Does Spokane need a Cheesecake Factory?

The experts say yes.

Buxton, a Dallas-based customer analytics company, gathers transaction data to determine the purchasing habits and lifestyle trends for specific geographic areas. Earlier this year, the Downtown Spokane Partnership collaborated with community partners and Buxton to identify the 20 best retail matches for the growing downtown market.

The results are in.

While Cheesecake Factory doesn’t top the list, it does make the top 10.

And that’s consistent with informal surveys of Spokane residents who’ve listed the chain restaurant as a “must have” for the downtown dining scene, according to the downtown partnership.

Buxton’s recommendations are book-ended by Baja Fresh and Whole Foods Market. Also on the list: Here’s the complete list, in order: Baja Fresh, Bob’s Burgers & Brew, Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom, Chick-Fil-A, RAM Restaurant & Brewery, Dickey’s Barbeque Pit, Mellow Mushroom, The Cheesecake Factory, Panera Bread, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Best Buy, Buffalo Exchange, Cinebarre Theatres, Green Depot, H&M, Home Goods, Lush Cosmetics, Target, West Elm and Whole Foods Market.

Downtown Spokane Partnership’s community partners are the city of Spokane Planning and Parks departments, Spokane Public Library, Visit Spokane and Centennial Real Estate.