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News >  Local business

Enterprising Spirit: ‘The one thing that actually went right’ – Nina Cherie Couture comforts brides

Mon., July 6, 2020

Nina Nichols, owner of Nina Cherie Couture in Spokane Valley, has been flexible with nervous brides-to-be as the coronavirus pandemic has turned the wedding industry on its head.

News >  Spokane

‘A truly kind heart’: Doctor who led COVID-19 unit at Spokane VA earns praise from families

Thu., July 2, 2020

When the time came for Judy Smith to transition her husband, Chuck Smith, to hospice care with COVID-19, she asked his doctor, Dr. Camtu Thai, what she would do if Chuck were her family member.

News >  Business

European travel in the distance for those coming from the U.S.

UPDATED: Tue., June 30, 2020

Ashley Talarico had been planning her Aug. 31 trip to Italy for a long time. Pat Talarico is Ashley’s father-in-law, and his family is from the southern Italian village of Positano. Other than a trip Pat took as a young boy that he only remembers from stories and pictures, he has not visited.

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News >  Nation/World

Supreme Court strikes down Louisiana abortion law

UPDATED: Mon., June 29, 2020

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled against a Louisiana law that required abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a local hospital, and again Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the tie-splitting vote, but Cornell Clayton, director of the Thomas S. Foley Institute of Public Policy and Public Service at Washington State University, cautioned against “reading the tea leaves” based on this decision.

News >  Local business

Enterprising Spirit: Beauty supply shop surprises customers with free masks

UPDATED: Fri., July 3, 2020

Editor’s note: Our series Enterprising Spirit documents how businesses and workers are managing the economy’s slow return to life after its sudden shutdown in March – and adapting to new challenges ahead.

News >  Local business

Enterprising Spirit: Liberty Lake restaurant finds life preservers in choppy coronavirus waters

UPDATED: Fri., June 26, 2020

Perry Vinson, True Legends Grill owner, rolled up his sleeves the moment Governor Jay Inslee announced that restaurants would have to cease dine-in services. Like many restaurants, he beefed up his take-out services, immediately launching a website that allowed both curbside pickup as well as delivery through DoorDash.

News >  Local business

Enterprising Spirit: Garland groomer fixes pets’ corona-cuts

Thu., June 25, 2020

Editor’s note: Our series Enterprising Spirit documents how businesses and workers are managing the economy’s slow return to life after its sudden shutdown in March – and adapting to new challenges ahead.

The fight never ends: Carl Maxey’s words still ring true

Sun., June 21, 2020

“This country of ours, despite all its better souls have done and dreamed, is yet a shameful land.” W.E.B. DuBois

News >  Local business

Enterprising Spirit: Simple Machine Bicycle Shop has new customers tuning up

Sun., June 21, 2020

There are a lot more bikes on the road since the stay-home order, and a scarcity of bikes for sale, at higher prices. Combine these conditions, and many people are eyeing that rundown bike in the garage and wheeling it into Simple Machine Bicycle Shop, located at 820 W Garland Ave.

News

Supreme Court affirms protections for LGBTQ workers

UPDATED: Tue., June 16, 2020

Monday’s Supreme Court ruling protects LGBTQ people from employment discrimination caused a mixture of disbelief and relief among the community’s advocates and allies in Spokane.

News >  Local business

Enterprising Spirit: The Candle Bar Co. in the Garland district upcycles used jars

Tue., June 16, 2020

The Candle Bar Co. celebrated its first year in business on April 4, and owner Holli Brown said the community has been supportive during the stay-home order.

News >  Local business

Enterprising Spirit: Gaming Grotto eager to have their players back

Mon., June 15, 2020

The card, board and video game supplier on the edge of the Garland District has suspended in-store competitions, but was able to serve customers online and reopen the doors recently as part of Phase 2. 

News >  Spokane

Bill Fix, ‘the ageless man,’ dies at 94

UPDATED: Fri., June 12, 2020

Bill Fix died on May 30 due to heart complications at the age of 94. He was a savvy investor, philanthropist, mountaineer, conservationist, storyteller, runner and bibliophile, remembered by friends and family for his generosity with his time, knowledge and interest.

News >  Washington

Coronavirus disrupts supply of illicit drugs, affecting potency, availability, prices

Thu., June 11, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted supply chains, making it harder for shoppers to find meat, cleaning supplies and toilet paper on the shelves of local stores. But the disease – and the restrictions put in place to slow its spread – has also reduced the availability of illicit drugs, some medical and law enforcement professionals believe.

News >  Local business

Enterprising Spirit: Business tries what it provides: remote work

UPDATED: Thu., June 11, 2020

Quick Business Resolutions, located at 912 W Garland Ave., provides remote workers for small business locally, as well as across the country. The team works in-house, but had to learn to practice what they preach during the stay home order. Everyone is glad to be back in the office, especially The Office Cat, known as TOC for short.

News >  Spokane

Spokane’s R & R Custom Colorlab grew graduation orders during pandemic

Mon., June 8, 2020

Erin Cramer became the owner of R & R Custom Colorlab three months before Washington’s stay-home order. She’s convinced if she can get through this year, she can get through anything.

News >  Spokane

SFCC grad Kevin Robinson pursues degree after travel experience changes him

Sun., June 7, 2020

After traveling to the Balkans and witnessing a man dying on the sidewalk, Kevin Robinson shifted his focus to fighting global climate change, and his journey has only just begun after graduating from Spokane Falls Community College. Even before taking on the position as student body President, his peer said Robinson has been a leader on campus, spearheading the effort to establish the Environmental Club.

News >  Spokane

Garageland gives Black artists a unique canvas

UPDATED: Sat., June 6, 2020

Garageland put boards on their windows to protect their business, and now they’re encouraging the community to create art on them.

News >  Spokane

Some downtown Spokane businesses take extra precautions ahead of Sunday protest

UPDATED: Fri., June 5, 2020

Downtown businesses take precautions ahead of Sunday protests.

News >  Spokane

‘Wherever you are, that’s where I’ll be’: Cancer survivor dies from coronavirus

Fri., June 5, 2020

Marolyn Heiss died at 72 on May 3, due to a variety of ailments culminating in complications due to COVID-19. Unlike the majority of coronavirus victims, she died at home surrounded by family.

News >  Spokane

Enterprising Spirit: Donut Parade upped its donations despite downturn, reopened in time for National Doughnut Day

Fri., June 5, 2020

When the pandemic-caused stay-home order went into effect, Donut Parade co-owner Nathan Peabody knew he wanted to find a way to help out. Already accustomed to giving away doughnuts at the end of the day – the doughnuts in the shop are baked fresh daily – he decided to expand that tradition to those most in need.

News >  Spokane

Floyd killing sparks Spokane interest in books about racism

UPDATED: Thu., June 4, 2020

Outrage hasn’t been the only reaction Spokane – or the rest of the country – has had to police killing George Floyd. Both Auntie’s Bookstore and the Spokane Public Library have seen a significant uptick in sales and checkouts of books pertaining to the Black Lives Matter movement.

News >  Spokane

Scoop opens new location, brings patios back to South Hill

Thu., June 4, 2020

Scoop owner Jennifer Davis opened the Kendall Yards location of her ice cream store on April 26, but she’s waiting on offering dine-in service.

News >  Spokane

See inside to appreciate: 1889 Salvage Co. opens doors

Thu., May 28, 2020

Gina Campbell, 1889 Salvage Co. owner, stayed busy during closure making DIY videos for customers. Now that she’s been able to safely reopen, she hopes people will return to the store.

News >  Spokane

Enterprising Spirit: Acupuncturist has kept practice open during pandemic

Wed., May 27, 2020

From the beginning of the stay home order, Godwin Acupuncture has been able to keep its doors open because pain management is an essential service, but that doesn’t mean it’s been business as usual, said Jacob Godwin, owner and sole provider.