Here’s the Dirt: Novelis Corp. relocates to newly-built facility

Novelis Corp. has moved its 20 Spokane employees into a new research and development building at 16004 E. Euclid Ave., spokeswoman Fiona Bell said this week.

The 12,000-square-foot building is largely completed, although all the equipment has not yet been installed, Bell said.

The cost, excluding equipment, will be about $3.5 million, she said.

Silvey Construction has been wrapping up the project, which was designed by Lindquist Architects PS.

Novelis specializes in the rolling and recycling of aluminum.

Bell said the Spokane Valley facility, called the Solatens Technology Center, will contain equipment for processing molten aluminum. It will be used to develop technology and processes for more efficient recycling, purifying and solidification of aluminum alloys in various shapes and forms.

The center has been at 18001 E. Euclid Ave.

Bell said no additional hiring is expected at the new location.

Atlanta-based Novelis is the world’s largest recycler of aluminum cans. The company is a subsidiary of Hindalco, based in Mumbai, India.

North Face to replace Restoration Hardware

Outdoor clothing and gear outfitter North Face will move into River Park Square in downtown Spokane this fall.

North Face will move into the space occupied by Restoration Hardware, 714 W. Main Ave. Restoration Hardware will close its store there this spring.

Construction on the North Face store will begin in May, with the opening in late summer or fall.

The store will feature an indoor climbing wall, a press release noted. This will be the company’s first Spokane location.

Cowles Co., which operates River Park Square, also owns The Spokesman-Review.

Hampton hotel will rise in Pullman

A developer expects to start work this summer on a $10 million, 93-room Hampton Inn & Suites in Pullman.

Hilton Worldwide has a franchise agreement with InterMountain Management LLC to develop and operate the five-story hotel, which will rise at Bishop Boulevard and Fairmont Drive adjacent to a new Walmart store.

The hotel will take about a year to build, said Stan Jones, director of development for InterMountain. It will include an indoor pool, a fitness center and a breakfast area.

InterMountain bought the land last year and is closing financing through a syndicate of regional banks led by Spokane-based RiverBank.

The project is in the design phase, and site work and grading is under way.

Spokane Valley boat dealer moves

Spokane Valley Marine has moved to 7915 E. Sprague Ave., the former location of a boat dealer it purchased last year. It will celebrate a grand opening at the new location Saturday.

The Ranger boat line is the anchor brand. The retailer also carries Sun Catcher pontoon boats, Stratos bass boats, and Alumaweld and G3 aluminum fishing boats. Outboard brands include Suzuki, Mercury, Evinrude and Yamaha.

The new location allows for an expanded accessory department, including electronics, electric motors and clothing, co-owners Dan Conrath and Gary Morris said.

Spokane Valley Marine employs 10 people in service and parts, sales and support.

The business operated for 31 years on East Montgomery Drive. Skipper Bill’s, which operated at the Sprague location since 1978, closed last summer.

Call (509) 926-9513.

Artisans’ Wares moves down the hall

Artisans’ Wares has moved from their location in River Park Square down the hallway into the Saad Building, second level. It’s at the corner of Wall Street and Main Avenue, above the T-Mobile store.

Artisans’ Wares is a gallery featuring fine craft, art and unique gifts, and specializing in handmade jewelry. It also shows the work of more than 150 artists.

Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

Call (509) 456-6030.

Apollo Spas in Coeur d’Alene moves

Apollo Spas in Coeur d’Alene is relocating to a different building in the same mall, at 348 W. Bosanko Ave.

Store manager Nick Nance said the move will expand the company showroom and sales area from 4,000 square feet to about 7,700 square feet. The new store will open on April 1.

Apollo Spas sells hot tubs, spas, showers, saunas, walk-in bathtubs and massage chairs.

The relocation was brokered by Marshall Clark, of Clark Pacific, based in Spokane.