Jeramko becomes Dave Smith Nissan

While the exact details of the transaction are not available, Spokane Valley's Jeramko Nissan has been acquired by another well known name in the local auto sales industry. Dave Smith Motors acquired Jeramko and has since taken over operations, making it Dave Smith's first dealership in Spokane.

The dealership will now be known as Dave Smith Nissan , but despite the change the dealer will still sell new Nissan cars, trucks, SUVs and trucks. Used vehicles are also sold by the dealership in addition to a service department and an auto parts department. There is no news about if any expansions are planned in the future for the new dealer which is located at 6901 E. Sprague Ave, Spokane Valley.

Dave Smith Motors also continues to maintain a strong presence in North Idaho. Dave Smith has a main dealership in Kellogg and a second dealer called Dave Smith Frontier Sales in Coeur d' Alene. The company sells 9 different automotive brands and employs over 500. They also continue to look for new salespeople.

For more information on Dave Smith Nissan formerly Jeramko Nissan, visit their web site-

http://www.davesmithnissan.com/

Dickey's Barbecue Pit to add more area locations , inlcluding one in Spokane Valley

Dickey's Barbeque Pit is a growing national chain of fast casual BBQ restaurants that added it's first Spokane location back in 2013. Today, that location is going strong at 12628 N. Division in the Wandermere area. The Wanderemere Dickey's even won Best of Spokane 2015 award for best BBQ in Spokane Coeur d' Alene Living Magazine.

But, now Dickey's is looking to build on the success of their one local location. This month the Texas based chain announced they have inked a franchise agreement with Dickey's Owner / Operator Mark Engberson and Palouse Restaurant Group to open five new locations all in the Eastern Washington / Spokane area.

It has yet to be announced where all the five Dickey's locations will be and when they will open. In fact we assume it may be some time before they all open. However, Dickey's Barbeque Pit has signed a lease for a location in the Spokane Valley. The Spokane Valley location will likely need to be remodeled as the building has been vacant for sometime. The building was last used as a local restaurant at 14720 E. Sprague.

The local franchise owners own a variety of fast food and fast casual restaurant franchise locations all around our region. The group owns locations of Carl's Jr. , Subway and Wingstop. With over 80 years of combined experience in franchise food service.

Dickey's Barbeque Pit is the largest barbeque restaurant chains in the nation. They we're founded in 1941 with the goal of authentic slow smoked barbeque. All meats are still smoked on site at their resturants , allowing them to live up to the chain's motto " We speak barbeque ".

Keep an eye out for more on where these new locations will open and when. And, for now for more information , including a look at the chains menu, visit their website at-

www.dickeys.com

Fresh Plate Market & Catering now open in North Spokane

After some delays for a full building remodel and some health issues The Fresh Plate Market is now officially open in North Spokane. The Fresh Plate Market is the latest venture from the same owners as The Bistro Box food truck and the Fresh Plate Café at WSU's Spokane campus.

The market is located at 3818 N. Nevada, at the corner of Nevada & Empire . The store occupies 1052 square feet and includes a commissary style kitchen for their two Fresh Plate Café locations, both of which are at WSU Spokane. The kitchen also allows customers of the market to enjoy a selection of prepared foods and meal components that are ready to cook.

In addition to the prepared meals, Fresh Plate Market also offers fresh produce , specialty grocery items and more. Many of those items being supplied by local producers and manufacturers, like Spiceologist, Chatteroy Cheese and Roast House Coffee. Beer and wines may also be sold in the future as the business grows. Also, The Bistro Box food truck will likely be at the market on regular basis once the weather warms up next year.

Laguna Cafe moving ,changing

Laguna Café, a popular South Hill restaurant is changing. And, the biggest change is their move, Laguna had been located at 4304 S. Regal Ave. and is now working on a new larger restaurant space a short drive north as part of the Grapetree Village Shopping Center. Laguna Café will take space next to US Health Works at 2013 E. 29th .

The new Laguna Café will have over 2,600 square feet , meaning about 1,000 square feet more space the their current location.  The new location will also allow the restaurant to add liquor to their drink menu, which as of now only includes beer and wine. 

Even in the new space however, the restaurant will maintain much of the same food menu and café type atmosphere. The move will allow Laguna Café to hire 2 or 3 more employees to handle the more space and customers. If all goes as planned the new location is expected to open in December.

Laguna Café is a locally owned and operated restaurant that's described as a "unique restaurant". Laguna offers breakfast, lunch , dinner and a menu of small plates in addition to coffee drinks and decent selection of beer & wine. They are open seven days a week, and for more information, including a look at the menu visit their web site at-

http://restaurantsspokanewa.com

Or, find them on Facebook at-

https://www.facebook.com/Laguna-Cafe-330351273999/

Planned Parenthood planning new building in Spokane

While controversy continues for the organization at the national level, Planned Parenthood has announced a plan to expand in Spokane. Planned Parenthood says their plans will replace their current clinic and offices at 123 E. Indiana with a new modern and more efficient building , to be built just east of the their current building on Indiana.

The new building will be financed largely via a capital campaign that has already received some large donations, despite the fact the campaign has not started yet. The building is estimated to cost about $5 million to build and is hoped to open during the last half of 2017. The current Planned Parenthood building will be demolished upon completion of the new building. Below is a look at what the new building is planned to look like:

The new Spokane Planned Parenthood building will offer nine exam rooms , two surgical suites an education center and a community classroom. No word on if this new building will create any new jobs. Planned Parenthood is also investing in re-establishing an office in Pullman following a arson fire destroyed the original office there.

Kendall Yards expanding, adding two big new buildings

Being one of Spokane's hottest new neighborhoods, construction is always happening in Kendall Yards. Several small to medium sized condo buildings and single family homes are going up all over the western side of the development. And now, Kendall Yards' developer, Greenstone Homes is about the begin construction on a couple of new big buildings. One will be a large condo building and the other a new office building. Here's the details on both-

Elm Street Condos-

Kendall Yards' Elm St. Condo building will rise soon at the corner Summit Pkwy & Elm St. . The building will have 43,700 square feet of space with 24 condos to be sold upon the buildings completion. The building will also include a small parking garage for residents.

New office building

Kendall Yards is planning to build a new office building by the intersection of Jefferson & Bridge Ave.  Construction will likely start in the spring with Greenstone Commercial already working hard on attracting / finalizing tenants that have yet to be announced. The building will offer about 30,000 square feet of class A office space.

Also...

A couple of new business have also opened up shop recently in Kendall Yards' central business district. Including a new non profit center called Spark Literacy Center that acts as a small library / learning / community center. Also, I'm told Greenstone continues to seek out opening a grocery store within the Kendall Yards development but at the present time does not have a tenant secured.

Larry H. Miller Dealerships continues to remodel / move in Downtown Spokane

Although some pieces of Larry H. Miller's local remodeling projects have been a bit controversial ( i.e. plans to vacate a public street, demolish a historic building ) the company continues to move forward with their several projects. Larry H. Miller has purchased some other small spaces adjacent to their campus for more selling space and are also doing work on their showrooms and office space. Here is what is in the works-

Larry H. Miller Lexus new showroom

Larry H. Miller has completed the first step with new showroom / offices for their Lexus dealership . The new showroom is located at 1030 W. Third and occupies 25,000 total square feet. The new Lexus building is directly across the street from where the former Lexus dealerships showroom had been.

The new facility also offers a dedicated customer lounge and a larger service department then before.

Larry H. Miller Toyota Scion moving to former Honda lot

The company's Toyota / Scion sales and service will move to where the Honda dealership had operated. This move will happen after a $6 million dollar renovation of the new location completes next year. The building will give the Toyota dealership about 50,000 square feet of total space.

The Honda dealership is currently operating a temporary location, across the street from it's future home as the construction project for the Toyota dealership begins before the Honda project.

New home for Larry H. Miller Honda at former Toyota lot

Larry H. Miller Honda is to move into the vacated Larry H. Miller Toyota Scion dealership space after it moves next year. The Honda dealer will then remodel the Toyota building with a new look, which will be similar to most other Honda dealers. The address of the new Larry H. Miller Honda will be 1208 W. Third, once all work is completed. It's estimated that all work will be completed towards the end of next year.

More about Larry H. Miller...

Larry H. Miller entered the Spokane market a few years ago with the initial purchase of the dealerships in Downtown Spokane. Since, then the company has also acquired the former Hallmark Hyundai lot in Spokane Valley which today continues to operate as Larry H. Miller Hyundai at 8801 E. Sprague . The Hallmark dealership group also continues to operate, but now as 509cars.com on E. Sprague closer to Downtown.

Larry H.Miller is a group of several companies and dealerships around the West with a headquarters in the Salt Lake City area. In the Spokane market Larry H. Miller employs about 260 and does expect to hire more employees with the new bigger offices and showrooms.

Spokane Overstock opens store on N. Division

With not even a full year in business, Spokane Overstock , is proving to be a highly successful business. Spokane Overstock is a locally owned and operated retail store with one location at 9818 E. Montgomery in Spokane Valley, near the I-90 / Argonne Rd. exit.

But, now Spokane Overstock is expanding and adding a second location in Spokane, with the original location also staying in business. The new Spokane Overstock in Spokane has now opened for business in the former DiVision Thrift Store building at 2915 N. Division, by the Division St. Hill. The building is over 4000 + square feet and will likely have similar inventory to the Spokane Valley store.

Spokane Overstock sells a wide selection of overstocked merchandise that they buy at a lower cost directly from several large retail stores. And, because this merchandise is from these stores it is not off brand but instead brands like , Stearns & Foster Mattresses , Beats by Dre and many more. And the stock changes frequently.

According to the businesses Facebook page much of the store's merchandise is priced as much as half off retail.  Items sold by Spokane Overstock includes: Mattresses, bathroom vanity's , couches , loveseats, home décor , Beat by Dre Headphones, cabinets, lighting and much more. For larger, heavier items, they also provide a delivery service for a nominal fee.

And, unlike the Spokane Valley store, the new Spokane Overstock store on N. Division will be open seven days a week. The new store will be open 10-8 Monday through Friday and 8-4 on Saturday & Sunday.

For more information on Spokane Overstock, visit their web site at-

http://spokaneoverstock.com

Or,find them on Facebook at-

www.facebook.com/spokaneoverstock

Large new industrial park planned near Post Falls

The prospects of new manufacturing / warehouse jobs in the Inland Northwest continues to look positive. Both Cheney and Deer Park have newer industrial parks and the large Spokane Business & Industrial Park is always gaining new tenants. But, another new large industrial park is also beginning just over the Idaho state line, north of Post Falls.

The new park, which is called Bighorn Industrial Park will be located near the corner of Pleasant View Rd & Poleline Rd. on the Rathdrum Prairie. The location makes it ideal for business being only a short drive from both Route 53 and I-90.

The park will be built in three phases with phase one being up for sale now. Phase 1 has 14 lots all around 5 acres in size, with access from a new extension of Grange Ave. Here is a look at the site plan for phase 1-

The next two phases will be located to the south of phase 1 and will include 20 + more lots. There is no word on what business will go into the Bighorn Industrial Park as it is still too new, but the hope is there for some big names and big employers.

Bighorn Industrial Park's lots are being sold through Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty of Coeur d' Alene. Lot prices range from $149,000 to $249,000 with possible seller financing. For more information on land at Bighorn, visit-

www.ccimteam.com

Open house this afternoon to see what's new in the University District

Have an interest in what's new in Spokane's University District? Then you might want to stop by the district's open house this afternoon at Gonzaga's Hemmingson Center ( 702 E. DeSmet ). The open house will take place Oct. 21st from 3 - 6 pm and will allow the public a chance to get information and meet the district's new director Mark Robert Mansfield PhD.

While several private sector developments are also happening now in the University District ( 940 N. Ruby , Matilda Building, etc... ) this open house will put a spotlight on the public sector and university projects, including-



- The Gateway Bridge ( a pedestrian bridge between the Riverpoint Campus and the E. Sprague area, over top of a railroad area that hinders movement by the public )

- South Bridge Landing ( a plan to renew, build new buildings, create new business around where the new Gateway Bridge will connect into the Sprague area )

- WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine ( Spokane's new med school ! )

- Spokane Teaching Health Clinic ( in the Riverpoint Campus area, to be large medical facility also providing training to students. Already under construction )

- Gonzaga University's new Hemmingson Center ( Now open and a large new university center for Gonzaga. The center houses many offices, meeting spaces, presentation areas and a verity of restaurants )

- Jensen Byrd Building ( now owned by Washington State University the large historic former Jensen Byrd Warehouse building may see redevelopment soon. The university is exploring options to make it a centerpiece of the district and compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods.