Sterling closes food court area for remodeling of headquarters

Sterling Financial Corp. has walled off the former food court occupying the second floor of its downtown headquarters so crews can begin remodeling the 12,500-square-foot space.

The pedestrian corridor still follows the familiar path linking the Spokane Transit Authority Plaza to the Crescent Building, Vice President Dave Brukardt said. But the route will jog to the left for those walking north from the skywalk when remodeling work is completed late this summer, Brukardt said.

He said the passage may be blocked for a few days during construction.

The rerouting will allow the bank to integrate the area into the rest of the Sterling building, which was constructed in 1994, he said. Sterling has 600 employees downtown, not all of whom fit in the five-story headquarters, he said.

Brukardt said the expansion will allow Sterling to move workers out of the nearby Sherwood Building, where Sterling leases are beginning to expire. Sterling sold the building in 2006.

“It will actually save us money to use our own space,” Brukardt said.

McDonald’s, the last restaurant in the food court, vacated in 2006.

Mexican restaurant

La Milpa Mexican restaurant in Spokane Valley, 11519 E. Sprague Ave., is now Albardo’s.

The new owners are Juventino and Elbra Cruz, of Omaha, Neb., who own similar fast-food restaurants in their home state.

The Mexican restaurant will operate seven days a week, offering both sit-down and drive-through orders.

Albardo’s will open in two to three weeks, Juventino Cruz said. He said the food preparation will be “fresh and homemade.”

Joel Crosby, of Tomlinson South, arranged the lease.

Snap Fitness in works

Working off those calories may become easier in the area of 32nd Avenue and Blake Road in Spokane Valley. That’s where a new Snap Fitness is going in, at 13514 E. 32nd. The workout facility should open by early August, owner Jeff Spencer said. It will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Crosby also arranged the Snap Fitness lease.

Other Mothers seeks wares

Owners Tammy and Dion Haught hope to reopen their clothing and toy store Other Mothers North by June 1. The roof on their former store collapsed New Year’s Day, destroying most of their merchandise.

The Haughts are taking over a larger store at 10208 N. Division St. in Whitworth Square.

They’ve been in business in north Spokane for 14 years. Their store buys or offers trade exchange for children’s and maternity clothing, toys and children’s furniture.

The new store also will add teen clothing, Tammy Haught said.

To rebuild inventory, the Haughts are in buying mode, asking residents who have toys or child and maternity clothing to call and consider selling. Her number is (509) 216-5375.

Red Lobster opens May 25

Spokane’s Red Lobster restaurant, at 4703 N. Division St., opens for dinner at 4 p.m. on May 25 and for lunch at 11 a.m. beginning June 1.

It’s an anchor tenant in the nearly finished NorthTown Square project, across the street from NorthTown Mall.