Fred Meyer store schedules renovation

Spokane Valley’s Fred Meyer store is about to get a $3 million face-lift.

When the renovation is complete – sometime in early 2006 – shoppers will get a cartful of improvements for their shopping dollar.

The new décor features muted colors, wood-grain displays, trendy lighting and fixtures, new deli, meat and other service counters and even a Starbucks Coffee kiosk.

Bob Lindsay, construction project manager, said Vandervert Construction Inc. is the apparent low-bidder but that any contract is pending corporate approval for the project.

Renovating should begin in early August and wrap up by late January, with multiple departments being remodeled simultaneously, Lindsay explained during a phone interview from Fred Meyer’s corporate office in Portland.

Because construction is continuing through the holidays, employees will pay special attention to helping customers locate items that have been temporarily moved, Lindsay said.

“Remodeling a store through the holidays is not my idea of fun, but we’re going to do our best to serve the customers this holiday season.”

Exterior improvements include new paint and signage and the addition of 5,000 square feet of space for plants and garden wares.

The addition will make the Spokane Valley store’s garden department one of the biggest in the chain, Lindsay said.

“That store does an exceptional business in plants,” he said. “It’s huge.”

Mary Lou’s serving lunch specials

A Spokane Valley ice cream parlor that’s served up cones and shakes for more than three decades is adding burgers and fries to its menu.

Patrons can now order lunch specials featuring a cheeseburger, fries and a milkshake for $6, said owner Ed Ritchie.

Ritchie and his wife, Kris Ritchie, have owned Mary Lou’s for 14 years.

Meals will be cooked inside a concession trailer until the kitchen is remodeled this fall, he said.

If burgers and fries catch on, Ritchie plans to add deli sandwiches and perhaps Greek food, which is a hit at the couple’s other store, the Milk Bottle on Garland Avenue in north Spokane.

The concession also will sell elephant ears, which are a staple when the stand visits Artfest and Hoopfest.

Mary Lou’s, at 821 N. Evergreen Road, is open Monday through Saturday, 1 to 10 p.m., and Sunday, 3 to 10 p.m.