Wolffy’s Becoming A Parking Lot

Thu., Feb. 29, 1996

Bruce Krasnow Staff Writer

There aren’t a whole lot of places one can drop a quarter in a jukebox and hear the song, “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weeny Yellow Polka-dot Bikini.”

Some might say that’s not a bad thing. Bob Davis Jr., owner of Wolffy’s, respectfully disagrees.

“This is the first business I’ve been in where people come in to have a good time,” said Davis, who opened the 1950s-style hamburger joint at Monroe and Francis in 1989.

But those wanting that sockhop sound better hurry: the North Side Wolffy’s will be torn down to make way for expansion of the Safeway parking lot.

Davis, who operates Wolffy’s with his father, wife, sister and other family members, said the choice was his. The 2,000-square foot restaurant, once a gasoline station, is just too small.

And although he owns the land, he is selling to concentrate on a new family steakhouse and, he hopes, a larger Wolffy’s elsewhere on the North Side.

When Wolffy’s opened at Monroe and Francis, there would often be lines out the door of people waiting to get a booth or one of the counter stools. At closing, he would practically have to kick out customers who preferred to listen to music and linger.

Davis is hoping to find a larger location where he can accommodate those customers and others who wanted to dance to the bee-bop music.

In the meantime, he has already started renovation on the old Montana Club in the Fairwood Mall that will be home to a dinner-only steakhouse.

Wolffy’s Old West Steakhouse will feature an open-fire pit, large portions and an Old West theme. Davis hopes to have it open by July.

Wolffy’s in north Spokane will close by mid March, but the Spokane Valley Wolffy’s on Argonne Road will remain open.

Davis plans to pack up the jukebox as well as the stools, neon signs and other ‘50s nostalgia that fill the place.

There’s no grand farewell planned, but he promises to distribute a letter and post a sign so loyal customers can come in for a final burger or malt.

The sign? “Get it while you can.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.