Helping horses get work space

Judy Houck’s business relies on her therapy horses. Soon they’ll have a new place to work. Medicine Horse Counseling is nearly finished adding a covered riding area on Houck’s property at 8101 S. Oak, off Cheney-Spokane Road west of the city limits.

She uses four horses in treating children, adults and families dealing with issues of personal and emotional growth. The horses mirror personal problems and help her clients find ways to change behavior, said Houck, who started the business in 2002.

Until now she’s relied on an open corral-riding area for therapy sessions with the horses. Within a few weeks, the crews from Athol-based Northwest Cover-All will finish the new building, using metal trusses and a heavy-duty fabric called DuraWeave for walls and the roof.

Using that fabric saved a lot of money, she said. “It’s also supposed to be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer with that material,” Houck said.

More importantly the covered building offers privacy for her clients, she said.

After lights, water and other services are added, the total cost will approach $200,000, Houck said.

It’s bigger than your average outbuilding. The top of the riding building will be 38 feet off the ground, and the sides will measure 70 feet by 160 feet.

New clothing retailer

The Spokane Valley Mall will add national fashion retailer Forever 21 within a few months.

The Los Angeles-based retailer – catering to teens and young adults – will occupy 13,000 square feet on the second level.

It will be Forever 21’s first Spokane-area store. It has stores in the Seattle area.

The store will take four mall spots, including the store vacated by Anchor Blue. That clothing retailer left the mall at the end of January. Anchor Blue still operates a store at NorthTown.

New pizza, microbrew joint

Adelo’s, a take-and-bake pizza restaurant, opened Jan. 21 at 9021 N. Indian Trail Road, in the Albertsons shopping center, in northwest Spokane.

Adelo’s is Matt and Kim Howes’ first venture in the restaurant business.

“We wanted to be a little different by offering a large selection of individual microbrews along with sodas – something for everyone in the family,” they said in a news release.

Nicole Hiatt was hired as general manager.

New tenants in business park

Four tenants have joined the Spokane Business and Industrial Park, 3808 N. Sullivan Road.

•Otis Spunkmeyer Inc. has leased about 4,000 square feet in Building 25. The business provides warehousing and distribution of food products.

•Gale Contractor Services, which sells and distributes insulation, building and home improvement products, has leased about 20,000 square feet in Building 15.

•Steel fabricator and manufacturer Hydrafab Northwest Inc. has leased about 16,000 square feet in Building 15.

•Noodle Head Inc. has leased about 7,200 square feet in Building 2. The business provides office administration and warehousing of toys.