Complete Suite moving across street
Complete Suite Furniture is selling off its stock in anticipation of moving to a new location across the street in September.
“We had signed a short-term lease on this building when we moved in,” owner Brad Markquart said of his current location at 14214 E. Sprague Ave. “The opportunity came up to get into the old Sports Outlet building, which used to be a furniture store.”
Markquart said that the traffic light at Evergreen and Sprague near his new location will force traffic to stop right in front of his new store and notice it. “It’s a little bit smaller in space and we’re going to specialize in upholstery.” He also plans to sell mattresses.
“We want to give the customer the ‘wow’ effect in our new store. It’s hard to have a ‘wow’ effect in a big box like we’re in now.”
Markquart founded the company in 1998 and has a second location in Spokane on Division Street. He said his stores have been successful because of his low prices and full service. “Competition is fierce in the business,” he said. “We must be doing something right.”
No major renovations are planned at the new location at 13719 E. Sprague Ave. The building is getting a fresh coat of paint and new carpet. “We’re getting ready to have a spectacular showroom. We’re just excited to have a new location.”
Florist giving away flowers
Appleway Florist and Greenhouse owner Sue Bartleson is planning to give away 200 dozen carnations Wednesday, but she’s doing it for a good cause.
She is participating in the national FTD Good Neighbor Day program. Each participating florist will give away a dozen flowers to people who promise to only keep one and pass out the others.
“Hopefully, it will spread goodwill,” she said. “They keep one and give 11 others away to friends, acquaintances or maybe even someone they don’t know.”
Bartleson is asking people who come in for the free flowers to bring a donation for the Second Harvest Food Bank. “We just wanted to do some extra good in the community.”
Bartleson is not being reimbursed for the 2,400 flowers she will distribute. “We’re considering it a donation to the community.”
This is the first time Bartleson has participated in the program, which is in its 10th year around the county. She’s also not aware of any other florists in the Spokane area who have participated in the past. “We really don’t know what to expect. We’re hoping we get a good response from the community. You just don’t know until you try it.”
The free flowers will be handed out Wednesday beginning at 10 a.m. until the flowers are gone. Appleway Florist is at 11006 E. Sprague Ave.