Business in brief

Sonic Burritos given extension

A trademark dispute between two Spokane restaurants has moved closer to resolution. Melissa Massie, owner of Sonic Burritos, said Oklahoma City-based Sonic Drive-In has given her an extra 60 days to change her company name.

Attorneys for Sonic Drive-In told Massie originally that the change had to occur by the end of June. They’ve said the name of her business infringed on a registered trademark of Sonic Drive-In, which has 3,100 outlets in North America.

Massie has received numerous offers from supporters who want to help her as she changes her business name, she said. Those include help developing a new Web site and providing assistance as she incorporates a new name.

She’s also said she’s looking at possible legal action against the previous owner, who did not warn her that he could not trademark the name Sonic Burritos before he sold the business to her three years ago.

Yakima

State cherry crop prevails over rain

The Northwest cherry crop has survived a rainy June and orchardists are anticipating a full and flavorful harvest.

Washington is a leading cherry producer with cherry orchards stretching 400 miles north to south along the Columbia and Yakima river basins.

Rain can damage a cherry as water pools near the stem and causes the delicate skin to split.