Former Hugo’s on the Hill building to be demolished

Nearly six months after its abrupt closure, former South Hill bowling alley Hugo’s on the Hill will be demolished to make way for a new retail space.

Chattaroy-based contractor NRH LLC applied for a permit with the city to demolish the 30,000-square-foot property at 3023 E. 28th Ave. in the Lincoln Heights Shopping Center.

Hugo’s on the Hill, which opened in the 1950s, had 16 vintage bowling lanes, a bar, dining room, casino, banquet area and a game room.

Hugo’s co-owner Chris Schwartz told the Spokane Journal of Business in July that paying rent on the large space made it difficult to manage overhead costs.

The Spokane Journal of Business is a subsidiary of Cowles Co., which also publishes The Spokesman-Review.

In July, Hugo’s on the Hill posted on Facebook they would be closed to “address a problem.” The business never re-opened but instead taped a sign on the door stating it was permanently closed and thanked customers for their patronage.

Vandervert Developments, which is the property owner, has not yet decided on a future occupant for the space, but it’s likely the company will build another retail building after Hugo’s is demolished, said Debbie Cozzetto, a marketing representative for the company.