Road Grill serves breakfast, lunch and key lime pie
A Spokane Valley restaurant with a dubious past is now as American as key lime pie.
Bruce Cox – a gifted pie maker and a retired senior master sergeant who served at Fairchild Air Force Base – recently opened Road Grill in the former location of a historic donut shop.
“People come in asking for donuts. A lot of people stay anyway and eat breakfast,” said Cox, who owns the business with his wife Bonita Cox, and Central Valley High School graduate Jeff Robinson, who lives in California.
The former Mel’s Bakery and Coffee Shop opened in 1961 and closed two years ago after its owner of 10 years was arrested for growing marijuana in the basement.
Another restaurant opened there briefly last year.
Cox said talk still circulates about the pot plant operation, adding to the restaurant’s mystique.
“They kind of went out of business because of their other business,” he joked.
Cox is chief cook at Road Grill, which boasts an Americana-theme and serves breakfast, lunch and homemade key lime pie. Meals sell for under $6 and include classics like chicken fried steak and club sandwiches.
Croissant French toast ($4.25), a signature dish, and biscuits and gravy ($2.50) are becoming hits with customers, Cox said.
“The whole idea is to try to be a hometown cafe and try to serve things that are different.”
Road Grill, 15112 E. Sprague Ave., is open Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 893-8976.
Capri Salon has new owners
The 10-year-old Capri Hair and Nail Salon was recently purchased by Michelle Danielson and Marcia McDermott.
“We’re really happy. All the girls here are really successful and experienced,” Danielson said of the dozen stylists, manicurists and masseuses who work independently out of the salon.
Danielson, who previously owned two salons in Moscow, Idaho, doesn’t plan any wide-sweeping changes but wants to expand family-friendly services and make customers feel comfortable.
Capri Hair and Nail Salon, 15605 E. Sprague Ave., is open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call 922-3848.
Landscaping supply store opens
Barking Rocks has landscape materials that are a step beyond ordinary garden pebbles.
Dana Olson and Clinton Zuber opened the landscaping supply business, 18724 E. Cataldo Ave., two weeks ago.
Assorted rocks range in color from white to purplish-white granite to black and tan and even rich rose red and can add an elegant touch to flower beds and paths.
The business also has bark and mountains of sand. “I have all the sand in the world. I could make a beach if I wanted to,” Olson said.
Delivery is available and the business is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 927-7625.