as the Spokane affiliate. The network has a distribution deal with Garnett Broadcasting, the owner of KREM and KSKN. This deal has put the channel on air in about 1/3 of US TV markets already.

The Justice Network focuses on real crime TV shows, and some reality shows about crime. Included in the channel's line up are shows like: Alaska State Troopers ,  Body of Evidence , Masterminds , Missing Persons Unit and many more.

In addition to the crime TV shows, The Justice Network will dedicate a portion of their broadcast time to PSA's on missing person, wanted criminals,etc...

As of now the Spokane affiliate channel appears to have little to no local programming, however we will keep an eye out should this change. The Justice Network is available throughout the local area over the air on 2.2 or on Comcast cable in Spokane and Time Warner Cable in Coeur d' Alene / Post Falls.

Pepper Tree Center coming to Downtown Spokane

It was mentioned earlier on this blog that current construction hole at the corner of Third and Division will soon be filled by a new building. After, a hotel project there failed a couple of years ago the site has sat empty and bit of an eyesore to those coming into Downtown.

But, now that site won't be vacant anymore. Although it is still creating a bit of controversy due to the small strip mall style design more typical of suburban area and not ideal for a Downtown area where pedestrian friendliness is key.

We, had only been speculating on designs for this new building until late last week when I stumbled upon these renderings of the purposed building. The building is actually a mixed use development, in that it will have two stories. The first will be restaurant / retail and the second floor will be office space.

In the renderings, the apparent building name , Pepper Tree Center is visible. This name is likely due to the building owner being the same people behind the Best Western Peppertree Inn hotels. In fact, the management offices for Peppertree Inn's will occupy one of the office suites on the second floor.

Also, in the renderings are business names. These are likely only placed there for marketing purposes but still gives us an idea of what we may one day see at the new building.

No tenants have been confirmed for the Pepper Tree Center, however the space is geared towards having at least one restaurant tenant.

Leasing for the Pepper Tree Center is being done by Kiemle & Hagood Company. Information of space at the building can be found at-

http://www.commercialmls.com/Media/PDF//photos/pdf/fl/551736_1.pdf