Merlyn’s Owner Buys Auntie’s Bookstore

John Waite, owner of Merlyn’s has recently purchased Auntie’s Bookstore, and is combining the forces of Merlyn’s and Auntie’s to provide better places for art, literature, creativity and community in Spokane.

Shannon Ahern of the Liberty Building, and Chris O’Harra of Auntie’s, opened the Book and Game Company more than 40 years ago and John started working for them back in 1984, and has worked with them for almost 35 years. He is excited to take on the legacy of Auntie’s, and build it into a 21st century bookstore for Spokane.

Fun Unlimited Incorporates their Line of Paddleboards

Stillwater Outdoors, Inc., has officially incorporated to become its own entity separate from Fun Unlimited, Inc. Fun Unlimited has been developing the boards to fulfill rental demands for their water-sports rental company located in Coeur d’Alene for the past several years. While Stillwater paddleboards were developed for beginner SUP rentals, you can now purchase one of your own instead of renting them from Fun Unlimited. The new paddleboard website is stillwateroutdoors.com. You can learn more about both Fun Unlimited and Stillwater Outdoors at facebook.com/stillwatersup or

cdasports.com.

Itron Selected by Avista to Modernize

Itron, a world-leading technology and services company dedicated to the resourceful use of energy and water.  Avista has selected Itron to modernize its electric and gas network in Washington State and lay the foundation for smart city applications. Avista provides energy services and electricity to 375,000 customers and natural gas to 335,000 customers in Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho, and parts of southern and eastern Oregon. Avista will deploy Itron’s OpenWay Riva IoT solution, which delivers true interoperability and distributed intelligence over an Itron and Cisco network. The utility plans to use the next-generation solution to improve electric and gas operational efficiencies, enhance reliability, reduce energy losses, and enhance customer service and engagement. itron.com

Banner Bank Wins 4th SBA Loan Award

In 2015 (ended 9/2015)Banner Bank processed 165 loans in the Seattle/Spokane District for $24,560,800. This won them the Washington State Regional Lender of the Year Award for 2015.  The “Seattle/Spokane” SBA district covers 97 percent of Washington State.

Banner was named the top bank in their category.  In 2012 and 2013, they were “Community Lender of the Year.” and in 2014 and 2015 they were “Regional Lender of the Year.”  bannerbank.com

White Lavender – Magnolia Furnishings Line

White Lavender is excited to become the first retailer in Spokane for Magnolia Home Furniture by Joanna Gaines. They are expanding their store to include a showroom under the stacks at Steam Plant Square. The unique space is located in the bottom floor of the Steam Plant next to the Pub. Be sure to follow White Lavender at facebook.com/whitelavendershop for more information.

New Life for Jensen-Byrd Building

By 2018 the Jensen-Byrd Building in Spokane’s University District will grow into a mixed-use area featuring tech/biotech offices, retail, restaurants, and an athletic center more than 250,000 square feet. JB Development has projected an innovative reuse of the main building and the Pacific Produce Building. The project will include a new 442-space parking garage, a 50,000 square foot retail and fitness center, and an 84,000 square foot mixed-use tech/biotech office building. The result will be christened the Jensen-Byrd District.

Iron Mountain Records Opens Spokane Center

Iron Mountain Records Center recently opened a Spokane location at 4330 S. Grove Road. They can securely store and safely retrieve your documents from a Spokane records center. With an Online Account Portal and Live 24/7 Customer Support, you can get help any time and in any way you need it. Whether you’re looking to store/retrieve, scan or shred your documents, there is a flexible package that fits your current or future needs. Iron Mountain is dedicated to following and helping set the strictest industry standards for safeguarding information and data privacy. ironmountain.com

Catholic Charities Launches New Program

Catholic Charities Food For All (CCFFA) recently held a ribbon cutting for their newest piece of food access infrastructure. Their first-of-its-kind HarvestNode is a retrofitted shipping container, The CCFFA HarvestNode will provide portable, appropriate-scale cold and dry storage for produce distributed by their program to neighborhoods that lack easy access to healthy and fresh farm goods. HarvestScape, the developer of the HarvestNode, and American Graphics, who generously donated the beautiful decal, were present for the launch. Funding for this project was provided through the City of Spokane and Catholic Charities USA.

Spokane Valley Chamber Celebrates 95th Year.

For nearly a century, the Chamber has served businesses and organizations as members in the communities of eastern Spokane County. Originally meeting in a community building in Greenacres, operations were eventually moved to what is now the City of Spokane Valley. The Chamber is now located in Liberty Lake in the lower level of the Liberty Square building, sub-leasing office space for six growing businesses.

The Chamber continues to grow in membership with nearly 600 members. The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven and professionally staffed nonprofit association of business people committed to improving the economic climate and the quality of life in the Greater Spokane Valley. spokanevalleychamber.org

Spokane Tribe’s 

West Plains Project Approved

Governor Jay Inslee recently announced his approval of the Spokane Tribe’s Economic Project (STEP), a mixed-use development on the West Plains to include a hotel, casino, retail and more. The Governor’s decision was the final action needed to move forward with the entertainment and retail project. Governor Inslee said he carefully reviewed the record and determined that STEP would create jobs and enhance tribal public services on the Spokane Reservation. Greater Spokane Incorporated mentioned in a recent news release that they and Fairchild Air Force Base are disappointed with the approval of the project fearing it will put the base in jeopardy.

Standard Digital – Not Your Grandad’s Print Shop Anymore

Standard Digital is known primarily for blueprints and construction documents.  However, in recent years they have expanded their commercial offering to a wide range of digital printing.  They print everything from business cards, brochures, and litigation graphics to vehicle and commercial building graphics such as printed wall decor.  Many of their projects are custom sized up to 5 by 10 feet on rigid substrate.  They offer the largest scan and laminating service in town, up to 54 inches wide and laminating up to 5 feet wide.  Some of their newest services include printing on and stretching canvas up to 5 feet, and printing on acrylic, metal and wood.  sbprint.com.

Brain Freeze Anyone?

Brain Freeze Creamery has opened their second store in the old Baskin-Robbins location at 1230 S. Grand Blvd., across from Lindaman’s.  It is similar to the Kendall Yards store at 1238 W. Summit Parkway that opened in May of 2014. The shop will serve coffee, espresso drinks, breakfast and lunch sandwiches and other sweet items, in addition to their signature ice creams. brainfreezecreamer.com.

White Rabbit Aviation offers Heli Tours in Spokane

White Rabbit offers the very best way to see Spokane, through helicopter tours with views of Riverfront Park and Spokane Falls like you’ve never seen.  Several tours are offered: Spokane City Tour, Sunset Tour, and Custom Tours that can be designed for corporations to impress guests or thank employees, and more. All tours offer glasses of wine and can be customized to meet your needs. flywhiterabbit.com.

The Davenport Hotel Wins

The Historic Davenport Hotel has been recognized by readers of Successful Meetings as a 2016 Pinnacle Award winner in the category of Best Meetings Industry Boutique Property in the Western region of the United States. Presented annually by Northstar Meeting Group’s Successful Meetings brand, the Pinnacle Awards are voted on by decision makers for planning meetings, events, conferences and incentive programs in the U.S. and worldwide. davenporthotelcollection.com