The Dirt

Saad’s moves to new location

Saad’s Shoe Repair will move out of NorthTown Mall and lease 1,100 square feet in the nearby Northtown Office Building at 4407 N. Division St.

The shop has been in NorthTown since the mall opened its doors in 1956.

Current owner Larry Alfano said the move will be more convenient for store employees and customers.

“We’ll have more and easier parking in the new space. And since we’ll leave the mall, we won’t need to stay open until 9 p.m.,” he said.

He took over the business in 1985 from the Saad family.

Alfano said the new store will open July 1.

Colin Conway and Lou Neeser, both of Kiemle & Hagood Co., brokered the deal.

Groundbreaking set for GU center

Gonzaga University breaks ground for a 167,726-square-foot, three-story University Center building July 11 with an evening ceremony. The event is open to the public.

The center will be built on the site of the existing COG and adjacent parking lot near the corner of Cincinnati Street and DeSmet Avenue.

Total cost of construction and equipping the center is estimated at $60 million, making it the most expensive construction project Gonzaga has undertaken.

A university media release said the center will be completed in summer 2015.

Quantum Mechanics

Spokane brothers Ken and Scott Atkins have purchased the former Midas Muffler shop at 10415 E. Sprague Ave. and will open Quantum Mechanics, an automotive service center, in July.

The two say they will provide a range of auto services, but will specialize in high-performance cars.

The Atkins paid $270,000 for the 5,100-square-foot building in Spokane Valley.

The property owner was Harborco LLC.

Mike King of NAI Black represented Atkins; Sam Morse of Cantu Commercial represented Harborco.