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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

U-City Mall café closes after 40 years

Karen D. Dorsh

I have never written a letter to the editor before now, but I feel compelled to do so because this business affected so many people. For those who do not already know, Percy’s Café Americana, a landmark at the former U-City Mall in the Spokane Valley, closed its doors July 19.

After nearly 40 years of occupancy at this location, the owners and the landlord of U-City Mall have decided not to renew the leases with the longtime owner of Percy’s, Patricia Kroetch. As you can imagine, this has been a crushing blow to Pat and her family, to all of the wonderful guests and friends we have served over the years and to all of the loyal employees, some of whom have been with this family for over three decades. The loss of this lease will effectively dismantle one of the greatest hospitality teams ever assembled in Spokane. I am honored to say that I have been employed by Greg and Pat Kroetch for the past 25 years.

Pat and her family have endured hardships in the past, but these past 11 months have been particularly difficult for the Kroetch family. While Pat’s husband, Greg, lay in a hospital bed at Sacred Heart Medical Center in July 2008 suffering from a rare and painful illness, Pat and Greg watched from the window of the hospital room as the Valley View fire took their beloved custom home and burned it to the ground, leaving nothing behind.

I went to visit them the next morning at the hospital, and they were both in remarkable spirits. As Greg stated, “It’s just four walls.” They were grateful that no one had been injured or killed. Ten days later, on July 20, Greg passed away. In less than one year, Pat lost her beautiful home, her beloved husband, and now her dream, the business she spent over half of her life building.

Pat is currently looking for a new building to lease to continue the legacy that Percy’s has been for so many years. We hope to reassemble this family of employees, friends and guests someday soon, and once again become your “Cheers” of the Spokane Valley, where “everybody knows your name.” Please keep Pat and her family in your thoughts. They are wonderful people who deserve the best.

Karen D. Dorsh lives in Spokane Valley. She can be reached at jimdorsh@comcast.net.