Here’s the Dirt : Golden opportunity
Downtown Spokane has a hint of the Mediterranean in a newly opened store that sells a healthy mix of olive oil and artisan foods.
Coeur d’Alene Olive Oil Co. opened a store earlier this week in about 1,200-square feet of commercial space across from The Davenport Hotel, at 827 W. First Ave.
“We’re glad to be here and look forward to doing business in Spokane,” said Brad Gunn, who owns the business with his wife, Sandra Gunn.
This is the second retail location for the business, which operates a shop in downtown Coeur d’Alene, near The Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort, and sells its own family blends of olive oils, infused vinegars, stuffed olives and dips. Additionally, the store has a Web site at cdaoliveoil.com.
The Gunns built a customer base by selling their products, influenced by Sandra Gunn’s Sicilian heritage, at shows and festivals before opening the Coeur d’Alene store last year.
The Coeur d’Alene store draws regular customers and hotel guests. The new shop is already benefiting from guests staying across the street at The Davenport Hotel, Gunn said.
Customers of Coeur d’Alene Olive Oil Co. can sample different flavors and products at the tasting bar. Custom gift boxes and personalized etched glass bottles are also available.
New retail center planned in Spokane Valley
A neighborhood retail center with courtyard seating is planned on the northeast corner of Sullivan Road and Fourth Avenue.
Fritz Wolff and Joe Organick are developing the project, which will include two buildings that are roughly 4,500-square feet each and connected by a courtyard.
Organick said they’ve applied for permits to build on the 1.2-acre site, which is near Central Valley High School, and hope to get started this summer. The buildings could eventually house a total of six small businesses, including a coffee shop and possibly a driving school, Organick said, adding that he hopes to attract a restaurant.
“I just want a neat little place where you can walk and get a cup of coffee or sandwich,” he said, adding that there are hundreds of apartments within walking distance of the site.
Bernardo-Wills Architects is doing the design work and EaglePointe Construction and Management Inc. will build the project, with leasing handled by Cornerstone Property Advisors.
Once Upon a Child opens new store
A chain of upscale children’s resale stores has opened a franchise in Spokane Valley.
Once Upon A Child opened in 3,000-square-feet of retail space at 14401 E. Sprague Ave., in a retail complex that also houses Spokane Art Supply.Tom Lewis, a Hayden, Idaho, resident who owns the store, said about 200 people stood in line for the March opening.
“It was really amazing. We also doubled the typical day sales for Once Upon A Child,” Lewis said.
Once Upon A Child sells gently used name-brand children’s merchandise like clothing, furniture, equipment, accessories, toys and books. Once Upon A Child also carries some new merchandise, a company news release said.
The store is among about 200 Once Upon A Child stores nationwide that are part of the Winmark Corp. Winmark also offers franchises under the names Play it Again Sports, Pluto’s Closet, which recently opened in North Spokane, and Music Go Round.
STCU purchases Liberty Lake property
STCU has purchased land in Liberty Lake to build its 12th full-service branch on at the northwest corner of Appleway Avenue and Madson Street, near its headquarters.
A company news release said the hope is to begin construction by the end of the year.
The new 3,400-square-foot Liberty Lake branch will feature smart ATMs and drive-thru service. STCU will hire six to 12 employees to staff the new facility.
Later this summer, STCU plans to open its Silver Lake branch in Dalton Gardens, just north of Coeur d’Alene.
The credit union has more than 70,000 members and nearly $900 million in assets.
State Bank Northwest opens downtown loan production center
State Bank Northwest recently opened its new downtown loan production center in the Courtyard Office Building, at 827 W. First Ave., suite 425.
The loan center specializes in builder loans, home mortgages, and second mortgages, according to a company news release, and will initially have four employees.
State Bank Northwest operates locations in Spokane Valley, North Spokane, and Garfield, staffed by 28 employees, the release said. The bank has assets of more than $90 million.