‘One-stop’ general store offers eco-friendly goods

Sun People Dry Goods Co. opened recently in a historic warehouse on the east end of downtown Spokane.

“It’s a green-living general store,” said principal owner and manager Juliet Sinisterra. “I think general stores do well in Spokane. We’re sort of one-stop shoppers.”

And a stop at Sun People, 32 W. Second Ave., gives a shopper an eclectic choice of organic or sustainably made goods from Northwest producers.

Here you can find hypoallergenic pillows and comforters from Oakville, Wash., and clothing crafted from reused wool and cotton fabrics out of Port Townsend, Wash. In the “eco-baby” section, reusable cloth diapers come from a Newman Lake company, and unscented candles and soap occupy a shelf nearby.

Sun People also carries reusable lunch containers, kitchen gadgets for devotees of the slow food movement, nontoxic cleaning products, essential oils, greeting cards made from recycled junk mail, rainwater tanks fashioned from olive barrels, and much more.

“We want to become the go-to place in the region for people who want to live more ecologically,” Sinisterra said.

Sun People also puts a premium on supporting small manufacturers in the region, she said. “We really want to support that micro-economy. And we’ve been pleasantly surprised by the amount of products we found in the region.”

The business also is making plans to roll out a series of workshops and demonstrations to share do-it-yourself skills, from gardening and home repair to recycling and self-help tips.

Sinisterra and seven other investors opened Sun People Dry Goods the day after Thanksgiving and celebrated their grand opening Dec. 4.

They lease the 3,500-square-foot space inside a 1918 warehouse that is being updated for the planned Spokane Public Market, a local version of Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market.

The Spokane market will be a year-round “educational and cultural center … where farmers, artisans, and value-added food producers can sell directly to the public,” according to Spokane-based BR3 Development Group.

The 17,000-square-foot warehouse is on the north side of Second between Browne and State streets.

Sun People’s hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. During the holidays the store will stay open until 8 p.m.

Fly-fishing shop opens in Spokane

Father and son Spokane residents Jesse and John Clark have opened Westslope Fly Shop, a new business at 1003 E. Trent Ave. near downtown Spokane. The Clarks both have worked with area construction companies.

“We just decided to start a business doing something we’re both passionate about,” said Jesse Clark.

Their 2,200-square-foot space is in the Riverwalk Building, notably not far from Dry Fly Distilling.

“It’s a perfect spot, right by the river,” he added. Casting lessons can be offered in the grassy area behind the shop, he said.

All of Westslope’s inventory is fly-fishing related. The Clarks will also arrange guided fly-fishing trips.

Design studio expands to CdA

Design studio Patano+Hafermann Architects have opened a Coeur d’Alene branch office at 409 Coeur d’Alene Ave.

The company founder, Christopher Patano, is returning to his hometown after 15 years practicing architecture and running a successful firm in Seattle.

In 2003 he joined forces in Seattle with Laura Hafermann to start Patano+Hafermann.

The firm’s website is www.studioph.com.