New Tidyman’s Nears Completion

Land in the Latah Creek Valley that once grew vegetables for local markets is sprouting a new Tidyman’s Northwest Fresh Marketplace store.

The grocery store is scheduled to open on May 16.

It is going up on property that for nearly 50 years was the site of the vegetable farms of some longtime Spokane families. The land was sold for development several years ago.

Store officials said they are now finishing construction of a 50,000-square-foot store that will house a bank, pharmacy, optical shop, florist and photo lab.

It is being built near the intersection of U.S. Highway 195 and the Cheney-Spokane Road as part of a larger shopping center.

The size of the Tidyman’s store will allow for a wider selection of grocery items. It will emphasize fresh produce, meats, seafood and baked goods, said Patty Kilcup, a spokeswoman for Tidyman’s.

A new feature at the Latah Creek store is an expanded pet food and care section. The bakery will feature breads made from scratch, she said.

Farmers and Merchants Bank will operate a branch inside the store under a new partnership with Tidyman’s.

This will be Tidyman’s 12th store in the region, and it will employ 120 full- and part-time workers. Managers are being brought in from other stores.

Tidyman’s will be the largest store in the new Latah Creek Plaza, which is being developed by the Tomlinson Black Group of Companies.

A Zip Trip store opened there last summer and other neighborhood shops are expected there in the future.

Road improvements are slated for the Cheney-Spokane Road at the site and the intersection with U.S. Highway 195.

Tidyman’s is planning grand opening activities beginning at 7 a.m. on May 16 with special prices, giveaways and free samples.

, DataTimes