by Back to Business | Jan 6, 2021 | Back to Business Story
When Washington state’s second indoor dining ban of 2020 was enacted back in mid-November to slow the spread of COVID-19, dozens of local restaurants scrambled to move their tables back outdoors, where guests from the same household can still gather to enjoy a...
by Back to Business | Dec 30, 2020 | Back to Business Story
Spokane native Sydney Sweeney is just 23, yet she’s been working as an actress since 2009; now, with a number of high-profile roles to her credit, she’s clearly on the path to stardom. To help restaurants and the homeless in her hometown, she recently donated $12,000....
by Back to Business | Dec 30, 2020 | Back to Business Story
New Year’s Eve is synonymous with celebration, especially at a time when we’re hoping that the coming year is going to be better than the last. But the very circumstances that made 2020 such a slog will keep festivities muted as the clock strikes midnight. The...
by Back to Business | Dec 23, 2020 | Back to Business Story
If Don Poffenroth had his druthers, he probably wouldn’t be relocating Dry Fly Distilling at the height of a global pandemic. But you can’t always choose exactly how events will unfold, and this particular $4.5 million move to a larger building has been in the works...
by Back to Business | Dec 23, 2020 | Back to Business Story
Since 2014, the Winter Glow holiday display has been making spirits bright as it’s hopped from venue to venue before ending up in its current home in Liberty Lake. For 2020, Winter Glow has returned to Orchard Park, offering a social distancing-friendly...
by Back to Business | Dec 20, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 7: Community
Spokane County’s libraries are proving flexible in order to serve the community through the pandemic Local libraries aren’t what they used to be. Gone is the stereotypical stuffy repository of books, replaced by a hub of activity for all ages occurring both...
by Back to Business | Dec 20, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 7: Community
From hands-on learning to virtual classes, home cooks have lots of choices to help expand their skills in Spokane For many people, one of the earliest, most comforting places to pick up a shutdown hobby was the kitchen, whether baking bread, cooking new recipes or...
by Back to Business | Dec 20, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 7: Community
It’s hard to imagine celebrating the end of a year quite so joyously as we’ll celebrate the end of 2020. For so many of us, it’s been the most challenging year of our lives. Between home-schooling our kids, navigating the state’s unemployment system for the...
by Back to Business | Dec 20, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 7: Community
The arts and culture sector has been beaten down by the pandemic, and it will take all of us to keep it alive in 2021 and beyond By Melissa Huggins The cultural community in Spokane is resilient, tough, and accustomed to making magic with few resources. Artists have...
by Back to Business | Dec 20, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 7: Community
The Big Dipper and other local music venues are still waiting to stage live shows again The banner that’s covering the entire facade of THE BIG DIPPER is designed to make you stop and read it. The all-ages music venue, which has sat on the corner of Washington...
by Back to Business | Dec 20, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 7: Community
Here are the local spots streaming live concert performances Live entertainment is undoubtedly one of the most missed elements of daily life, with music venues, theaters, symphonies and stages sitting quiet this year, with no end in sight. Thankfully, vaccines are on...
by Back to Business | Dec 20, 2020 | Uncategorized
Since the pandemic stripped bike stores bare last spring, this winter may be your best chance to shop and get lucky This year, bicycles were the toilet paper of transportation. When the pandemic hit, so many people wanted so many bicycles that the shelves at local...
by Back to Business | Dec 20, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 7: Community
Keep your golf game going year-round at Spokane County’s swing suites The Spokane region is blessed with an incredible array of golf courses to keep everyone from low-handicappers to weekend duffers happy. And thanks to our weather, it’s conceivable to play a round...
by Back to Business | Dec 20, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 7: Community
Local game shops and arcades anxiously await a return to in-person tournaments and carefree fun It’s been a roller coaster of a year for game shops and venues. First, there was a complete shutdown in March, lasting about a month. Then came a return to in-person...
by Back to Business | Dec 20, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 7: Community
Channel your inner animal by visiting cuddly critters in the county At a time when so many of us are feeling isolated and starved for company, it’s not a bad idea to turn to our pals in the animal kingdom for a little companionship. Heck, they’re probably more...
by Back to Business | Dec 20, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 7: Community
How local climbing gyms have been adjusting to COVID-19 There’s nothing quite as rewarding as reaching for the next hold on the climbing wall and surpassing your personal best. Whether you’re a professional looking for places to practice in between climbs or...
by Back to Business | Dec 16, 2020 | Back to Business Story
In a normal year, the Epicurean Delight gala fundraiser is one of the highlights of the local Arts & Culture calendar, featuring 60 purveyors of food and libations each November. It attracts 1,200 guests and raises essential funds for Vitalint (formerly the Inland...
by Back to Business | Dec 16, 2020 | Back to Business Story
Early in the pandemic, when his firm wanted to do something for their employees and felt the need to support local businesses, Metals Fab in Airway Heights gave out gift cards to local restaurants. “It was a no-brainer for us,” says Todd Weaver, president of the steel...
by Back to Business | Dec 9, 2020 | Back to Business Story
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the resourcefulness and adaptability of many small businesses has been their saving grace. At VEDA LUX, a mainstay of Spokane’s trendy South Perry District, owner Summer Hightower has weathered the topsy-turvy stages of the pandemic...
by Back to Business | Dec 9, 2020 | Back to Business Story
With new restrictions on indoor dining starting a few weeks back, restaurants across Spokane County have been dialing in their takeout game to invite their fans in to support them. And it’s no different at Wooden City Spokane, except that they had barely settled in...
by Back to Business | Dec 8, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 6: Arts & Culture
Spokane’s comedy community is working to keep the funny alive If there was ever a time we could all use a good laugh, it’s 2020. But of all the sectors of the economy punished by the pandemic, it’s arguably been the worst for live entertainment venues and the artists...
by Back to Business | Dec 8, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 6: Arts & Culture
We thought things would be better by now. Back in March when the pandemic first caused shutdowns, we thought the closures and restrictions aimed at controlling COVID-19 would be over before summer. When the case numbers dipped with warmer weather and many businesses...
by Back to Business | Dec 8, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 6: Arts & Culture
Spokane’s natural environment and outdoors industry offer myriad ways to get out of the house Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you have to be stuck inside. Our region offers ample opportunities to explore, from weather-dependent activities like skiing to...
by Back to Business | Dec 8, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 6: Arts & Culture
Local gyms and yoga studios keep adjusting to ongoing pandemic If you had just gotten back into your gym routines, the new, in-person restrictions from Gov. Jay Inslee may have thrown you a bit of a curveball. Like all industries, exercise spots are having to adjust...
by Back to Business | Dec 8, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 6: Arts & Culture
Hollywood has taken a hit during the pandemic, but Spokane’s theaters are still hanging in there Going to the movies is an experience like no other. It’s solitary, because you let yourself get swept up in the story on screen, but it’s also communal, because you’re...
by Back to Business | Dec 8, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 6: Arts & Culture
This year started as they all do for most of us: a fresh start, a blank slate and ripe with opportunity. A New Year celebration to enter 2020 held promise and hope. As we all know, we took a hard turn in March and are forever changed. We can collectively agree this is...
by Back to Business | Dec 8, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 6: Arts & Culture
Local bowling alleys face unique challenges with COVID restrictions Unlike some activities, bowling really can’t be replicated on Zoom. For one, carrying a bowling ball around your home sounds like a recipe for squashing a toe or giving a cat a heart attack. Whether...
by Back to Business | Dec 8, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 6: Arts & Culture
Forced to cancel shows, local theater groups are navigating COVID challenges with the creativity they’re known for Nine months ago, local theaters — like all performing arts venues — had to make the difficult decision to postpone the few remaining shows in their...
by Back to Business | Dec 8, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 6: Arts & Culture
The pandemic offers the perfect time to explore your creative side We’re pretty sure math genius Albert Einstein meant it positively when he reputedly said, “Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.” And how apropos to 2020 when many people have rediscovered their...
by Back to Business | Dec 8, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 6: Arts & Culture
It won’t be long before sports are back in Spokane In March, the SPOKANE SHOCK — a name once thought to be no more when the Arena Football League franchise folded in 2015 — were almost back. The first game of the year was days away for the Indoor Football League team....
by Back to Business | Dec 8, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 6: Arts & Culture
Many local galleries remain open under COVID-19 restrictions, in addition to hosting virtual exhibitions for at-home viewing While museums across Washington state were recently forced to close their galleries to the public yet again, a good chunk of small, local art...
by Back to Business | Dec 8, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 6: Arts & Culture
With the convention business dead for now, Spokane’s tourism industry has had to improvise For decades, local tourism-focused groups like Visit Spokane, the Spokane Sports Commission, and the Spokane Public Facilities District have been centered on one united mission:...
by Back to Business | Dec 8, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 6: Arts & Culture
Why go when you can staycay? Traveling to far and distant places always makes for a welcome change from the familiar. But, let’s face it, it can also be a pain in the neck. Planning, packing, missed connections, long layovers, unfamiliar streets, stressful...
by Back to Business | Dec 7, 2020 | Back to Business Story
Hurd Mercantile lies slightly off the beaten path. Getting there involves taking a scenic drive through the softly undulating wheat fields for which the Palouse is famous, then pulling into the tiny town of Rockford (pop. 486). Among the five or six buildings that...
by Back to Business | Dec 1, 2020 | Back to Business Story
A spark of light in the darkness is the resounding theme of this year’s holiday season, and this new-in-2020 event offers just that. It’s also a familiar throwback to a popular event first hosted here five years ago, the Chinese Lantern Festival in Riverfront...
by Back to Business | Dec 1, 2020 | Back to Business Story
As hard as the COVID-19 pandemic has been on industries like retail and hospitality, it’s been especially tough on the culture and entertainment sector. Faced with the impossibility of offering live performances for the foreseeable future, organizations like the...
by Back to Business | Dec 1, 2020 | Back to Business Story
Here’s another holiday option that keeps you outdoors: Enjoy a festive walk along the banks of the Spokane River, punctuated by a beautiful light display sponsored by Wheatland Bank. It all happens along the trail in front of the Ruby River Hotel; swing by any time to...
by Back to Business | Nov 25, 2020 | Back to Business Story
When BRICKYARD BARBERSHOP reopened in the wake of the first statewide pandemic lockdown, the popular men’s grooming salon was greeted with a flood of appointments. “It was really crazy,” says owner Chris Banka. “Everybody was wanting to get a haircut. They’ve never...
by Back to Business | Nov 19, 2020 | Back to Business Story
With the news over the weekend of new restrictions in the state of Washington, many businesses in Spokane County are struggling to adjust to the changes that will be in place through Dec. 14. For restaurants, the biggest one is no indoor dining, meaning they will have...
by Back to Business | Nov 18, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 5: Shopping
Halloween is in the rearview mirror, a chill is in the air, and we’re all staring down the holidays in the strangest year most of us will ever experience. Let’s hope that’s true. Spokane County’s retailers have faced significant challenges throughout the pandemic, and...
by Back to Business | Nov 18, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 5: Shopping
How to safely support local businesses this holiday season By Mariah McKay and Janice Miller With an uncertain future ahead of us, all nonessential work, schools and many public services were required to temporarily shut down in March. People flocked to e-commerce for...
by Back to Business | Nov 18, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 5: Shopping
How local businesses are trying to adapt for a pandemic-restricted holiday shopping season Some businesses live or die based on Christmas shopping. That’s true any year. But this year — which isn’t any year — that’s especially true. “I think it’s fair to say the...
by Back to Business | Nov 18, 2020 | Back to Business Story
Downtown Spokane is the region’s biggest holiday destination, and along with its winning collection of shops and restaurants, there are plenty of activities to keep everyone in the family engaged. There are health accommodations being made all over downtown, but many...
by Back to Business | Nov 18, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 5: Shopping
Where to outfit your home office Alright, so you’ve likely already been working from home for most of the year if you’re new to the work-from-home routine due to the pandemic. But have you really taken the time to set up a proper home office yet? Sitting at the...
by Back to Business | Nov 18, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 5: Shopping
Local boutiques cater to customers with on-camera product updates, personalized styling and private shopping sessions When Washington state went on lockdown in mid-March, local boutique owner Victoria Zvoncheck-Ferro thought she might be telling her customers goodbye...
by Back to Business | Nov 18, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 5: Shopping
Embrace your green thumb at these local shops The pandemic has taken away plenty of hobbies: Team sports, singing and basically anything involving other people indoors. One thing it can’t take away? Your love of plants. Whether you have a robust garden, or you simply...
by Back to Business | Nov 18, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 5: Shopping
Where to shop for the well-dressed man It’s no secret that the social norms of 2020 are a lot more lenient than in past years, but just because we’re in the middle of a pandemic doesn’t mean we’ve suddenly lost the urge to occasionally dress up. Sure, we’re...
by Back to Business | Nov 18, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 5: Shopping
You can buy equipment to bring your gym into your home — without the crowd For weeks this spring, local gyms closed and left fitness fanatics without a regular place to go stay in shape. And while many gyms have reopened with safety measures, your sweaty, muggy gym...
by Back to Business | Nov 18, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 5: Shopping
Flowers are one of the most universal ways for us to commemorate special occasions. It’s hard to imagine birthdays, weddings or graduations without a festive tabletop bouquet or a stunning floral arrangement. But as COVID-19 has limited our ability to gather as often...
by Back to Business | Nov 18, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 5: Shopping
Lifted restrictions mean there’s no excuse for not looking your best online or in person With a switch to working from home for many employees throughout the region this year, personal grooming habits have, well, changed a bit. For some, it’s been freeing to take a...
by Back to Business | Nov 18, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 5: Shopping
Local eye clinics are providing clarity during the pandemic After the pandemic hit Spokane, GARLAND VISION SOURCE was closed for two months. But Brett Hagen, eye doctor and owner of the eye clinic, says that once they officially opened their doors back up, business...
by Back to Business | Nov 18, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 5: Shopping
Local event planner launches a custom balloon business to make celebrations happen during the pandemic When it became clear early this year that large-scale events, from fundraisers to weddings, were going on a months-long hiatus as the coronavirus’s threat remains...
by Back to Business | Nov 18, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 5: Shopping
Blankets and onesies and bibs, oh my! First, real talk: Babies grow fast. Just when you feel like you’ve finally caught up on their wardrobe, their toes reach the end of their sleeper, and you’re back where you started. Truly, keeping a child dressed through all the...
by Back to Business | Nov 13, 2020 | Back to Business Story
For the 7 Wonders spa in Spokane Valley, the impact of COVID-19 has been a mixed bag. There are the obvious negative effects, of course: The constant worry over maintaining a safe, sanitized environment. The limits on the number of simultaneous customers on account of...
by Back to Business | Nov 4, 2020 | Back to Business Story
“I saw my life flash before my eyes,” says Alan Shepherd as he recalls the panic and uncertainty of the early days of the pandemic. “This is all I’ve got. All my eggs are in the Rocket Market.” The Rocket Market is one of the area’s many ultra-local...
by Back to Business | Oct 29, 2020 | Back to Business Story
When Sean Tracy first got involved in the family business several decades ago, he probably didn’t foresee a year like 2020. Luxury retailers like Spokane’s Tracy Jewelers typically pride themselves on an unhurried, highly personalized experience. But providing that...
by Back to Business | Oct 29, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 4: Shopping
It became clear early on in the pandemic as the state shut down and many of us suddenly found ourselves hunkered down at home — retail businesses, even those deemed “nonessential” in the early days of coronavirus, sure feel essential when you’re trying to work at...
by Back to Business | Oct 29, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 4: Shopping
Where to find your newest look from local secondhand stores Secondhand clothing is not just a frugal way to save money and look stylish at the same time — it’s a sustainable alternative to the rapid-cycle fast-fashion market, where trends seem to come and go every few...
by Back to Business | Oct 29, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 4: Shopping
A few places to shop to build a functioning home bar Maybe you’ve recently moved into a new place or you’re just ready for a shopping spree, either way you’ve been considering building up a home bar. It’s the perfect time to make space for one while your...
by Back to Business | Oct 29, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 4: Shopping
Spokane’s record stores crank up the sounds that make the city a little more vibrant It was only about a decade ago that vinyl records seemed destined for obsolescence, an antiquated medium that was bound to be eclipsed by CDs and MP3s. But now the sonic shoe is on...
by Back to Business | Oct 29, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 4: Shopping
Where to shop for gifts heading into the holidays From flowers and sweet treats to books, mugs and dish towels with those funny sayings on them, Spokane County’s got some incredible gift options for everyone on your list as we head into the holiday season. Many people...
by Back to Business | Oct 29, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 4: Shopping
Stocking up on cozy athleisure wear for autumn Let’s be honest: Working from home means our athleisure wear is getting more use than normal. Let’s be more honest: It’s past time to retire those sweatpants and stock up on some new pieces. Whether you’re looking...
by Back to Business | Oct 29, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 4: Shopping
With pet adoptions setting records, here’s where to treat your new fur baby right Perhaps when coronavirus hit you found yourself working from home, juggling countless Zoom calls while entertaining your suddenly home-schooling kids and converting your wardrobe into a...
by Back to Business | Oct 29, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 4: Shopping
If you’re stuck inside, your local hardware store can help with your home improvement projects This spring, under quarantine, everyone suddenly had to live and work at home, and often they didn’t like what they saw. There were rooms to paint. Gardens to plant. Things...
by Back to Business | Oct 29, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 4: Shopping
Shops to help you take your home decor to the next level Many of us are reacquainting ourselves with our homes as we navigate the new normal of spending considerably more time there. And if shopping reports are any indication, we’re investing in the kinds of things...
by Back to Business | Oct 29, 2020 | Uncategorized, VOL 4: Shopping
Where to get the essentials for a new pandemic-friendly home theater set-up If you’re a movie buff who’s been stuck at home for the last six months, you’re no doubt missing being surrounded by an audience and taking in the latest films, absorbed in the visual...
by Back to Business | Oct 29, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 4: Shopping
The places to find the best equipment — and ingredients — for home chefs and bakers “After we reopened, it pretty much just exploded,” says Eric Frickle, owner of the KITCHEN ENGINE. In fact, the biggest challenge has just been keeping everything in stock — some...
by Back to Business | Oct 29, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 4: Shopping
A local shopkeeper’s guide | By Kris Dinnison A few months ago, I wrote a piece for the Inlander about lists. In it, I rattled off the catalog of things I was worried about as we all tripped into the new reality thrust on the world by the pandemic. Fortunately, many...
by Back to Business | Oct 21, 2020 | Back to Business Story
The important steps that were taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 had consequences that weren’t always immediately visible. As the public watched restaurants shift to takeout-only service or temporarily close their doors during the early stages of the pandemic,...
by Back to Business | Oct 15, 2020 | Back to Business Story
When Masselow’s Steakhouse temporarily closed along with the Northern Quest Resort & Casino on March 16, the staff wanted to make the closure count. They sought to implement changes that would not only limit the spread of COVID-19, but also provide an even...
by Back to Business | Oct 14, 2020 | Back to Business Story, Vol 3: Restaurants
A rundown of local burger joints serving up goodness between buns There’s nothing like a good burger. It’s arguably the quintessential American food, and though every burger more or less consists of the same basic parts, no two taste alike. Here’s a handful of...
by Back to Business | Oct 14, 2020 | Back to Business Story, Vol 3: Restaurants
Summer had to end sometime, and with it, we knew that the warm glow of patio season would begin to fade and a new reality would confront Spokane County’s hospitality industry. What now? Restaurants have been struggling throughout the pandemic, but through ingenuity...
by Back to Business | Oct 14, 2020 | Back to Business Story, Vol 3: Restaurants
While many restaurants are still figuring out their plans for outdoor seating this winter, here are a few places that already have outdoor plans. TRUE LEGENDS GRILL For the first time, True Legends Grill recently put a tent cover over its patio and it expanded the...
by Back to Business | Oct 14, 2020 | Back to Business Story, Vol 3: Restaurants
Head to Nine Mile Falls for real Texas BBQ, good espresso and beautiful scenery For Rod Smith, owner of BIG ROD’S TEXAS BBQ, business this year has been better than ever. “Each year is getting bigger and bigger. If you have a good product, people are going to...
by Back to Business | Oct 14, 2020 | Back to Business Story, Vol 3: Restaurants
There’s no wrong way to make a sandwich, and there are many local shops to choose from Is there any lunch more customizable than the humble sandwich? From pesto chicken paninis to the classic grilled cheese, the options begin with whatever you can fit in between...
by Back to Business | Oct 14, 2020 | Back to Business Story, Vol 3: Restaurants
Getting your grub on in the Deer Park and Elk region Drive north from Spokane for about 40 minutes and you’ll hit Deer Park, a quaint town of just over 4,000 people. A mere 15 miles from there is the unincorporated town of Elk, which is even more rural. Put together,...
by Back to Business | Oct 14, 2020 | Back to Business Story, Vol 3: Restaurants
Get your brunch on at these delicious Spokane County mainstays They’ve always said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and yet so many of us skip it. The beauty of brunch, meanwhile, is that you can still enjoy breakfast foods without having to...
by Back to Business | Oct 14, 2020 | Back to Business Story, Vol 3: Restaurants
Learn how to do takeout better Winter is coming. And with a pandemic still raging, the survival of many of Spokane County’s most beloved restaurants could come down to takeout. But as much as you may want to support them, you may have felt a little underwhelmed by...
by Back to Business | Oct 14, 2020 | Back to Business Story, Vol 3: Restaurants
With cold weather fast approaching, Spokane County restaurants brace for indoor season For many restaurants, scrambling to expand patio space or create it from scratch seemed like the way to survive the hardships of 2020 and a global pandemic. That was way back this...
by Back to Business | Oct 14, 2020 | Back to Business Story, Vol 3: Restaurants
The region’s cupcake spots know how to deliver delicious, sweet treats Someone wise once said, “You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy cupcakes, and that’s basically the same thing.” In the era of COVID-19, self-care is important. And that means treating...
by Back to Business | Oct 14, 2020 | Back to Business Story, Vol 3: Restaurants
Seven great options in Spokane Don’t sleep on pizza. Sure, it’s now easier than ever to order in a fancy dinner, or a burger and fries, or some pad thai. But there’s still something about opening that box and ripping off a slice of your favorite pizza....
by Back to Business | Oct 14, 2020 | Back to Business Story, Vol 3: Restaurants
Several spots to grab a burrito to-go throughout the region The burrito is a versatile handheld treat. Throw eggs in a tortilla and you can enjoy breakfast while on the run. Wrap up some meat, beans, rice, veggies and cheese to enjoy a full meal in the palm of your...
by Back to Business | Oct 14, 2020 | Back to Business Story, Vol 3: Restaurants
The hotel had been a Spokane Valley destination for decades when a 2005 renovation offered something new for guests and area diners alike: MAX at Mirabeau. Since then, it has continued to impress, winning awards from such entities as Wine Spectator magazine and...
by Back to Business | Oct 8, 2020 | Back to Business Story
As part of a family with strong German roots, it was customary for Greg Brandt to celebrate Oktoberfest every autumn. Now in his fifth year as head brewer and owner of Iron Goat Brewing Co., Brandt continues that annual tradition by offering limited-run German-style...
by Back to Business | Oct 5, 2020 | Back to Business Story
In these days of social distancing and self-quarantining, online commerce has often been hailed as a saving grace for housebound shoppers and brick-and-mortar businesses alike. Many restaurants, for instance, have found a lifeline in online ordering via websites or...
by Back to Business | Oct 1, 2020 | Back to Business Story
It was April 27, the day before his son’s birthday, that Raci Erdem learned the Pentagon was on fire. The popular bistro and martini bar was the newest of the three Washington, D.C.-themed restaurants that Erdem operates along the Washington-Idaho border. Its grand...
by Back to Business | Sep 30, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 2: Restaurants
Take a tour through Spokane Valley communities and discover its abundant and varied dining opportunities Spokane Valley is not known as a dining destination, spread across roughly 38 square miles, much of it smaller communities with charming names like Opportunity and...
by Back to Business | Sep 30, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 2: Restaurants
Eating and drinking your way through the Garland District Spokane County is home to countless cool neighborhoods, but the Garland District on the city of Spokane’s North Hill is one of a kind. Sure, other neighborhoods offer a blend of shopping, dining and drinking,...
by Back to Business | Sep 30, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 2: Restaurants
Delivery and takeout sales sustain local restaurants while offering safe and convenient alternatives for customers When COVID-19 hit the Pacific Northwest, forcing the entire food-service industry into lockdown for more than two months, restaurants had no choice but...
by Back to Business | Sep 30, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 2: Restaurants
The Back to Business marketing campaign is all about helping our local community successfully and safely navigate the pandemic. Here’s how you can get involved. How to… …Support Local Restaurants: The hospitality industry is critical to the Inland...
by Back to Business | Sep 30, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 2: Restaurants
Tiny town, huge burgers, and then some Jake Long, the eponymous “Jake” of JAKE’S OLD FASHIONED BURGERS, got his start as a chef at the old Jake’s Restaurant, a Medical Lake breakfast nook. Because his name was Jake, too, his dad Joe recalls, they let...
by Back to Business | Sep 30, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 2: Restaurants
Spokane County’s barbecue spots draw inspiration from around the country Meat and fire. It’s one of the oldest recipes in humanity’s collective cookbook. There are many ways to barbecue meats — in various regional styles with sauces and rubs from family recipes...
by Back to Business | Sep 30, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 2: Restaurants
The Elk Public House, among others Their website says a lot about their vibe: wedonthaveone.com. Their empire includes six restaurants: Moon Time and the Porch, both in Idaho, and Geno’s, El Que, the Elk and Two Seven Public House, all in Spokane. Rather than a brand,...
by Back to Business | Sep 30, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 2: Restaurants
An epic fantasy sourced by local restaurants Say you’re in the mood for a romantic, seven-course meal, but with the pandemic still raging, you feel a bit wary about spending all the time inside a local restaurant. No problem. Light a few candles if your...
by Back to Business | Sep 30, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 2: Restaurants
Since 1902, Washington Trust Bank’s mission to put people first has never wavered. During these challenging times, we remain committed to what matters most. That dedication continues as our team works tirelessly to help local companies get back to business. Businesses...
by Back to Business | Sep 30, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 2: Restaurants
Fine dining restaurants are all about ambiance, but that’s a bit harder to create with COVID Without a doubt, the tradition of going to your favorite fine dining restaurant for special occasions has been one of the most missed pieces of day-to-day life among...
by Back to Business | Sep 30, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 2: Restaurants
It’s right there in the name — the hospitality industry, the people who welcome us, take care of us, feed us, get us a little buzzed, help us celebrate life’s special moments and, on the daily, dish out the little pick-me-ups that we need to get through the day....
by Back to Business | Sep 30, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 2: Restaurants
Understanding and helping our culinary community By Erin Peterson During a conversation I had yesterday with a consulting client who works at a local restaurant, I had a moment of uncommon clarity about the nature of the service industry. She spoke about how often...
by Back to Business | Sep 30, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 2: Restaurants
There may be fewer college students in town, but the strong Cheney dining scene remains Usually, Cheney is bustling with students during Eastern Washington University’s move-in week. Dorms and apartments fill up, the bars get rowdier, and students begin to explore the...
by Back to Business | Sep 30, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 2: Restaurants
Find character and comfort in Rockford Take the Palouse Scenic Byway south from Spokane and you’ll pass through several charming small towns with long histories as anchor points for the agricultural community. One of the communities familiar to anyone who’s taken that...
by Back to Business | Sep 24, 2020 | Back to Business Story
“Tourism is an underrated economic driver,” says Visit Spokane CEO Meg Winchester. “We sometimes take for granted how much money it brings in — and those are outside dollars that are coming into Spokane.” A recent study found that those outside dollars...
by Back to Business | Sep 17, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 1: Restaurants
Local restaurants use downtime to renovate and apply fresh coats of paint There’s something to be said about good old American ingenuity, because even as restaurants and bars started closing down in March, several Spokane eateries used the downtime to their...
by Back to Business | Sep 17, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 1: Restaurants
Strictly speaking, halibut cakes, carne asada, and salted caramel cupcakes are not necessities of life. Yet, one of the lessons from COVID-19 is that local businesses like Hay J’s Bistro, Mexico Lindo Taqueria, and Sweet Frostings are essential. They’re where we...
by Back to Business | Sep 17, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 1: Restaurants
A few new ways restaurants are reaching customers during the pandemic Local Delivery Spokane-based TREEHOUSE DELIVERIES has become a welcome alternative to national food delivery services like Uber Eats, DoorDash and others. Since the pandemic’s onset, Treehouse has...
by Back to Business | Sep 17, 2020 | Back to Business Story
Of all the personal qualities that come in handy when running a business, flexibility might be one of the most important. For many restaurant and venue owners, it’s certainly been crucial for navigating the current pandemic. With live entertainment now on hold in...
by Back to Business | Sep 17, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 1: Restaurants
Where to stock up on the basics During the different phases of reopening, many restaurants have expanded their to-go offerings, often adding family-sized meals at an incredible deal. Some, however, have gone a step further and started offering pantry staples and...
by Back to Business | Sep 17, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 1: Restaurants
Let someone else do the hard stuff As the pandemic grinds on, you may have already abandoned your dreams of spending your time in isolation learning how to cook. Don’t give up so easily. These local businesses will deliver meal kits that hand you everything you need...
by Back to Business | Sep 17, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 1: Restaurants
Liberty Lake has become a dining destination in its own right Back when they first launched HAY J’S BISTRO in 2006, owner Rhonda Entner and her son, chef-owner Patrick Fechser, saw the potential in Liberty Lake, a fairly recently incorporated city with a history...
by Back to Business | Sep 17, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 1: Restaurants
Faced with limitations and new challenges, local food providers have gotten inventive to reach customers From curbside pickup to home delivery, expanded outdoor seating to brand new menu items, the food service industry in the Inland Northwest has pushed onward with...
by Back to Business | Sep 17, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 1: Restaurants
With fresh air a commodity during the pandemic, Spokane County restaurants expand outdoor seating options There are few things better than eating a great meal while soaking in the heat, enjoying the city and breathing in the fresh air out on a restaurant’s patio....
by Back to Business | Sep 17, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 1: Restaurants
Everyone calls owner Jeanne Choi “Mama” at d’bali Asian Bistro. Choi and business partner Kelly Bishop have worked hard to make diners feel at home. Since 2018, they’ve been a favorite go-to for Southeast Asian food in Airway Heights, including snagging...
by Back to Business | Sep 17, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 1: Restaurants
Our motto for now and forever: Drink Local It’s been a roller coaster of a year for the Spokane beer industry. Starting with an abrupt closure of all bars and taprooms, to a slow reopening, back to another closure, and now with places figuring out how to stay...
by Back to Business | Sep 17, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 1: Restaurants
A new kind of one-stop shopping Although most restaurants across the region have been back open for dine-in service since late May, a statewide limitation on the number of people who can crowd around one table and a desire among some to avoid public spaces means that...
by Back to Business | Sep 17, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 1: Restaurants
Who needs a stiff drink? Of all the things we most miss about life pre-pandemic, one of the big ones is hanging out at our favorite local watering hole, crowded around a table with five or six friends. While many bars and restaurants have reopened since the first wave...
by Back to Business | Sep 17, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 1: Restaurants
The pandemic hasn’t prevented several new food spots from debuting, and even thriving Fluffy’s Candy in North Spokane opened for the first time on March 16, the morning after Washington Gov. Jay Inslee ordered all restaurants and bars to close their dining...
by Back to Business | Sep 16, 2020 | Back to Business Story, VOL 1: Restaurants
We’ve all had a tough run of it these past months. Businesses and individuals alike have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the hospitality industry. Even as Washington state has reopened under Phase 2, revenues are down by up to 70 percent...
by Back to Business | Sep 10, 2020 | Back to Business Story
Patio spaces have always offered a sought-after dining experience. When the sun is out and the temperature is right, eating outdoors can enhance our enjoyment of an already excellent meal — especially when we’re in the company of close friends and family. These days,...
by Back to Business | Sep 3, 2020 | Back to Business Story
From the first green shoots of spring until the last leaf falls in autumn, Spokane area food trucks are typically firing on all available cylinders. Even if they’re not attending an event or parked at a familiar roadside spot, their staff will be busy with operational...
by Back to Business | Aug 27, 2020 | Back to Business Story
Sarah Lathrop had always intended to create an online ordering system for Liberty Lake Wine Cellars, the winery and tasting room she co-owns with her husband Mark. But if she had her druthers, it would have been something that she rolled out at her own pace. Instead,...
by Back to Business | Aug 20, 2020 | Back to Business Story
Over the past few months, restaurants have had to adapt their business models to the changing situation on the ground. And in many cases, those adaptations have had to be both quick and continuous. “We didn’t really have an active website prior to March,” says Tiffany...
by Back to Business | Aug 13, 2020 | Back to Business Story
As the executive director of the West Plains Chamber of Commerce, Toby Broemmeling is used to advocating for the area and its local economy. He’s quick to note, for example, that the West Plains includes three “viable, dynamic, growing” downtown cores: Cheney, Medical...
by Back to Business | Aug 6, 2020 | Back to Business Story
The negative and far-reaching effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are by now painfully obvious. That pain has been acute in fields like entertainment and hospitality, where good business simply depends on people gathering. For the restaurant industry in particular, the...
