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The empty South Spokane Blockbuster Video store at 2501 E. 29th will get its first new tenant in a few months.

Portland-based Miller Paint says it will fill about 4,000 square feet of the building, which is owned by Stanek Enterprises. The store has been closed after two Blockbuster wallops — a fire in July 2010 and the video rental company's bankruptcy.

Look for Miller Paint to open its doors during the first two weeks of March.

For now Miller Paint has just one downtown Spokane store. The employee-owned company has about eight locations in the Seattle area and about 36 across the Northwest, said area manager Byron Nelson.

The goal is to have five or six in the Inland Northwest, he said.

He said the 29th location will be called Miller Paint at Lincoln Heights. It will operate Monday through Saturday. About four workers will be added to start, said Nelson.

Nelson said Dave Black, of NAI Black of Spokane, was the broker for the lease and the deal. 

A second retailer is also lined up for the remaining one-third of the space available. Office Hours wasn't able to confirm that tenant's plans today.

Spokane Mayor Mary Verner is hosting a “Let’s Talk” conversation focused on small business and its challenges on Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the city council chambers in City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Three area small business owners will talk about their challenges during the recession. Others are invited to take part.

The city will also release results from a recent survey that asked questions about the impact of economic conditions, workforce issues, access to capital, and local government’s role.

CityCable 5 will carry the 90-minute session live. It will also be streamed live on www.spokanecity.org under the “Watch It Live” section for CityCable5.

City spokeswoman Marlene Feist said the mayor held a series of business talks in 2008. Wih the economy still weak, “we decided to go back to look at where are there impediments to small business and are there any places where the city can place renewed focus?” she said.