Business in brief: Gymboree opening third store in area

Gymboree is opening its third children’s apparel store in the region, this one in downtown Spokane’s River Park Square.

The 1,648-square-foot store will open this spring on the mall’s second level, next to Bath & Body Works, River Park Square representatives announced.

Gymboree spokesman Jamie Falkowski said the company has done well in the Spokane market, where it operates stores at Spokane Valley and NorthTown malls, and wanted to expand to make shopping more convenient for its customers.

“Obviously, we find it profitable. There’s a demand for our stuff in your area,” Falkowski said.

The San Francisco-based retailer sells upscale clothing and accessories designed for newborn babies through children age 12.

Clothing comes in children’s themes, such as Glamour Kitty and Firehouse Hounds, and is designed to withstand rugged play, the company’s Web site said.

Gymboree operates 587 stores in the United States and Canada.

The company had $791.6 million in sales for fiscal 2007 and had 16.7 percent sales growth over the previous year, according to Hoover’s, a business that researches corporations.

OLYMPIA

Unemployment rate rises in September

Washington’s unemployment rate rose to 4.8 percent in September, up from 4.6 percent in August, according to the latest numbers from the state’s Employment Security Department.

The unemployment rate has remained in a historically low range since the beginning of the year. By contrast, in September 2006, it was 0.3 percentage points higher, at 5.1 percent, according to a department news release.

SAN ANTONIO

AT&T lowering termination fees

AT&T Inc., the nation’s largest wireless carrier, announced plans Tuesday to ease termination fees and allow customers to more easily change contract terms.

San Antonio-based AT&T’s announcement follows similar ones by rival Verizon Wireless, which eased contract change requirements last month and early termination fees last year.

Starting in November, AT&T customers who change calling plans during their contract period will no longer be forced to extend the contract or enter a new one.

Early next year, customers who decide to leave AT&T before their contract is up will pay a prorated early termination fee rather than the flat $175 fee, the company said.

The termination fees, which are currently the same whether a customer quits early in the contract or near the end, have been a longtime gripe of customers who felt trapped.

Mark Siegel, an AT&T Wireless spokesman, said the company agreed that customers needed more flexibility.

COEUR D’ALENE

Timberline raises millions in offering

Timberline Resources has raised $7.22 million in a stock offering, company officials announced Tuesday.

Money from the offering will be used to purchase drills and other equipment for the firm’s Kettle River Drilling subsidiary and other corporate purposes.

Timberline is a junior mining company, which trades on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “TBLC.”