Arbor Crest to leave River Park Square

The Arbor Crest Wine Cellars tasting room in River Park Square will close New Year’s Eve after 10 years at that location.

The Spokane Valley winery plans to “transform” its downtown location, according to a news release, which didn’t offer details of that move.

“Over the next 12 to 18 months, we’ll research where and how we can best complement our flagship Cliff House location, while also offering convenient access, entertaining events, and, as always, exceptional wines, right in the heart of Spokane,” the release said.

Bryn West, River Park Square’s general manager, said Arbor Crest’s exit from the mall was planned. She’s negotiating with another tenant for that space but can’t reveal the name until a lease is signed, she said. River Park Square is an affiliate of Cowles Co., which also owns The Spokesman-Review.

“Especially with tasting rooms taking off downtown, they really are looking at a competitive edge and wanted to regroup for a bit and come up with something new,” West said of Arbor Crest executives, who didn’t immediately return a message seeking comment.

Halal beef supplier faces federal charges

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – A food supplier falsely marketed beef to Muslims around the world for years as meeting strict halal standards, exporting products that weren’t slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law, federal prosecutors allege in a lengthy fraud indictment.

Midamar Corp., based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, denies the allegations that it sold at least $4.9 million in beef to customers in Malaysia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and elsewhere that did not follow the halal practices promised in its labeling and advertising.

Midamar and its directors, brothers Jalel and Yahya “Bill” Aossey, are charged with conspiring to make and use false statements and documents, sell misbranded meat and commit mail and wire fraud. Also indicted is another company the brothers operate, Islamic Services of America – one of the few organizations approved by Malaysia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and UAE to certify beef for import into their countries.

The brothers, ages 40 and 44, entered not guilty pleas to the charges and were released following an arraignment Monday in Cedar Rapids. Their father, Midamar founder William Aossey Jr., 73, pleaded not guilty to similar charges last week.

Attorney Michael Lahammer, who entered not guilty pleas on behalf of the corporations, said Midamar stands by its “stellar record” of delivering and exporting quality products for 40 years and would contest the charges.

Homebuilders’ outlook on sales takes slight dip

U.S. homebuilders are feeling slightly less confident in their sales prospects heading into next year, even as their overall sales outlook remains favorable.

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index released Monday slipped this month to 57, down one point from 58 in November.

Readings above 50 indicate more builders view sales conditions as good, rather than poor.

Builders’ view of current sales conditions and their outlook for sales over the next six months also declined slightly. A measure of traffic by prospective buyers held steady.

The index also found sentiment had improved in the West and Northeast, but took a step back in the Midwest and South, which accounts for half of the new-home market.

The latest reading reflects a housing market that is slowly recovering, said David Crowe, the NAHB’s chief economist.