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

Wendle plans showrooms for Infiniti and beyond

Shayne Goff, general manager of Wendle at the Y, stands with an Infiniti SUV on Thursday near the north end of the main showroom where the company is building a new Infiniti-only showroom. Once the Infiniti showroom is complete, a remodel will begin of the main showroom area. (Jesse Tinsley)

Spokane’s Wendle Motors has begun building a $1 million showroom for its growing line of Infiniti vehicles.

The North Spokane dealership, at 9000 N. Division St., expects the 6,000-square-foot showroom to be completed this summer, said Shayne Goff, Wendle’s general manager.

The dealership sells Ford, Nissan, Isuzu and Infiniti vehicles, as well as used vehicles.

In recent years Infiniti has enhanced its vehicle offerings, which is part of the reason for the new showroom, Goff said.

“Another reason is to provide our Infiniti customers with a luxury experience during their purchase and future service visits,” he added.

The new showroom will include a customer lounge and a service write-up area.

Vandervert Construction is in charge of the project.

Once finished, Wendle will start a major remodeling of its main showroom. Goff said the remodeled showroom will be devoted primarily to its Ford lineup.

Harley dealerships to relocate

The Lone Wolf and Timber Wolf Harley-Davidson dealerships are consolidating their Spokane and Coeur d’Alene locations into the former United Coatings building in Spokane Valley.

Dealer Principal Beth Ernst said Lone Wolf, the surviving name, will occupy 70,000 square feet at 19011 E. Cataldo Ave., where the dealership will be highly visible, and easily accessible, from Interstate 90.

“It’s a huge investment, but I really think it’s just going to be a huge home run,” Ernst said.

Besides showroom space for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, apparel and other gear, the dealership will feature a café and lounge with Wi-Fi, pool and foosball tables, and a fireplace, she said. Winter storage space for bikes will be available.

The dealership will employ about 50, Ernst said, including 14 technicians.

Sterling Savings Bank is financing the project. Polin & Young Construction is the contractor.

The opening is scheduled for late June or early July, Ernst said.

Coffee shop/bookstore expanding

On Sacred Grounds is expanding in Valleyford.

Ground has been broken for a 375-square-foot addition to the coffee shop, bookstore, art gallery and general store, owner Elaine Rising said.

The new space will provide meeting space – the Provisioners Educational Room – and museum area for the Valleyford Historical Club, Rising said.

Rising said On Sacred Grounds, 12212 E. Palouse Highway, remains open during construction.

New eatery in downtown Coeur d’Alene

Tim and Erica Mitchell have opened Jonesy’s, a breakfast and lunch eatery, at 819 Sherman Ave. in Coeur d’Alene.

Tim is the chef and formerly was main chef at Mangia, a restaurant he operated in Spokane Valley Mall, then in Post Falls, until it closed in 2008. His wife, Erica, will handle the front of the house at Jonesy’s. They also operate Mangia Catering.

Jonesy’s is open Tuesday-Sunday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Apparel printer moves to Garland location

Nonprofit custom-garment print company Blue Button Apparel has moved to 602 W. Garland Ave., in north Spokane. It was at 2723 E. Gordon Ave. in Hillyard.

Started by Whitworth University grad Scott Ellis, Blue Button Apparel hires area at-risk high school students and produces custom shirts for businesses, sports teams and others.

Ellis moved into an office space formerly used by Sol Yoga. The company specializes in organic cotton and bamboo clothing. It’s open Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-5p.m. For more information: www.bluebutton.org.

Reporter Bert Caldwell contributed to this report. Here’s the Dirt is a weekly report on development and business changes in the Inland Northwest. E-mail business@spokesman.com or call (509) 459-5528.