Another Ivar’s Coming To Spokane

North Spokane will get another Ivar’s Original Seafood Bar, which is taking over the old Skipper’s location at 605 E. Francis.

Ivar’s, well-known in Seattle, opened its first Spokane outlet in 1992 in the NorthTown food court. A second Ivar’s on East Sprague, also housed in a former Skipper’s restaurant, is doing well, said Gerry Dufour, project manager for the chain.

The Francis Avenue outlet will open the week of Sept. 25.

Dufour said Skipper’s didn’t do well on East Francis and Ivar’s executives were skeptical until they saw the traffic counts along street.

“The Ivar’s name is associated with a quality product, we think we’ll do well there,” he said.

The chain is also looking at the current Skipper’s location in Lincoln Heights and at taking over the Sea Galley restaurant at Howard and Boone.

Tuneups and tires

Drivers stuck in traffic on Division near Wellesely have new opportunities to get a tuneup or purchase tires.

Two buildings purchased by the city as part of the Division Street widening project - both of which formerly housed automotive businesses - are now back in private hands.

Alton’s Tires was the high bidder for the city-owned property at 4504 N. Division that used to house a Firestone tire store. The Alton’s bid of $657,777 beat offers by Les Schwab and Perfection Tire.

Dick Vandervert purchased the Midas Muffler shop, 4610 N. Division at Hoffman and leased it to Precision Tune, which relocated its operation from 8021 N. Division.

Both parcels were sold by the city after frontage was claimed for the wider road.

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