Opening Of Department Store Brings Bitter Debate To A Close
Ending five years of controversy, Spokane County’s third Shopko store will open Tuesday on the South Hill.
Built at the busy intersection of 44th and Regal, the 88,000-square-foot store survived hearings, protests and lawsuits from citizens concerned that the discount department store was incompatible with the neighborhood and would generate too much traffic.
The store, however, will add 150 full- and part-time jobs.
In other events this week:
Today
National Farmers Union opens its annual meeting in Milwaukee, continuing through Wednesday.
Tuesday
Washington and Idaho Dry Pea and Lentil Commissions and the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council meet at 9:30 a.m. in Moscow. Call 208-882-3203.
The “Partnership in Employment Expo ‘95” opens from 3-7 p.m. at Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park in Spokane. Free to students and alumni of Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, Washington State University, Whitman College and Whitworth College, about 60 employers will discuss employment opportunities, internships and summer jobs. Call Mary Heitkemper at 328-4220, ext. 4234, or Robin Showalter at 359-2221.
An overview of ISO 9000 will be held at 8 a.m. to noon at 3939 N. Freya by the Training and Education Coordinating Center, International Trade Program. Cost: $100.
Wednesday
U.S. Department of Labor reports on fourthquarter productivity.
Thursday
The Connections ‘95 Electrical Expo opens at the Ag Trade Center in Spokane, running through Friday. Bob Cooper, president of the Spokane Area Economic Development Council, speaks at an 11 a.m. luncheon in the Sheraton-Spokane Hotel on Thursday. Call the Inland Northwest Electrical League at 326-5410.
Spokane Small Business Council meets at 7:00 a.m. at the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, 1020 W. Riverside.
Annual Whitman County Sheep Field Day held at 11:30 a.m. at the ranch of Steve and Chris Camp near Lacrosse.
A daylong program on export licensing begins at 8 a.m. at Spokane Falls Community College, Building 1, Room 106. U.S. Department of Commerce officials will make presentations. Cost: $125.
The Spokane Restaurant and Hospitality Association holds its installation and awards banquet at 6 p.m. at the Sheraton-Spokane Hotel. Cost: $30. Call 467-7744.
Friday
Jack Phillips of the Civic Theater and Martha Lou Wheatley of the Spokane Film Council speak at 7:30 a.m. to the Good Morning Spokane Area breakfast. Cost: $7. Call 624-1393.
The Spokane Pacific Northwest Farm Forum and Ag Expo and Farm Fest ‘95 hold their annual meeting at noon at the Stockyards Inn.
Sunday
Delegation from the Washington Association of Wheat Growers arrives in Washington, D.C., for five-day lobbying of congressional leaders.
xxxx On the shelf Business Week: 1994 was a banner year for corporate profits, even though the stock market languished, according to the magazine’s quarterly corporate scoreboard. Devilish derivatives Notable financial scandals related to derivatives: Barings Bank, Britain’s oldest investment bank, collapsed last week after Asian trader Nick Leeson lost $1 billion through derivatives and other risky investments. Orange County, Calif., one of largest municipalities in the United States, filed bankruptcy in December because of losses in derivative investments tied to interest rates. The Community Bankers U.S. Government Money Market Fund, a bank-owned fund based in Denver, announced in September that it would have to liquidate because of losses tied to structured notes.