Banquet Business To Occupy Salty’s Location

The former Salty’s at the Falls restaurant site is getting a new tenant - at least temporarily.

Spokane City Council members approved plans Monday for a banquet business called Affair at the Falls to use the building for a year and possibly longer.

The $24,000 annual lease runs for 12 months. After that, the future of the lease depends on the status of the Lincoln Street bridge project.

“The bridge - provided we go ahead with the bridge - will be on the north bank in a year,” said Dennis Beringer, the city’s real estate director.

In March, the city bought the restaurant building and surrounding property for $2.78 million to make way for the bridge.

Some people criticized the purchase, saying the city thwarted Clinkerdagger Restaurant’s plan to lease the building from Happy Guest International, the owners of Salty’s.

Clinkerdagger’s Seattle-based owner, RUI, announced plans in December to move its Spokane restaurant into the Salty’s building - before signing a lease with Happy Guest. In January, RUI officials learned of the city’s plans to buy the land.

Tina St.Marie said Tuesday the building with a panoramic view of the falls is the perfect location for her new banquet business. She plans to lease the site for special events such as weddings, wine tastings, auctions and Christmas parties.

“What a beautiful spot for special events,” she said. “We have a lease for one year. As long as they don’t get started on the bridge, we can work out of it.”

, DataTimes