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ENGAGEMENT WORKS
Nearly 19,000 Spokane students joined a club, sport, arts activity, or community group last school year. Learn how getting engaged had a real impact on their academic performance, attendance, behavior and health @ EngageIRL.com.
Become a Local Expert
When you’ve lived in this region all your life — and have been working in the local news business for nearly half that long — people in your orbit tend to rely on you a lot for insight on everything that’s going on.
New restaurants and businesses, real estate developments and local elections, concerts and events — the list goes on. As an example, I recently found myself unanimously delegated as the itinerary planner for a family weekend up in Sandpoint. Crafting an activity and dining schedule was a breeze thanks to years of Inlander-gleaned institutional knowledge about the countless things to do in the area. We spent an adventure-filled day up on the mountain at Schweitzer, and a relaxing afternoon on the pristine City Beach along Lake Pend Oreille. Everyone had a blast, and I’ll look back fondly on all the memories captured in an album full of photos for years to come.
AWARD-WINNING!
The results are in for the Association of Alternative Newsmedia awards, and the Inlander’s 2024-25 Annual Manual took first place in the Special Publication category. Competing against publishers in Austin, Portland, Nashville and more, the judges learned what our 150,000+ readers already know, with one judge commenting: “Inlander smokes it with this Annual Manual… this is the in-flight magazine for Spokane — it’s the complete package.” We hope you enjoy our latest edition, now in its third decade in print!
I fully realize I’m in a special role here — one that offers the chance to endlessly soak up all this useful local-centric information as I help plan and edit each edition of the weekly Inlander, and this very magazine. Becoming an expert about our region really is the core of this job. That said, the reason we do it all week after week, year after year, is to pass on all this information to our readers. We exist to empower our community — long-timers and newcomers alike — to make informed decisions about everything from who should be on city council to which local restaurant to book a reservation at next.
By absorbing all the content in this year’s Annual Manual, I hope the next time you become your family or friend group’s designated activity planner — putting together a memorable day around the city or exploring nature; going on a nearby staycation or heading out for dinner and a show — knowing where to go and what to do feels like it does to me, as second nature.
— Chey Scott, Annual Manual Editor
ON THE COVER
Annual Manual Editor Chey Scott ERICK DOXEY PHOTO
PHOTO: ERICK DOXEY Monroe Street Bridge
A summer view from the top of Schweitzer Mountain. CHEY SCOTT PHOTO
Hoopfest 2025
ERICK DOXEY PHOTO
University of Washington research makes America healthier, safer and more prosperous. But those gains are now at risk.
Learn how you can help: uw.edu/research-makes-america
GATHER
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INDULGE
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Experience a culinary journey where bold tastes and local favorites come together at Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino. Start your day with a delicious breakfast at Three Peaks, then explore everything from casual fine dining to game-day bites and street-style tacos. Whether you’re in the mood to unwind or indulge, our collection of restaurants serves up comfort, flavor, and variety all in one place.
Annual Manual
EDITORIAL
ANNUAL MANUAL EDITOR Chey Scott
ANNUAL MANUAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ali Blackw ood
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Erick Doxey
Young K wak
COPY EDITOR Chris Frisella
CONTRIBUTORS Ellis Benson
Eliza Billingham
Alicia Hauff
Hannah Higens
E.J. Iannelli
Bob Johnson
Will Maupin
Vic tor Corral Martinez
Anne McGregor
Madison Pear son
Azaria Podplesk y Colt on Rasanen
Bee Reis wig
Summer Sands trom
Dora Sc ott
Carrie Sco zzaro
Seth Sommerf eld Marta Szymansk a Saman tha Wohlfeil
ADVERTISING
ADVERTISING AND COMMUNIC ATIONS MANAGER Tamara McGregor
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Carolyn Padgham Autumn A drian Potts
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Tracy Menasco St ephanie Grinols
Alanna Spencer Kelc ey Boyce
ADVERTISING COORDINATORS Colleen Bell-Craig Raja Bejjani
PRODUCTION
PRINT PRODUCTION MANAGER Tom Stover
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Derrick King
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
ART COORDINATOR Leslie Douglas
OPERATIONS
BUSINESS MANAGER DeeAnn Cook
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE Amanda Bodie
CIRCULATION MANAGER Frank DeCaro
CIRCULATION SUPERVISOR Travis Beck
INLAND PUBLICATIONS
PUBLISHER Ted S. McGregor Jr.
GENERAL MANAGER Jer McGregor
Convening Around Our Region’s Critical Issues
Understanding the needs, hopes, and concerns of our community is essential for driving meaningful change. That’s why GSI brings diverse voices to the table — businesses, educators, elected leaders, and community non-profits — to ensure decisions reflect the realities and desires of those who live and work here.
Strengthening Workforce Infrastructure
Spokane’s future depends on growing and keeping talent right here at home. That means exposing students to career pathways early, expanding workforce housing, and improving access to affordable childcare — all essential to supporting workers and the businesses that rely on them.
SCAN ME
Taking Care of Business
A roundup of what some of the top employers and key businesses in the Inland Northwest are doing in 2025 and beyond
BY E.J. IANNELLI
From large-footprint facility expansion to high-tech tools that could improve health care, logistics and manufacturing, the region’s top employers have been busy scaling up for the future. Here’s a snapshot of what some of them have been up to recently and what they’re planning for the years ahead.
The e-commerce juggernaut — not to mention cloud service provider, digital streaming platform and online advertising company — arrived in Spokane in mid-2020 and has been expanding as well as enhancing its facilities ever since.
GEG5, which sits slightly to the southwest of the original fulfillment center, GEG1, quietly began operating in spring 2025 and thus marks the newest addition to Amazon’s Geiger Heights logistics complex. The approximately 280,000-square-foot facility specializes in sortation, which means that it routes existing deliveries as opposed to pulling products off shelves and packaging them for shipment.
However, GEG1 certainly hasn’t been neglected. It’s now home to the cutting-edge AI-powered Vulcan robot arm. Where Vulcan departs from Amazon’s Sparrow, Cardinal and Robin systems is that it has a sense of touch. It can determine when and how it’s making contact with the items that it’s stowing at the bottom and topmost levels of the inventory pods.
“It’s the only one [of its kind] in the entire country, which makes the Spokane node obviously really special, not just for Washington but for the entire company,” says Matthew Gardea, field communications manager at Amazon, in July 2025. “We have a lot of high-powered executives constantly coming through the area to come take a peek. They’re quite jealous.”
Vulcan might display a more sensitive side when it comes to handling items, but it certainly isn’t dainty. The system weighs nearly 10,000 pounds and takes up 500 square feet of floor space. And while automation is often framed as a threat to jobs, AI robots like Vulcan are at least creating demand for more specialized roles in the form of engineers and repair techs.
TAKING
MULTICARE
PROVIDENCE
As the largest health care provider in the region, Providence is routinely upgrading and expanding its services. One of the biggest projects on its plate right now is the Heart Institute modernization project at Sacred Heart Medical Center, a $42 million undertaking that’s been building momentum for several years. Construction on Phase 1, which includes the first two of four floors, will start in 2026 and is estimated to take about two years.
“The original structure was built 30 years ago,” says Colleen Fox, the associate vice president for the Providence Inland Northwest Foundation, “and at that time it housed six different cardiothoracic practices who collaborated but weren’t formally linked together. So the building was designed that way, and it’s really hard for patients to navigate.”
The redesigned building is intended to create a more efficient and “patient-centric” layout. In addition to a large welcome area for arriving guests and visitors, the advanced heart failure clinic, the surgical clinics and the cardiology department will be co-located on the first, second and third floors, respectively, for better ease of access. There will also be a new pediatric catheterization lab as well as administrative offices and classrooms.
Upon completion, the updated Heart Institute should accommodate 15% more patients.
But the building itself isn’t the entirety of the project. As part of the same initiative, Providence has been able to establish an endowment for patient assistance. Those funds can be used to offset some of the travel and lodging costs for guests who have to come from farther away. Providence was also able to make investments in advanced medical technology, including a new ion robot that’s already being used successfully in the early detection of lung cancer.
To better serve the region’s growing post-pandemic need for behavioral health care — a field that includes both mental health and substance use disorders — MultiCare is busy renovating and retrofitting an existing floor at Deaconess Hospital to construct a 24-bed inpatient behavioral health unit for adults. It will be MultiCare’s first facility of this kind in Eastern Washington.
Spurred by the demand that MultiCare saw at its Northeast Community Center clinic in 2023, the 14,000-square-foot unit made a significant step toward becoming a reality when the health system’s foundation received a $6 million grant from the Washington state Department of Commerce in 2024. That grant covers a little over one-third of the project’s estimated total cost; some additional money will be generated through the foundation’s fundraising efforts. The expected completion date of the unit is late 2026.
One new service that’s already offered at Deaconess is the neonatal intensive care unit’s ability to accept breast milk donations as part of the Northwest Mothers Milk Bank. Similar to a blood bank, it enables nursing mothers to safely share and store their natural breast milk for those in need.
“There are a lot of mothers who are not able to produce breast milk, yet they recognize some of the nutritional value that is included in it. Being able to offer this service means that milk can be given to those little babies, our smallest patients, some of whom are hanging on for dear life,” says Kevin Maloney, spokesman for MultiCare Health System’s Inland Northwest Region.
More inpatient beds for behavioral health are in the works.
MULTICARE PHOTO
The new lobby at Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. PROVIDENCE PHOTOS
A rendering of the entrance to the Providence Heart Institute.
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS...
JUBILANT HOLLISTERSTIER
A slightly less visible but no less important aspect of health care is pharmaceuticals. Based in Spokane’s Bemiss neighborhood, Jubilant HollisterStier operates two divisions — one specializing in contract manufacturing, the other in allergy-related solutions. The latter actually has a local history that goes back to its founding by two Spokanites, the chemist Guy Hollister and pathologist Robert Stier, in 1921.
Exactly a century after Hollister and Stier joined forces, the company broke ground on a $285 million, 210,000-square-foot facility expansion that includes two additional state-of-the art production lines. The smaller of the two, Line 3, is already operational. Once it’s joined by Line 4, which is in the final stages of construction, production capacity is expected to increase by up to 60 million doses annually. Line 4 will also add amenities like warehousing, maintenance and validation areas and labs, and the company says it will create 200 local jobs once it’s up and running.
In May 2025, HollisterStier’s allergy division hosted the inaugural CrossLink Allergy Educational Summit, which convened 18 fellows from 13 top programs across the country to delve into the latest developments in allergy science, clinical practice and future care. According to Ben VanGerpen, chief scientific officer at HollisterStier Allergy, the conference “provided a great opportunity to connect with new allergists, showcasing how the products they rely on are made.”
Dissecting venom sacs is part of the allergy immunotherapy work at HollisterStier. CHRIS THOMPSON PHOTOS
Stats and Trends
LARGEST EMPLOYERS IN SPOKANE COUNTY FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES
LARGEST EMPLOYERS IN KOOTENAI COUNTY FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES
KOOTENAI HEALTH
WALMART
COEUR D’ALENE SCHOOLS
POST FALLS SCHOOLS
CITY OF COEUR D’ALENE
BUCK KNIVES
CITY OF POST FALLS
PARKER AUTOMOTIVE
SOURCE: Spokane Journal of Business, Dec. 2024
THE INLAND NW AT WORK
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Annual Report
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS...
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE
With over 7,000 employees, Fairchild AFB is one of the region’s largest employers. It’s also the largest air refueling base in the world and central to the United States’ global reach. Which is why it might seem strange that, until recently, its primary operations center was housed in a two-story 1953 building that was originally constructed as an air traffic control radar and tower facility.
After some COVID-related false starts and delays, that aging operations center is now slated to be replaced with a brand new $48.4 million facility to be built by Spokane’s Garco Construction. The fixed-price bid for the project was awarded in September 2024, and the final designs were completed in mid2025. Demolition was scheduled to begin shortly thereafter.
“It’s estimated that it will take 18 to 24 months to complete once construction begins,” explains Jeffrey Johnson, the deputy director for installation support at Fairchild AFB. The anticipated move-in date is sometime between January and March of 2027.
“The facility will be the new home of the Operations Group commander and staff, the Operations Support Squadron and staff, airfield management, the base weather shop and a robust mission planning area where many flight crews can plan, study and then file their flight plans before proceeding out to the jet.”
FROM LEFT: U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ariel Golbeck, Capt. Sander Smith and Capt. Alexander Baumgartner conduct a preflight inspection of a KC-135 Stratotanker at Fairchild Air Force Base.
U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS MEGAN DELAINE
ABOVE: A U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle aircraft from the 142nd Fighter Wing refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker. DOD PHOTO BY SENIOR AIRMAN JOHN HUGHEL JR., U.S. AIR FORCE
TOP LEFT: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Keith Johnson, left, introduces Col. Kathryn Sanborn, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District commander, and Col. Chad Cisewski, the 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, during a base operations groundbreaking ceremony at Fairchild Air Force Base.
U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY SENIOR AIRMAN MATTHEW ARACHIKAVITZ
BOTTOM LEFT: Representatives from the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Garco Construction pose at a groundbreaking ceremony at Fairchild Air Force Base.
U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY SENIOR AIRMAN MATTHEW ARACHIKAVITZ
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS...
SCHWEITZER ENGINEERING LABORATORIES
In terms of total employee count, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, or SEL, is giving Fairchild AFB a run for its money. The employee-owned, Pullman-headquartered technology company crossed the 7,000 mark for its global workforce in June 2025, with roughly 4,300 of those positions based in Idaho and Washington.
SEL actually began 2025 with a leadership transition. Forty-two years after founding the company in his basement, Edmund O. Schweitzer III passed the torch to the current CEO, Dave Whitehead.
The change in leadership didn’t interrupt SEL’s core business of manufacturing embedded system solutions for use in electric power systems (in fact, you can find an SEL component in nearly every North American substation). But it did coincide with the company’s expansion into the global medical device sector with a tool for detecting the likelihood of autism spectrum disorder. The tool was invented by Dr. Georgina Lynch, who led the development of the prototype at Washington State University.
No matter what field SEL decides to enter in the future, its printed circuit board factory in Moscow, Idaho, is likely to play a key role. The 162,000-square-foot, $100 million Schwartz Campus manufacturing plant entered its third year of operation in 2025 and now employs 160 workers across three shifts, five days a week. The company envisions that, by the end of 2025, it will produce in-house the majority of the printed circuit boards that are ultimately integrated into the electronic devices that SEL designs and fabricates at its five U.S. production sites.
Schweitzer Engineering Lab’s 162,000-square-foot, $100 million Schwartz Campus in Moscow. PHOTO COURTESY SEL
LEFT: SEL’s Pullman Headquarters.
BELOW: Inside SEL’s Printed Circuit Board Factory. PHOTOS COURTESY SEL
140 years of expanding access to quality local care
For 140 years, we’ve been partnering locally to support communities in the ways they need it most. Because healthy communities need more than health care.
Annual Report
Lindsey Myhre
INTERVIEWED BY AZARIA PODPLESKY
Twenty-five years after she was hired at STCU, Colville-raised Lindsey Myhre was named president and CEO of the credit union in July 2025, becoming the sixth president of STCU and the first woman to hold the position since the credit union’s creation in 1934.
After starting her career working with the Colville National Forest, Myhre became an accounting assistant at STCU. She later worked in manager and director positions before becoming part of the executive leadership team in 2015, and most recently served as the chief financial officer and executive vice president.
INLANDER : What was the biggest transition from the Colville National Forest to STCU?
federal budget versus driving our organization for the members like we do at the credit union.
I thought you’d say something about being outdoors versus working in an office.
You’re not wrong! I went on large projects and helped with project work planning. I definitely did work out in the forest. We worked with soil scientists, I ran into cougars, all of those things. Working behind a desk, maybe you could say it’s a little safer. It’s definitely a little different.
How has STCU changed during your tenure?
SPEED ROUND
What was your favorite thing about growing up in Colville?
The safety of small towns and the community atmosphere is very, very special. I grew up camping every single weekend and floating on inner tubes in rivers and riding my bike everywhere and spending as much time outside as I could.
What’s your favorite thing about living in Spokane?
I love the community. I love the things we have to do. I love Best of Broadway. We love going to concerts and the access we have to entertainment. I also love the convenience of all the little community shops and boutiques.
How do you like to relax after the workweek?
I’m a mom of two girls so when I get off I’m running to, it used to be soccer practice, now it’s cheerleading. I volunteer for fun. I serve on three boards, so I really get energy from being in the community. I love to read, and I play the piano and I also have a yellow lab named Cash Money.
That’s quite the name!
There’s a little trio with some friends of ours. There’s a Waylon, a Willie and a Cash, named after Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. I don’t even know how “Cash Money” happened.
What are you most looking forward to from the next year, personally or professionally?
My oldest is going to college and my youngest is a cheerleader, so it’s going to be Friday Night Lights and lots of school activities, which is really exciting. For me in this new role, even though we’re following our strategic plan, there’s still new and exciting changes. My goal is to soak it up and enjoy every minute of all these different things.
numerous economic cycles. I’ve been here through the recession. I’ve been here through the pandemic. I’ve been here through bank failures and credit union failures. I’ve been here through so many different things and being able to be here and strong and stable for our members is really exciting.
How can people best be prepared for the ups and downs of the financial world?
Know where you spend your money, how you’re spending your money and know the difference between your needs and your wants. Something that builds peace of mind is different emergency lines or different aspects to saving, so building your savings account even if it’s $10 a week. There’s nothing that’s too small. The other key to that is finding a low-interest credit card for emergencies. Make sure you have that available and ready when you need it. STCU’s new president and CEO shares how the credit union has changed during her tenure
MYHRE: We still have budgets, we still have rules we follow, but it definitely is different being government-based, [from] a large
We’ve really expanded into more, smaller communities, which has been really exciting. I come from a small community, and so seeing that growth and our engagement in those areas has been amazing.
The other thing is over time, we’ve seen
Caution: Roadwork Ahead
A status report on ongoing and upcoming transportation projects in the Spokane region BY
AZARIA PODPLESKY
While it may seem like orange traffic cones and road closure signs are a permanent fixture around the region, there is a lot of progress being made on transportation projects big and small. Representatives from Spokane Transit Authority, the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Spokane Regional Transportation Council shared updates on what the next year will look like on the road.
SPOKANE TRANSIT AUTHORITY
STA, now under the leadership of CEO Karl Otterstrom, is nearing the end of its current strategic plan STA Moving Forward, which is set to conclude in 2026.
Carly Cortright, chief communications and customer service officer, and Dan Wells, director of capital development, shared what’s coming next.
LIBERTY LAKE HIGH PERFORMANCE TRANSIT (HPT)
Route 7 will connect the Liberty Lake Park and Ride to Spokane Valley, the STA Plaza and the
Spokane International Airport. This route is scheduled to launch in fall 2025.
DOUBLE-DECKER BUSES
STA will officially launch its double-decker bus service between Spokane and Cheney on Sept. 20, 2025, in conjunction with Eastern Washington University’s first home football game.
SPRAGUE AVENUE HPT
STA is working on Phase 2 of Route 9, the Sprague HPT route, which will improve service and passenger amenities along what is currently Route 90.
HPT routes prioritize speed, reliability, frequency and hours of service, as well as passenger amenities like bus shelters.
“High Performance Transit service is an investment in service and the facilities along a route that creates permanence,” Wells says.
DIVISION STREET BUS RAPID TRANSIT (BRT)
The Division Street Bus Rapid Transit line is set to launch in fall 2030. Like the City Line, STA’s first BRT line, the route will feature fivedoor, zero-emission buses. The route will cover 39 planned new stations and will feature transportation improvements like new signals and pedestrian crossings across Division Street.
PILOT SERVICE BETWEEN IDAHO AND MIRABEAU TRANSIT CENTER
Cortright says they hear from people who commute to the Liberty Lake Park and Ride from Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene and further into Idaho, so STA is looking into a more direct pilot service from Idaho to the Mirabeau Transit Center, one of the final pieces of STA Moving Forward.
CONNECT 2035
There is a little overlap between STA Moving Forward and Connect 2035, STA’s next strategic plan. Cortwright is looking forward to mobility-on-demand pilot programs as STA is noticing many younger generations are choosing not to have a car, making it difficult for them to reach park and rides.
“Mobility-on-demand pilots are going to be looking at how do we get people from those communities on smaller size transit to park and ride systems that they can then use the fixed route system from there,” she says. “I think those are interesting and are going to change how we use transit in Spokane.”
Wells is looking forward to two additional High Performance Transit lines: Wellesley HPT, which is currently Route 33 from Spokane Community College to Spokane Falls Community College, and Airway Heights HPT, which would connect Airway Heights with downtown Spokane and potentially stops farther north.
Finally, STA’s board is interested in creating shelters at bus stops that meet certain criteria, including ridership of at least 25 passengers per day.
Spokane Transit Authority’s new double decker buses
STA PHOTO
Annual Report
CAUTION: ROADWORK AHEAD...
ZERO EMISSIONS BY 2045
STA is still exploring different technologies that would help achieve the goal of zero emissions by 2045. STA completed a garage that accommodates its fleet of battery electric buses in 2019 and has added chargers to facilities on various service routes.
“Our future and accommodating our zero emission transition plan for our fleet requires even more investment in charging infrastructure,” Wells says. “We’re looking at significant investment in charging infrastructure [at the existing garage], as well as on-route charging investments in our service area, primarily potentially in downtown Spokane, in the Valley, and at Liberty Lake Park and Ride.”
“It doesn’t feel like it’s ever going to be done, but we are so close.”
Overton explained the timeline for that and other projects WSDOT is working on.
NORTH SPOKANE CORRIDOR
The North Spokane Corridor has been fully funded since 2015 thanks to the Connecting Washington package, at a total amount of $1.9 billion for the project. Work began on the corridor in 2001, and now more than 70% of the 10.5-mile stretch is open to traffic.
That final 30% or so is coming slowly but surely. Construction should start soon on Stage 3 of the corridor, which will stretch from Sprague Avenue to the Spokane River. Overton estimates this stretch to be a three-year project.
long it takes to calibrate the meter, it will likely be turned on in late 2025 or early 2026.
Pedestrian improvements are happening on State Route 27 at 24th Avenue, including installation of a HAWK crossing, or a highintensity activated crosswalk signal.
SPOKANE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL
Since the pandemic, the Spokane Transit Authority has been working to return its ridership to pre-COVID levels. These STA statistics include fixed routes, paratransit and Rideshare.
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
In his first blog post for WSDOT, Ryan Overton, communications manager for the Eastern Region, called the North Spokane Corridor a “mythical unicorn.” Having been first suggested in the 1940s, the freeway feels to some like a fairytale creature that one’s heard about but never seen.
“My goal since I joined DOT was to educate and get people to understand it is funded as of 2015 but the funding is spread out,” he said.
There is also work being done on the Spokane River Crossing between East Ermina and Carlisle avenues, now in its final year of construction.
Looking ahead, Stage 2 of the Sprague Avenue to Spokane River stretch is scheduled for 2026-28, and the I-90 to Sprague Avenue stretch is scheduled for 2027 to the early 2030s.
I-90: PAVING FROM BNRR TO GEIGER ROAD
This 5.42-mile stretch of I-90 from roughly Airway Heights to the Cheney exit will be repaved. Because work began in August, as a late-season start, Overton anticipates the project could roll over into 2026. Work is being done overnight to minimize traffic impacts.
MISCELLANEOUS
WSDOT is nearly finished repaving Highway 395 from Hatch Road to Hamilton Road.
There will be a new ramp meter installed on the westbound onramp at the Harvard Road interchange in Liberty Lake. Depending on how
The Spokane Regional Transportation Council is a planning agency that tracks and distributes funding to make sure transportation projects are moving along nicely.
From a planning perspective, Deputy Executive Director Eve McMenamy says there don’t seem to be any major delays.
“We do run into hiccups here and there, but for the most part, we’re doing really well,” she says.
The SRTC board, represented by elected officials from cities around the region and tribal members, recently funded $40 million worth of projects, “from highway connections to regional trail connections,” submitted via a call for projects that are set to begin in 2029.
McMenamy says SRTC funding often helps agencies leading projects unlock additional funding opportunities.
“Sometimes, if we put a million or two down on a project, it allows them an opportunity to go to another funding partner outside the region and bring them in,” she says. “We do a little bit of funding projects fully and also getting them competitive in other funding environments.”
The interior of one of the new double decker buses. STA PHOTO
GOVERNMENT
Let Your Voice Be Heard
Think there oughta be a law about something that’s bugging you? Share it with your local and statewide legislators
Range anxiety begone: The Inland Northwest has plenty of places outside the urban areas to juice up electric vehicles BY SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL
While one of the most common concerns about getting an electrical vehicle continues to be where to charge up when traveling (or at home for those without the ability to do so), there are a surprising number of public charging stations available, even along the Inland Northwest’s rural routes.
Overall for public chargers, the U.S. Department of Energy reports Washington state has 5,600 Level 2, and 1,737 DC fast chargers; while Idaho has 372 Level 2 and 247 DC fast chargers, and Montana has 207 Level 2 and 247 DC fast chargers.
The finer details? Most public chargers are in the most-populated centers of each state. Plus, while there are hundreds to be found between Central Washington and Western Montana, many public charging stations in more rural areas have Level 2 chargers, which only add about 20 miles of range in an hour of charging.
Still, if you’re spending the day somewhere such as Davenport, Metaline Falls, Omak or Polson over in Montana, Level 2 chargers
there can get a battery electric vehicle to a full charge in about four to 10 hours, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The good news is that many areas with a Level 2 charger also have a DC, or direct current, fast charger. If you’re able to snag time on one, these chargers can fully charge a battery electric vehicle in 20 minutes to an hour, adding 180 to 240 miles of range, according to DOT.
You can find DC fast chargers in Ellensburg, Wenatchee, Moses Lake, Yakima, the Tri-Cities, Sprague, Pullman, Lewiston, Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, Smelterville, Saint Regis, Missoula, Kalispell and many other places in between.
Some Tesla stations are open to all EV owners. This only applies to Tesla Supercharger stations; you will need their app and may need an adapter. To find Tesla Supechargers in the Northwest, visit tesla/findus. Find a comprehensive map of different types of charging stations at afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity-locations.
LESLIE DOUGLAS MAP
SOURCE: Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center
HOUSING
Rent on the Rise
The grass is always greener on the other side. Whether you have a lawn or not, it can be easy to get caught up in the comparison game when it comes to housing. But how does Spokane compare to nearby cities?
When compared to similarly sized Boise, and much larger Seattle, Spokane maintains a lower median rent (about $215 lower than Boise, and more than $850 cheaper than Seattle), though Spokane’s median household income is also more than $15,500 behind Boise and more than $56,200 behind Seattle. When it comes to the Inland
Northwest, however, Spokane’s rent remains in the lower range, besting nearby Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene. Housing costs of no more than 30% of monthly income are often considered “affordable.”
The United States Census figures for median household income are from 2023, the most current available, while the Zillow figures for median rents are from 2025; Keep in mind incomes have gone up since 2023, so there is a lag. With that in mind, here is a quick look at the Pacific Northwest’s housing market.
CHENEY SANDPOINT SEATTLE BOISE
EDUCATION
High-Tech Problem Solving
University of Idaho’s Project Evergreen is building weed-killing robots, while EWU researchers seek unlock some of microbiology’s missing puzzle pieces
BY ELIZA BILLINGHAM AND SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL
Arobot the size and shape of a square kitchen table wheels over a row of seedlings. It scans the ground with camera “eyes,” then stops. A small probe lowers from the middle of the robot, homes in on its target, then drops into the earth to pierce a tiny plant. It shocks the plant with an electric current so hot, the plant’s cells break down immediately.
Robot: one. Pigweed: zero.
This weed killing robot was built by the UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO’s robotics team for the U.S. Forest Service. It’s modern tech’s answer to what would otherwise be hours of exhausting, expensive physical labor.
The Forest Service grows millions of trees each year in its Coeur d’Alene nursery. Because the nursery is inside city limits, it’s not allowed to use the powerful pesticide fumigants that are standard across the industry to kill weeds. Instead, it would spend about $100,000 a year paying workers to weed — that is, if the agency can find people to work.
In 2024, associate research professor John Shovic, postdoctoral researcher Mary Everett and doctoral student Garrett Wells formed a team of engineers from U of I’s Center for Intelligent Industrial Robotics in Coeur d’Alene to build an automated weeding robot with a
grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The team named their venture Project Evergreen.
The team plans to keep upgrading Evergreen, the robot is already a big step toward reforesting public lands with millions of healthy saplings.
Two years ago, the U.S. Forest Service faced a backlog of at least 4 million acres of public land that needed to be reforested. The REPLANT Act of 2021 — “Repairing Existing Public Land by Adding Necessary Trees” — aimed to get more trees in the ground faster. There are six Forest Service nurseries across the U.S., including one in Coeur d’Alene, that grow the young trees for three years before they’re transplanted elsewhere. And there’s more pressure than ever to grow more trees as high-volume wildfires rage across the West.
“This robot is a very sophisticated robot, but what we are weeding is much simpler than your garden from a robot’s perspective,” he says. “Everything’s in the same row, it’s the same width, and you’ve basically got a monoculture of trees.”
The robot’s target victim is anything that’s not a tree. The team only needed to give the robot the artificial intelligence to differentiate “tree” from “not tree.”
Students taught the robot with their own very human intelligence —
and perseverance. They took thousands of pictures of tiny plants on the ground, marked each one as either “tree” or “not tree,” and fed that information into the robot’s software. Now, the robot can identify “not trees” more than 80% of the time.
The next trick was to figure out how to kill the “not tree.” Chemicals were prohibited. Digging could damage the roots of nearby trees. One student suggested using a blowtorch.
“I said, ‘Listen, the Forest Service is sponsoring this. Smokey Bear is sponsoring this. We’re not going to do it with fire,’” Shovic says.
But there are no bad ideas during a brainstorm. The blowtorch idea spawned the winning solution: an electric current. When it identifies a “not tree,” the robot lowers a small metal rod a few millimeters into the ground to zap that weed with 3,500 volts.
Evergreen can cover about half an acre in an eight- to 10-hour shift before it needs to roll back to its charging station and juice up for the next day. Shovic says the Forest Service will need a fleet of at least four to five robots to manage their North Idaho acres.
“Someday,” Shovic says, “we may build as many as 40 of these to cover all six of the nurseries.” (ELIZA BILLINGHAM)
The Evergreen robot seeks out its next weed to electrocute at Coeur d’Alene’s U.S. Forest Service Nursery. UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO PHOTO
Digging Into DNA
Those who took introductory biology classes in school might remember various parts of the cell. But one of the things at work that many nonscientists may not have heard of is inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase, or the ITPA protein. To really, really simplify things, ITPA is an enzyme that acts as a housekeeper in cells, removing gunk that shouldn’t be there.
The “gunk” is inosine, which is a normal metabolite that can convert into other compounds that mimic the “A” and the “G” of the “ATG and C” that make up DNA; cells can then mishandle the new material and plug it into DNA or RNA where it shouldn’t be. That’s how people can wind up with various ITPA deficiencies that can be linked to health problems, from how your body reacts to cancer treatment to making you predisposed to a lethal infantile encephalopathy.
At EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, Nick Burgis, chair of the Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics Department, and Yao Houndonougbo, a biochemistry professor, have been studying these deficiencies for years.
In 2024, the two were awarded a $350,000 grant from the National Institutes
of Health to continue their work and spend the next three years trying to find the missing puzzle piece (or pieces) to potentially fix the broken ITPA proteins. They’ll search a bank of more than 300,000 molecules maintained at UCLA, in hopes of finding possible leads that could ultimately spawn pharmaceutical medical therapies.
“The idea is, both at P32T and R178C [specific ITPA deficiencies they are studying], they both have stability issues, so the proteins both vibrate more, and they can kind of fall apart,” Burgis says. “Because both patient populations… kind of have similar issues, we’re hoping we can address both of them.”
Robots at the UCLA lab will help Burgis and his team of EWU student researchers fill hundreds and hundreds of wells in testing plates with the various molecules, but 300,000-plus is still a daunting number of compounds to look at. That’s why Houndonougbo, a computational chemist, will do the initial heavy lifting for the team — virtually. He’ll plug the digitized version of UCLA’s “Molecular Shared Screening Resource” compound library into software to see which molecules are most likely to hit the parameters they’re seeking.
“I’ll try to see the rank of the small mol-
ecule in terms of what we call free energy,” Houndonougbo says. “Lower the free energy, better the binding.”
Burgis and the research students will spend a month at UCLA testing various options, starting with the ones Houndonougbo’s program highlights, to see if they could confirm that the software picked good options.
In the lab, the chemical reaction Burgis and the student researchers use turn each of the wells various colors, depending on what’s happening. The color they’re looking for is a deep green, which indicates more phosphate is in that reaction. The phosphate is a byproduct of the housekeeping activity that ITPA does, so its presence indicates the enzyme is working properly.
Next they’ll analyze the data and write up their results.
“The ultimate goal is to lead to a drug” that could save lives, Houndonougbo says.
“I’ve been doing the basic research since 1998,” Burgis says, “and teaming up with Yao has just really made that possible. Together, my biochemical work and his computational work really kind of hinted to us that we might be able to address this issue through a drug. We’re pretty excited.”
(SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL)
EWU biochemists Nick Burgis (right) and Yao Houndonougbo are leading a team of students through a deep dive into protein deficiencies in human cells. SAMANTHA WOHLFEIL PHOTOS
Navigating the new (to you) doctor experience
When you’re new to a city, there’s plenty to check off on your to-do list. When trying to select the right health care provider in your new area, here are some key factors to consider from Dr. David Ward, a family practice physician at Kaiser Permanente in Spokane.
Look for initial fit
Conduct initial research online to find a new care provider — examine the provider’s background, training and perhaps even shared hobbies or personal interests. Then call to make sure the provider is accepting new patients.
“Make an appointment with one provider and see if the relationship works before trying multiple doctors,” Ward says. Scheduling with more than one provider for initial meet-and-greets could be timeconsuming.
During your first in-person visit, assess your personality fit. You may connect better with one doctor’s style compared to another. While some physicians enjoy the typical bedside chat, others are more to the point, which could be a better fit if you’re focused on efficiency and timeliness.
Draft a visit outline
Before you leave for the doctor’s office, draft a quick bullet-point outline of
your goals for your upcoming visit. For example, a simple outline might include any symptoms or concerns, asking about preventive care (such as whether your screenings and vaccinations are up to date) and questions like, “What’s one simple step I could take to improve my health?”
If you have more to cover, prioritize your goals, concerns and symptoms. Then share your list with the physician at the start of the appointment, Ward suggests. Your doctor can help you use the time more effectively and advise you on which issues are more urgent, interrelated or require a second visit.
Ask questions
This step is key to good patient–provider communication, Ward says. “If you don’t ask questions, we might assume you already know the answer or don’t want more information.”
If you don’t know the exact meaning of a word like “hypertension”, it’s more than OK to ask, he notes. You don’t have to wait for a doctor to raise a subject or wonder if you understand. Ideally, you’ll feel comfortable enough to even ask questions that might feel embarrassing. “We can troubleshoot together,” he says, whether you’re worried about treatment costs or a needle’s poke.
Find a health care partner
Ward welcomes patients who advocate for their health — and even helps them assess the online research they may have discovered on their own. “I encourage my patients to learn more about their health conditions, and we’ll look at new information together,” Ward says. “I’m comfortable not always knowing everything and partnering with those who choose me as their doctor on a learning journey.”
After a few visits, you should have a good idea of whether you’ve found your new favorite physician. Check in with yourself to make sure that you’re getting questions answered and care needs met and you understand the next steps for any issue.
“When you met your new doctor, did you feel listened to, respected and heard?” Ward asks. “You need to trust in your relationship with the doctor.”
EDUCATION
Seeking Knowledge, Finding a Home
Get to know the region’s higher education options, from public and private universities to community colleges COMPILED BY HANNAH HIGENS
WHITWORTH UNIVERSITY
Private Liberal Arts, Religious Affiliation: Presbyterian Church
Spokane
Also offers remote synchronous and asynchronous online graduate programs
Founded 1890
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,459 (Fall ’24)
IN THE NEWS: Whitworth has been prioritizing construction of the $19 million PACCAR Engineering Building, set to be finished in early 2026, which will house the engineering and physics department. The building was named after PACCAR (Pacific Car and Foundry), a global truck manufacturer that donated funds to support its construction.
FUN FACT: Whitworth students participate in a tradition called the “little three” during their time at the university, which consists of catching a pine cone falling from a tree, getting hit by a Frisbee and breaking a dish in the dining hall.
GONZAGA UNIVERSITY
Private Liberal Arts, Religious Affiliation: Roman Catholic (Jesuit)
Spokane
Satellite Campuses: Florence, Italy (study abroad), Global (online)
Online graduate degree programs available
Founded 1887
Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,293 (Fall ’24)
IN THE NEWS: The Gonzaga School of Law recently appointed Crystal Gamache as program developer for the Conaway Family Children and Parents Representation and Justice Initiative. This new program aims to prepare law students for work advancing the rights and well-being of children and families in need.
FUN FACT: Based on a list put out by the Princeton Review, Gonzaga’s student newspaper, The Gonzaga Bulletin, is ranked No. 15 out of 25 for “best college newspapers” in the country.
EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Public
Cheney
Satellite Campuses: Spokane
Online graduate degree programs available
Founded 1882
Undergraduate Enrollment: 10,491 (Fall ’24)
IN THE NEWS: Melissa Graham, Ph.D., was appointed in March 2025 as the new assistant dean of student success and belonging for the EWU College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. She’ll also continue to lead, now as director, the school’s MESA University Center, which offers support for student success.
FUN FACT: The student-to-faculty ratio at Eastern is 20:1.
UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO
Public
Moscow
Satellite Campuses: Boise, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Campus 360 (online)
Founded 1889
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,747 (Fall ’24)
IN THE NEWS: University of Idaho was awarded a $4.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s GRANTED program to pioneer AI tools for research administration and efficiency. The project is led by principal investigator Sarah Martonick, director of the Office of Sponsored Programs.
FUN FACT: In 2003, researchers at U of I partnered with Utah State and became the first to clone a member of the equine/horse family worldwide. Together, the schools cloned a mule and named it Idaho Gem.
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
Public
Pullman
Satellite Campuses: Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver, Everett, Global (online)
Founded 1890
Undergraduate Enrollment: 21,455 (Fall ’24)
IN THE NEWS: On May 1, 2025, the Washington State University College of Education became the College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences. The name change was announced during a WSU Board of Regents meeting, and the program directors changed the name to better reflect the college’s various programs.
FUN FACT: WSU’s veterinary medicine program also has a wildlife rehabilitation service that allows students to work with different species than they might see in their careers.
EDUCATION
Local Community Colleges
COMPILED BY HANNAH HIGENS
NORTH IDAHO COLLEGE
Public Community College
Coeur d’Alene
Satellite Campus: Sandpoint; online degree programs available
Founded 1933
Undergrad Enrollment: 4,585 (Fall ’24)
IN THE NEWS: The NIC Workforce Training Center in Post Falls launched a logging program last summer. The two- to three-year program consists of classroom training and apprenticeships.
FUN FACT: NIC offers a variety of student clubs, including groups for Dungeons & Dragons, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and even rock climbing.
SPOKANE FALLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Public Community College
Spokane; online degree programs available
Founded 1967
Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,903 (Fall ’24)
IN THE NEWS: Community Colleges of Spokane rebranded as Spokane Colleges in January 2025. The Spokane Colleges board’s motivation was to create a more clear and cohesive identity for the two colleges.
FUN FACT: SFCC is located on the former grounds of Fort George Wright, a U.S. Army base.
SPOKANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Public Community College
Spokane; online degree programs available
Founded 1963
Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,286 (Fall ’24)
IN THE NEWS: The Spokane Colleges established a director of tribal relations role in 2025 and appointed Naomi Bender, who holds a doctorate in higher education and has experience in Native health sciences. The position’s top priorities are to serve Native students on their academic path and to build sustainable relationships between tribal communities and Spokane Colleges.
FUN FACT: The Spokane Colleges track and field team just won its 23rd Northwest Athletic Conference title during the spring ’25 season.
CARE THAT GROWS WITH YOU
CHAS Health provides quality healthcare to all, regardless of insurance status. From the physical and mental wellbeing of your child to keeping your child’s smile in top condition, CHAS Health offers a full range of services.
• Specialized care for premature babies
• Well child exams
• Sports physicals
• Immunizations
• Monitoring of milestones in growth, behavior, and skills
• Dental care
• Behavioral health services
CHAS Health wants to partner with your family early to help your child learn healthy habits. Our staff can assist with insurance applications and help patients apply for our sliding fee discount program.
Call 509.444.8200 or visit chas.org for an appointment.
EDUCATION
On a Mission
Even as its Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine hits a 10-year milestone, WSU hasn’t forgotten why it all started
BY E.J. IANNELLI
In 2025, Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a graduating class of 142 students, bringing the school’s total grad count to more than 1,000 over the past decade — including 318 M.D.s.
It’s a milestone worth noting, not least because of how the school got its start.
Prior to 2015, WSU trained its medical students through WWAMI, a University of Washington program encompassing universities in Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho (hence the acronym). In WSU’s view, however, the WWAMI program wasn’t doing enough to ensure that doctors-in-training would ultimately serve the areas in Washington state where they were most needed.
WSU’s only option was to forge its own path for training health care professionals. It was a risky effort that entailed both funding and legislative challenges, but it succeeded under the stewardship of thenWSU President Elson S. Floyd. His legacy would later be honored in the independently accredited medical school’s name.
In line with its unconventional beginnings, the medical school itself was designed with a different philosophy in mind. It’s intentionally community-based, which means that students train in the hospitals and clinics where they might end up practicing.
“Our mission statement is very specific. We talk about tribal nations, rural communities and people who have been historically marginalized, which is not common in [medical school] mission statements,”
says Leila Harrison, the vice dean for admissions, student affairs and alumni engagement at the WSU College of Medicine. “From the very beginning, we’ve been really committed to being aligned with that mission. And that’s because we want to be explicit about what we’re trying to do here.”
That emphasis, at least from a geographic standpoint, is reflected in the student body. The 2025-26 enrollment shows representation from 31 of the 39 counties in Washington state, which translates to future trained health care professionals who are more likely to gravitate back to the communities where they’re most needed.
The school has also since cultivated more than 200 clinical partnerships across the state to develop professional ties that complement the personal ones.
As testament to the school’s success in this regard, Harrison has plenty of anecdotal evidence about newly trained doctors returning to their home communities or setting up a practice in a town that previously lacked a physician. WSU’s in-house data also suggests that things are trending as hoped. Surveys of the 2021 and 2022 graduating classes indicate that 65% of the grads who’ve completed their residency and entered practice did so in state. A smaller but not insignificant percentage of grads are currently practicing outside of Washington but are looking to return.
Jim Record, the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine’s dean since 2023, sees these outcomes as an encouraging but necessary part of ad-
dressing the growing gap between urban and rural health care.
“Some counties in Eastern Washington don’t have a pharmacy. They don’t have a physician. That’s not just a section of a town, that’s an entire county. So when you look at cardiovascular disease, at diabetes, at lifespans, the metrics are worse and so much of that is about access,” he explains. “That’s why we are laser focused on trying to make sure that our design, from our admissions to our curriculum, even into our M.D. training programs, creates that understanding to better serve that population.”
The school is likewise providing more opportunities to prospective doctors. Among WSU Medical School’s student body, over 68% of students received only a single acceptance to medical school — a common phenomenon in this competitive field. Nationally, that proportion is less than half.
Additionally, the WSU College of Medicine can point to some bigleague wins. Over the past 10 years, the school has received a total of more than $176 million in research funding. It’s also among the top 10 community-based medical schools for research funded by the National Institutes of Health, according to data from the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research.
“We took the harder path because we think it’s the right path,” Record says. “It’s aligned with our mission. And we’re seeing results. But we’ll only be truly proud when those health care communities have the same care that everybody else does, so our mission is not yet complete.”
Washington State University President Elson Floyd died from cancer in 2015, the same year the medical school he helped create was founded. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine campus in downtown Spokane. WSU PHOTOS
EDUCATION
Just Another Tool
Artificial Intelligence is making its way into Inland Northwest classrooms; here’s how local and state education leaders hope to use it
BY COLTON RASANEN
While generative AI is now being embraced by educators throughout the state, it was first supported by students looking for ways to cheat, says Betsy Lamb, Spokane Public Schools’ director of learning technology and information systems.
“They would copy their homework [questions] and then just grab the answer and submit it. And of course, the first thing we heard from teachers was ‘Hey, how do we even handle this?’” Lamb says. “Students are fearless, and they will push boundaries, so our job is to stay one step behind — hopefully just one.”
In other words, teachers may never be able to stay ahead of these changes, but they can try to keep up with pioneering students.
By January 2024, the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction released guidance stating that generative AI in Washington schools should be used in a human-centered
way. Though this approach mirrors some of what other states were trying at the time, state Superintendent Chris Reykdal says his office’s recommendations painted a fuller picture.
In OSPI’s framework, titled “Human Inquiry-AI-Human Empowerment,” teachers need to show students how to input precise prompts into these programs for the best results. Afterwards, they need to teach their students to understand what the AI generated, and then how to properly edit it for their work.
“On the front end has to be human inquiry, on the back end has to be human question,” Reykdal says. “If we do that right, I think this technology will land really well, and it’ll be a positive thing. The calculator did not destroy math, and AI will not destroy learning.”
Since then, OSPI has released more resources for how teachers can begin using these tools in their classrooms, along with advice on the ethical considerations for AI use. One of the office’s main concerns is bias. Since AI programs are trained on data that could contain biases or misinformation, it’s important to ensure students are verifying the information they get from it.
With statewide guidance on the table, Spokane’s school district began to work on its own generative AI strategy. Teachers and adminis-
trative staff attend professional development classes, and written guidelines outline how AI tools can be effectively and ethically used in the classroom.
“You have to be really careful about what you put in there, about yourself or anyone else,” Lamb says. “That’s something we have to teach our kids, too.”
Generative AI is also making its way into Idaho schools. In summer 2024, Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield issued a press release titled “Artificial Intelligence in Idaho Classrooms: Friend or Foe?” She described it largely as a friend we need to get to know better.
“I’m in the camp that thinks we can make AI a constructive part of learning,” she said in the June release. “When used appropriately, I believe that AI can be a tool for both students and teachers.”
While the Idaho Department of Education has yet to release statewide guidance like Washington, schools across the Gem State are already using generative AI programs. At the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, teachers in the Coeur d’Alene School District began using Magic School, a generative AI program created for educators.
Longfellow Elementary Library Information Specialist
Joseph Arnhold’s laptop shows an AI lesson plan. ERICK DOXEY PHOTOS
SEPT 26-28 & OCT 3-5
FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY, 10 AM - 5 PM
Photo: Grit & Timber
Photo: Lennar
Photo: Paras Homes
Photo: Brytech
Stats and Trends
HOW EDUCATED ARE WE?
Share of the population (ages 25+) with at least a bachelor’s degree
ALTERNATIVES TO HIGH SCHOOL
Percentage of Spokane County students enrolled in public alternate instruction high school programs
EDUCATION
Every Student, Every Day
Spokane Public Schools is engaging students in activities to combat screen addiction
BY COLTON RASANEN
For years, educators have fought a seemingly losing battle against cellphones for their students’ attention. School districts have faced increasing student disengagement, worsening mental health and chronic absenteeism — problems present even before the pandemic sent students home to learn from computer screens in 2020.
In 2024, Spokane Public School leaders decided to try a few new strategies to tackle the issues. After recommendations from school administrators, the Spokane School Board approved an update to district policies banning student cellphone usage in most cases before the 202425 school year began. That means a phone-free day for elementary and middle school students, while high school students can use them during their lunch and passing periods.
“Our district leaders and school board knew that we had to replace phones with something positive so that students didn’t just end up filling
the void with another negative habit,” Spokane Public Schools spokesperson Ryan Lancaster says via email. “It’s about teaching healthy habits that position phones as useful tools that have a time and place, rather than a mechanism for addiction.”
So in fall 2024, the school district, in collaboration with LaunchNW, an Innovia Foundation initiative meant to support students in their posthigh school education and career ambitions, announced the Engage In Real Life campaign. Otherwise known as EngageIRL, the initiative’s aim is to get every student to try a club, sport, art or other activity outside the school day.
“There are a lot of reasons for this push, but it boils down to a preponderance of research showing how being engaged in out-of-school programs promotes safety, well-being, and health,” Lancaster writes.
Soon after, enrollment in athletics grew and new clubs began popping up in every school, often led by teachers sharing their own passions. Longboarding Club at Sacajawea Middle School. Jump Rope Club at Franklin Elementary. A fly fishing society at Lewis & Clark High School. In total, Spokane students participated in more than 1,000 unique activities during the 2024-25 school year.
Getting students engaged in daily clubs and activities is one strategy Spokane Public Schools is using to get kids off their phones.
SPS PHOTO
THE REACH OF SMARTPHONES
United
EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY...
“The magnitude of the response and the level of interest is really beyond what I think we could have ever imagined,” Spokane Superintendent Adam Swinyard says. “Almost every corner of the community has said, ‘Yes, this is what we should be focused on for our kids, and this is the right goal for us to have.’”
Private schools in the Inland Northwest have varying rules on phone usage during the day, but most prohibit students from using their cell phones during class time. Unlike Spokane Public Schools’ rules for elementary and middle schools, private schools like Gonzaga Preparatory School and Northwest Christian School allow the usage of cell phones during lunch and passing periods. And in Idaho, schools are banning cell phones, too. The Coeur d’Alene School District told its students in early 2025 that their phones need to be turned off throughout the day, while the Post Falls School District only prohibits phones during class time.
RESULTS & NEW GOALS
In its first year, Spokane Public Schools leaders hoped EngageIRL would lead to at least 60% of students participating in an activity. And in most cases, that goal was surpassed. Nearly every grade level saw more than 60% participation, with almost 75% of ninth grade students participating in an activity.
“This past school year we saw better attendance, improved academic performance, fewer behavior issues, closer relationships between students and teachers, and indicators that engaging in real life, in community with each other, is helping kids become healthier physically and emotionally,” Lancaster says via email.
While most grade levels met the district’s first-year goal and are on the way to meeting its 2027-28 goal of 75% student participation, there’s more to be done to engage the district’s youngest students.
“We still have some work to do on some age appropriate factors at the kindergarten and first grade level,” Swinyard says. “There’s a lot of work going into finding different activities and clubs for those elementary students to be engaged in, and our elementary staff and parent groups are doing just an amazing job being creative and thinking outside the box and developing programming for kids.”
Now, as the district prepares to continue its progress in the fight against screen addiction, Spokane Public Schools will also attempt to ensure its students are getting enough sleep at night. Though school officials are still ironing out how this might look over the 2025-26 school year, teachers talked to parents about how important sleep is at back-toschool conferences in August.
“When a student shows up to school with a couple of hours of sleep because they were on their phone all night, they’re not going to be capable of learning in the same way a rested student will,” Lancaster writes.
While teens should be getting about nine hours of sleep each night, Swinyard says many of them are sacrificing that time in favor of a screen at home.
“Kids are getting out of school, they’re going home, they’re getting on a screen, and they’re staying on that screen into the early hours of the morning,” Swinyard says. “So not only did they miss out on that activity that we know is really good for them, it’s also taking away from their sleep. These things are all interconnected. This is about us as a community recognizing what is in the best interest of our kids, for their well being and their growth, and that’s being active after school. It’s getting good rest, so that they can then show up each morning as the best version of themselves.”
Hospice of Spokane offers care and support to patients with terminal illness and their loved ones. Through in-home skilled nursing care, home health aides for personal care, grief and bereavement counseling services, you and your loved one will be assured of the best possible quality of life to the end of life.
EDUCATION
Classroom Challenges
Key takeaways from GSI’s 2025 K-12 public education summit
BY COLTON RASANEN
Early in 2025, Greater Spokane Inc., the regional chamber of commerce, hosted its inaugural K-12 public education summit, where a who’s who of our region’s schools attended, including superintendents, teachers, students and even businesses invested in Spokane’s public education.
“We’re continuing to reinforce the important role that public education plays in our community,” said Adam Swinyard, the superintendent of Spokane Public Schools.
A panel of five local superintendents, including Swinyard, addressed the state of public education in the region. Here are three takeaways.
REQUIREMENTS WITHOUT FUNDING
“Since 2018 our legislators have mandated 77 new requirements in public education. That’s a lot for us as small districts,” Deer Park Superintendent Alexa Allman told the summit audience.
It’s not just an issue for smaller school districts, Swinyard said. Asking any school district to implement a new policy or requirement without the proper time and funding can be challenging.
“Twenty years ago, the list of things a public school was required to do could fit on a page. Now the list of those requirements is a volume,” Swinyard said. “That’s not repudiation of public education, but it’s not sustainable to ask school districts to do more without extra funding.”
STUDENT READINESS
“If you would have asked a kindergarten teacher 10 years ago, ‘Are there any kids in your class that aren’t potty training?’ they would look at you like you’ve lost your mind,” Swinyard said. “If you toured our schools today and you asked that same question, you would hear a shocking answer.”
Over the last decade, school districts have seen students coming into class less prepared than ever before. While part of that can be attributed to the pandemic’s effects on student learning, Swinyard argued that societal issues also impact students in public schools.
“We’re a community that’s struggling with some pretty significant issues around employment security and housing security, and we have challenges with drug and mental health use that are impacting the com-
munity at large, and those things touch kids in a pretty intimate way,” he said. “We don’t pick and choose who we serve, and that’s something we’re really proud of.”
Additionally, that lack of readiness in some areas can be directly connected to a lack of adequate child care. That’s an ongoing issue in the Medical Lake School district, Superintendent Kim Headrick said.
“The West Plains is considered a child care desert. We have over 40% of our families that say that they are currently not accessing early learning at all,” Headrick explained. “So we need to step into that [because] I think that gets kiddos off on that right foot.”
IN SCHOOLS CAMPAIGN
At the end of the January summit, GSI announced a new endeavor: its IN Schools campaign, a five-year effort to help people better understand public schools through workshops and community conversations.
“We’re going to share the real stories that highlight the successes, but also the challenges,” said Lisa Poplawski Lewis, GSI’s vice president of development and partnerships. “Because we all have successes and challenges in our business, and schools are a business.”
At its core, Lewis added that this campaign is meant to push back against any misinformation.
“It’s not uncommon for people to approach me in public and say, ‘I saw something on social media, and I can’t believe you guys are doing that in your schools,’ and it’s like, we don’t do anything even remotely like that,” Swinyard said.
One issue GSI hopes to tackle with this campaign is the bond failures that school districts have experienced, sometimes multiple times, in recent years. By providing educational information to the public, the organization hopes to fight misinformation regarding school funding.
“Tax funding around education in Washington state is super complicated,” GSI’s Vincent said. “We want to demystify some of those things that get in the way of people hearing the K-12 story.
“It’s really important right now to talk about what is good in our institutions if we want them to survive,” she continued. “We want our amazing K-12 schools to innovate and to be strong and to continue to support our kids and create opportunities for our future workforce.”
Spokane Public Schools
Superintendent Adam Swinyard YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
New Flavors
Explore innovative flavors and cuisines at these restaurants new to the Inland Northwest’s food scene BY DORA SCOTT AND ELIZA BILLINGHAM
Be prepared to loosen your buckles a notch or two. With an ever-changing regional food scene, there’s lots of new eateries to dig into. While it’s nice to grab a bite of something delicious, you’re also supporting the vision and efforts of locals who take the risk to open businesses in a challenging industry. From concepts with cultural twists to eateries that highlight tried-and-true dining classics, there’s something for everyone.
LOBBY
BAR and EMPORIUM AT THE HISTORIC
DAVENPORT HOTEL
10 S. Post St.
In conjunction with its 110th anniversary in 2024, one of Spokane’s most iconic venues unveiled a new look that melds seamlessly with its elegant setting. In place of a vast sea of seating in Historic Davenport Hotel’s marble-floored lobby, guests can now encounter the lively circular Lobby Bar and, off to the side of the north entrance, the new Emporium cafe. The updates are so consistent, you might even find yourself thinking, “Hasn’t it always been this way?”
Hotel management took great care updating the first-floor lobby, which is often called “Spokane’s living room” for its welcoming atmosphere. One of the guiding questions throughout the design process, according to Melissa Green,
vice president and area managing director of Davenport Hotels, was how to revitalize the space in a way that suits this moniker.
The new bar does face some competition from the Davenport’s famous Peacock Room Lounge and the Palm Court Grill, which both offer a more sophisticated sit-down experience. Whereas the Peacock Room takes more creative liberties with its cocktails, the Lobby Bar’s focus is the classics.
“We have shareable plates, light options, snack options here at the Lobby Bar with classic cocktails that were available in the 1910s and 1920s. So, classic martinis, French 75, classic Manhattans that are executed flawlessly,” Green says.
If patrons don’t want to commit to a full-size entrée, the Lobby Bar’s small plates offer a broad sampling of the Davenport’s cuisine. From oysters Rockefeller to warm Castelvetrano olives and a classic shrimp cocktail, there are finger foods galore to enjoy while sipping a beverage of choice. The entire menu sends guests back in time with its offerings emulating the Prohibition era.
INDICANA
1020 S. Perry St.
Combining the flavors of India and Mexico, this South Perry District restaurant is the brainchild of Noreen Hiskey, who last ran the local pop-up food vendor Inland Curry, and Chip Overstreet, Spiceology’s former CEO. Plans for the restaurant began two years ago while Hiskey ran Inland Curry’s Thursday pop-up meals out of Feast World Kitchen in downtown Spokane.
Inspired by her husband’s burrito-style way of using paratha (Indian flatbread) to scoop up curry, Hiskey added a taco-inspired dish to Inland Curry’s menu. Longtime customer Overstreet tasted it and thought the fusion could expand into a full restaurant.
After months of testing recipes in her home kitchen with Overstreet, family, friends and other culinary professionals giving feedback, Hiskey says she finally settled on
Award Winning Cuisine
The Historic Davenport Hotel unveiled its new Lobby Bar (above) and Emporium cafe (left) in fall 2024. YOUNG KWAK PHOTOS
Dessert
Food & Drink
NEW FLAVORS...
the menu for Indicana.
“Lunch is much more casual,” says Overstreet, highlighting the tacos that are served on paratha, naan or corn tortillas and hold pork vindaloo, chana masala, chicken tikka or crispy cauliflower battered in a chili-garlic sauce with ginger.
For dinner entrees, find dishes like panseared halibut with chile margarita seasoning, served over a coconut curry, rice and seasonal veggies. Or, the chicken chettinad huarache cooked in Southern Indian spices on a bed of corn masa and served with a side of chipotle salsa and fiesta pulao rice.
The cultural blending extends to Indicana’s drink and dessert menus. Signature cocktails bring the heat, like the spicy mango margarita featuring a habanero tincture. For dessert, Indicana offers a chai tres leches and a flourless Mexican chocolate torte.
Overstreet summarizes Indicana’s unique fusion experience: “Different things resonate with different people. What is most exciting is when people leave they say, ‘I have to come back because there is so much more.’”
SENG’S ASIAN BARBECUE
801 N. Monroe St.
“Have you ever had Korean or Asian barbecue before?”
It’s the first question a hostess at Seng’s Asian Barbecue asks as she seats guests in booths outfitted with built-in tabletop grills and retractable exhaust hoods. Opening in summer 2025 just blocks north of the Monroe Street Bridge, Seng’s offers many diners their first experience with all-you-can-eat, self-grill dining.
“If they say no, then we take the time to explain the process of how everything goes and what they’re anticipating so that they don’t feel uncomfortable,” says Patty Seng, who co-owns
the restaurant with her husband, Joe.
Once seated, a 90-minute time limit for the meal starts, and seven banchan (side dishes) are laid out across the table with plenty other choices to order from throughout the meal, like spicy cucumber, macaroni salad, kimchi and japchae, a Korean glass noodle dish.
The barbecue requires a party of at least two. Guests can choose from 19 standard meats and 22 housemade side dishes to tailor the meal. To accompany these meats, each table gets a tray of sesame oil, brisket sauce and salt, along with two metal tongs. Onion slices dipped in oil are used to season the grill.
After grilling, use kitchen-grade scissors to cut the meat into bite-sized pieces. Diners are encouraged to get creative with wrap combinations, all eaten in a single bite.
Seng’s ala carte appetizer options include dumplings in chili sauce, egg rolls and crispy fried chicken wings. The drink menu also has an Asian flair with signature cocktails that feature mushroom-infused soju, as well as hot or cold sake and imported Asian beers.
The Sengs intentionally classify their restaurant as serving Asian barbecue instead of Korean.
“We knew that we wanted to do a Korean barbecue, but we didn’t want the Korean community to be upset because obviously we’re not Korean,” Patty says. “And I told my husband, ‘You’re Laotian, it would be cool if we just came up with an Asian barbecue so you can incorporate all different kinds of Asian food into the mix and create something that’s very unique.”
At Seng’s Asian Barbecue, customers do the cooking themselves on tabletop grills, allowing them the chance to fully customize the meal from start to finish. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
Food & Drink
“When you think traditionally in Scotland about their hot toddies, it’s a blend of whiskey and tea, right?” — Kathryn Soady, Torra Tea owner ERICK DOXEY PHOTO
MADD CHICKEN TERIYAKI
1520 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene
JEWEL OF THE NORTH 1924 W. Pacific Ave. CŌPOW CAFE
312 N. Fourth Street, Coeur d’Alene
LOCAL FLAVORS
5613 S. Perry St.
B. BOULANGERIE
8214 N. Government Way, Hayden ARABIAN PALACE
4902 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley
DOÑA-MAGNOLIA
11205 E. Dishman Mica Road, Spokane Valley
“Slàinte mhath” (pronounced slawn-java) is Scottish Gaelic for “good health.” It’s the perfect way to cheers a glass of Scotch or a cup of tea.
Thankfully, at Torra Tea, you don’t have to choose between the two. Located in a shopping district off Dishman Mica Road, the Scottish high tea shop features nearly 40 loose-leaf teas and almost as many whiskeys.
There are two ways to order meals at Torra Tea. You can choose from an assortment of small plates, lunch plates or entrees, then pair your own cuppa or cocktail if you like. Plates range from a savory snack of cheese, cherries and nuts or a Scottish oat cake with butter, chutney, and fruit to a sandwich platter or savory pie with salad to bourbon maple short ribs or coddle, a traditional Irish dish with pearl barley, bacon, potatoes, and banger-style sausages.
Or, you can let Torra Tea do the pairing for you, and experience more of the care and thoughtfulness of a prepared tea service.
Each tea service is served with a whole pot of tea, brewed to perfection before it comes to the table. A Pick Me Up service brings out scones, homemade clotted cream, jam, and a choice of fruit kebab or yogurt parfait to accompany the tea of choice. A Sweetie or Savory Night-Cap are charcuterie boards of fruits, cheeses and tasty things to end an evening with.
Afternoon Tea is a three-tiered service with sandwiches, scones and mini dessert pastries. For something closer to a meal,
the Scottish High Tea offers heartier courses with soups and savory pies. It’s all served in a swanky dining room that ditches kitschy cottagecore for more streamlined, gold-gilded glam (look for Frankie, the polished brass deer head).
“When you think traditionally in Scotland about their hot toddies, it’s a blend of whiskey and tea, right?” says owner Kathryn Soady. “So it’s actually turned out to be rather fabulous.”
LEAVEN BAKERY
7 S. Main St., Unit B, Deer Park
Clint Janson initially left his marketing job to continue operation of Deer Park’s beloved Asian eatery, Thai Garden, on Main Street with his wife, Christie. However, the building had extra space that the couple wasn’t quite sure what to do with. (As of our press deadline, Thai Garden still hadn’t reopened.)
“And then my wife reminded me, ‘You know, I’ve always dreamed of owning a bakery.’ She told me that a few years ago,” says Clint Janson, now head baker of Leaven Bakery & Patisserie.
In an epic version of the “honey-do list,” Clint encouraged and helped Christie fulfill her dream, while simultaneously becoming a pastry master in his own right.
“For a year, the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my entire life was trying to perfect croissants,” says Clint, who grew up in Deer Park and had to incorporate his knowledge of the local climate and altitude to perfect Leaven’s baked goods.
To get a taste of Leaven’s most popular items, croissants and cinnamon rolls, be sure to set your alarm to an ungodly hour — especially if you have a decent drive to Deer Park. Many days, these bestsellers are gone before 10 am. Christie, a full-time nurse supervisor, pops in on mornings and days off to make her famous cinnamon rolls. Scones, cookies and a large selection of sourdough bread are also favorites.
Supporting other local businesses is important to the couple: They source their coffee from Wacker Coffee Co., honey from Greenbluff Honey Farm, and flour from Shepherd’s Grain in Palouse.
Leaven is reminiscent of a modern French bakery, with circular marble tables, white tile backsplashes and wrought iron bistro chairs.
“I wanted to bring something that Deer Park could embrace, but that would also elevate what people think of Deer Park,” Clint says. “We are not just this tiny farming community, which we have been forever — and that’s great — but we are also a place where you can go and get really good stuff, and it’s good to be a part of that.”
Turning
dinners into
Food & Drink
DOWNTOWN SPOKANE DINING
NEW FLAVORS...
PURE NORTHWEST
126 N. Division St.
Paying homage to home sweet Washington, Pure Northwest opened in late summer 2024 where the Red Lion pub used to be in downtown Spokane.
The big antique bar and built-in booths are still there, but gone are the darkened windows, the bison head and the Sam Adams banners. Instead, a cascading wall of ivy and hanging planters give the space a refreshing, welcoming vibe.
Not only is the new spot clean and comforting with a cozy patio, but it’s open for lunch in addition to dinner — a food-centric option on a corner that’s typically dominated by drinks and nightlife. For daytime downtown employees, convention attendees or teachers from nearby campuses, an elevated hangout space with affordable sandwiches, smashburgers, shareables like fried pickles and sausage, and spritzes might just hit the spot.
“We’re trying to do something that’s affordable and approachable, so you can actually go out and enjoy your time.”
“We’re trying to do something that’s affordable and approachable, so you can actually go out and enjoy your time out,” says co-owner Darin Talotti. “Your money goes further, so you feel like that was a good time and it’s worth it.”
The restaurant’s happy hour, from 3 to 6 pm daily, reflects that with discounted draft beer, signature cocktails and shareables.
Red Lion frequenters might recognize the Combo Bits in the shareables column — Pure Northwest is not only keeping the pile of tri tip, ribs, blackened chicken and sausage on the menu, but the kitchen is also using their beloved, old-time barbecue sauce recipe on the ribs.
It’s good to be home.
Pure Northwest reenvisions the former Red Lion pub space on a bustling corner of downtown Spokane’s east end. The menu boasts regional ingredients and flavors — and a great happy hour. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
SPOKANE DINING
Susan Shelby Food & Drink
The owner of four Latah Valley-based eateries weighs in on the rewards of the restaurant industry BY
DORA SCOTT
Before Spokane-born restaurateur Susan Shelby had her plate full juggling four food businesses out of west Spokane’s Latah Valley — Latah Latte, Latah Bistro, Wine & Taps, and Shelby’s Burgers — she was a kindergarten teacher teaching ABCs and crafting lesson plans.
She purchased the drive-thru coffee stand Latah Latte and Latah Bistro in 2018 before opening the saloon-style bar Wine & Taps next door in 2020. Originally a real estate office, the space had to be gutted and completely redone. There, patrons can also reap the benefits of its shared kitchen with Latah Bistro.
“The theme has always been ‘Our food is fancy, but your pants don’t have to be,’” Shelby says.
In 2023, Shelby opened Shelby’s Burgers, serving up sizzling smashburgers that had been her go-to quick meal to fix for herself and the bistro’s back-of-house staff. Another location is slated to open at the Spokane International Airport in 2026, serving up the burger spot’s classics but with an emphasis on breakfast.
Local is key to Shelby, and Latah Bistro’s menu is 100% farm-to-table, with produce coming from over 15 different local farms. She also takes advantage of the close proximity of
her four businesses, for instance, using baked goods from Latah Bistro for the coffee stand. Having all her entrepreneurial eggs in the Latah Valley recently presented some challenges when Cheney Spokane Road, leading to Eagle Ridge and Cheney, closed completely for six months last year for construction, causing business to drop by 80% with only diehard regulars making the cumbersome detour.
With the road now back open, Shelby’s four businesses are once again busy, offering unique concepts to suit anyone’s fancy.
INLANDER : What led you to be so passionate about the food industry? Was there a certain source of inspiration or influence?
SHELBY: Yes, for sure. I used to cook with my grandmother when I was little, and I was always the entertainer with raising my kids, and loved cooking and doing fun wine dinners and always learning. One of my dreams still is to go to culinary school, and someday I will do that when the time is right.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in Spokane’s food scene?
Every day there’s a challenge, whether it’s a compressor that’s going out on a refrigerator
SMALL BITES
What’s your favorite item on one of your own menus?
350 Smash at Shelby’s
What’s a restaurant name you considered but didn’t run with? Currently, I’m thinking of renaming Wine & Taps [to] Coyote Creek.
What’s your comfort food?
My favorite thing to make is chicken cacciatore, and I make it with bucatini.
What was the first thing you learned how to cook?
Garbage soup that was from my grandma, Olly, and it was basically clearing everything out of the fridge and turning it into just soup. I was in grade school.
or a freezer, or an employee that needs to relocate and we need to replace that employee, or not able to attain a food product that you really need and you need to source that. Every day there’s challenges having so many different businesses that are very different in their own nature, so different styles, different patronage.
“I love doing something totally different and fun.”
So it’s my first time to get involved with a fast, casual business [with Shelby’s Burgers], so I’ve learned a ton. I learned a lot studying it before entering it. I love doing something totally different and fun, and it’s been a really fun concept to have take off.
Do you get inspiration for your restaurants from traveling?
For sure, and sometimes I can even just travel on social media and look at different concepts and ideas. That’s how the Shelby’s tacos came out… we saw a really cool TikTok deal on them and we were like, “We should try this.” And then they were a hit, and we still have them on the menu. So it can be physically traveling or just looking at what’s out there.
Susan Shelby is building her own local food empire. LESLIE DOUGLAS PHOTO
Local Goods
They say you can’t buy happiness, but these local products will make any foodie smile BY DORA SCOTT
DRY FLY DISTILLING CANNED WINES
Expanding into the realm of wine, Dry Fly Distilling recently released a lineup of four wine-based cocktails for its On The Fly canned drink series that are made in collaboration with winemaker Charlie Wagner. Using natural ingredients, real fruit and Bonanza wine, flavors include: Huckleberry Twist, Jalapeno Margarita, Margarita Mix and Watermelon Squeeze. The huckleberry flavor, for instance, nods to the Northwest using huckleberry syrup, wine and house-made lemonade for tart, sweet sipping. The wine cocktails come in ready-to-drink 12-ounce cans that can be found at the distillery’s downtown location or at select retail partners. Find it: Dry Fly Distilling, 1021 W. Riverside Ave., dryflydistilling.com
KEN’S KREATIONS CANDY
Jumping on the viral craze for all things freeze dried, Ken’s Kreations transforms a large variety of candies into puffy, crunchy goodness. Founder and candy confectionist Ken Hess first dabbled with freeze drying dog treats for his dog who needed low-fat options amid health issues. For fun, he and his partner Sean McCoy experimented with Skittles and never looked back after the wave of social media views they posted of the treat. Find it: Small Biz Shoppe, 808 W. Main Ave., (River Park Square); Egger’s Specialty Market, 5611 S. Perry St.; facebook.com/ kkfdcandy
SCRUMPDILLYICIOUS HONEY
Honey fanatics need look no further than Spokane to find their favorite sweet-but-elevated honey butters and jars of hot honey. Scrumpdillyicious is a small family adventure that aims to close the generational gap with honey products. Versions of its honey butters include regular, cinnamon, jalapeno and cayenne, packed in 4- or 8-ounce containers. For the hot honey, choose a jar infused with locally grown jalapenos, cayenne or habaneros, each building in heat. Add it to pizza, charcuterie boards, cornbread, barbecue… the list goes on. Find it: scrumpdillyicious.buzz
THE HERD 5C BEEF
A local ranch that’s been in the family for four generations, The Herd 5C raises cattle humanely and sustainably to bring the highest-quality beef right to customers’ doors. The ranch offers curated boxes of beef; choose from 10, 15 or 20 ounces packed with premium cuts like ribeye, sirloin and T-bone, to name just a few. If you’re wanting a little bit more of a specific, special cut the ala carte has everything from short rib to tritip. Or, if you want to stock up your freezer, order meat in bulk at 100-, 200- or 400-plus-pound quantities. Find it: theherd5c.com
ing how vendors can sell their goods in the indoor space via publicly accessible fridges even if they’re not working on site that day.
Peak Pickin’s
Find the region’s best produce and more at regional farmers markets — and year-round with the new Scale House Market BY DORA SCOTT
What was once a 50-acre rock quarry in Spokane Valley decades ago and more recently an asphalt plant has gained a new life as a permanent, year-round farmers market called The Scale House Market.
During the market’s grand opening in lateMay 2025, gone were the trucks weighing their asphalt loads at the long “scale house” building. Instead, the 165-foot-long renovated structure was bustling with vendors and farmers, marketgoers filling their baskets with local produce and goods.
ing covers the outside, where the words “Scale House Market” greet visitors in bold red signage.
SCALE HOUSE MARKET
Mercantile (indoors): Sun from 11 am-4 pm; Wed-Thu from 11 am-7 pm; Fri from 11 am-8 pm and Sat from 8 am-2 pm
“[The Scale House] building got left here as one of the remnants, and we had the opportunity to have it torn down, but I always say as good conservationists we find a second purpose with everything,” says Vicki Carter, director of the Spokane Conservation District, which oversaw the project and is now based at the site.
Outdoor Market: Wed from 3-7 pm; Fri from 3-8 pm, Sat from 8 am-2 pm (May-Oct.) More info at thescalehousemarket.com
The Scale House Market’s indoor space — dubbed the “Mercantile” — features original concrete walls from its former use as a weigh station, but its industrial foundations have been dramatically revamped. Ribbed sheetmetal sid-
While most farmers markets are seasonal and require vendors to set up and take down their stalls each day, the Mercantile has space for 35 vendors, a commercial and demonstration kitchen, and dry and refrigerated storage.
“[The Mercantile provides] that permanency and that stability for both you, the consumer, and for the farmer,” says Carter, explain-
Meanwhile, an outdoor market space was built as an extension of the Mercantile, connected by an atrium with large glass roll-up doors, which features space for 20 more vendors and a stage in the light wooden “cubbies” shielded from the weather.
There are vendors who sell typical farmers market fare like produce, but all must offer something related to food. While some sellers are hyper local, others are more regional and located within a 100-mile radius. Carter notes how there is also a focus on including minority and first-time vendors.
On top of having a space to store their products, vendors can reserve the commercial kitchen for cooking and food prep. If there’s a product a vendor wasn’t able to sell and will go bad by the next market day, they can also use the kitchen to extend its viability.
The market operates on a single pointof-sale system, allowing vendors to keep a detailed record of sales and build their bookkeeping system. It’s also cashless, but customers can visit the help desk to load a market payment card using cash.
In an era when food systems seem more fragile than ever, with prices for staples often soaring and other products becoming harder to find, connecting to local supply chains is vital. Winter or summer, rain or shine, The Scale House Market is an agricultural hub where people can not only reliably find ingredients for dinner, but also support local businesses in the process.
The Scale House Market, new in 2025, operates year-round. The model gives regional vendors more opportunities to sell their products; meanwhile, local shoppers can access fresh food even when other local markets are on pause.
spokanetribecasino.com
Food & Drink
INLAND NORTHWEST FARMERS MARKETS
Find fresh produce, food products and other locally made goods every day of the week COMPILED BY MADISON PEARSON AND DORA SCOTT
MONDAY
Hillyard Farmer’s Market, 3-6 pm, early June to late Oct. Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook St., Spokane. hillyardfarmersmarket.org
TUESDAY
Fairwood Farmers Market, 3-7 pm, mid-May to early Oct. Fairwood Shopping Center, 319 W. Hastings Road, Spokane. fairwoodfarmersmarket.org
Global Food & Art Market, 3-7 pm, early May to late July. The Gathering House, 733 W. Garland Ave. instagram.com/globalfoodandartmarket
Moscow Tuesdays Market, 4-7 pm, early June to midOct. Latah County Fairgrounds, 1021 Harold St. fb.com/ tuesdaycommunitymarket
WEDNESDAY
5th Street Farmers Market, 4-7 pm, mid-May to late Sept. Fifth and Front Ave., Coeur d’Alene. cdadowntown.com
Moonshine Artisan Night Market, 5:30-8:30 pm, early June to late Aug. Commellini Estate, 14715 N. Dartford Dr., Spokane. commellini.com/moonshine
Kendall Yards Night Market, 5-8 pm, late May to midSept. West Summit Parkway between Cedar and Adams Alley, Spokane. kendallnightmarket.org
Kootenai Farmers Market, 4-7 pm, mid-May to late Sept. Riverstone, 2151 N. Main St., Coeur d’Alene. kootenaifarmersmarkets.org
Millwood Farmers Market, 3-7 pm, late May to early Oct. Millwood City Park, 9103 E. Frederick Ave. farmersmarket.millwoodnow.org
N.E.W. Farmers Market, 9 am-1 pm, May to late Oct. 121 E. Astor St., Colville. newfarmersmarket.org
River City Market, 5-8 pm, mid-July to mid-Aug. The Landing, 305 W. Fourth Ave., Post Falls. fb.com/rivercitymarketandmusic
Sandpoint Farmers Market, 3-5:30 pm, early May to mid-Oct. Farmin Park, Third and Main. sandpointfarmersmarket.com
Spokane Farmers Market, 8 am-noon, early July to late Oct. Coeur d’Alene Park, 300 S. Chestnut St. spokanefarmersmarket.org
THURSDAY
Perry Street Thursday Market, 3-7 pm, May to Oct. Perry and Tenth, Spokane. thursdaymarket.org
FRIDAY
Athol Farmers Market, 2-6 pm, early May to late Sept. 30230 Second St. atholfarmersmarketidaho.com
Chewelah Farmers Market, 11 am-3:30 pm, midMay to mid-Oct. Chewelah City Park. chewelahfarmersmarket.com
Emerson-Garfield Farmers Market, 3-7 pm, June to late Sept. Emerson Park, 1120 W. Alice Ave., Spokane. market.emersongarfield.org
The Wavy Bunch Night Market & Street Fair, Second Fridays from 5-9 pm, May to Oct. Catalyst Building, 508 E Riverside Ave., Spokane. thewavybunch.com
Spokane Valley Farmers Market, 4-8 pm, mid-May to late Sept. Spokane Valley CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place. spokanevalleyfarmersmarket.org
SATURDAY
Bonners Ferry Farmers Market, 8 am-1 pm, late April to early Oct. Highway 95 and Kootenai St. bonnersferryfarmersmarket.org
The Deer Park Market, First Saturdays from 9 am-3 pm, May to early Oct. Perrins Field, 14 Arnim Ave. thedeerparkmarket.com
Kootenai Farmers Market, 9 am-1:30 pm, midMay to late Oct. Highway 95 and Prairie, Hayden. kootenaifarmersmarkets.org
Liberty Lake Farmers Market, 9 am-1 pm, mid-May to mid-Oct. Town Square Park, 1421 N. Meadowwood Ln. llfarmersmarket.com
Medical Lake Farmers Market, First/third Saturdays from 9 am-1 pm, June to early Oct. Lake St. between Jefferson and Lefevre Streets. instagram. com/medicallakefarmersmarket
Moscow Farmers Market, 8 am-1 pm, May to Oct. Friendship Square, Fourth and Main. fb.com/MoscowFarmersMarket
N.E.W. Farmers Market, 9 am-1 pm, May to Oct. 121 E. Astor St., Colville. newfarmersmarket.org
Newport Farmers Market, 9 am-1 pm, early May to Oct. 236 S. Union Ave. Facebook: Newport Farmers Market
Rathdrum Farmers Market, 9 am-2 pm, late April to Sept. Rathdrum Lions Club, 16114 N. Meyer Rd. fb.com/rathdrumcraftandfarmersmarket
Sandpoint Farmers Market, 9 am-1 pm, early May to mid-Oct. Farmin Park, Third and Main. sandpointfarmersmarket.com
Spokane Farmers Market, 8 am-1 pm, mid-May to late Nov. Coeur d’Alene Park, 300 S. Chestnut St. spokanefarmersmarket.org
SUNDAY
Clayton Farmers Market, 11 am-4 pm, June to Sept. (except during county fair). Clayton Fairgrounds, 4616 Wallbridge Rd. Facebook: Clayton Farmers Market and Small Farm Animals
Food & Drink Wine About It
Two of Spokane’s newest wine bars — Cellar & Scholar and 1919 Wine Cellar — are approachable to newcomers and aficionados alike BY BOB JOHNSON
The Inland Northwest is filled with award-winning wineries, but sometimes you’d prefer to visit a place that has it all, versus the more limited selection of most tasting rooms. If that’s the case, consider these two newly opened wine bars in the Spokane area that boast diverse menus, even educational events and some of the latest industry tech.
CELLAR & SCHOLAR
“Let’s do something with wine.”
Those are the words of Cathy Hand, and “something” turned out to be a restaurant, wine bar and boutique wine shop called Cellar & Scholar, which opened in late 2024 in Spokane Valley. Cellar & Scholar is owned by Hand and her daughter, Justine Recor, both of whom began pursuing sommelier accreditation (and studying together) about six years ago.
“Sometimes in life the timing is just right,” observes Hand, who says both she and her daughter were ready for a career change and something they could do together. Hand was working in the tech industry as a project manager; meanwhile Recor had been working in the hospitality industry in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Today, both Recor and Hand are certified sommeliers. Recor also has a diploma from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, while Hand is a diploma candidate with the organization. In other words, they know their stuff.
After some serious searching, the duo fi-
nally found a location that could accommodate classes for others in the hospitality industry, themed tasting events for the public (check their website for the latest classes and more), a retail wine area for bottle sales, and table-andbar seating for serving plates of high-quality food to accompany wines served by the glass or in flights.
The space itself is bright and open with chic, modern decor: powder-blue walls, plush upholstered chairs in teal velvet and framed portraits of iconic women in music and cinema.
“The intention of flights is to get people curious about wine,” Recor explains. “We have so many ideas for flights,” each consisting of three 3-ounce pours.
The “You Can’t Sit with Us Chardonnays” flight features selections from France, Oregon and New Zealand. The “Snap, Crackle, Pop Crisp Whites” flight includes a dry Riesling from Germany, a Sancerre caillottes from France and a rarely encountered txakolina from Spain.
“We want people to enjoy good wine here and take it home,” says
Justine Recor, co-owner of Cellar & Scholar in Spokane Valley.
YOUNG KWAK PHOTOS
Among the red flights are “La Vite e Bella Italian Favorites,” spotlighting a Valpolicella, a nebbiolo and a Chianti riserva. The “Fresh Princes Carbonic Reds,” meanwhile, features selections from France, Australia and Yakima.
Recor says that naming one’s favorite wine is “a little bit like picking a favorite child,” but she admits that she leans toward Champagne — in particular, “grower Champagne,” crafted by vintners who grow the grapes in addition to making the wine.
“I think they’re much more interesting than the wines made by the big Champagne houses,” she says.
Truffle popcorn is a small-plate option that pairs perfectly with spar kling wine. The food menu also includes a selection of medium plates, including a cheese board. Among the seven big-plate options is whipped feta with spiced chickpeas, tomato, pita, lemon zest and herb oil.
For non-imbibers and/or designated drivers, the drinks menu also
CELLAR & SCHOLAR
15412 E. SPRAGUE AVE., SPOKANE VALLEY
Open Tue-Wed noon-8 pm, Thu-Sat noon-9 pm, Sun noon-5 pm cellarandscholar.com, 509-218-6226
rants, Cellar & Scholar operates its wine shop with retail pricing. Rather than the standard 200% to 300% markup charged by many restaurants, guests there pay what any bottle shop customer would but can also enjoy a bottle on site.
As Recor explains it: “We want people to enjoy good wine here and take it home.”
1919 WINE CELLAR
There’s a new wine bar in East Spokane’s Sprague Union District where technology meets funky, creating an atmosphere that owner Jackie Casey hopes is welcoming to all.
Casey had operated her local franchise of Pinot’s Palette art studio in downtown Spokane since 2014, but she and her aspiring-artist clientele were growing weary of the parking situation. Street parking was limit ed to two hours (less than the length of a class) and nearby lots often charged inflated “event parking” rates.
So, Casey began looking for a new location.
Bonus: She found one with an adjacent parking lot. There was only one catch — the property owner was looking to lease the entire building, not just the rear portion Casey needed for the art studio.
After she found the perfect new space for her Pinot’s Palette painting studio in the Sprague Union District, owner Jackie Casey turned a large connected space into 1919 Wine Cellar.
The Best Escape is Winescape
Food & Drink
WINE
“I toyed with the idea of sub-leasing the front area,” she says, “but I’d always wanted to open a wine bar. So, I figured this would be the time to do it.”
That’s how 1919 Wine Cellar, which opened its doors in April 2025, came to be.
The Pinot’s Palette business model already includes a wine component — helping to create a social atmosphere for participants in its guided painting classes — but that element actually didn’t spark Casey’s wine bar dream.
“I was born and raised in Montana, and after college, my husband and I moved down to Tulsa, Oklahoma,” she says. “I had a friend who told me she had the best job ever; she was a wine rep for a distributor. Her job was to go around to bars and restaurants with bottles of wine and let the owners and managers try them. She talked about how much free wine she got from it. And then she mentioned that they were hiring.”
1919 WINE CELLAR
1919 E. SPRAGUE AVE. Open Sun noon-8 pm, Tue-Wed 4-9 pm, Thu-Sat 2-10 pm 1919winecellar.com, 509-508-1586
Casey applied and got the job, and it wasn’t long before she was enjoying not only sweet rieslings but also dry pinot noirs. The next step encompassed “the big, bold reds,” which she says she loves.
Now, Casey is sharing the love at 1919 Wine Cellar, which consists of a wine bar lined with scalloped black-velvet stools, additional seating for more than 50 guests, a cooler packed with dozens of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, and the piece de resistance: a trio of eight-spigot, self-service Wine Emotion dispensing systems that were made in Italy. The technology incorporated in each machine can keep each bottle fresh for weeks.
“This place is for everybody, even if you don’t drink wine.”
Similar machines have been utilized at venues in nearby Idaho for years, but their use was legalized in Washington only last year, Casey says.
Here’s how it works: A staffer obtains a credit card from a guest to start a tab, then presents them with a 1919 card. The guest scans that card at one of the machines, selects the wine they wish to try, grabs a glass to place under the spigot and selects the size of the pour: a full glass (6 ounces), a half-glass (3 ounces) or a taste (1.5 ounces).
The technology embedded in the special card keeps track of the purchases, ensuring that guests are not overserving themselves. Although the wine bar offers a dozen white, red, rosé and sparkling wines, as well as four rotating draft beers, Casey estimates that 98% of guests so far have opted to use the wine dispensers.
“People are so enamored and intrigued by them,” she says.
Casey adds that while some people are intimidated by wine bars or “think they’re kind of hoity-toity,” that won’t be the case at 1919 Wine Cellar.
“We don’t take it too seriously,” she says. “We turn our music up. This place is for everybody, even if you don’t drink wine. The vibe I’m going for is laid-back. My goal was to make it fun, eclectic and funky, but also cozy and comfortable.”
Food & Drink Bending
to Trends
From high-tech machines to viral treats like Dubai chocolate, here’s where to hop on some major foodie trends BY DORA SCOTT
Late-night scrolling on social media can be dangerous on a hungry stomach, especially when algorithms are flooded with the trendiest and craziest food combos and innovations. Take the latest food trends from your screen to your plate or glass at these Spokane-area food businesses. From self-pour alcohol machines to Dubai chocolate to“bucket” coffee, you’re in for a treat.
AT YOUR SERVICE
For a swanky night filled with smooth, live jazz, step into LE VERRE, a newish wine bar in downtown Spokane (210 N. Howard St.) that resembles an Old Hollywood-style speakeasy. If you’re indecisive, Le Verre’s self-serve wine machine is for you. Create a tasting adventure by choosing from 1-, 3- or 5-ounce pours from a rotating selection of red wines.
A similar concept greeted East Spokane’s Sprague Union District with the opening of 1919 WINE CELLAR (1919 E. Sprague Ave.) in mid-2025. The wine bar (read more on page 85) has a trio of eight-spigot Wine Emotion dis-
pensing systems that were made in Italy and can keep each bottle fresh for weeks. Simply start a tab, get a special card to scan at the machines, select the wine you wish to try, and pour a full glass (6 oz.), a half-glass (3 oz.) or a taste (1.5 oz).
If the self-serve drink concept sounds intriguing, but you’re not much for wine, head to the new GRIFFIN TAVERN in downtown Spokane (1001 W. First Ave.) in the old Brooklyn Deli spot. The new gastropub boasts Eastern Washington’s first self-pour beer wall featuring 16 rotating taps and a few wines. After checking in with a server, customers get a card to tap when making a selection. Priced by the ounce, you can grab a flight of four beers for easy sampling or a full pint of your favorites. Most of the selection is local craft beers.
In South Korean convenience stores, commonly used instant ramen machines have drawn worldwide attention on social media with influencers sprucing up the cheap meal with extra ingredients. One of these videos landed on Lisa Maxwell’s screen, prompting
her and her husband to open a restaurant in Rathdrum, Idaho, called HOT POT RAMEN HOUSE that emulates the experience.
Customers can select from a wall of more than 65 instant ramen varieties. Next, plop the dried noodles into a bowl and select toppings from some mini fridges. Some are free, like green onions and mushrooms, while others cost a bit extra. Check out before cooking, and take your tray to one of five instant ramen cookers. Within five minutes, plus some attentive stirring and mouthwatering anticipation, you’ll have a bowl of deluxe instant ramen.
Also bringing Korean food tech to the Inland Northwest scene is GANGNAM STYLE, which opened summer 2025 in downtown Spokane (411 W. First Ave.) with a menu of Korean street-style food and its owners’ family recipes.
On the end of each table, customers will find a button to request a waiter. Though a common feature in Korean restaurants, it’s an entirely new concept for many Spokanites. Aside from authentic food, the restaurant also brings other tidbits of Korean dining culture with its plastic tissue boxes and its capped plastic water pitchers.
“Once you really get used to it, it’s actually very convenient for both parties involved because I think in your typical American restaurant, you’re always trying to catch their eye to ask for the check or ask for more water,” says Caleb Kim, son of the restaurant’s owners.
Korean-inspired eats arrived in the Inland Northwest in a big way in 2025, including at the new Gangnam Style in downtown Spokane. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
With options ranging from Masselow’s Steakhouse and East Pan Asian Cuisine to Neon Pizza and Fatburger, you can grab a bite—or a huge helping of hibachi—then get back to Vegas-style gaming, big-name shows, and luxury spa services at the Northwest’s largest casino resort.
Food & Drink
BENDING TO TRENDS...
DUBAI CHOCOLATE
With a crisp snap, a thick chocolate bar drizzled in gold and green is broken in half. Creamy pistachio filling oozes out as ASMR social media influencer Maria Vehera dives in for a bite of Dubai chocolate.
The filled chocolate bar was invented by Fix Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai in 2021, inspired by founder Sarah Hamouda’s pregnancy cravings for cocoa but with a nostalgic Middle Eastern twist. While the original is sold only in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, large chocolate companies like Lindt and small businesses alike have created imitations or specials inspired by the trend — many with a hefty price tag. If you’ve been itching to sample this buzzy sweet, try the following local spots.
When Ella and Maximus Piskun, the owners of MIFLAVOUR modern French bakery (3403 E. Sprague Ave.), got an influx of customer requests last year for Dubai chocolate, they were hesitant. But the sheer number of inquiries eventually pushed them to relent with their Dubai chocolate strawberry cups. A 16-ounce cup is loaded with layers of fresh strawberries, warm white or milk chocolate, and decadent pistachio cream filling.
Also dishing out specialty strawberry cups, SWEET MAMA’S opened as a popup vendor in April 2024 and quickly jumped on the Dubai trend. Sweet Mama’s 16-ounce cups include fresh strawberries, melted Belgian chocolate, pistachio cream with crunchy kataifi (shredded phyllo dough), and roasted pistachio chunks on top.
At LEBANON DELI & GROCERY STORE, a Middle Eastern market near the North Division Y (9222 N. Newport Hwy.), owner Yazan “Yaz” Al Azrai dishes out shawarma, gyros, hummus, baklava and other Middle Eastern delicacies. He’s lately constantly blending Dubai chocolate milkshakes.
Al Azrai started making Dubai chocolate bars in October 2024 before deciding to get creative with a milkshake version of the treat. Pistachio cream, vanilla ice cream, and milk are blended together, poured over a layer of the pistachio-kataifi mixture, and topped with cream, Dubai chocolate chunks and edible gold glitter for a presentation that’s almost too beautiful to eat.
BUCKET CUPS
Is there ever a morning when your iced coffee is gone too fast? Or, maybe you’re one of those conspiracists who questions the ice-to-liquid ratio. Well, now you can skip past the usual 12, 16, and 20-ounce cup choices straight to a 30-ounce (or more) bucket?
One of the latest drink trends to spawn out of TikTok algorithms, viral bucket beverages are being adopted by coffee stands across the U.S., and Spokane is no exception. True to the trend’s name, the drinks are served in clear, plastic containers with a single large straw and a handle for easier, um, handling.
MUDSLINGERS (23 N. Freya St.) started slinging 33-ounce buckets for any iced or blended beverages in mid-May 2025. Within the first week selling the bucket-size drinks, over 1,000 were sold. To accommodate those who want a
bucket but can’t stomach the size, the stand also offers a 14-ounce “baby bucket.”
Roll through THE BLVD COFFEE COMPANY’S stand (1127 W. Northwest Blvd.) to get a 34-ounce bucket of any ice or blended beverage. The coffee shop also saw the trend online and introduced it as a summer special in June 2025. Lotus energy drink-based orders have been the most popular for the new large size.
You’re also in luck at the recently opened LUCKY BISTRO (325 S. Sullivan Road) in Spokane Valley, which offers bucket sizes for iced and blended beverages. Its energy drinkbased concoctions are popular with customers. There are 16 ounces of Red Bull in a bucket order, for instance, for those who need more than an average caffeine boost.
MiFlavour bakery hopped on the Dubai chocolate trend in the beginning with its Instagramworthy strawberry cups. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
A Paw-fect Outing
Have a doggie date
on one of these pet-friendly patios in and around Spokane
BY DORA SCOTT
When the weather warms up in the Inland Northwest, it’s time to get out and enjoy all the outdoor dining options. Chances are, your pup feels the same way. But as any pet parent knows, finding spots that welcome four-legged friends can be hit or miss. Thankfully, a 2022 update to Washington state’s health code made it possible for restaurants to open their patios to dogs as long as they meet certain requirements and keep things safe and sanitary. So leash up your pup and sniff out these Spokane-area patios where you’re both welcome to sit, snack and soak up the sun.
(Note: Due to space constraints this is merely a sampling of pet-friendly patios in the area.)
BRICK WEST BREWING
Located on the west side of downtown Spokane, Brick West has a large outdoor patio bordered by a lawn. It’s perfect for a doggy date while you kick back a cold one. There’s ample outdoor seating as well as shade umbrellas if you and your pup need a reprieve from the heat. The patio has water bowls for dogs. 1318 W. First Ave., brickwestbrewingco.com, 509-279-2982
CASCADIA PUBLIC HOUSE
Leashed dogs are welcome on Cascadia’s outdoor patio, which seats around 40 people. It’s also well shaded on the front half and has heaters and firepits for chilly nights. Water bowls are provided for dogs. 6314 N. Ash St., cascadiapublichouse.com, 509-321-7051
DAFT BADGER BREWING
The Coeur d’Alene brewery has a year-round outdoor patio structure that’s heated during the colder months. In summer, a large tent is set up in the parking lot for extra outdoor seating. Water bowls are provided, and you can order a side of turkey or bacon for your pupper. 1710 N. Second St., Coeur d’Alene, daftbadgerbrewingcda. com, 208-665-9892
DANE JOE ESPRESSO
This dog-loving cafe on the lower South Hill has three tables for outdoor, pet-friendly seating and umbrellas for shade. While you get your coffee, order a whipped cream pup cup or the dog bowl with whipped cream topped with dog treats and a peanut butter drizzle. 2819 E. 27th Ave., 509-808-5330
THE ELK
Touting a pub-grub menu for lunch, dinner and a late-night bite, The Elk has a large pet-friendly patio where you’re OK to bring Fido along for the adventure. Water bowls are provided, and the patio is partially shaded. 1931 W. Pacific Ave., 509-363-1973
THE FLYING GOAT
Located in the Audubon-Downriver neighborhood, the Flying Goat allows well-behaved, leashed dogs on its patio, which has about a dozen tables, some under a built-in cover and others shaded by umbrellas. Heaters and firepits make for a cozy outdoor seating experience for patrons and their dogs on cooler days. Water bowls are provided and dog treats are sometimes available. 3318 W. Northwest Blvd., theflyinggoat.com, 509-327-8277
Maryhill Winery owners Vicki and Craig Leuthold helped change a Washington state law to allow pups on patios — as long as certain health rules are met. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
Food & Drink
OUTING...
HOUND HOUSE
As the name suggests, this newer coffee shop in Hayden caters mostly to our furry friends with its stock of dog supplies. However, humans can get a refreshing drink or coffee while they wait for their dog to be groomed at Guardian Angels Grooming in the same building. 10157 N. Taryne St., Hayden, 208-274-5032
IRON GOAT BREWING
Blue awnings and umbrellas provide ample shade on the brewery’s long stretch of patio, which seats about 45 people. Iron Goat also has a puppy photo area with a mural as a backdrop and encourages patrons to share photos on its social media. Water bowls are available on the patio; ask for a free dog treat. 1302 W. Second Ave., irongoatbrewing.com, 509-474-0722
ITALIA TRATTORIA
Fully shaded by a metal patio cover and strung with ambient lights, Italia Trattoria is perfect when your dog is third wheeling on your date night out. With water bowls provided, well-behaved and leashed pups are always welcome. 144 S. Cannon St., italiatrattoriaspokane.com, 509-459-6000
LATAH BISTRO & SHELBY’S BURGERS
When you go to satisfy your hankerings for a smash burger and a milkshake, don’t forget your doggie at home. Shelby’s Burgers’ patio welcomes leashed and behaved dogs, and you can even order a Puppy Patty from the menu that comes without salt or seasonings. Sandwiched between Shelby’s Burgers and Wine & Taps, Latah Bistro’s outdoor patio also invites doggos to join; diners at all three can use the patio, which has around 25 seats with mixed shade options, plus fire pits and heaters. 4241 Cheney Spokane Road, Suite C, 509-838-8338
MARYHILL WINERY
Owned by longtime dog-lovers Craig and Vicki Leuthold, Maryhill Winery’s Kendall Yards tasting room has a pet-friendly patio overlooking the Centennial Trail and Spokane River. Sip on a glass with the comfort of your dog at your side. Be sure to ask staff if there are any treats on hand. 1303 W. Summit Pkwy., maryhillwinery.com, 509-443-3832
NO-LI BREWHOUSE
Relax riverside at No-Li’s award-winning Bier Garden, named one of the country’s best by USA Today. Enjoy pub fare and cold drinks
with your leashed dog, who’s welcome in both the garden and the indoor Bier Hall on the front side of the brewery complex. 1003 E. Trent Ave., nolibrewhouse.com, 509-242-2739
PAWS N BREWS
Living up to its name, Paws N Brews not only has a craft beer and wine bar where you can kick back with your furry pal (they even have healthy non-alcoholic brews for pups), but there’s a fenced dog area with plenty of shade and water. They also offer boarding, daycare and training to boot. 4565 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls, pawsnbrews.com, 208-719-9777
PERRY STREET BREWING
Perry Street Brewing’s patio has long been a popular neighborhood hub. The outdoor eating area wraps around two sides of the
bowls are set out for pet patrons, and their human companions can ask for a free whipped cream pup cup. 315 E. 18th Ave., 509-747-8691
THE SCOOP
The ice cream shop’s lower South Hill location allows leashed dogs on its patio with 10 tables and partial shade from nearby trees. Water bowls and treats are free, but if you want to really pamper your pet, order ice cream made just for dogs. Only available from June to August, it consists of coconut milk, powdered peanut butter, banana and dog treats. 1001 W. 25th Ave., thescoopspokane.com, 509-535-7171
UPRISE BREWING CO.
Since opening in 2022, Uprise has been a go-to for dog owners. The partially covered, dog-friendly patio includes large picnic tables,
building and includes umbrellas and awnings for shade, making it a comfortable spot for you and your pooch. 1025 S. Perry St., perrystreetbrewing.com, 509-279-2820
REMEDY KITCHEN AND TAVERN
This patio’s faux grass and glass-free container usage makes for comfortable paws. There are also free treats and water bowls. Bring your leashed pup for a bite to eat out, or maybe join Remedy’s Pup Club on Tuesdays for happy hour drinks and a chance to meet other dog owners. The space is human friendly, too, with large picnic tables and a covered section with heaters for cold weather. 3809 S. Grand Blvd., remedyspokane.com, 509-443-3730
ROCKWOOD BAKERY
Within walking distance of Manito Park, get your caffeine fix or a little sweet treat at this neighborhood bakery. Leashed dogs are allowed on the patio, marked by metal railings. In warmer weather, awnings are set up. Water
year-round heaters, and an AstroTurf area for lawn games or to simply enjoy the sun with a pint in hand. Ask for dog treats at the bar. 617 N. Ash St., uprisebeer.com, 509-368-9411
VERSALIA PIZZA
You don’t have to grab pizza to go (though you still can) if you’re walking your dog along the Centennial Trail and hankering for a slice. Dine in comfort with your pup at Versalia Pizza’s Kendall Yards location’s covered patio. The Liberty Lake location also has a pet-friendly patio with ample seating. Kendall Yards: 1333 W. Summit Pkwy.; Liberty Lake: 20760 E. Indiana Ave., versaliapizza.com
YAYA BREWING CO.
Separated by stone walls topped with planters, YaYa’s large patio space has a variety of seating options and plenty of sun umbrellas. Leashed dogs are welcome, and water bowls and treats are available. 11712 E. Montgomery Dr., Spokane Valley, yayabrewing.com
Well-behaved doggos like Violet the goldendoodle are always welcome at Uprise Brewing’s expansive patio. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO
24 taps,
Open 7 days a week
Pizza, Wings, Salad available from the onsite Sauced! Kitchen Bingo, Trivia, and pinball tournaments weekly!
Newly updated space with patio and outdoor BrewYard. All ages welcome!
11712 E Montgomery Dr, Spokane Valley, WA
Fleshed Out Options
A guide to the Inland Northwest’s robust vegan food scene
BY ELLIS BENSON
Since going vegan nine years ago, I’ve witnessed all the highs and lows of vegan dining one can imagine. In my darkest hours I’ve had to resort to unseasoned Impossible patties doused in ketchup and wrapped in lettuce. Oftentimes, even when a restaurant advertises vegan food, the only option turns out to be said lettuce-burger. I’ve had some pretty awful food in those nine years, so finding new vegan places is always top of mind. Locally, here are seven spots that make the top of my list.
BOOTS BAKERY & LOUNGE
19 W. Main Ave., bootsbakery.com, 509-703-7223
Boots was the first bonafide vegan restaurant I ever went to. At first, it was overwhelming; I wasn’t used to having this many choices. At Boots, I’ve been able to enjoy dishes I’ve never had before, like biscuits and gravy, “meatloaf” and “fish” sticks. While Boots isn’t a harbinger of all-American delicacies, their menu is pretty geographically diverse. Find dishes such as curried lentils, ginger turmeric rice and German potato salad. If you’re not in the mood for a full meal, Boots also serves cupcakes, cookies and scones. Owner Alison Collins, who frequently serves customers, is contagiously friendly. She genuinely cares about the lives of her customers and goes out of her way to get to know them better.
RÜT BAR & KITCHEN
901 W. 14th Ave., rutspokane.com, 509-241-3165
Living on the South Hill right as RÜT opened in 2019 was pretty exciting. What do you mean there’s an upscale vegan restaurant right next to my go-to grocery store?! Having visited RÜT semi-regularly since it opened, I’ve well-acquainted myself with the ins-andouts of its seasonal menus. My personal favorite dish is their spring spaghetti (unfortunately it’s only available in spring), a pasta dish with a delicious green sauce, oyster mushrooms cooked in miso vegan butter, and walnuts. Also try the Brussels sprouts, wonderfully crispy and plated with pickled mustard seed; and the coco-matcha cheesecake, which has a pecan-date crust that adds both a nutty flavor and fun texture.
PLANT GOSSIP
400 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene; plantgossip.com, 208-618-1237
It can be pretty difficult to find vegan food in Coeur d’Alene. (The lettuce-burger story may or may not be based on past dining experiences in Coeur d’Alene.) After a long day of swimming and soaking up the sun, it’s nice to know that there’s now a health-focused, vegan restaurant nearby that provides everything you need to properly fuel up. In a world where many vegan food options consist of overly processed meat substitutes, places like Plant Gossip are a much-needed refuge. With nutbutter cheesecakes, chia-seed puddings, nut- and seedbased ice cream, and hearty soups, Plant Gossip proves that eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring. The name is pretty fun too — I imagine a haughty asparagus talking smack about texturized vegetable protein. Their dishes also have fun names, such as the Figzilla cheesecake, which packs a punch with dried fig, expresso, cacao, cinnamon and almond.
Great flavor isn’t something vegans have to give up when they head to Boots Bakery in downtown Spokane’s Saranac Commons. LESLIE DOUGLAS PHOTO
DRINK LOCAL NON-ALCOHOLIC
OvenWoodFired
Food & Drink
FLESHED OUT OPTIONS...
ALLIE’S VEGAN PIZZA
1314 S. Grand Blvd., 509-321-7090
& ROTISSERIE
908 N HOWARD STE 102
In The Papillon Building 509-315-5442
outsiderpnw.my.canva.site
LUNCH Wednesday - Friday 11:30 - 2:00
DINNER Wednesday - Sunday 4:00 - Close
Fresh Eats, Local Flavor
Tucked away on Spokane’s South Hill near St. John’s Cathedral, Allie’s Vegan Pizza is exactly that: vegan pizza. The great thing about pizza is that it’s basically a blank canvas. As long as it has dough, some kind of sauce, and a little something else added on, it’s pizza. Allie’s embraces the dish’s inherent diversity, featuring combos like Thai peanut, chick’n bacon ranch, and its signature “Hot Mess” pizza, which comes topped with mac and cheese, onions, ranch, hot sauce, and vegan chicken. Other than its titular dish, Allie’s also serves mac and “cheese,” rice bowls and its “Dad Bod Fries,” a whopping plate of cheesy fries topped with parsley, fry-sauce and a vegan burger crumble.
RED DRAGON
1406 W. Third Ave and 3011 E. Diamond Ave., reddragonspokane.com
Sometimes when there’s a lull in a conversation I like to bring up the little known fact of Red Dragon’s expansive and perhaps unexpected vegan menu. Established back in 1946, Red Dragon is a Spokane staple. With vegan dishes such as sweet and sour tofu, chow mein, and hot and sour soup, you can enjoy all the staples of Chinese-American food while still staying plant-based. The vegan wonton soup is especially good, with just the right amount of umami. If you’ve recently gone vegan and miss some good ol’ classic Chinese food, take a trip to either one of Red Dragon’s locations (downtown and north side). As a bonus, dining inside Red Dragon gives off David Lynch-esque vibes, making for a pretty fun experience.
TACO VADO
1327 W. Northwest Blvd., tacovado.com, 509-290-6221
I wholeheartedly believe that nothing is better on a hot summer day than tacos and lemonade. Featuring a dedicated vegan menu, Taco Vado puts genuine thought and care into providing delicious vegan options. The restaurant’s interior is intimate and relaxed, and its service is especially friendly. It’s always a good sign when a restaurant’s menu gives you a little bit of decision fatigue — Taco Vado has everything from vegan burritos to tacos and salads to pancakes. A restaurant that serves a substantial selection of both vegan and non-vegan dishes makes lunch outings with non-vegan friends and family just a little bit easier.
PATERA TEMPERANCE LOUNGE
1507 E. Sprague Ave., pateralounge.com, 509-906-4973
Committed to having both an all-vegan menu and a completely non-alcoholic drink menu, Patera doesn’t disappoint. Instead of just syrup and soda water mixed together, Patera’s “conscious” cocktails actually use nonalcoholic versions of gin, whiskey and mezcal. With a weekend brunch menu that regularly changes, there’s always something new to try at Patera. The newish eatery utilizes its small-but-mighty space to its advantage, featuring live music, clothing swaps, and a summer market series featuring local artists and vendors.
From fine dining to quick bites, everyone is satisified at Coeur d’Alene Casino’s incredible dining venues. Winning is just the beginning.
Food & Drink Good Ol’ Joe
Get your caffeine fix at these new-to-the-scene coffee shops and stands in and around Spokane
BY DORA SCOTT
BRU COFFEE HAUSE
9803 N. Division St., Instagram: @brucoffeehause
Driving along North Division Street just past the Y, you may have noticed a white silo structure popping off. Instead of grain, though, BRU Coffee Hause holds coffee beans, energetic baristas and plenty of good vibes to go around.
Owner and Spokane native Sigrid Houske fulfilled her dream of owning and operating her own coffee shop when BRU (which stands for “Be the Real You”) celebrated its grand opening in early August 2024. Houske set the goal of starting BRU five years ago, eventually setting her sights on the empty lot where the drive-thru now stands.
Whether you’re a cross-town commuter, a parent chauffeuring kids or checking off a list of errands around town, stopping to get your favorite beverage can add a bit of happiness to a busy day. Next time you’re on the road, (safely) keep your eyes peeled for these new caffeine outposts in and around Spokane.
“I want people to be happier. I want to be more positive. I want people to be more positive and more grateful everyday,” Houske says.
She says she’s fascinated by the psychology of happiness and uses it throughout BRU’s branding with an orange color scheme and even the circular shape of its silo-style building.
“Our eyes are more attracted to round objects like circular shapes,” Houske says. “When our eyes are focused towards that, we actually become happier.”
At BRU, don’t be too surprised when the employees ask you what you’re grateful for that day.
To boot, BRU roasts their own beans. Its most popular drink menu item is the Hause Bru, a mouth-watering amalgamation of white chocolate, caramel, shortbread, vanilla bean and cinnamon powder. Houske perfected the recipe over the last 10 years she’s been working in the coffee industry.
With an abundance of coffee shops and stands in the area, entering a saturated market as a small business owner is no easy feat. However, Houske highlights how BRU has been warmly welcomed by the community.
“There’s just been these coffee stands that have really come together and it’s kind of nice to have a coffee community,” she says.
THE HUMAN BEAN
2503 W. Northwest Blvd., thehumanbean.com
The Human Bean made its acquaintance with the community by dropping off free beverages to businesses and organizations in Spokane ahead of its fall 2024 grand opening.
Local owners Jim and Bridgett Gibson chose to open under the nationwide franchise after learning more about the brand’s coffee, food and customer service model.
Jim Gibson has lived in Northwest Spokane for over 36 years and said in a press release about Human Bean’s grand opening that he’s thrilled to be able to serve the neighborhood.
The drive-thru coffee shop’s location at the corner of Northwest Boulevard and T. J. Meenach Drive resembles a coffee bean with dark brown paint and a lighter brown stripe down its center. The theme doesn’t end there, as customers can expect a sweet surprise — a chocolate-covered coffee bean — placed on top of each drink.
Look for BRU Coffee Hause’s big white silo next time you’re out on North Division past the Y. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
Food & Drink
Since opening, the Human Bean’s most popular seasonal beverage has been its pumpkin java chip. Customers can also craft their custom dream drink from the stand’s large product availability. If you need something to munch on, try a savory offering like the bacon gouda ciabatta.
INDABA COFFEE FLAGSHIP
2020 N. Monroe St., indabacoffee.com
In September 2024, the North Monroe Business District welcomed what Indaba owner Bobby Enslow affectionately calls the “world headquarters” of Indaba — the brand’s new central hub.
After Enslow opened his first shop on West Broadway Avenue in 2009, he opened eight other locations in 15 years. Of them, four are still open, including Indaba’s popular spots in downtown Spokane and Kendall Yards.
“Through Indaba’s history of growth and retraction, it’s taught me that being a smaller operation allows you to have more of an impact on the community,” he says. “You can scale the product, but you can’t necessarily scale the community impact.”
The spacious coffee shop gives Apple-storebut-cozy vibes, and it’s where guests can try Indaba’s most select roasts and food items like bagel sandwiches and pastries from West Central’s Made with Love Bakery. It’s also now the home of all the company’s roasting operations, which Enslow relocated from Spokane Valley.
Here, snag your favorite Indaba classics featuring housemade lemon vanilla or lavender syrups or the ever-popular butterscotch latte with from-scratch butterscotch syrup.
“The secret way to have it is to ask the barista to add a little black salt,” Enslow says. “It takes it from A to A+.”
The new flagship location also provides a space for baristas to take Enslow’s new certification program or for entrepreneurs to participate in workshops focused on opening coffee shops in their own neighborhoods.
1902 COFFEE CO.
11515 W. Sunset Hwy., Airway Heights 1902coffeeco.com
1902 Coffee Co. in Airway Heights may be new to the coffee scene as of October 2024, but the brand is rooted in history.
Owner Gracelynn Stimson pays homage to her great-grandmother Grace by using her birth year as the coffee shop’s name.
“I admire everything that I have heard about my hardworking, passionate, kindhearted and supportive great-grandmother and want to recognize her through my new business,” Stimson says on the business’s website. “I’ve had coffee jobs throughout high school, and I just kind of fell in love with coffee, and I thought it would kind of be a good opportunity to do it myself.”
The beans used at 1902 Coffee Co. are freshly roasted each week at Cravens Coffee
Indaba
Co., which Stimson visited to create a custom blend for her stand. Its top-selling drink is called Tank’s Toddy, a cold brew with salted caramel and cold foam, named after Stimson’s dog.
1902 Coffee Co. also has an extensive food menu that’s loaded with healthier options like protein balls and overnight oats. Or, satisfy your sweet tooth with their baked goods like the cinnamon rolls or muffins.
“I wanted to have a variety just because a lot of coffee stands you go to they only have a few things on the menu for food,” Stimson says, adding that 1902 also has a kids menu.
BREW PEDDLER
802 E. 29th Ave., brewpeddlerpnw.com
Local coffee connoisseurs may already recognize the Brew Peddler name thanks to its unique coffee cart, which has catered local events of all sorts since 2022. Now, those folks can more easily satisfy cravings for Andrew and Elizabeth Tye’s craft coffee as Brew Peddler opened a sit-down shop on the South Hill which celebrated its grand opening in fall 2024.
“We started as a mobile coffee business with our coffee cart as a more affordable way of getting into a brick and mortar, and a way to get that track record of doing business, too,” Andrew Tye says.
Andrew attended the Culinary Institute of America and has worked at a number of fine-dining restaurants. His choice to delve into the coffee industry was partially influenced by Elizabeth, who formerly worked for Ritual Coffee Roasters, a third-wave coffee shop in California’s Napa Valley.
The new storefront has allowed the Tyes to expand Brew Peddler’s food and drink menu. Though they’ve always roasted their own beans, the couple is utilizing connections made with other local food purveyors while slinging drinks at area farmers markets. For instance, all Brew Peddler’s syrups and flavorings are made in-house, like the popular fall flavor featuring kabocha pumpkins from 11 Acres Farm.
Coffee and spices aren’t the only aromas that greet the senses when walking through Brew Peddler’s doors. Your stomach may start growling when you smell a house-made quiche heating up. Brew Peddler’s pastry selection, meanwhile, is largely thanks to Elizabeth.
Spokane-based
Coffee moved its roasting operations in mid-2024 to its sleek new North Monroe flagship location. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
GOOD OL’ JOE...
Food & Drink
Crafty Solutions
As beer’s popularity slows nationally, Spokane-area craft breweries aim to stay ahead of trends
BY COLTON RASANEN AND DORA SCOTT
Though the history of beer is extensive — dating back at least 10,000 years — the last few decades have been a boon for brewing. By 2020, the number of breweries in the U.S. had grown to 9,092, up from 1,566 in 2000, according to the Brewers Association, a national nonprofit focused on U.S. brewers. However, in recent years that growth has slowed.
Since the onset of COVID in early 2020, beer industry sales declined by nearly $20 billion, according to a 2022 study “Beer Serves America” by the Beer Institute, a national trade association. In Washington alone, beer sales decreased by more than $450 million in the same time.
Since the wounds the pandemic inflicted onto breweries nationwide have yet to fully heal, brewers have had to get crafty. There are no onesize-fits-all solutions, but here are a few ways Spokane-area breweries are bucking those beer trends.
MORE THAN BEER
Declining beer sales have been lurking in the shadows for the last few years, but Nick Coons, co-owner of Hat Trick Brewing in West Central Spokane, says it’s been an opportunity for breweries to adapt.
“It just forces us to be a little bit more open-ended in how we approach running our business,” Coons says. “I mean, we can’t focus on
just making beer, there has to be other stuff that you have to offer. Having great food and good other reasons for people to come out rather than just sitting at the bar and drinking beer is important.”
Whistle Punk Brewing’s owner Matthew Hanson agrees: Food of some kind is a must if breweries want to attract more customers.
In Spokane Valley, YaYa Brewing Co. partners with in-house restaurant Sauced! to serve Detroit-style pizza and wings.
“We think our beer is pretty good, and we hope people like it, and we hope they come back for the beer, but we also understand that not everyone is a beer fan,” says YaYa co-owner Christopher Gass. “Within our taproom, we’ve started stocking a variety of wine seltzers and ciders from local cideries here in Spokane.”
NO- & LOW-ALCOHOL
On top of adding other beverages to the menu, breweries are offering more no- and low-alcohol options as Generation Z looks to imbibe less.
“Statistically speaking, [Gen Z] are drinking less than other generations, so the craft beer industry is seeing a little bit of a dip in market share,” says Riley Elmer, head brewer at Uprise Brewing Co.
While there are a handful of nonalcoholic beverages available at many local breweries, such as hop water, house-made sodas and even kombucha, low-alcohol content beers — also called session beers, which generally have less than 5% alcohol — are becoming more popular.
“People gravitate toward low-alcohol because they’re usually kind of bouncing around to different places,” says Matt Gilbreath, co-owner of Humble Abode Brewing.
AN AWARD-WINNING REGION
This one may be a no-brainer, but making quality beer matters, too. In late 2024, a dozen Spokane-area breweries brought home awards from the 11th annual Washington Beer Awards held in November.
Humble Abode took home a first place medal for its signature hazy pale ale, Life Juice (plus other awards); Whistle Punk got third place for its Irish red ale, and Uprise snagged second for its Vienna lager, plus two third place awards. Hat Trick took home two bronze medals, although those winning beers aren’t currently being produced, Coons says.
“Basically, we don’t make the same beer twice, it’s just more fun for us,” he explains. “We like to provide people something new, and it’s something that our guests have come to appreciate about us.”
Other local beer makers that took home awards at the competition include: Big Barn, Brick West, Four-Eyed Guys, Garland Brew Werks, Genus Brewing & Supply, Lumberbeard and Snoweater Brewing Co. Find the complete results at wabeerawards.com.
The accolades didn’t end there, as throughout 2025 even more regional breweries have been recognized in major competitions. One of them is Hayden-based Bombastic Brewing, which took home five medals at the 2025 International Beer and Cider Awards.
Also on the world stage, No-Li Brewhouse’s Wrecking Ball Imperial Stout landed a gold medal at the 2025 World Beer Cup, and the brewhouse’s Squatch Series Imperials swept the podium at the 2025 World Beer Awards in England.
The region is home to local malthouses raking in medals, too. At the 2025 Craft Maltsters Guild Malt Cup, the only international competition of its kind, malts produced by three Inland Northwest-based malthouses — Cascadia Malts, LINC Malt, and Cold Stream Malt and Grain — all took home awards.
Spokane makes a ton of award-winning beer, like at downtown’s Whistle Punk Brewing.
YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
Mealing and Dealing
For a win-win, venture to Spokane-Coeur d’Alene area casinos for delicious bites
BY DORA SCOTT
Casinos draw people near and far to try their luck on the machines and the tables, but you’re sure to win at the restaurants and eateries that offer a diverse selection of cuisines. If it’s a messy bun morning and you need a grab-and-go option, they’ve got you covered. If you’re wanting an excuse to wear that formal gown or that gifted tie, head to one of the fine dining restaurants. There’s everything in between, too, spanning global flavors that are sure to nip any cravings. So take a chance and roll the dice at one of these Spokane-Coeur d’Alene area casinos — the odds are in your favor.
NORTHERN QUEST RESORT & CASINO
100 N. Hayford Road, Airway Heights, northernquest.com
For three meals a day, Northern Quest is an all-encompassing dining destination. From indulging on a fine-dining steak to more casual and quick burgers or pizza, there’s something for every craving and occasion. To boot, there’s LEGENDS OF FIRE, a premium cigar lounge, and the EPIC SPORTS BAR to see all your favorite games on the 30-foot screen.
If you want a selection of high-quality bites and drinks, try THE LOUNGE AT MASSELOW’S, the classy yet comfy fireside hangout. Of the entrées, perhaps the pan-roasted Frenched chicken will call to you, served with Irish champ potatoes, roasted vegetables, a pear pancetta cream sauce and whiskey glaze. If you want to dig into the full MASSELOW’S STEAKHOUSE menu, you’ll find plenty of USDA Prime and Choice options; there’s even a separate vegetarian menu.
Take your tastebuds to Asia at EAST PAN
ASIAN CUISINE, where the menu takes contemporary inspiration from a swath of Asian cuisine. Standouts include the tempura honey walnut shrimp, coated in a creamy glaze, and the vast sake selection and specialty cocktails with an Asian twist like the spiced Thai tea with rum.
COEUR D’ALENE CASINO RESORT HOTEL
37914 S. Nukwalqw St., Worley, cdacasino.com
Get away from the everyday hustle and bustle at Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, where you can also pamper your palate at the resort’s variety of eateries, including the RED TAIL BAR & GRILL, where you can keep up with the live sports action while you grab a bite.
Perfect for date nights or special occasions, book a reservation at CHINOOK STEAK, SEAFOOD & PASTA for a taste of local Northwest ingredients like bone-in ribeye steaks and pan-seared salmon finished in a hearth oven. Feast your eyes and stomach on the baked Alaska for dessert, a thin layer of chocolate cake topped with rotating flavors of ice cream and a house-made meringue that’s torched and lit on fire tableside.
For a casual, quick bite to eat, head to the casino’s newest eatery, EL COYOTE CANTINA. There, guests can build their own tacos and burrito bowls. Or grab a slice or a pie from ARROWHEAD PIZZA.
SPOKANE TRIBE RESORT & CASINO
14300 US-2, Airways Heights, spokanetribecasino.com
Located on the western edge of Airway Heights, the Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino touts five dining options ranging from fine dining to pub grub finger foods to Mexican and Asian eateries.
At the more upscale THREE PEAKS KITCHEN + BAR, take advantage of the Wednesday prime rib dinner special from 4 to 8 pm that includes a 12-ounce, slow-roasted choice prime rib, baked potato, choice of soup or salad, a glass of house wine and a dessert. Or, watch your favorite game at the GRILL & BAR while munching on the Seattle Kraken dog that comes with cream cheese, grilled onion and sliced jalapeños. Then, satisfy that sweet tooth with the funnel cake fries that are tossed in cinnamon and sugar and a strawberry dipping sauce.
MISTEQUA CASINO HOTEL
2555 Smith Road, Chewelah, mistequa.com
The all-you-can-eat weekend breakfast buffet at Mistequa’s CASINO CAFÉ is a great way to start the day. From 8 to 11 am on most Saturdays and Sundays, load your plate with all the breakfast classics from biscuits and gravy to French toast sticks and much more. Check ahead for buffet availability.
The Indian Taco at Coeur d’Alene Casino’s Red Tail Bar & Grill YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
My Cup
of Tea
Want to skip the booze?
Check out these three local tea lounges BY DORA SCOTT
Ordering a mocktail years ago might have garnered second glances, but nowadays nonalcoholic drinks often have a dedicated section on menus. With more and more people opting to skip the booze, Spokane-area businesses have caught on. The following three sober spaces are great when you want to treat yourself to a fancy drink, share a pot of tea with friends and have a chill night out.
PATERA TEMPERANCE LOUNGE
1507 E. Sprague Ave. pateralounge.com, 509-906-4973
If you want a night out on the town and a fancy non-alcoholic drink — preferably one that isn’t just overpriced juice — consider visiting Patera Temperance Lounge.
Located in the Sprague Union District, Patera’s black building features a cheery yellow sunflower that pops out to greet passersby. The mural, painted by artist Desmond Boston, showcases co-owner Annie McGuinness’ love for everything botanical.
At Patera, McGuinness is a one-woman band. She makes all of the bitters and syrups for her plant-based drinks by hand, cooks all of the food and desserts, and is the only one ringing up customers throughout the day.
The bar’s most popular botanical beverage, Lavender Libation, can be served hot or cold upon request, with the cold version served in a coupe cocktail glass and garnished with a lavender sprig. The pale purple concoction includes blueberry elixir, lavender, sage, licorice
root and a coconut cream froth.
A cornerstone of Patera is the selection of hand-blended herbal teas, served in a personal teapot. McGuinness purchases or wildcrafts (picks from the wild) all of the herbs. Even those she purchases have been foraged from the Northwest.
McGuinness’ father suggested the name Patera. She explains how a libation, though commonly used when referring to alcohol, is actually an offering for a deity in Roman culture.
“In Roman culture, a patera is the vessel that those libations are served in,” she says.
The temperance part of the business name alludes to it being a sober space, which encompasses more than sobriety from alcohol. The literal definition of the word means “balance and moderation,” which McGuinness views as applicable to all areas of life.
“I think places like this help people kind of just be more aware of the choices they’re making, and not feel like they are jumping to the other side.”
Patera Temperance Lounge crafts up tons of booze-free cocktails, like the Bula Chai cider, a seasonal drink on the menu when it debuted in late 2024. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
FEB 26 THROUGH MAR 7 2026 SAVETHEDATE
Food & Drink
REVIVAL TEA COMPANY
415 W. Main Ave. and 201 N. First St., Coeur d’Alene, revivalteacompany.com
Things would have been much different if Revival Tea Company’s CEO Drew Henry and his wife, Cerina, stuck with their original business plan of opening a whiskey distillery in Spokane.
After multiple trips to Ireland for business research, the couple decided to pivot. They enjoyed whiskey but as tea-drinkers they saw an untapped market in craft tea.
“Tea isn’t just an alternative to coffee — it’s a category with limitless potential in its own right,” Henry says.
Revival Tea Co. started as an online company in 2018. The Henry’s first brickand-mortar location at 415 W. Main Ave. celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2025. The basement speakeasy-style space — once a bar run by James “Jimmie” Durkin during Prohibition — attracts all sorts of demographics with a shared love of tea.
Revival expanded into an upstairs area, now dubbed the Phoenix Cafe, in early 2023 to offer boba, coffee and cafe food fare like toast and acai bowls. Revival next touched down in North Idaho with its Coeur d’Alene location, also offering a food menu, boba, coffee and tea.
Revival’s tea-based mocktails may have you second-guessing if what you’re drinking is truly nonalcoholic. The Irish Revival, for instance, incorporates chai concentrate, alcohol-free rum extract and simple syrup, topped with whipped cream and cinnamon.
Sipping on a glass of this, or one of the other four mocktail options, in Revival’s bar-like setting offers an excuse to kick back, sip and savor without the buzz.
LUNARIUM
1925 N. Monroe St. lunariumspokane.com, 509-315-5605
For night owls, misfits and creatives alike, Spokane’s Lunarium offers an alcohol-free social haven.
Co-owners and life partners Dorian Karahalios and Aimee Clark started their drink venture as a pop-up in 2021 out of Twenty-Seventh Heaven bakery’s old South Hill location before branching out to their own space on North Monroe Street in mid-2023.
“We felt really deeply that Spokane didn’t have a nighttime place that wasn’t a bar, and so we were trying to kind of feel out if there was interest for a space like that,” Clark says of the pop-up model.
The duo curated Lunarium’s menu to include over 30 tea varieties — not to mention the “secret” tea stash that’s available upon mention.
You can share a larger pot of tea or sip on your own personal-sized pot, including complimentary cream, oat milk and honey by request.
“Part of sharing tea is making it accessible to everyone, without it being pretentious or complicated,” Clark says.
For those who are loyal coffee drinkers, Lunarium also has French press coffee from local Roast House Coffee and Vietnamese coffee from Nguyen Coffee Supply.
While sipping on a tasty beverage, check out one of Lunarium’s many regular events like a comic drawing meetup, collage workshops, fiber arts night, game night and much more.
“We found that we are a tea and coffee place, but more than that, we’re a place for community,” Clark says.
MY CUP OF TEA...
Lunarium is open pretty late, but you won’t find a single alcoholic beverage on its tea-centric menu.
YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
Revival Tea Co. serves tea-based mocktails in its speakeasy-style basement lounge.
YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
Cheers to 10 Years
These Spokane-Couer d’Alene area restaurants have churned out delicious dishes for a decade
BY DORA SCOTT AND BOB JOHNSON
The restaurant industry is famous for its razor-thin margins and intense competition, especially after the strain caused by the COVID pandemic, paired with the unpredictability of ingredient sourcing and customer tastes.
When newcomers open up in the food scene, many cross their fingers in hopes their new favorite eatery will make it past its first year. While the Inland Northwest has many longstanding, family-run restaurant ventures, the following Spokane-Couer d’Alene restaurants recently hit their one-decade anniversary in 2025. Welcome to the 10-year club!
ALLIE’S VEGAN PIZZERIA & CAFE
1314 S. Grand Blvd., 509-321-7090
For diners who newly happen upon Allie’s Vegan Pizzeria & Cafe on Spokane’s lower South Hill, it’s often a surprise to discover the restaurant’s comfort food menu of pizza, burgers and more contains zero animal products.
When former owner Atania Gilmore opened the restaurant in the Nevada Lidgerwood neighborhood in 2015, it was Spokane’s first completely vegan restaurant. After that original location burned in a fire in 2016, the restaurant moved to its current spot on Grand Boulevard.
While Allie’s menu is still focused on pizza, its current owners, Thai and Tanya Lund-Hood, who’ve been vegan for over 11 years, try to liven things up with regular specials.
BELLWETHER BREWING CO.
2019 N. Monroe St. and 5016 N. Market St., bellwetherbrewing.net
When Bellwether Brewing Co. opened its doors for the first time 10 years ago, founders David Musser and Thomas Croskrey veered away from the typical hop-heavy brews, adding honey to create a more malty flavor. Sip on something fresh and fruity like Bellwether’s Millions of Peaches braggot (a hybrid of beer and mead) using black tea, orange, blossom honey and peaches.
With no TVs and an open atmosphere, the brewery seeks to incite great conversations shared over creative pints. (Croskrey has since sold his share in the business to Musser and now operates Emrys Beer & Mead Works in Liberty Lake.)
Allie’s Vegan Pizza — which also serves up dishes like its famous “Dad Bod Fries” — has been a mainstay in the region’s vegan dining scene for a decade and counting. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
GILDED UNICORN
110 S. Monroe St., gildedunicorn.com, 509-309-3698
Nestled beneath the historic Montvale Hotel in downtown Spokane, Gilded Unicorn puts a modern, yet mystical, twist on classic pub fare. Though a decade old, its stone and brick walls and decor will transport you to an enchanted world lost to time.
The menu is inspired by classic homecooked comfort food of the 1950s and ’60s, with dishes like casseroles, crusted haddock and more. As you dine, take in details of the space, from golden unicorn busts to purposefully crooked paintings and chandeliers reminiscent of a medieval hall. In 2025, the restaurant underwent some renovations which included connecting it to the Steam Plant Group’s new restaurant upstairs, the Griffin Tavern.
KAIJU SUSHI & SPIRITS
424 Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene, 208-966-4019
Head down the stairs to Coeur d’Alene’s Kaiju and enter a late-night sushi spot that’s half North Idaho, half lower Manhattan. Local artists’ renditions of Japanese monsters hang on the walls. A seat at the low-lit, high-top sushi bar lets you watch how the rolls get made.
The original rolls have names inspired by monsters, like the Godzilla which features albacore, cream cheese, scallions, avocado and topped with sriracha, spicy mayo and eel sauce. If you’re bored by repetitive meals and cookie cutter menus, Kaiju is a place to be inspired. Anytime you feel yourself falling prey to the fatigue of familiar flavors, treat yourself to a night of sea monsters — and Kaiju’s monster creativity.
PICCOLO PIZZA
21718 E. Mission Ave., Liberty Lake, piccolopizza.net, 509-926-5900
For a decade, Piccolo Pizza’s fiery brick ovens have baked countless Naples-style pies to perfection. Try the classics like the margherita, or the more experimental flavors of the Brasto that incorporates huckleberry barbecue sauce, short ribs, provolone, pineapple and more.
Located in Liberty Lake, the casual and comfortable ambiance of Piccolo’s alongside the high quality ingredients make it a dining destination in its own right, but also perfect for some post-lake fun. Salute with a glass of Italian wine to congratulate this eatery for 10 years of pizza slinging.
REPUBLIC PI
611 E. 30th Ave., republicpi.com, 509-863-9196
Located not too far from Manito Park, Republic Pi has earned its reputation as a South Hill staple with wood-fired pizza, craft beer, local wine and more. The pizza spot is great for those who like to try a bit of everything, too, with shareable pub fare like fire-charred Brussels sprouts, wings and fire-roasted edamame.
Republic Pi (its sister restaurant is the equally popular Flying Goat in northwest Spokane) prides itself on using locally sourced ingredients and makes its dough fresh each day. You can’t go wrong with the classics like the Neopolitan-style pizza, but it also doesn’t hurt to mix things up for your tastebuds with the weekly specials. If you can’t decide, you might as well get two, right?
WISCONSINBURGER
916 S. Hatch St., wisconsinburger.com, 509-241-3083
Every Wisconsinite has their favorite “burger joint,” and many — be they restaurants, bars or bowling alleys — have been in operation for decades, conventional wisdom being that a grill imparts its own unique flavors over time.
For the past decade in Spokane, that burger joint of choice for many has been Wisconsinburger, the recipient of 10 “Best Burger” awards from Inlander readers. As with all things culinary, the idea of the “best” is highly subjective, but here’s what can be said about Wisconsinburger: It’s authentic. At Wisconsinburger, chef Tim Ahern has long been given free rein in concocting what’s called the “Grind of the Week.” Stop by and taste of a decade of burger artistry.
2 LOONS DISTILLERY
3950 Third Ave., Loon Lake, 2loonsdistillery.com, 509-998-0440
If you ever find yourself passing through Loon Lake, about 30 miles north of Spokane, consider taking a moment to visit 2 Loons Distillery. The distillery’s name pays homage to the aquatic loons that inhabit the nearby lake, while also nodding to how owners Trisha Schwartz and her husband, Greg, have worked as a two-person team for the past 10 years.
Their huckleberry Loon Lightning is a customer favorite, and the 20 to 30 gallons of huckleberries that go into each batch are foraged locally. 2 Loons’ whiskey, brandy and bourbon are each stored in charred American oak barrels for around three years.
2 Loons currently only sells its products at the tasting room and nearby at the Lakehouse Bar & Grill, so those interested in trying the Schwartzes’ small-batch spirits will need to head there to taste a decade of passion.
Find carefully crafted small-batch spirits at 2 Loons Distillery near the shores of Loon Lake. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
Wisconsinburger in the South Perry District offers an authentic taste of its Midwest namesake.
ERICK DOXEY PHOTO
Shop
Made with Love
Shops and events around the region
offer ample opportunities to buy local, handmade goods BY AZARIA PODPLESKY
In a world of next-day delivery, buying local, handmade items can seem like an afterthought. But when it comes down to it, we really are spoiled for choice here in the Inland Northwest. There are a number of shops that carry art and goods from local makers, whether that makes up all, or some, of the inventory, and area event calendars are full of markets and pop-up events that celebrate all things handcrafted. Whether you’re looking for something to add a little charm to your home, bring more flavor to your kitchen or simply make you or a loved one smile, area artisans have got just what you need. At these shops and events and others like them, you can feel good about spending a little extra money knowing that you’re supporting a local maker.
SHOPS
LUCKY GOODS AND VINEGAR GOODS
Lucky: 1406 S. Inland Empire Way
Vinegar: 1930 S. Inland Empire Way
At Lucky Goods, shoppers will find a mix of thoughtfully curated vintage and antique treasures as well as locally crafted goods like jewelry, ceramics, soaps and candles. There are also a variety of unique home goods available, like candlesticks and picture frames, to add a one-of-akind touch to your space. There are lots of toys and clothing for little ones, too.
At Lucky’s sister shop, Vinegar Goods, find everything you need to spruce up your pantry, kitchen and home, including sauces, spices, serveware and candles. Both spaces feel like Pinterest boards come to life.
FROM HERE
River Park Square, 808 W. Main Ave., Suite 251
With everything they do, Terrain champions local artists and makers. From Here, the arts nonprofit’s retail store in River Park Square, is no different. The shop showcases more than 70 Inland Northwest artists and makers who specialize in everything from jewelry, home goods and
ABOVE: Lucky Goods in West Spokane’s Vinegar Flats neighborhood offers charming home decor, gifts, handmade goods, clothing and much more in a beautifully curated space.
LESLIE DOUGLAS PHOTO
clothing to artwork, ceramics and items for children and pets.
Makers can often be found working on their craft at From Here, meaning shoppers have the opportunity to not only see artists in action but also pick their brains about their creative process.
THE ARTISANS GUILD
4727 N. Division St., #100C
It’s all about craftsmanship at the Artisans Guild. At the shop, area makers sell 3D-printed products, clothing, crocheted and knitted items, crystals, health and wellness products, jewelry, home goods, art, and more. The Artisans Guild also highlights young artists, a nod to its mission, as owner Kourtney Miller writes on the shop’s website, to “bridge the gap between talented artisans and customers who value the skill, passion and story behind each piece.”
HALLETT’S MARKET AND CAFÉ
14109 E. Sprague Ave. #2, Spokane Valley
In 1978, Joel and Tom Hallett started Hallett Farms with a strawberry and raspberry farm in Otis Orchards. To keep afloat when the fruit wasn’t in season, the pair made candies, like soft peanut brittle. After Joel took over the business, he went on to create more than 120 chocolates and candies. After the Kane family bought the business in 2004, Joel and his wife, Jennifer, taught the family everything they needed to know, and they’ve kept the chocolates coming ever since.
At Hallett’s Market and Café, shoppers can order lunch before buying ready-made gift baskets and boxes, filled with Hallett’s treats as well as products from other regional producers. Or, customize your own and add a personal touch.
THE SMALL BIZ SHOPPE
River Park Square, 808 W. Main Ave., lower level
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Small Biz Shoppe owner Jordan Mitch organized craft fairs with more than 100 vendors. After the peak of the pandemic, Mitch opened the Small Biz Shoppe to give vendors a chance to stay afloat.
Like From Here, the Small Biz Shoppe, located on the lower level of River Park Square, champions local sellers and makers of a variety of mediums. In the shop, more than 130 artisans offer jewelry, fiber art, candles, metal work, 3D-printed items, food and snacks, and even atypical items like scent diffusers.
MULBERRY MARKET CO.
17325 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley
At one time, Mulberry Market really was all about the mulberries. Owner Hannah Carlson got her start selling homemade mulberry jam at farmers markets around her home state of Michigan. She then added soap made by a friend to her booth before eventually becoming intrigued with home decor.
Now, Mulberry Market is a mix of both home decor and handmade items, all curated by Carlson. There are pillows, vases and kitchen items as well as locally made soap, candles, jewelry and artwork. Carlson also offers workshops — on everything from sourdough bread and charcuterie boards to watercolor and stained glass — to help further connect shoppers with the local makers featured on Mulberry Market’s shelves.
Shopping
MANNA
510 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene
At Manna, fine jewelry is the star of the show. The working studio and retail shop features the work of Whitney Shelhamer, who owns Manna with husband Zak. The pair called California home before moving to Yachats, Oregon, in 2016. It was there the first Manna storefront opened. Five years later, the family relocated to Coeur d’Alene and brought Manna with them.
At Manna, shoppers can find bespoke engagement rings, men’s bands, earrings and necklaces. After browsing the jewelry, shop the handcrafted and carefully curated pieces for the home (tea towels, ceramics and tableware, natural cleaning products) and pantry (caramels, hot sauces, cocktail mixer) that Manna offers. There are also goods for little ones and pups.
MOUNTAIN MADNESS SOAP CO.
310 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene
In 2000, Jennifer and Andy Morsell started experimenting in their kitchen to find the perfect soap formula. After they began gifting those bars of soap made with locally sourced ingredients to friends, the pair began selling at craft fairs and farmers markets. Ten years and one move to Coeur d’Alene later, Mountain Madness Soap Company opened its doors. In 2016, the company moved to a bigger location where the couple continue to offer handmade soaps (for hands, dishes, shaving and dogs) as well as bath bombs, shampoo and conditioner bars, face and body products and scented products for the home. With Mountain Madness’s “Buy a Bar, Give a Bar” program, through which they donate a bar of soap for every bar purchased, it’s easy to justify picking up another bar or two.
THE LEATHER WORKS
215 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene
Leather Works founders Mark and Mary Rogers have been working with leather since 1982, when they crafted goods on the floor of their tipi to sell at art fairs. Since then, the business has grown to include a variety of products and a store in Coeur d’Alene. In the shop, artisans craft everything from leather purses and totes, to wallets, journals, and travel bags to sheepskin slippers, mittens, and hats.
HURD MERCANTILE
30 S. First St., Rockford
You might have to brace yourself before entering Hurd Mercantile. The building, which dates back to 1896, contains 8,000 square feet of gifts and home decor as well as antique and vintage treasures. You can also grab an espresso at the mercantile to fuel your shopping marathon.
GOLDEN GEM MERCANTILE
18805 S. WA-27, Rockford
While in Rockford, head 5 minutes down the road from Hurd Mercantile to Golden Gem Mercantile. The store features three departments: coffee, feed and animal supplies, and local artisans. In the latter department, shoppers can find food items like chocolate and hot sauce, coffee-infused skincare items, home decor, candles, and more.
POTTERY PLACE PLUS
203 N. Washington St.
Since 1978, Pottery Place Plus has been setting the example for local artisan markets in the Inland Northwest. This artisan cooperative — comprising over 25 member-artists — is located in the historic Liberty Building
and specializes in handmade fine crafts and art like pottery, fiber art, mixed-media paintings, jewelry and more. Plus, there’s always a member-artist behind the counter, so stop and ask about the wonderful goods they contribute to the nearly 50-year-old Spokane establishment.
EVENTS
33 ARTISTS MARKET
After more than a decade of vending at art fairs and markets, Gwyn Pevonka decided to start her own. Her 33 Artists Market launched in November 2022 and celebrates artists at all stages of their career, from those just getting started to established professionals. The monthly market gives buyers a chance to browse original paintings, graphic design work, silk garments, leather handbags, prints, stained glass, jewelry, ceramics and more. The lineup changes for each event, so you never quite know what you’ll get.
Learn more and find upcoming market dates at 33artistsmarket.com.
COEUR D’ALENE FLEA MARKET
On the second Sunday of the month, from May through October, more than 60 vendors gather at the Museum of North Idaho for the Coeur d’Alene Flea Market. At the market, shoppers can browse a mix of locally made goods, including jewelry, ceramic and wood pieces, and vintage and antique finds, including clothing, furniture and home items. Each market also features live music and a variety of food and drink options. Find information on upcoming markets and more at cdaflea.com
CUSTER’S ARTS & CRAFT SHOWS
For nearly 50 years, Jim Custer Enterprises, founded by Jim and Jennifer Custer and now run by their daughter Cheryl Custer-Branz and her husband, Clint Branz, has brought more than 250 artisans from across the Northwest under one roof during its twice-yearly arts and crafts shows.
At the shows — Christmas (Nov. 21-23, 2025) and spring (March 6-8, 2026), both at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center — shoppers can browse jewelry, hand-thrown pottery, fused glass, woodwork, paintings, metal art, photography, fiber art, soaps, mixed media pieces, candles, seasonal decor and more. Learn more at custershows.com.
Inside River Park Square, Terrain’s From Here storefront stocks a wide range of goods by local artists, designers and other creatives.
ERICK DOXEY PHOTO
BAZAAR AND BRRRZAAR
Twice a year, Terrain takes the feel of From Home and multiplies it by 100, bringing dozens and dozens of local makers to Bazaar and Brrrzaar. These one-day-only marketplaces seek to build connections between creators with buyers, and with most items priced at $100 or less, they make it easy to support local artists.
Bazaar takes over a stretch of Main Avenue in mid-June, while Brrrzaar, as the name suggests, takes place in the winter (Dec. 13, 2025) and gets nice and cozy inside River Park Square. Both events celebrate makers working with all mediums: jewelry, artwork, leather goods, skin care, candles, pottery, home goods and much, much more. Get details at terrainspokane.com.
THE FARM CHICKS VINTAGE & HANDMADE FAIR
In 2002, Serena Thompson hosted a vintage and handmade goods sale in a neighbor’s barn. In the years since, that neighborhood sale has grown into the Farm Chicks Vintage & Handmade Fair, taking over the Spokane County Fairgrounds the first weekend of June.
The fair (June 6-7, 2026) features hundreds of vendors selling vintage and handmade goods. As booths are restocked throughout the weekend, it’s recommended shoppers stop by both days to catch the best finds. Details at thefarmchicks.com.
DOWNTOWN COEUR D’ALENE STREET FAIR
Mixed in with food vendors and commercial businesses, the Downtown Coeur d’Alene Street Fair showcases crafters working in a variety of mediums, including artwork, pottery, jewelry and skincare products. The street fair takes over Sherman Avenue the first weekend in August, alongside Taste of Coeur d’Alene and Art on the Green. More at cdadowntown.com.
SANDPOINT ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR
Every second weekend of August, Second Avenue and Main Street in downtown Sandpoint are home to dozens of artist booths as part of the Arts and Crafts Fair, presented by the Pend Oreille Arts Council. Mediums represented at the fair include ceramics, home goods, fiber and metal work, paintings, glass, photography, jewelry, and wood, as well as a few food vendors.
In its 53rd year as of 2025, fair proceeds support the Pend Oreille Arts Council’s visual and performing arts programs and art education efforts, so you can give yourself permission to shop till you drop. Info at artinsandpoint.org.
Bazaar fills the streets in mid-June.
YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
Farm Chicks fills the fairgrounds the first weekend of June.
KATELYN FOUTCH PHOTO
John Waite Shopping
SPEED ROUND
What’s your favorite comic book series?
I’d say Avengers is my favorite comic book — Avengers has everybody in it.
What’s your favorite thing about downtown?
Just the energy and all of the people.
I’m a big city guy, I love New York and LA, and our little downtown does a pretty good job of being interesting.
Do you have a dream author for a reading or event in Spokane?
Margaret Atwood would still be probably on the top of the list. She is not just a great writer, but also a futurist and a scientist.
What’s your favorite book genre?
I'm still a hard sci-fi guy. I find myself often reading old ’70s and ’80s hard sci-fi and then the new stuff as well.
The owner of Auntie’s, Uncle’s and Merlyn’s weighs in on the novelty of his three stores and business in downtown Spokane
Since first discovering comic books at a yard sale as a kid, John Waite has spent almost 50 years orbiting the realm of comics, entertainment, books and games. Today he’s the owner of three iconic downtown Spokane businesses catering to gamers, readers and all-around curious folks: Auntie’s Bookstore, Uncle’s Games, Puzzles & More, and Merlyn’s Comics and Games.
All three were originally spun out of the Book and Game Company, which opened in 1978 inside the Flour Mill and is where Waite landed one of his first jobs in the mid-1980s. He bought Merlyn’s in 1999, and took over Auntie’s from founder Chris O’Harra in 2016, adding Uncle’s to his portfolio a few years later.
INLANDER : What do you think makes each store kind of special or unique from other stores in Spokane?
WAITE: For Merlyn’s, it’s longevity. Merlyn’s opened in 1980, and we’ve got people
INTERVIEWED BY SUMMER SANDSTROM
that have been coming in here for almost 50 years. It’s like they come here, and they come back with their kids, and they come back with their grandkids. Auntie’s is just a phenomenal bookstore — it always has been — and it started kind of with the Book and Game company in the Flour Mill in 1978.
Those stores are pretty iconic in Spokane, what do you think has made them such a staple?
I’d say all the employees and managers that work here and [at] all the stores really love the stuff. We really do love books, games and comics. We’re into it — we’re into it more than we’re into making money sometimes. We believe in this stuff.
Why is it important to support businesses downtown in particular, and what do you think makes Spokane’s downtown unique?
Downtown is kind of the heart of Spokane, and I love it. I’ve always either lived downtown
— I live downtown now — or I’ve lived close to downtown my whole life. With Riverfront Park and Expo ’74, it’s just kind of the centerpiece of our city. And we have so much nature right here, it’s just amazing. I can hop on my bike and ride 10 minutes and see moose and deer and crazy amounts of animals and nature.
What do you hope to see for the stores in the next few years?
It’s an interesting time. Small business is really getting beat up in America, and I hope people remember that small businesses are [a large percentage] of our economy.
It’s neat when people support local businesses. I love it when people come back and see us again and again and again over the years. Auntie’s in 2028, so three years from now, is going to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Book and Game and Auntie’s. Fifty years for a little business is pretty amazing.
LESLIE DOUGLAS PHOTO
Shopping
Local Goods
Functional ceramics, one-of-a-kind headwear and more quality items made right here in the Inland Northwest BY CHEY SCOTT
NINA PAUL DESIGN CERAMICS
Crafting heirloom-quality pieces from their Mead-area studio, ceramicists Christina Buchenau-Elliot and Dirk Elliot produce a variety of vintage-inspired vessels to display and use as functional artwork around the home. Nina Paul’s pieces each carry a charming antique feeling, like the smooth-sided, Bavarian-style milk pitchers that can both serve drinks or hold fragrant bouquets fresh from the garden. Their pearl series, meanwhile, features bubbly, hobnail-inspired textures that can add interest to any table setting or corner of your kitchen. Nina Paul pieces ($18-$130) are glazed in a hand-dip process, making each truly one of a kind. While the artists offer a selection of their wares online, Nina Paul attends numerous artisan and craft fairs around the region, including the Farm Chicks Show in June. Find it: ninapauldesign.com; Instagram: @ninapauldesign
CHIC SPARROW LEATHER GOODS
While more and more people are ditching handwritten notes for a tablet and stylus or simply their phone’s notes app, there’s still something indescribable about grabbing a simple writing utensil and opening a journal or notebook to a smooth, blank page. To keep your notes and mental musings safe and secure, Chic Sparrow Leather Goods offers a wide range of leather journals and leather book covers, or folios. With inner pockets to stow small items like credit cards or business cards, pen holders and multiple sets of elastic strings inside to hold standard-size journal pages or small books, each cover is multifunctional and sturdy enough to last a lifetime. Chic Sparrow also offers each of its journals or folio styles ($72-$190) in a wide range of colors and leather finishes. Find it: 8108 N. Division St., chicsparrow.com
BEAUCHAMP AND CHASE SOAPS
High-quality, handmade soaps shouldn’t be reserved only for gifts or the guest bathroom. Enjoy some of that special feeling for yourself, and fill your own cabinet with a supply of Beauchamp and Chase’s sumptuously scented bar soaps ($12-$13), all handcrafted in East Spokane. With scent combos like tropical gardenia (the Renee), patchouli, red clove and rhubarb (G.G.), pine, apple and wood (Adieu Pin), the Blackowned company’s creativity far surpasses the average name-brand soaps. Beauchamp and Chase soaps are made from olive, palm and coconut oils to be hydrating as well as refreshing, leaving your hands, body or face squeaky clean and elegantly scented. The local brand also makes bath bombs and offers sample size combos (6/$15, 3/$9) of all its scents. Find it: From Here, 808 W. Main Ave., beauchampandchase.com
HARDWAY GOODS CAPS
A solid hat is a year-round accessory around here. From blocking hot summer sun to keeping you dry during a winter drizzle, hats are more than a fashion statement. But when they check all the boxes — functional, well-made, stylish — what more could you ask for? Maybe locally made and one-of-a-kind, as are all the caps from Lazy Eye Supply, the retail name for Spokane-based Local Knits and Hardway Goods. Having recently moved from downtown to the Garland District, the shop’s production space and showroom is filled with handmade hats ($32-$97) in all sizes and styles (plus hoodies, bags and other small goods). The brand’s most popular hats are made from upcycled Pendleton wool fabrics, and come in styles from traditional snapbacks to retro-inspired bucket hats. Find it: Lazy Eye Supply, 914 W. Garland Ave., localknits.com
Saying Yes Shopping
to the Dress
Inland Northwest brides can find both classic and trendy dresses at the region’s locally owned bridal shops BY AZARIA PODPLESKY
Some brides have known what their wedding dress would look like since years before they were engaged. Others pick up bridal magazines a few months into their engagement and start narrowing down their preferences from the seemingly endless options.
A-line or ball gown? Sleeves or no sleeves? What about the length of the train? Do you want the dress to match the venue, like a flowy dress for a beach wedding, or do you want to defy expectations?
There is a wedding dress for every bride and a bride for every wedding dress, but among a sea of ivory and cream, choosing the perfect dress can seem nearly impossible. Luckily for Inland Northwest brides, local bridal shops can
help, whether they want to keep it classic or make a trendy statement as they walk down the aisle.
Marcella Davis, owner of Marcella’s Bridal, has been designing wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses since 1989, and has operated a brick-and-mortar shop in Spokane since 1999.
To see what wedding dress designers are creating each season, Davis and her team travel to dress markets around the country. After watching runway shows and comparing and contrasting dresses, Davis makes her purchases. The process can be overwhelming, she says, if you don’t do your homework ahead of time.
“Each bride brings her vision and style, and trends simply provide inspiration to create something uniquely hers,” says
“You have to know what’s going to sell in your shop,” she says. “What are the trends? What are people looking for? And we’re buying dresses that won’t even be in the shop for six to nine months.”
From her years of experience, Davis has learned that Spokane-area brides can be found dressing at the extreme ends of the spectrum. There are brides for whom a ballgown can’t be too big and brides who plan to wear a simple dress while getting married in their parents’ backyard, barefoot and with flowers in their hair.
“Spokane is a very interesting melting pot,” she says. “That’s the fun part of what we do, and what we have been doing for so many years, is trying to have a little bit for everybody’s taste because not everybody is the same. But we try really hard to stick with very classic elegance, because at the end of the day, that’s what makes us look like brides.”
For brides looking to include trendy elements into their wedding dress, Davis notes that pearl accents are really popular, as are bows. Satin architectural dresses were big at the markets she attended, as were dresses with detachable sleeves. Pairing a detailed veil with a more simple gown was also a popular look.
Lisa Seher, who co-owns Bridal Collections in Spokane and Cloud Nine Bridal in Coeur d’Alene with her daughter Kaitlyn, also frequents bridal conventions. During recent trips, Seher noticed a lot of clean and simple crepe dresses as well as many that featured a basque waistline, which is a deep V-shape that starts just below the natural waist.
Seher is also seeing a lot of ball gowns, though she says fitted dresses are still popular, too. Like Davis, Seher has also noticed a rise in detachable sleeves.
“You can have one look for the ceremony and then one look for the reception,” she says. “You can walk down the aisle with sleeves, and then snap, snap, snap, they pop off, and you have your party look.”
Seher also carries private labels at Bridal Collections and Cloud Nine Bridal, which means she can give designers input based on what her brides have requested.
Cassidy Worley of Believe Bride.
GARY REISS PHOTO
Shopping
SAYING YES TO THE DRESS...
Cassidy Worley, operations manager of Believe Bride in Spokane Valley, also frequents bridal markets as well as showcases from independent designers to find both trendy and timeless dresses. The Believe Bride team also collaborates with industry groups and designers to anticipate what brides will be looking for in the coming seasons.
“This blend of hands-on market experience and trend analysis ensures our extensive collection reflects the styles and details our brides will fall in love with,” she says.
From recent analysis, Worley anticipates brides looking for their princess moment in satin ballgowns and, like Seher noted, basque waistlines. Romantic florals, in the form of bold appliqués, 3D embellishments and botanical-inspired lace, are also catching the eyes of brides-to-be. For brides looking to do something a little unexpected, Worley notes the rise in popularity of sculptural draping, asymmetrical necklines and bold cutouts, all of which she says blends simplicity with artistic sophistication.
“What makes bridal fashion so magical is its individuality,” she says. “Each bride brings her vision and style, and trends simply provide inspiration to create something uniquely hers.”
Whether a bride is looking for something classic or something that no one has seen before, Davis, Seher and Worley suggest they come to an appointment with an open mind. Seher says some of her favorite brides are the ones who come in saying they’d never wear a sparkly ballgown yet leave with a sparkly ballgown.
“When you are shopping for a wedding dress, be ready to fall in love, because it’s just like falling in love,” Davis says. “It happens when you least expect it.”
The three also encourage brides to bring only their most trusted family and friends to share in the intimate experience of finding a wedding dress. It’s important to remember, though, that the choice is ultimately the bride’s to make.
“Surround yourself with people who know you well, respect your vision and offer constructive feedback,” Worley says. “Their support is invaluable, but remember that the final decision should reflect your heart.” (Additional reporting by Anne McGregor)
Believe Bride stylist Olivia Borden models a dress by Madison James. GARY REISS PHOTO
Turning moments into forever magic.
Photography by Danielle Marie Photography & Mack Lloyd Photography
Weddings
Bringing Dreams to Life
Shopping Slick ’Fits
1889 SALVAGE CO.
2824 N. Monroe St.
Instagram: @1889salvageco, 509-315-4485
Though it may be best known for its eclectic mix of furniture and home decor pieces that can add a cozy, retro flair to any living space, 1889 has plenty of threads mixed into each of its vendors’ artfully arranged spaces. Also find plenty of antique jewelry, accessories and much more spread throughout this charming local store located in the heart of North Monroe’s vintage-centric business district.
CHOSEN VINTAGE
7 W. Main Ave.
Instagram: @chosenvintage509, 509-443-3602
Shoppers could spend hours scouring the racks inside Chosen Vintage and still never see it all. The labyrinth shop is home to more than a dozen vendors of all sizes and specialties, so no matter your style, size or age, you’re likely to find a special piece or two on any given visit. Among Chosen’s long vendor list are established players like Time Machine Workshop alongside numerous up-and-coming pickers who each bring their own particular flair to the lineup.
ISCOTT
Vintage fashion trends are still reaching new heights — here’s where to find a totally unique look locally BY CHEY
n the past decade, the Spokane-area’s vintage scene has exploded, with numerous shops opening that are entirely dedicated to stocking threads and accessories from every major era of 20th century fashion (and a little bit of the early 21st).
The following alphabetical list highlights some of the region’s best curated shops.
BOULEVARD MERCANTILE
1012 N. Washington St. Instagram: @boulevard_mercantile 509-327-7547
For a decade, Boulevard Mercantile’s owners and partner vendors have been bringing local shoppers a carefully curated and ever-changing mix of vintage and antique wares, including loads of unique threads. Boulevard is home to several clothing-focused vendors — Evening Star Vintage, Red Leaf Vintage and Collective Threadz — yet nearly all of its sellers offer racks of frequently restocked fashion from eras past.
Collectors of a certain age know that Collective Threadz on Garland carries the torch for a long-gone vintage trove, Drop Yer Drawers. After moving into the storied spot in fall 2022, Collective Threadz’s partner owners completely rejuvenated the space, filling it with pieces that span the decades, the bulk of which is priced with budget-conscious shoppers in mind. It’s the kind of shop you’ll want to reserve an hour or more for to truly thoroughly search the packed racks for treasures in your size and style.
Cultivated Chameleon co-owners and besties Sarah Washburn, left, and Sarah Wolfe opened their vintage boutique and cafe in early 2025. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO
CULTIVATED CHAMELEON
709 N. Monroe St.
Instagram: @cultivatedchameleon
After too many signs from the universe that their friendship and now business partnership was meant to be, Sarah Wolfe and Sarah Washburn combined their passions for sustainable fashion and food service to open the cafe-shop hybrid that is Cultivated Chameleon in early 2025. With a small cafe counter in the back serving sandwiches, snacks and drinks and vintage clothing, accessories and furniture in the front, shoppers can refuel while restocking their closet with unique finds.
DO IT WITH SOUL
112 S. Cedar St., doitwithsoul.com
With its roots firmly planted in the sustainable fashion realm from the start, Do It With Soul in downtown Spokane’s flourishing West End District is a beacon for fashionable folk who march to their own beat. While treasure seekers can find vintage pieces from all eras, DIWS’s hallmark is a bevy of one-of-a-kind, repurposed and upcycled pieces made from discarded textiles: flannels emblazoned with old T-shirt graphics, out-of-style skinny jeans turned into edgy barely-there mini skirts, and much more.
Located just north of the Monroe Street Bridge, FinnBoy offers much more than its name implies. Yes, owners Darcy Caputo and Bobb Drake collectively specialize in records, barware and books, but step into the northernmost wing of the store to find a whole room of vintage threads. Stocked by multiple local vendors, FinnBoy’s selection boasts tons of worn-in T-shirts, cozy jackets, gently-used shoes and everything else to dress yourself from head to toe.
GAS & GRAIN
504 E. Lakeside Ave. (Suite #8), Coeur d’Alene gasandgrain.com, 208-660-6457
Tucked inside Coeur d’Alene’s historic Rockford Building, a hub for creative entrepreneurs ranging from artists to floral designers, Gas & Grain has a smaller footprint than many of its local counterparts. It makes up what it may lack in size with its upscale boutique-like curation and presentation. Gas & Grain peddles well-worn American workwear along with beautiful vintage jewelry, pins, hats and accessories like unique upcycled totes made from old canvas, feed sacks and other sturdy textiles.
GLOBAL NEIGHBORHOOD THRIFT & VINTAGE
919 E. Trent Ave. global-neighborhood.org, 509-868-0001
After moving in 2019 from its original home on Indiana Avenue to its current and comparatively massive warehouse in Spokane’s University District, Global Neighborhood Thrift added “Vintage” to its name. The move offered the beloved local nonprofit — its mission supports recently arrived refugees via programs like ESL education and job training — a chance to sort out its best vintage garb into a designated department. That space has only expanded exponentially in the few years since, offering treasure hunters the chance to dig for their next favorite fits for a fraction of resale prices.
SHOP LOCAL
Shopping
1011 W. Garland Ave., Instagram: @heat_street New to the Garland District as of spring 2025, Heat Street is a vintage streetwear aficionados’ paradise. Stocked with rare sneakers (both new and vintage), T-shirts, jerseys, hoodies, baggy jeans, hats and more — both from owner Macey Morales’ own inventory as well as a lineup of rotating guest vendors — Heat Street occupies a sleek, modern space with a roll-up garage door out front that complements the shop’s car culture-inspired logo.
STATIC AGE VINTAGE
2814 N. Monroe St.
Instagram: @staticage.vintage New to the scene as of spring 2024, this wellstocked shop in the heart of the North Monroe Business District was founded by longtime vintage aficionados Brandon Martell and BreeAnna Caballero. Rare vintage band shirts flutter from the rafters beneath skylights, giving the space a bright, cheerful vibe. Static
Age stocks plenty of trendy Y2K-era threads, alongside pieces from each decade of the 20th century back to the 1940s, plus a space devoted to vinyl in the shop’s front corner. On nice days, there are often sale racks out front.
TELEPORT VINTAGE + CO.
917 W. Broadway Ave. teleportvintage.com, 509-290-6545
For more than four years now, Teleport has been slinging a plethora of vintage duds from all eras from inside its historic, brick-walled building on West Broadway. Founded by longtime local vintage purveyor Paul Forster, Teleport offers both a wide array of the more rare, collector-worthy pieces (peep the upper walls and rafters for a look at these gems) alongside loads of trendy retro threads that hit hard with the Gen Z crowd. The shop is also known for hosting the annual Teleport Block Party each fall, during which house and guest vendors spill onto the street outside alongside artists,
musicians and DJs for a funky, festive tone.
VEDA LUX / VEDA LUX RELIQUARIUM
1106 S. Perry St. / 114 S. Madison St. vedalux.com, 509-475-1674
The longest-running shop on this list is also the tiniest. Veda Lux in Spokane’s South Perry District has been a fixture since 2010, when owner and vintage proprietress Summer Hightower began letting locals play dress up in her “dollhouse” boutique. Besides vintage clothing from all decades, Hightower also sells handmade statement jewelry and accessories. The shop’s annual Earth Day fill-a-bag sale is one of its most popular events, but the boutique also pops up all over town at events like The Farm Chicks Show, Terrain’s Bazaar and more. As of spring 2025, Hightower expanded Veda Lux’s footprint on an exponential scale with Veda Lux Reliquarium on downtown’s West End inside a historic space next door to Hotel Indigo.
Summer Hightower expanded Veda Lux beyond her tiny South Perry “dollhouse” to the much larger Veda Lux Reliquarium in west downtown Spokane in spring 2025.
CHEY SCOTT PHOTO
Hartfelt Fashion Shopping
Rebel Hart Boutique focuses on sizeinclusive options to make fun fashion more accessible to all BY SUMMER SANDSTROM
“We try to prioritize ordering from other women-owned small businesses and brands you cannot find on Amazon, and we try to create a very unique and diverse curation of products,” says Kodie Hartin. LESLIE DOUGLAS PHOTOS
Fashion serves as a major vessel for personal self-expression, a notion that inspired Kodie Hartin to channel her love of clothes and styling into a business.
Hartin originally launched her Rebel Hart Boutique as an online shop in 2018. She moved her brick-and-mortar location in 2024 in Spokane’s North Monroe Business District inside a former florist shop.
“I was a stay-at-home mom to my two older kids, and I was looking to find my identity after having my kids,” Hartin says. “A lot of the time when you’re looking to find who you are and that identity, it comes from how you present yourself and your interests, and fashion is such a beautiful way to express yourself. I feel like it just fits, and it’s something that ended up happening that I would have never thought to seek out.”
While Hartin has always loved fashion (she recalls her avid interest in trying new trends as a kid, such as Disney Channel-inspired statements like wearing a skirt over jeans) and while her passion continued to grow over time, owning a boutique wasn’t something her past self would have expected.
“Even though I do love fashion and have passion for everything when it comes to styling — the accessories, color pairing and layering — I would have never expected to own a boutique,” she says.
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REBEL HART BOUTIQUE
2218 N. Monroe St. rebelhartco.com
509-919-6673
One of Hartin’s main priorities with Rebel Hart is a commitment to offer a wide range of sizes in all apparel, something that she says isn’t always found at other boutiques. She wants to ensure that she isn’t excluding anyone from being able to come in and find a cute outfit because it’s not available in their size.
Rebel Hart Boutique carries clothing in sizes ranging from XS to 3X, and Hartin has heard from many customers how much this matters. Some shoppers mention to her that they often run into issues finding clothing in their size at other boutiques, often resulting in them mainly shopping for accessories.
“Being able to offer that diverse size range also gives us the ability to create more of a welcoming and inviting environment for everyone,” Hartin says. “We are here for everyone and we’re not catering to a specific size range.”
When walking into Rebel Hart boutique, you’ll find a variety of modern and bohemian tops, bottoms and dresses that are perfect for everyday wear, as well as some pieces for a night out. Hartin says she also carries a number of staple accessories like jewelry, bags, scarves — really any piece that could help to elevate an outfit.
Hartin adds that the boutique sells some gender-neutral pieces as well, ensuring that there are even more options for everyone.
When sourcing items for Rebel Hart, Hartin also aims to feature a variety of local makers and products and goods from other women-owned businesses.
“We love finding local creators and makers that we can do collaborations with,” she says. “We try to prioritize ordering from other women-owned small businesses and brands you cannot find on Amazon, and we try to create a very unique and diverse curation of products to bring to Spokane that are not oversaturated.”
Items like graphic T-shirts and crewnecks are generally sourced from small women-owned creators online.
“I just try to be creative with where we’re getting our stuff and who we’re getting it from, and making sure that
For 76 years, our family’s mission has been to set the standard in rehabilitation therapy and senior living –blending medical excellence with the feel of home.
We are so grateful for the opportunity to make a
impact... in people’s lives and in our community.
Owner Kodie Hartin moved her boutique from downtown Spokane in August 2024 to this charming converted house on North Monroe Street.
Shopping
EVEN MORE BOUTIQUES!
AUDREY’S BOUTIQUE
3131 N. Division St. Instagram: @audreysboutiquespokane 509-324-8612
BIRD & LILY BOUTIQUE
503 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene birdandlilyboutique.com
JEMA LANE BOUTIQUE
11703 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley jemalane.com, 509-321-2330
KATZE BOUTIQUE
1816 E. Sprague Ave. katzeboutique.com, 509-838-5724
LOLO BOUTIQUE
108 N. Washington St., Suite 104 lolospokaneshop.com, 509-747-2867
MARMALADE
308 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene 1170 W. Summit Pkwy. marmaladefreshclothing.com
REVERIE BOUTIQUE
1184 W. Summit Pkwy. shopreverieco.com, 509-473-9341
SIMPLE WILDFLOWER
808 W. Main Ave. (River Park Square) simplewildflower.com, 509-362-6177
SWANK BOUTIQUE
4727 N. Division St. swankboutique.net, 509-655-5007
T-BLUE BOUTIQUE
8134 N. Government Way, Hayden 2027 Main St., Coeur d’Alene 404 Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene Instagram: @tblueboutique
HARTFELT FASHION...
when you come into our shop, it’s not going to be the same thing you’re going to find everywhere else,” she says. Through Rebel Hart, Hartin also strives to give back to the community.
“We’ve got such a wonderful community,” she says. “I think our business model is a bit different, like we take any of our overstock that doesn’t sell and it gets donated to local charities and nonprofits around to help those in need.
“I want nothing more than to be able to use Rebel Heart as a way to help people find themselves and express themselves and love themselves, but then to also continue to invest in our community here in Spokane,” she continues.
“I want nothing more than to ... help people find themselves and express themselves and love themselves.”
Across the board, the goal at Rebel Hart is offering accessibility in Spokane’s boutique scene, ensuring that everyone — no matter their size — can find something cute and stylish to wear.
“I would just want people to know that if they’re struggling to find clothing that they like or clothing that fits them, or if they’re struggling in any way when it comes to their style, that we are here to help them feel better about their styling,” Hartin says. “We’re here to help build their confidence up, and we’re here to just make them feel better about themselves and look cute doing it.”
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Get Lost in a Book
Jupiter’s Eye Book Cafe offers a cozy, calm atmosphere for local literature lovers BY MADISON PEARSON
Morgan Lynch was never actually going to open a bookstore.
She and her husband joked about it for years. They weren’t serious — at first.
The couple would tease and jest each other about “working on the bookstore” every chance they got. But in 2023, things got a bit more serious, and by October 2024 Lynch found herself applying for a business license and leaving her job in graphic design.
looking for.”
The name of the bookstore is twofold. Lynch chose it in part because of the giant storm that rages on planet Jupiter. In the eye of a storm, everything is calm despite being surrounded by chaos. She also took inspiration from The Three Investigators book series’ character Jupiter Jones.
Lynch’s vision for Jupiter’s Eye was always clear: dark academia vibes with touches of ’70s kitsch. She pulls it off with the emerald green walls, raw wood bookshelves and
“There’s a certain amount of coziness to books. They’re great to have a cup of tea with to add an extra cozy modifier. I wanted to create a space like that.”
Jupiter’s Eye Book Cafe is now a very real bookstore, which celebrated its grand opening in January 2025. Lynch says Spokane residents showed up in droves.
“Spokane is kind of hit or miss sometimes,” she says. “But, there are so many little bookish, cute nerds in this town who are ravenous for a cozy little spot. We’ve had folks in here on dates, playing Scrabble, knitting, doing a crossword — just cozy vibes, and that’s exactly what we’re
art in ornate golden frames covering the walls.
Local author Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes book series also inspired the overall business venture.
“His main character leaves her life behind to find family, kindness and a soft, purposeful life,” Lynch says. “It super resonates with me in this era.”
She, too, imagined her future business as a combination bookstore and cafe. A place where people can simply
hang out, eat, drink and enjoy their time together in a comfortable atmosphere.
“One of my all-time favorite hobbies is reading in bars and coffee shops,” she says. “There’s a certain amount of coziness to books. They’re great to have a cup of tea with to add an extra cozy modifier. I wanted to create a space like that.”
The cafe’s menu features food that Lynch describes as “food a Hobbit might eat,” like bread and butter, cheese and crackers, and nuts — all foods that are easy to eat while reading a good book.
Lynch made it a point to source the “heavy hitters” from local places. Jupiter’s Eye’s scones and cookies are from Made with Love Bakery, all of the cafe’s bread is from Twenty-Seventh Heaven Scratch Bake Shop, the coffee is Roast House and she chose Revival Tea Company for cozy cups of tea.
Lynch’s vision for Jupiter’s Eye also includes carrying only certain genres in the store, specifically sci-fi, fantasy and mystery.
With genre labels like “space opera” and “cozy mystery” scattered along the shelves, she tediously curated the book selection to provide her customer base with titles they’ll love.
“I had gone to another bookstore to find the fourth Red Wall book,” she says. “And they didn’t have it because they have a million books. And that’s great when you want a million different books, but I wanted Jupiter’s to be a place that always carried the entire series. We have so many amazing bookstores in here that do what they do so well, but curating the genres was a way for us to find our niche in Spokane.”
Lynch prides herself on being able to talk at length about nearly every book on Jupiter’s Eye’s shelves.
“I love talking about books,” she says. “I’ve handpicked all of these books and learned about all of them so I can help people find exactly what they’re looking for. I want to hear what books they’re excited about as well. Books are sometimes like a lightning rod.”
With plenty of comfortable seating options, natural light, jazz music and tuckedaway spots to dive into a good book, the space is optimal for a quiet day alone or relaxing with friends.
SHOP LOCAL!
JUPITER’S EYE BOOK CAFE
411 W. First Ave.
jupiterseyebookcafe.com
509-816-3942
Jupiter’s Eye has already had visits from numerous local authors, including Baldree, Chris Bieker, Mark Anderson, Charlie Byers and Russel Frans.
Lynch hopes to host in-store events with more local authors, like book launches and even a fireside reading series as time goes on.
“Being read to is so comforting,” she says.
There’s a quote in one of Lynch’s favorite books, A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers, that aptly sums up her vision for Jupiter’s Eye Book Cafe: “We’re all just trying to be comfortable, and well-fed, and unafraid.”
Lynch hopes it becomes a “third place” for those who need a home away from home or simply a place to exist.
“We vote every day with our dollar and our time and our attention,” she says. “And it’s really meaningful to see people choose a brickand-mortar bookstore at the end of the day. I am so appreciative to this town that I love so much for loving me back.”
EVEN MORE BOOKSTORES!
2ND LOOK BOOKS
2829 E. 29th Ave. 2ndlookbooks.com, 509-535-6464
AUNTIE’S BOOKSTORE
402 W. Main Ave. auntiesbooks.com, 509-838-0206
BOOKISHLY HAPPY
2415 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene bookishlyhappy.com 208-765-8596
BOOKTRADERS
907 W. Garland Ave. fb.com/booksrockmysocksoff 509-326-7653
BRUSED BOOKS
235 E. Main St., Pullman fb.com/brusedbooks 509-334-7898
CORNER DOOR FOUNTAIN & BOOKS
3301 N. Argonne Rd., Millwood cornerdoor.com, 509-921-9253
FINN BOY RECORDS, BOOKS & CURIO
620 N. Monroe St. facebook.com/shopfinnboy, 509-315-9946
GIANT NERD BOOKS
607 W. Garland Ave. giantnerdbooks.com, 509-868-0420
851 E. Fourth Ave., Post Falls kindredandcompany.com, 208-457-0403
PAGE 42 BOOKSTORE
3010 N. Crestline St. page42bookstore.com, 509-202-2551
PAPERBOUND BOOKS
107 F St., Cheney paperboundbooks.com, 208-284-0197
THE WELL-READ MOOSE
2048 N. Main St., Coeur d’Alene wellreadmoose.com, 208-215-2265
WISHING TREE BOOKS
1410 E. 11th Ave. wishingtreebookstore.com 509-315-9875
Owner Morgan Lynch opened Jupiter’s Eye to specialize in selling fantasy, sci-fi, romantasy, mystery and similar genres. ERICK DOXEY PHOTOS
Keeping History Alive Shopping
Chris Bovey’s Vintage Print & Neon finds a new, bigger home in a landmark Spokane building BY E.J.
IANNELLI
It’s hard to miss Chris Bovey’s retail space in the North Monroe Business District.
It’s not just that Bovey’s operations now occupy the entire ground floor of the three-story Boulevard Building, a prominent landmark at the busy intersection of Indiana Avenue and Monroe Street.
Nor is it that the side of the building now features a boardwalk-style mural with “Vintage” in a bold, red cursive and “Print & Neon” in tinier block lettering below.
Much more eye-catching, especially after dark, are the incandescent bulbs that chase one another along a rooftop arrow that arcs downward over the brick building’s cornice. Not to mention the glowing, tubular signs that illuminate the shop’s windows and interior.
Then again, eye-catching is precisely the point. Bovey’s new location, to which he relocated his nostalgia-centric business in May 2025, is more than a production house and showcase for his retro prints that pay homage
to Spokane past and present. It’s also meant to indulge his second love: neon.
“I had this neon sign collection in my yard, and I really wanted to combine Vintage Print with some of my signage and actually start a neon museum,” he says.
The neon collection Bovey began at his Medical Lake home — an accumulation he affectionately calls the “Boneyard” — got its start back in 2020 with a sign for Wolffy’s Hamburgers that was bound for the junkyard.
SHOP LOCAL!
chanics of it. You hear the buzz. If you look up close you can see the neon dancing on some corners,” he says. “It instantly brings this feeling of nostalgia and romance back to whoever’s looking at it.”
In keeping with Bovey’s preservationist bent, the new Vintage Print & Neon has many vestiges of its earlier incarnation.
The flashing rooftop arrow, the wall of rectangular prints, the merch, the central printmaking equipment and even some of the signage have all made their way down from his first location, opened on Garland Avenue in 2022. Facing a shortage of space and higher rent, he opted to move.
“We can actually display our shirt designs, which I’ve never been able to do before,” he says. “It’s always been just on a rack. So allowing those designs to breathe is huge.”
Alongside the T-shirts are mugs, cards, stickers and even old-school novelty items like gag faucets and bug candy that Bovey suspects still hold a mischievous allure for the young at heart.
“My hope is that as soon as you walk through the door, you’re just going to be blown away, like, ‘Oh my gosh. Look at this, look at that, look at that.’”
VINTAGE PRINT + NEON
1905 N. Monroe St. 509-443-5275
Open Tue-Sun 11 am-5 pm
Etsy: Vintage Print NW
In time, he added more pieces from local landmarks: An 8-foot pizza slice from Boston Pizza. The avian logo of the now-defunct Blackbird Tavern. Italian Kitchen’s caricature chef, whose iconic flipping pan was static until Bovey restored motion to it.
“It harkens back to a simpler time, you know what I’m saying? You can hear the me-
Bovey plans to share that sense of nostalgic fun more broadly. He’s envisioned renting out the space for after-hours events, and is working toward making the Spokane Neon Museum a reality. Based on the response, the public is eagerly picking up what he’s putting down. The shop’s grand opening drew about 500 guests.
“It was packed,” Bovey says. “We had a line around the door waiting to get in. Everyone seemed to love it. They were taking pictures, and a lot of gratitude was expressed for saving the signs.”
Liz and Chris Bovey moved Vintage Print & Neon to the corner of Monroe and Indiana in mid-2025. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
At Chaise & Home, find handpicked decor from furniture to wall art to make your home undeniably unique
BY SUMMER SANDSTROM
Looking to spruce up your home, perhaps by adding some pops of color? In the market for fun, decorative pieces to infuse your personality into your place? Or considering replacing your furniture with some new items?
Chaise & Home, which opened in September 2024 in the Garland District, serves as the retail space for owner Wendy Nolan’s interior design company, 509 Design.
“When we moved our studio to the Garland area, we saw there was a lot of foot traffic,” Nolan says.
“We decided to open our doors to the general public, and we opened the decor store and custom home furnishings just kind of as a separate branch.”
Nolan says that her love for interior design sparked at a young age, when she was 13 years old taking home economics classes that focused on design and architecture.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in Salt Lake City and working in commercial design at architecture firms for a number of years, she transitioned to residential design, opening 509 Design in 2015.
While 509 Design focuses on design projects for individuals’ homes, Chaise & Home has a designer on staff who can help shoppers find the right pieces for
their specific aesthetics and goals.
“We show how people can incorporate color and really push them beyond what their limits might be in terms of combining patterns, colors and textures,” Nolan says.
Chaise & Home has a variety of items, including antique furniture, pillows, side tables, glassware, lanterns and much, much more.
SHOP LOCAL!
CHAISE & HOME
815 W. Garland Ave. 509.design/509designshop 509-795-1858
“We try to provide things you don’t normally see anywhere else in town,” she says.
Nolan wants the store to feel welcoming and inviting to all.
“You’ll come in and you’ll see some really high price point items, but we’ve mixed them in with some lower cost items, and we try to do that on our projects, too — not everything has to be the best or the most expensive,” she says. “When you have good quality foundational pieces, you don’t notice that you might have skimped on the end table that’s not superb quality or something that was made by a craftsman, but I think it blends well and it helps the budget stretch further for clients.”
Chaise & Home in the Garland District offers home decor pieces for a range of budgets and styles.
WENDY NOLAN PHOTOS
EVEN MORE HOME DECOR & FURNITURE!
THE BOHEMIAN
12019 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley thebohemianspokane.com
509-496-1859
THE CURATED COTTAGE
915 E. Hawthorne Road thecuratedcottageco.square.site 509-514-1977
DESIGN FOR THE PPL
125 S. Stevens St. designfortheppl.com 509-864-6638
LAKESHORE DECOR
2402 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene, lakeshoredecor.com 208-762-5069
LUCKY GOODS
1406 S. Inland Empire Way Instagram: @luckygoods_company 509-321-7230
MADISON HOME
2826 N. Ruby St. madisonhomenw.com 509-325-1815
MEADOWBROOK HOME FURNISHING
309 N. First Ave., Sandpoint meadowbrooksandpoint.com 208-255-2824
MIX IT UP - HOME
305 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene mixituphomeandgift.com 208-930-0001
PLEASANTRIES
823 W. Garland Ave. shoppleasantries.com 509-720-8572
RUNGE FURNITURE
1319 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene rungefurniture.com, 208-664-2131
SPOKANE
FURNITURE COMPANY
1901 N. Division St., 509-328-1229 16413 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley, 509-474-9904 spokanefurniture.com
THE TIN ROOF
1727 E. Sprague Ave. tinrooffurniture.com 509-535-1111
VINEGAR GOODS
1930 S. Inland Empire Way Instagram: @vinegargoods 509-315-9005
WALKER’S FURNITURE & MATTRESS
15 E. Boone Ave., Spokane 14214 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley 7224 N. N. Government Way, Dalton Gardens 210 Bonner Mall Way, Ponderay walkersfurniture.com
WHITAKER FAMILY FURNITURE
2801 N. Monroe St. whitakerfamilyfurniture.com
509-242-3623
The Bohemian’s Danielle Golay. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
You are a Museum Person.
Join the creative and curious at the MAC—the Inland Northwest’s art and culture museum.
Patti Warashina - 1940 Rome Series Portrait #8
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Emily Somoskey Art, Young Kwak Photo
Creative Circuit
Communities throughout the Inland Northwest embrace art through free, festive art walk events
BY CARRIE SCOZZARO
Even in communities where there are few, if any, art galleries, museums or other conventional exhibition spaces, artists and arts supporters the world over have adopted and adapted the concept of an art walk.
Art walks might occur monthly on a specific day, such as Spokane’s “First Friday,” or less frequently, such as during Sandpoint’s summerlong celebration of art. It’s typically free and very festive, with pop-up exhibitions in places that commerce in anything but art: restaurants, banks, retail shops, even public spaces.
While the focal point of an art walk is obviously art and getting to know the creatives behind the work, additional benefits contribute to the popularity of art walks, which can be tailored to fit any size or type of community. There is a potential economic boon of increased visibility and foot traffic, not only for artists and hosting venues, but also for surrounding and related businesses. And as a social event, art walks can contribute to a shared sense of purpose and overall sense of place.
CHEWELAH
Art walks take several forms in the small Eastern Washington town of Chewelah, which in 2019 became the second Washington State Arts Commission certified “creative district” because of its abundant arts-related events and organizations. For example, the nonprofit Chewelah Arts Guild formed in 1999, and the town’s Performing and Cultural Arts Center opened in 2008 (it became Chewelah Center for the Arts in 2018).
When Nondis Taylor and Tim Nielsen opened Trails End Gallery about 10 years ago, they simultaneously launched regular art openings on the first Thursday of every month. In addition to Trails End Gallery, frequently participating venues in the monthly art walk include Quartzite Brewing Co. and Yale Press.
From April through November, visitors to the town 45 miles north of Spokane can discover more art during First Thursdays at the pop-up Spotlight Gallery inside the Aaron Huff Memorial Cultural Center.
Learn more at visitchewelahwa.com/to-do/arts-andculture.
HILLYARD
Similar to Chewelah, Spokane’s Hillyard neighborhood in August 2025 joined 20 other Washington State Arts Commission-certified creative districts. To that end, organizers launched a Hillyard-centric art walk during summer 2025. Visitors on the third Thursday of the month to Hillyard’s historic Market Street corridor were able to experience a handful of pop-up galleries, artist-led window displays, live music and other family-friendly happenings.
“It’s been really well received, and our team is currently planning creative programming beyond the summer pilot,” says Jaydra Erchul-Johnson, marketing and communication representative for Hillyard Creative District.
Visit hillyardspokane.org to learn more and find out what’s in store for 2026.
MOSCOW
In Moscow, Idaho, a community art walk has been a seasonal staple since 2004, occurring on the third Thursday of the month from October to June. Up until 2025, the city’s arts department ran the monthly art walk, including the season finale in June, when Moscow’s Main Street was transformed into a street fair.
In 2026, however, the Moscow Chamber of Commerce + Visitor Center will be at the helm of this popular event, with exciting plans to continue the tradition of showcasing the region’s wide range of artistic talent. Visit moscowchamber.com for updates.
Terrain’s gallery on North Monroe Street showcases regional artists each month, unveiling the art during Spokane’s First Friday Art Walk. For August 2025, the gallery featured Emily Somoskey, whose work is shown here.
YOUNG KWAK PHOTOS
Arts
CREATIVE CIRCUIT...
COEUR D’ALENE
Art walk in Coeur d’Alene also has gallery-based roots.
In 1997, founder Steve Gibbs opened The Art Spirit Gallery on Sherman Avenue, hosting artist receptions on the second Friday of the month. Within 10 years, Gibbs had relocated the gallery to its current home, also on Sherman Avenue, and worked with the Idaho Commission on the Arts to form Coeur d’Alene’s nonprofit Arts & Culture Alliance. Its formation, according to current Arts & Culture Alliance executive director Abby Light, gave rise to the Lake City’s Second Friday art walk enjoyed year-round.
Find artwork at numerous long-running art spaces including The Art Spirit, Coeur d’Alene Galleries, Emerge Gallery, and the Rockford Building of artist studios. Regular pop-up locations include the Human Rights Education Institute, Mountain Madness Soap Co., Mix It Up Home and several real estate firms.
“We’re lucky in that you can walk it all in seven blocks,” Light says.
Visit artsandculturecda.org for a map of participants, including venues hosting live music.
PALOUSE
The Palouse is both a picturesque agricultural region of more than 4,000 square miles and a town in Whitman County of the same name, population hovering around 1,000. While the rolling hills of the Palouse have inspired many an artist over the years, the town of Palouse has hosted 21 years of its monthlong June art walk.
Roughly 25 to 35 artists participate, says Shandra Bohn, president of the Palouse Arts Council and the art walk event coordinator. Anyone who has a strong connection to the Palouse is welcome, she says.
On the third weekend in June, the council also facilitates a pop-up gallery in the Palouse Community Center, including a silent auction for its “Spark an Artist” program. Using proceeds from work donated by participating artists, the program awards money to one middle-school-age and one high-school-age student residing in the Palouse/Garfield area.
“The artists really like that because they know anything they’ve donated goes back to the student,” Bohn says.
Head to palouseartscouncil.org to find out more.
PULLMAN
Pullman experienced epic flooding in early 2025, as one of its three rivers otherwise celebrated in the small city’s annual 3 Forks River & Arts Festival forced the cancellation of the popular mid-May gathering. Undeterred, the Downtown Pullman Association partnered with Pullman’s Chamber of Commerce and Greystone Gallery to celebrate the arts another way, with an art walk hosted by 18 downtown venues.
The 2025 art walk was so successful, according to the association’s executive director, Bobbie Ryder, that when the 3 Forks River & Arts Festival returns in May 2026, it will include some version of a Pullman art walk.
Find out more about both events at downtownpullman.org.
SANDPOINT
The region’s longest-running local art walk is in Sandpoint and dates to 1977, according to Pend Oreille Arts Council (POAC) visual arts coordinator Claire Christy. In 1986, the POAC took over running the summer-only event, in addition to hosting First Friday art exhibitions in the POAC gallery.
The 2025 season was typical, Christy says. It featured around two-dozen venues throughout a handful of downtown streets, and well over 100 artists. The largest crowds converge on opening night, although the art is on display from mid-June through the end of August.
“The businesses that [participate in art walk] all kind of do their own thing,” ranging from live music to wine tastings and serving food, says Christy. “There’s a lot going on that night.”
Visit artinsandpoint.org for details.
SPOKANE
Sandpoint’s art walk might be the oldest, but Spokane’s is the largest, especially if you include both the official and unofficial array of participating venues.
First Friday Spokane is the official name of the monthly event specific to the 80-block area served by the Downtown Spokane Business Improvement District. Formed in 2003, First Friday Spokane is a collaboration between Downtown Spokane Partnership and Spokane Arts. Look for art at galleries such as Entropy, Trackside Studio, and Terrain, as well as non-art-centric venues: Bistango Martini Lounge, The Missing Piece Tattoo Studio and the Symons Block Building. Visit downtownspokane.org/first-friday to see monthly participant lists and more.
Some arts organizations dovetail their events to coincide with Spokane’s First Friday, including Queer Art Walk in June. According to Spokane Arts program director Jeremy Whittington, the popular city-wide event uplifting LGBTQ+ voices is being retooled for 2026, with support by Spokane Pride and Visit Spokane. For that and other updates about Spokane Arts programming, visit spokanearts.org.
In addition to First Friday, many Spokane businesses and arts venues both inside and outside the downtown business improvement district throw open their doors on the first Friday of the month. February and October are especially jam-packed months, but to stay current with art walks in Spokane — and throughout the Inland Northwest — check the Inlander’s online community events calendar at Inlander.com/events for an ever-changing and comprehensive list of new places to add to your creative circuit.
Visitors enjoy art at Mix It Up Home in Coeur d’Alene as part of the city’s monthly Second Friday Art Walk.
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Local Goods
Fabric creations, whimsical collages and more art made right here in the Inland Northwest BY MADISON PEARSON
THE GRAIN MILL
Spokane local Connor Kelly is reviving ancient vessels, one piece of wood at a time. In technique, material and finish, each of his collections is inspired by ancient cultures and histories. While the hand-turned pieces are stunning in form, they’re also functional. Kelly uses a lathe to carefully carve each vessel to match its ancient counterpart. In his Symposium Collection, he showcases forms commonly found at ancient Greek gatherings where conversation was fueled by the consumption of wine. One piece called a kyathos ($125) is a ladle-like form used for scooping and pouring wine from one vessel to another. Along with the stunning wooden replications, Kelly also dabbles in origami, creating pleated vases from paper. The vases range from about $40-$100 and are decorated using metallic paints. You just might not believe they’re actually made from paper. Find it: thegrainmillspokane.com
SEWTROPOLIS
There are few skills as useful and powerful as sewing, and Nikol Gianopoulus uses her powers for good. Gianopoulos opened Sewtropolis as a brick-and-mortar store in Minneapolis in 2009, but found herself living in Spokane in 2023 and wanting to continue her business. She now sells quirky fabric creations through her Etsy page called Sewtropolis, a nod to her Greek heritage. With items ranging from handmade quilts ($450-$850), tote bags ($30$60), fabric trays ($35) and made-to-order tiny fabric birds ($15), Gianopoulus’ creations toe the line of functional objects and works of art. Each item is handmade on one of her many sewing machines; each stitch contains a huge amount of care and thoughtfulness. Find it: etsy.com/shop/sewtropolis; Instagram: @sewtropolis
STINKO STUDIOS
What’s life without a little fun and whimsy? Stinko Studios has perfected the art of collage by making unique and poignant art using various images from magazines and other sources. Originally started in New Orleans, but calling Spokane home since 2020, Stinko’s surreal compositions force viewers to take pause and analyze each vibrant element. Each collection is psychedelic in its own right, but features a common theme. The Keepers collection showcases a few different made-up cryptids, while the Ultra Babes collection is a study of the female form, but not how you’d expect. You can purchase prints of Stinko collages, or you can wear the art loud and proud on shirts, bags, sweatshirts and even stickers. However you decide to display your Stinko collage, be ready to talk about your new conversation starter.
At first glance, Sarah Rose’s adorable creepy-crawly creations might elicit an “aww” or two, but the meaning goes deeper than just some cute bugs riding bicycles. Rose decided to marry her passion for art with her passion for sustainable modes of transportation by drawing various insects riding their bikes as a way to promote a less car-dependent population. If you’ve ever wanted a print of an earthworm riding a skateboard, a frog on a unicycle or a couple of ground mantids riding a tandem bike, Rose is your gal. Prints range from $12-$20 depending on size and stickers start at just $1.50 for a single bug and go up to $22 for 10 large stickers. Rose’s work might be cuteness overload, but it’s the perfect way to remember to break out your bike every now and then!
Darya Pilram hopes to fortify the region’s creative economy by founding designated creative districts, starting in Hillyard INTERVIEWED BY MADISON PEARSON
Before Darya Pilram found herself living in Spokane, she’d lived in Nashville and Kyoto among other far-off places for her career in counterterrorism. After an artist residency in traditional Japanese kintsugi pottery repair, she realized she’d like to work with creatives. She applied to the Economic Recovery Corps, a nationwide program dedicated to activating regional economic development across varying sectors, and was selected as one of 65 fellows — and one of just two dedicated to boosting creative economies.
In the past year she’s been living in the Inland Northwest, Pilram has spearheaded several projects in the Hillyard neighborhood, as well as some in Coeur d’Alene. We chatted with her about her vision for Spokane’s creative economy, the state of arts, and her career leading up to her current focus.
INLANDER : How exactly did you end up here in Spokane?
PILRAM: I joined a very unique program called the Economic Recovery Corps, and it turned out to be a really spectacular career pivot.
While living in Japan, I realized that artists and creatives not only have a different way of framing problems, but they have a way of influencing change that was really different than what I had experienced before. That’s when I knew I wanted to work with creatives.
I applied to the corps and was matched into Spokane, specifically for the creative economy program. I spent my whole life out chasing bad guys and trying to understand really complex networks, but more importantly, being dropped into really unfamiliar places and building up coalitions of people and professionals and trying to move everyone toward a common outcome quickly, so this job was the perfect fit for me.
What projects have you been working on as part of your job now?
Initially, they asked me to come in and establish creative districts. The creative district
SPEED ROUND
What’s your favorite thing about Spokane so far?
I’m originally from California, so the four seasons. You get a chance to reinvent yourself here every new season.
What’s our region’s best-kept creative secret?
I think it’s that Spokane doesn’t have just one type of creativity that you can engage with. We have film, culinary, fashion, ceramics, fiber arts, fine arts and so many theater groups.
What’s something you hope to see happen in your field in the next 3-5 years?
I would really like to strengthen our regional ties. Spokane can kind of present itself as an island out here, and it’s not. We’re very close to Montana and Idaho, those state lines really don’t matter from a creative perspective.
“It feels like a very scarce moment where resources are competitive, but actually, if you combine ideas, you can unlock so much more.”
program takes places just like Hillyard — historical business districts that need a little bit of a boost — and works with folks to figure out how to develop it into a thriving place.
When I first came to Spokane, I spent time in West Central and East Central, in the Garland District and [in Hillyard]. You have to have a coalition of the willing. The community has to want it. When I came into Hillyard, the neighborhood was ready. They feel like a leftout part of the city.
We have a list of 10 projects, and we’re working through it. There’s a big mural that went up on the Kehoe Building, we’re installing bike racks, and there’s going to be a sculpture garden. And we’ve started a Hillyard Third Thursday similar to First Friday in downtown Spokane. I’ve also been hosting a gathering of artists called Creative Mornings.
What’s it like to work in the arts at this specific moment in time?
It feels like a very scarce moment where resources are competitive, but actually, if you combine ideas, you can unlock so much more. The Grim Reaper kind of flew over us during the DOGE scare, but we made it through and are continuing on.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
MYRTLE WOLDSON CENTER PRESENTS Complexions Contemporary Ballet | October 10
Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra Gil Shaham | February 10
Urinetown: the Musical November 6-9
Music & Lyrics by Mark Hollman Book and Lyrics by Greg Kotis
MYRTLE WOLDSON CENTER PRESENTS Take 6 | April 18
Image courtesy of Ballet Hispánico. Image: Joseph Sinnot
Tiny Treasures
Mickelle Farnsworth’s paintings may be small, but each is filled with detail BY MADISON
PEARSON
Bigger isn’t always better. It’s something Spokane artist Mickelle Farnsworth discovered after years of making art.
Growing up, Farnsworth was exposed to all the traditional mediums in school art classes, but took a particular liking to watercolor. She thought about studying art in college at Brigham Young University, but earned a degree in landscape management instead while continuing to make art as a hobby. After encountering miniature art shows in Provo and an art gallery specializing in tiny works in Washington, D.C., and finding herself inspired by the unique medium, Farnsworth decided to try her hand at making small-scale paintings.
“I’ve always had an affinity for mini things,” she says. “So I said ‘You know what? I want to see if I can do this!’”
Since beginning her foray into the tiny art world in 2020, she’s created more than 450 1-inch-by-1-inch designs and gained plenty of recognition via her Instagram (@micks.art.goods), where she chronicles her process and shows off what she’s working on.
J“Tiny art is perfect for me because I can get something done in one sitting and also feel like I get all the details perfectly how I want.”
ust like her art, Farnsworth’s studio is also tiny.
Tucked in the downstairs laundry room of her South Hill home, the space works well for the artist and is quite fitting.
“I don’t really need that much space,” she says. “A tiny studio for tiny art!”
After years of primarily painting mini art, Farnsworth now prefers small-scale to more traditional sizes.
“I’m kind of a perfectionist,” she says. “But an impatient perfectionist. So the tiny art is perfect for me because I can get something done in one sitting and also feel like I get all the details perfectly how I want.”
Each painting takes about an hour and a half to complete and each series — which can range from six pieces to more than 60 — takes about two to four weeks. She doesn’t use anything special to make the tiny paintings, just watercolor paper, a small palette, gouache paint and a set of super-thin paintbrushes.
MICK’S ART GOODS
micksartgoods.com
Instagram: @micks.art.goods and @tinyart.nook
Her first series of paintings depicted various national parks and gained significant attention on Instagram during the COVID pandemic. Since then, she’s painted mini city skylines, animals, birth month flowers, galaxies, food, houseplants and other themed series.
Farnworth says she never worries about running out of ideas and is always working on a new painting set, like one of Spokane landmarks including the Parkade and Garbage Goat.
“I’ve always got a couple different series in the works in my mind,” she says. “I wanted to do my tiny food series for over a year before I finally did it. I’ve wanted to do cat and dog breeds forever, so that will come soon enough.”
For those looking to snag one of her petite paintings, Farnsworth drops new series on her website (micksartgoods.com) every so often and also attends various local art markets throughout the year.
She also runs a tiny art nook at the corner of 34th and Pittsburg. Similar to how one might grab an interesting read from a Little Free Library, the Tiny Art Nook is filled with free tiny art ripe for the taking. A door opens to reveal a miniature gallery complete with drawers, hooks and shelves.
“I have a lot of seconds — pieces of my art that are a little messed up, have tiny flaws, or that I just can’t sell for one reason or another,” she says. “I didn’t just want to throw it away, so I found a free little library someone was selling on Facebook Marketplace and fixed it up.”
Farnsworth often gets asked if she’ll do tiny art forever, and to that, she shrugs her shoulders. She’s flirted with the idea of making tiny linocut prints, tiny oil paintings and even tiny pottery.
“I really love tiny art,” she says. “I think it’s a good fit for me.”
Accounting for Taste
Music, visual art, dance, comedy, theater, literature — throughout the year, there’s always something happening BY
TE.J. IANNELLI
hankfully, we’re not all the same. Some of us prefer upbeat musicals to gritty dramas. Some would take a vintage tribute act over a classical symphony. Some want to hear a comedian spin a good yarn, whereas others would rather see a visual artist experiment with yarn. And some of us want all of the above. It’s good to know, then, that the incredible variety of arts and entertainment at some of the region’s top venues has got everyone covered.
BEST OF BROADWAY SPOKANE
Whether intentional or not, there’s a strong cinematic thread running through Best of Broadway’s 2025-26 season.
Devotees of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW — and they are legion — will want to catch its 50th anniversary tour when it does the Time Warp into Spokane on Oct. 26, 2025. This one-night-only special features a screening of the unedited 1975 film augmented by Spokane’s own Absolute Pleasure shadow cast. Nell Campbell, who played Columbia in both the movie and the original stage play, will be on hand to greet fans, too.
One of the biggest cultural events that can visit your city is the worldwide juggernaut known as THE LION KING. And here it comes, as Zazu, Simba, Nala and Pumbaa will take up residency at the First Interstate Center from Jan. 28 through Feb. 15, 2026. Julie Taymor’s staging, puppetry and costuming remain revolutionary, while the opening entrance at Pride Rock has been an iconic part of American theater since it debuted in 1997, when it won the Tony for Best Musical. (Elton John won both an Oscar and a Grammy for his songs.)
If you loved the original novel and the film, the musical version of THE NOTEBOOK (March 17-22) might very well be a must-see. This stage version has involvement from some of Broadway’s top talent, including direction by Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal, RENT) and Schele Williams (The Wiz, Aida). Later in the spring the time-traveling comedy musical BACK TO THE FUTURE (May 26-31, 2026) arrives at 88 mph, complete with a modded DeLorean.
The zany, absurdist SPAMALOT, which gleefully borrows from the hilarious cult film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, closes out the season with a two-performance run on Aug. 25 and 26, 2026.
Find details on the entire season at broadwayspokane.com.
SPOKANE CIVIC THEATRE
While there’s a certain comfort in seeing the same holiday shows year after year, the Civic is giving audiences a welcome mix of fresh and familiar with RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER (Nov. 28Dec. 21, 2025). The all-ages musical from 2017 is based on the classic stop-motion holiday TV special.
That’s followed by two non-musicals on the main stage: the comedy EMMA (Jan. 23-Feb. 8, 2026), based on Jane Austen’s beloved novel, and Tennessee Williams’ breakthrough memory play THE GLASS MENAGERIE (March 20-April 4, 2026).
Of course, what’s happening upstairs at the Civic is only the half of it. In the lower-level Firth J. Chew Studio Theatre, the season opens with Nick Dear’s recent adaptation of Mary Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN (Oct. 10-Nov. 2, 2025). Later, it dives headlong into the irreverent feminist political comedy of POTUS (Feb. 13-March 8, 2026) before wrapping up the first half of 2026 with SQUALOR (April 24May 10), a brand-new play about the intersection of art and life by the theater’s resident playwright Bryan Harnetiaux.
Get tickets and see the full schedule at spokanecivictheatre.com.
Head Back to the Future when the film’s hit musical adaptation storms into Spokane for the Best of Broadway series in May 2026.
LEOD9 CREATIVE PHOTO
SPOKANE SYMPHONY & THE FOX
In recent years the Spokane Symphony has turned programming into its own art form, curating a schedule of concerts designed to entertain, delight, soothe, challenge and inspire in equal measure. Just look at a concert like MASTERWORKS 2: LANDSCAPES (Oct. 4-5), where the idyllic, recognizable melodies of Debussy’s “Prélude à ’L’après-midi d’un faune’” are paired with the modern Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara’s birdsong-infused Cantus Arcticus
Yet one of the symphony’s most anticipated concerts might be MASTERWORKS 9: TO AMERICA (May 9-10, 2026), which will close their season with the premiere of a new work by composer Sydney Guillaume.
On Nov. 15, 2025, POPS 2: DECADES: BACK TO THE ’80s depart from symphonies and overtures and instead sates craving for orchestral versions of all the hits (“Material Girl,” “Addicted to Love,” “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”) from that era. Or, if comedy’s more your bag, BRAD WILLIAMS: THE TALL TALES TOUR (Jan. 23, 2026) will see the vertically challenged comedian riffing on disability and relationships with his usual acerbic observations and colorful anecdotes.
Learn more about these shows and many more at foxtheaterspokane.org.
NORTHWEST MUSEUM OF ARTS & CULTURE
The centerpiece of the MAC’s current exhibitions, at least until Jan. 4, 2026, is RAVEN AND THE BOX OF DAYLIGHT by the acclaimed Seattle-based glass artist Preston Singletary. The nationally touring exhibition is a multisensory experience that enriches Singletary’s sculpted glass with light and sound to tell the story of how mischievous Raven, a key figure in Tlingit cultural mythology, brought light to the world. Representations of Raven himself feature alongside objects from the ancient tale about darkness giving way to light.
Running from Oct. 18, 2025, until spring 2026 is THE DAVENPORT LEGACY, which chronicles the history — and even the pre-history — of the iconic luxury hotel at the heart of downtown Spokane. Before the hotel was designed by renowned architect Kirtland Cutter and constructed in 1914, it was an equally grand restaurant that might have also been the birthplace of the Crab Louie salad. The exhibition starts from those heady years in the early 20th century and then traces the hotel’s evolution into a local fixture.
One ongoing MAC attraction that shouldn’t be overlooked is the historic CAMPBELL HOUSE, where you can step inside and travel back in time to the early Davenport Hotel era. Self-guided afternoon tours are available Tuesday through Sunday.
Learn more on these exhibitions and find information on special events, programming and more at northwestmuseum.org.
Preston Singletary (American Tlingit, born 1963)
Dleit Yéil (White Raven), 2018
Blown, hot-sculpted, and sand-carved glass; steel stand. 19 1/4 x 9 x 14 inches
Courtesy of the artist
PHOTO BY RUSSELL JOHNSON, COURTESY OF MUSEUM OF GLASS
Arts
ACCOUNTING FOR TASTE...
THE BING CROSBY THEATER
Whether you’re Catholic or not, the education offered by BACK TO SCHOOL CATECHISM (Oct. 4, 2025) should be pretty entertaining. This year’s lesson is “The Holy Ghost and Other Terrifying Tales,” which puts a fun spin on where the church stands on ghosts and goblins.
On Oct. 19, 2025, the recurring Stage to Screen series presents playwright Suzie Miller’s INTER ALIA. Rosamund Pike (Jack Reacher, Gone Girl) stars in this hard-hitting drama as a successful judge who’s also trying to balance the demands of motherhood. These filmed versions of live theatrical performances can be a great way to catch acclaimed UK productions without leaving the city.
As the 2025 winter holidays approach, pianist JIM BRICKMAN (Nov. 23) will entertain audiences with a mix of seasonal classics and his well-known hits like “The Gift,” “Love of My Life” and “Destiny.” Or indulge your nostalgic side with tribute acts like the JOURNEY ESCAPE and FRAMPTON COMES ALIVE double bill on Oct. 18, 2025.
Check the Bing’s calendar for these dates and more being added to its 2025-26 season at bingcrosbytheater.com.
MYRTLE WOLDSON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
For its 2025-26 season, the Myrtle Woldson PAC is joining forces with the Jundt Art Museum and Gonzaga University’s many performing arts departments under the “ARTS at GONZAGA” umbrella. That might contribute to one of its strongest seasons yet.
As usual, dance features heavily. On Oct. 10, 2025, COMPLEXIONS CONTEMPORARY BALLET performs For Crying Out Loud, an original work that fuses fresh choreography with the enduring hits of U2, such as “Where the Streets Have No Name” and “With or Without You.” Come spring, the New York-based company BALLET HISPÁNICO (March 22, 2026) draws on its nearly six-decade history to deliver a performance that’s informed by creative adventurousness and cultural authenticity.
There’s a long tradition of improvised music in Indigenous cul-
tures, but it rarely gets the showing it deserves. The JULIA KEEFE INDIGENOUS BIG BAND (Jan. 16, 2026) changes that. Led by Julia Keefe (Nez Perce), the ensemble of Native and Indigenous jazz musicians pays tribute to under-recognized jazz talents like Mildred Bailey (Coeur d’Alene) and Jim Pepper (Kaw/Mvskoke) as well as today’s Indigenous composers.
See the complete season at gonzaga.edu/mwpac.
REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES
Gonzaga certainly isn’t the only university in the Inland Northwest with a rich slate of arts happenings. Washington State University’s Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art has two noteworthy double exhibitions, back to back.
First, ANISH KAPOOR: DISSOLVING MARGINS and COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES (both until March 14, 2026) debut a retrospective of Kapoor’s four decades of printmaking alongside a mixed-artist show that revels in their bold use of color. Then MIMI JUNG: AN UNFINISHED ORIGIN and TRIMPIN: AMBIENTE432 (both March 31 to Jun. 27, 2026) push artistic boundaries using unconventional materials and interactive sounds. Find details at museum.wsu.edu.
There’s something for both the squares and the hep cats at LIONEL HAMPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL, which runs from April 22-26, 2026, at the University of Idaho. The festival, now in its 59th year, draws the living legends and up-and-coming talents of the international jazz world to play and workshop alongside hundreds of student performances. Visit uidaho.edu/jazzfest to learn more.
And let’s not forget the enduring power of the printed word. Eastern Washington University’s GET LIT! FESTIVAL, an annual celebration of writing in all its forms, takes place in venues across Spokane from April 17-19, 2026. Check out the official event website at inside.ewu. edu/getlit.
BELOW: Led by a Spokane native, the Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band makes a homecoming at the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center.
COURTESY PHOTO
LEFT: Simba (Erick D. Patrick) is back on Pride Rock as The Lion King hits Spokane in January 2026.
MATTHEW MURPHY PHOTO
Rally the Troupes!
Across
the Inland Northwest, theater lovers are bringing a variety of performances to a variety of spaces
BY E.J. IANNELLI
It’s easy to assume that the word theater equates to a physical location. Yet the region is home to a growing number of dramatic groups that have “theater” in their names but, whether by design or circumstance, don’t have a venue of their own. These mobile troupes — sometimes self-described as “pop-up theater” — tend to have a distinct stylistic focus, a unique identity and no less emphasis on quality than their brick-and-mortar counterparts.
BRIGHT COMET THEATRE
Founded in 2022 by Dominique Betts and Taylor Cummings, Bright Comet has been all about championing underrepresented actors and staging niche or unconventional works from the very start.
The troupe’s debut production, Lord of the Flies, featured an all femme-presenting and female cast. Later shows included Hamlet with a female lead, a rock musical about ax-wielding Lizzie Borden, Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play (a dystopian triptych that riffs on an episode of The Simpsons) and, more recently, Carrie: The Musical. They’ve brought those shows to venues as varied as the Spokane Central Library, M.A.D. Co-Lab Studio and Stage Left Theater — almost always to sold-out crowds no matter where they happen to be. brightcomettheatre.com
THEATER ON THE VERGE
Troy Nickerson has long been a sought-after director for both musicals and plays at theaters across Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. In late 2024, however, he launched a new initiative and formed Theater on the Verge with his creative partner, the writer and sometime actor Chris Jensen.
The duo intended for the new troupe to shed some of the baggage associated with brickand-mortar operations, such as back-to-back scheduling or the need for big box office draws. Instead, Theater on the Verge would stage the works they wanted to share in the venues that suited them and when the timing was right. With the one-man play Every Brilliant Thing and Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song already under their belts, there’s a lot of anticipation for where they’ll venture next. theaterontheverge.com
HITCHHIKER’S THEATRE
At Hitchhiker’s Theatre, the emphasis is, as you might expect, on creative mobility. The troupe was co-founded in 2024 by Joe and Sienna Henson with the express purpose of getting performances out of the usual auditoriums and into new or underutilized spaces. Their very first season took place in locations as varied as a park, a church, a library and an improv theater, and it included classics like Waiting for Godot and The Importance of Being Earnest along with the more recent comedy-drama She Kills Monsters. They followed that with the Cold War fringe comedy 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche at The Guardian Spokane. Where will they spring up next? It could very well be a spot near you. hitchhikerstheatre.com
CDA ACT
Short for Celebrating Different Abilities through Art and Community Theater, CDA ACT fills a valuable and underappreciated need in the community by providing performing arts opportunities to individuals with disabilities. Aided by “shadows” who offer support where it’s needed, these amateur actors rehearse for months to put on a fully produced show with music, choreography, costumes, sets and a ton of heart. Led by Jamie Sciarrio, CDA ACT has staged productions of Cinderella Jr., Elf Jr. and Frozen Jr. in recent years. Their 2025 production is Singin’ in the Rain Jr. and has a four-day run at the Kroc Center from Nov. 6-9. cdaact.com
MY TURN THEATER
In many ways, My Turn Theater is a sister group to CDA ACT. They both emerged out of the Coeur d’Alene-based Out of the Shadows Theater circa 2021 and are continuing that group’s original mission.
My Turn Theater’s 2025 production of The Lion King Jr. has already come and gone, but they’ll be gearing up for their summer 2026 show before you know it. Although the group has hopped from The Bing Crosby Theater to Gonzaga’s Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center in the past, a new partnership means you’ll be able to catch their annual shows at the Spokane Civic Theatre from now on. myturntheater.com
Actor Doug Dawson works a scene from Theater on the Verge’s debut 2025 production of Every Brilliant Thing at Hamilton Studio. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
INLAND CLASSICAL THEATRE
Featuring some of the same faces as the now-quiet Spokane Shakespeare Society, Inland Classical Theatre sprang onto the scene during the summer of 2025 with their staged readings of The Taming of the Shrew (directed by Jeffrey St. George) coupled with John Fletcher’s The Woman’s Prize, or the Tamer Tamed (directed by Abby Burlingame), a play that was written as a sequel to Shakespeare’s somewhat controversial comedy. Pairing those two plays showed that Inland Classical isn’t content with performing straightforward renditions of classic works. Rather, they’re looking to get modern audiences to engage with the past in entertaining and thought-provoking ways. inlandclassical.com
SHAKESPEARE COEUR D’ALENE
Since its start in 2023, Shakespeare CdA’s been busy performing the Bard’s work in outdoor settings as well as indoors at the Kroc Center, doing casual table reads at wineries and even running Shakespeare-centric youth summer camps.
And their devotion to this single — and singular — playwright should be no surprise. The leadership team’s Maggie Johnson, Mary T. Bowers and Brando Boniver are all longtime devotees, scholars and performers of Shakespeare’s work. After the World War II-themed production of Much Ado About Nothing this past summer, the next show on the troupe’s schedule is a production of Hamlet from Oct. 17-26 at the Kroc. shakespearecda.org
LAKE PEND OREILLE REPERTORY THEATRE
Led by Kate McAlister and Andrew C. Sorg, Lake Pend Oreille Repertory Theater (aka LPO Rep) claims the Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry area as its stomping grounds, performing at venues like The Hive, The Pearl Theater and the historic Panida. Their repertoire spans the gamut — from musicals and straight plays all the way to improv.
Having wrapped up their summer 2025 production of the jukebox musical Always... Patsy Cline, the next big show on the LPO Rep schedule is the farcical black comedy Arsenic and Old Lace (Oct. 24-Nov. 2, 2025) on the stage of the Panida. lporep.com
The nonprofit My Turn Theater produces shows starring actors with disabilities who are guided on stage by “shadow” actors. In the past, the group has produced shows like Beauty and the Beast Jr. (above) and The Lion King Jr. PHOTO COURTESY HEADS AND TAILS PHOTO
Getting Zippy With It
There are plenty of opportunities to fly among the treetops thanks to several regional zip line operators
BY AZARIA PODPLESKY
It’s amazing how long 30 seconds can feel.
While zipping through the air on Timberline Adventure’s longest zip line, which is 1,600-feet long, I had plenty of time to get my bearings after stepping off the first
platform, take a few photos and admire the gorgeous view of Lake Coeur d’Alene before reaching the other platform.
After I won gift certificates for a Timberline Adventures zip line tour, it was suggested that I write a story about the experience. Though I was nervous about zip lining for the first time, I thought, “Why not? I was going to be zipping around anyway. Might as well tell people what it was like.”
Timberline Adventures opened in Coeur d’Alene in 2015. Born and raised in Utah, owner Paul Buttars got into the zip line world after a school friend set up a zip line tour in
Tennessee. Knowing Buttars would like the work, the friend invited Buttars and his family out to work alongside him.
After two years in Tennessee and a brief stint in Oahu, Buttars and his family brought their zip experience to Coeur d’Alene. The area checked off a lot of what Buttars was looking for: proximity to the city, the right elevation change, about 70 acres of room to play.
There was a little pushback during the permit stages from people who weren’t sold on the development, but for the most part, everyone was on board from the start.
Timberline initially offered the Full Flight ($135), or all seven zip lines, two sky bridges and two auto belays from the platform to the ground. After adding a treehouse to the campus (as documented in an episode of The Treehouse Guys), guests can now also choose the
“You
want,” says
S’mores and Soar ($150) or the Lunch and Launch ($165) tour, both of which give guests a chance to relax in the treehouse for a mid-tour snack break.
There’s also the High Flyer ($115), or the three longest zips, and the Treehopper ($100), or the first four zips plus one of two sky bridges featured on the course.
“We started offering the Tree Hopper for people that maybe have a tighter budget, but also more so for people that are scared of heights,” Buttars says. “One through four, you’re not getting real high in the air. Good way to get out, test the waters. Test the trees, if you will.”
For those who want to keep their feet on the ground, there’s also the Nature Walk ($35) with private trails that traverse Timberline’s campus.
My gift certificates were for the Full Flight, and my brother was game to zip with me, so off we drove to Coeur d’Alene. We agreed that after we got the first line out of the way, we’d likely feel less nervous. I ended up being a bundle of nerves for most of the afternoon, but I still had a blast.
Once we checked in at the Resort Plaza Shops, we were weighed (you don’t see the number on the scale) then put our things in a locker (locks are provided). Guests can buy a phone lanyard ($9.43) if they want to take mid-zip photos.
can be as loud as you
zip line guide Rachel McRoberts. “We want people on the other tours to hear you.”
GETTING ZIPPY WITH IT...
Our guides, Rachel McRoberts and Bridger Kiracofe, walked us through the process of gearing up, clipping this here and that there. When everyone was ready, we walked to a shuttle van for a 20-minute ride into the forest.
On the way, I told McRoberts I wasn’t sure if I’d yell while zipping or be so nervous I’d hardly make a peep.
“You can be as loud as you want,” she says. “We want people on the other tours to hear you.”
After the shuttle, we loaded onto ATVs for a short ride deeper into the forest to our first zip line. McRoberts and Kiracofe double-checked our gear before Kiracofe zipped ahead to receive us at the other end of the line.
McRoberts asked everyone how they liked potatoes prepared as she clipped us in. She asked us more questions over the course of the tour (If someone bought you a gift card, where would they shop? If you could teleport, where would you go?) and had us tell Kiracofe the answer once we got to the other platform. He was then tasked with figuring out the question based on our answers.
Later in the tour, they asked us to do a dance move while zipping. They were clever tricks that helped us momentarily forget about our nerves while we thought about our answers and dance moves.
The first four zip lines are around 400 feet long, followed by a 600-footer, a 1,000-footer and the final 1,600-foot-long zip that takes about 30 seconds to traverse.
The zips got easier as the afternoon went on, though no less thrilling. At one point, Kiracofe showed us how to “rocket boost” on a zip. You turn to face the tree you’re in, grab onto a metal ring, then place your feet against the tree and kick off.
Surprisingly, the rocket boost made me less nervous because it felt like I was launching off the platform instead of, in a way, falling. Kiracofe said in the shuttle back to Timberline Adventures that not many people say that, but I’d recommend it.
At one point, McRoberts and Kiracofe told us about the tree we were in, named Sally. A few feet from Sally is another tree, her boyfriend Frank.
“Sally,” Kiracofe says, “doesn’t like it when you hit on her man, so make sure you stand to the side when you leave the platform so you don’t run into Frank.”
Kiracofe then purposely knocked into Frank as he zipped to the other platform to receive us. For the record, it’s very easy to avoid Frank. Later, Kiracofe said hitting Frank was just something he decided to do one day and has since added to his tours.
Both McRoberts and Kiracofe are in their first season with Timberline Adventures, but they moved with the coordination and confidence of seasoned pros.
Interested guides are first interviewed, then taken on a zip line tour to make sure they’re not actually scared of heights. Those who complete the tour have five days of training before they start leading groups.
Tours are offered from whenever the snow melts, usually early April, through Oct. 31. Unsurprisingly, June, July and August are the most popular months for zip lining, though Buttars says spring is his favorite time to zip. With so much beautiful scenery to enjoy though, it’s hard to imagine there being a bad time for a tour.
Driving home from the tour, my brother and I couldn’t stop talking about how nervewracking but ultimately exhilarating the day was. We were hooked — zip, line and sinker.
EVEN MORE ZIP LINES!
MICA MOON ZIP TOURS AND AERIAL PARK
23403 E. Mission Ave., Suite 111, Liberty Lake Age: 6+; Weight limit: 285 lbs. micamoon.com
At Mica Moon, guests zip down nine lines, plus one “Big Mama,” a 3,500-footer. The tour ($120) also features two hikes and two UTV rides. There’s also the Tree Top Adventure ($49-$59), which gives guests three hours to tackle obstacles of varying difficulties, from rickety bridges to American Ninja Warrior-like challenges. Combine both tours for $159. Also watch for the Mica Moon-operated zip line coming to downtown Spokane — really! Still in pre-construction, the plan is for it to run 1,400 feet from A Place of Truths Plaza across from the Central Library and under the Monroe Street Bride, landing at Redband Park in Peaceful Valley, all along the Spokane River.
During the summer season (through Sept. 1), guests take in views of Lake Pend Oreille from above via a 700-foot zip line. The ride starts outside the Village, soars toward the lake, then ends just below the Musical Carpet chairlift. One ride is $12, though the Ultimate Fun Pass ($35-$45) is also available for unlimited zip lines plus unlimited trampoline jumping, wall climbs and more.
SILVER STREAK ZIPLINE
315 Fifth St., Wallace, Idaho Age: No age minimum, but guests must weigh at least 100 lbs.; Weight limit: 270 lbs. zipwallace.com
Silver Streak Zipline boasts a 1,200-foot tandem zip line, meaning you can zip alongside a friend. $50 gets you unlimited zips over two hours, Thursdays through Sundays.
Leavenworth Ziplines offers two options, both of which take zip liners soaring over the Beaver Creek Valley. The five-line zip tour ($99-$119) features a double-decker platform as well as the highest, fastest and longest zip lines. The nine-line tour ($139-$159) includes all of the above, plus a suspension bridge.
Soar through the air while enjoying beautiful lake views at Schweitzer’s summer season zip line. SCHWEITZER PHOTO
Some places give you a view, Coeur d’Alene gives you a memory. Kayaks before breakfast, cannonballs before lunch. Trails that take your breath away—before the view does. Here, thrill rides meet mountain hikes. Zip lines meet lake dives. And when the seasons change, the magic doesn’t stop. Snowflakes, ski runs, and fireside cocoa turn winter into a wonderland. Chill time for the grown-ups, fun-filled adventures for the kids. Smiles for everyone. Moments that stay.
Memories that grow. Mountains, lakes, memories, and magic... We got it.
INSIDER INSIGHT
Otto Klein
For the Spokane Indians senior VP, honoring the team’s legacy and its value to the community is a pillar of the job
INTERVIEWED BY SUMMER SANDSTROM
Otto Klein discovered his love for sports marketing in college when one of his classes hosted a guest speaker from the Boise Hawks baseball team. He recalls the speaker telling students about what working in sports marketing entailed, and of an internship opportunity with the Hawks, so Klein applied and interned for the team for two summers.
From there, his love for sports marketing grew and flourished into his 33-year career at the Spokane Indians, where he currently works as the team’s senior vice president. While Klein wears many hats in his role, he mainly oversees corporate partnerships, marketing and promotions.
INLANDER : Can you tell us a bit about the recent updates at the ballpark?
KLEIN: When Major League Baseball took over direct control of all the minor league teams, each stadium in the country needed to
meet a facility standards requirement. When we did the evaluation on our beautiful old stadium, we found that we needed about $16 million to get us to meet these facility standards, and that’s everything from the lights, the locker rooms, the playing surface on the field, the outfield wall and all different types of things that were all player related. We identified those items with our partner at Spokane County, and over the last two years we’ve done all the stadium improvements to meet those requirements.
What do you think is special or important for people to know about the Spokane Indians?
We’re the community’s baseball team and we draw the most attendance of any team in our region — we draw over 250,000 fans to Avista Stadium each year. We feel like we provide the best family entertainment in the region each summer and we provide family affordable entertainment.
One of the things that is important to us and is important to me is how we serve our community. Nobody serves the community better than the Spokane Indians, whether it’s with community campaigns like our Redband Rally campaign or our Operation Fly Together campaign with Fairchild Air Force Base, or our historic partnership with the Spokane Tribe of Indians — all these things are our pillar campaigns that we do each year.
What are you hoping to see for the Spokane Indians in the next few years?
We’ve always had the mindset that we need to grow and get better every single year. From a fan perspective, that means whether it’s new hospitality areas or the new video board that will be coming online in 2026, we’re going to continue to develop the ballpark. All of these investments are really important to us, and we’re never going to stop investing and trying new things.
SPEED ROUND
Favorite Spokane Indians mascot?
I helped create all of them, and I’ve enjoyed each of them there for their uniqueness. I can’t say that I have a favorite because it’s like choosing a favorite child, but I’ve loved them all, and we’re not done.
Favorite local ski resort?
49 Degrees North, and that’s where we also do a lot of huckleberry picking in the summer.
Favorite golf course?
Definitely Circling Raven down at the Coeur d’Alene Casino. They’ve been longtime partners, and it’s a beautiful golf course, and I always feel the most at home.
Favorite Spokane Indians tradition?
I love our run song at the ballpark. … Everyone participates together, and everyone instantly knows that the Indians have just scored.
Otto Klein has been a fixture of the Spokane Indians for more than three decades.
YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
BOOK STAY UPCOMING EVENTS MORE ABOUT US
3-6
Fun Fore All
Local indoor golf venues make the season last all year long
BY MADISON PEARSON
It’s no secret to those of us living in the area, but the Inland Northwest is a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to golf. With about 15 courses within an hour of Spokane’s city center, sandbaggers and wanna-be pros alike can get in some dedicated time at the course any day of the week during peak golf season. But what about during the region’s harsh winters?
In the past few years, quite a few indoor golf lounges have popped up throughout the area, providing local golfers with a place to practice off-season and have a little fun off the course year-round.
CIRCLING RAVEN GOLF SUITES AT CDA CASINO
37914 S. Nukwalqw, Worley
Located just beside the Nighthawk Lounge inside the Coeur d’Alene Casino, the Circling Raven Golf Suites transport local golfers to more than 80 legendary golf courses around the world on its aboutGOLF simulators. You can even have food and drink delivered right from your favorite casino venues. Choose between a widescreen or the im-
mersive, 31-foot curve screen bay and get to hackin’ around the Old Course at St. Andrews, Pebble Beach, Hazeltine National or pretend you’re battling back against Team Europe at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club outside Rome during the 2023 Ryder Cup. No matter what course you choose, swing easy, have fun and maybe hit the slots afterward.
GOLF DISTRICT
1808 W. Francis Ave.
Not even a 10-minute drive from Downriver Golf Course, one of Spokane’s most popular tracks, Golf District has 10 top-of-the-line golf simulator bays in their West Francis Avenue facility. Golf District uses aboutGOLF simulators that provide in-depth analytics for every swing.
Whether you’re looking to practice by hitting on the virtual range or you want to play one of many iconic courses available through the simulator, you have free rein over your fully enclosed bay to make a few mistakes or hit some incredible shots into the screen.
Golf District also offers lessons for those who might not feel ready to take on an actual course yet. Their in-house teaching pro Brett
Richardson is an assistant golf professional at nearby Esmeralda Golf Course. Whether you’re looking to break 100 or tweak some aspects of your swing, a lesson from Golf District can prepare you for more enjoyable rounds of golf in the future.
Along with the 10 simulator bays, Golf District has a full bar and menu. There’s also plenty of TVs playing the latest professional tournaments all day long, so get inspired and swing your swing.
SWING LOUNGE
601 W. Riverside Ave.
3808 N. Sullivan Road, Spokane Valley
There ain’t no party like a golf party, and Swing Lounge is dedicated to making your time at their simulators a ball of fun.
With a location in downtown Spokane and another out in the Valley, Swing Lounge blends the exciting atmosphere of a sports bar with the classiness of an upscale restaurant. The menu features chef-driven dishes, like crispy Brussels sprouts, pork street tacos, flatbreads and even warm snickerdoodle cookies. Their mixologists make for a smashing good time, whether you’re hitting it well or not.
Swing Lounge also hosts a number of weekly and seasonal events like a Ryder Cup tournament each fall.
Swing Lounge uses Trackman monitors, giving you the opportunity to compare your stats to those of the professionals on tour. Golfers of all ages are welcome at both Swing Lounge locations.
Practice your swing no matter the weather outside at Swing Lounge, with two locations.
LESLIE DOUGLAS PHOTO
HILLYARD BICYCLE:
Your Gateway to Spokane on Two Wheels
– Arrive – Ride
Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just looking to explore Spokane on two wheels, Hillyard Bicycle makes it easy to hit the trail and ride. North Division Bicycle founded in 1983, this locally loved shop recently expanded into a brand-new location just down the road, in the historic Hillyard district, featuring more space, more service stations, and even more of what riders love most — access to great bikes and great rides.
Bike Rentals for Every Adventure
From analog cruisers to high-powered electric bikes, Hillyard Bicycle offers daily rentals to match your style and pace.
• Standard bike rentals: $40–$100/day
• E-bike rentals: $80–$140/day
• Helmets: Just $3 to rent
Additional gear available, including hitches and bike travel cases for air travel. northdivision.com
And there’s no need to worry about where to ride — the shop sits right along the Children of the Sun Trail, a scenic route that runs 7 miles north and 3 miles south, eventually connecting with the Centennial Trail, Spokane’s beloved multi-use path and Beacon Hill MTB park short 8 minute ride away.
Built for Spokane’s Cycling Community
North Division Bicycle has been part of Spokane’s strong cycling scene for over 40 years. With charity rides, regular community events, and a team that knows and loves local biking, they’re more than just a rental shop — they’re a hub for Spokane riders. And don’t be surprised if you’re greeted by Moto at NDBS, their beloved shop cat and unofficial mascot.
Growing with the Neighborhood
The shop’s expansion is a sign of things to come — not just for Hillyard Bicycle, but for the entire Hillyard neighborhood, which is undergoing an exciting revitalization. The new shop reflects that growth, offering more repair bays, better service, and soon, even more rental bikes expected by late 2025 or early 2026.
Whether you’re visiting, commuting, or just out for an afternoon ride, Hillyard Bicycle makes it simple: rent - arrive - ride. Stop in, gear up, and explore Spokane the Hillyard way.
Recreation
FUN FORE ALL...
X GOLF
15110 E. Indiana Ave., Spokane Valley
With locations all over the Northwest, X Golf is unique in using its own proprietary technology in its simulator bays. The franchise’s Spokane Valley outlet has seven simulators ready for golfers of all ages to tackle notable courses like Bethpage Black, Kapalua and more, or to take lessons to level up all aspects of their game.
Toast to a round well-played with a selection of beer, cocktails and a host of shareable bites to eat with friends, and don’t forget to join a league to receive a free 18-hole round of indoor golf.
GOLF ISLAND
9956 N. Newport Hwy. and 2480 N. Old Mill Loop, Coeur d’Alene
With locations in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, Golf Island is the perfect place to bring the family or to have a bit of healthy competition.
Golf Island’s Spokane location has 10 Trackman bays, and the Coeur d’Alene location boasts five oversized simulator bays. Both locations feature a plethora of other activities, such as pool, darts and arcade games as well as full bars and menus packed with pizza, pretzels and wings — what more could you ask for?
There are plenty of ways to enjoy Golf Island’s facilities: Join one of its leagues (men’s, women’s or mixed), or participate in seasonal tournaments by playing major courses such as Oakmont Country Club and The Old Course at St. Andrews for some spirited competition. And if you find yourself coming back often enough, Golf Island offers monthly memberships that come with discounts and perks throughout the year.
POOLE’S CLUBHOUSE
5620 S. Regal St.
Tucked away beside Poole’s Public House on Spokane’s South Hill, Poole’s Clubhouse features four golf simulator bays, including one private bay for parties or dialing in your swing in peace. While you’re there playing in a league or just having fun, enjoy food and drink specials, the vintage golf decor and watch the big tournaments on the multiple TVs scattered around the facility. If it’s raining, there’s no excuse not to get in a few good swings at Poole’s Clubhouse.
THE WONDERGROUND GOLF LOUNGE & LIQUOR BAR
835 N. Post St.
The name rings true: the Wonder Building’s new golf lounge is truly wonderful. Located in the lower level of the historic building, the Wonderground Golf Lounge & Liquor bar boasts a speakeasy feel with its moody lighting, decor and semi-secret entrance at Post and Broadway.
The lounge itself is smaller than most traditional indoor golf facilities, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t boast high-end technology. The lounge’s three aboutGOLF simulators let golfers play iconic courses like Pebble Beach or the beloved nearby Coeur d’Alene Resort golf course with its signature floating green on the 14th hole. While you’re free to get serious in the simulators, Wonderground also offers games like darts, cornhole and beer pong on the screens.
Managed by Ethan Stowell Restaurants, the venue offers a comprehensive menu of food and drinks including a wide array of craft cocktails as well as upstairs neighbor Victory Burger’s full menu.
Loungin’ on Loon Lake
Granite Point Resort has provided top-notch swimming, boating and camping for more than a century BY COLTON
RASANEN
More than 100 years ago, Joe Biddle purchased a piece of property on the southeastern shore of Loon Lake, less than an hour from Spokane, and called it Granite Point Resort. In the early days, the lakeside resort was a place to fish, swim and enjoy the beautiful surrounding natural world.
After returning from World War II, Biddle’s son Glenn worked to renovate and expand the resort, adding cottages for campers and more docks for boat access to the lake. Over the years a store, a restaurant and additional camping spaces for RVs have been added, turning the Loon Lake destination into a full-fledged getaway for families and friends.
Today, the resort — overseen by Joe Biddle’s great-granddaughter and Resort Manager Paul Brozik — has continued to be successful by focusing on its roots of “pristine swimming beaches, natural beauty, healthy family fun, and ridiculously good customer service.” Four generations in, the family-owned Loon Lake destination still draws guests looking for fun in the sun.
While Granite Point offers season passes ($180 for adults, $150 for children 12 and under), Brozik says most guests find the best bang for their buck in its single-day passes. Adults can purchase a day pass for $14 ($17 on weekends) and kids can get in for $11 ($14 on weekends). For about the same
EVEN MORE SWIMMING SPOTS!
BEAR LAKE REGIONAL PARK
In May 2025, Spokane County Parks, Recreation & Golf reopened Bear Lake Regional Park in Chattaroy to the public after a yearlong closure. The 51-year-old park, 30 minutes north of Spokane, underwent a $3.4 million upgrade that included adding pebble beaches down to the water, replacing what once were just stairs. Now, folks can put down a blanket and put up an umbrella just meters from the shoreline.
LIBERTY LAKE REGIONAL PARK
Just east of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake Regional Park is a dreamy destination for outdoor and aquatic recreation. With a huge swimming beach, playground, campground and miles of back country trails, its popularity is understandable. While many missed the Inland Northwest gem last year as it underwent renovations, it reopened to the public in summer 2025 with a smoothly repaved Zephyr Road and another dock on the lake. A day pass for parking is $10.
BOULDER BEACH
Boulder Beach is one of the most popular places to swim on the Spokane River. Located off East Upriver Drive and hugging the Centennial Trail, this rocky beach fills up quickly on scorching summer days, so make sure to get there early.
FISH LAKE REGIONAL PARK
If you’re looking to swim for exercise, rather than just fun, try swimming at Fish Lake in Cheney. Without the presence of motorized boats, folks can swim across the lake safely or even launch their kayaks and paddleboards.
SANDPOINT CITY BEACH
There are tons of wonderful places to swim in North Idaho, including Lake Coeur d’Alene, Hayden Lake and Spirit Lake. But if you travel just a bit farther north you’ll find the state’s largest body of water, Lake Pend Oreille. One of the lake’s most popular swimming spots is Sandpoint’s 22-acre City Beach on the lake’s northwestern tip near where the Pend Oreille River flows into the lake.
Granite Point at Loon Lake offers an expansive sandy beach to relax on. COURTESY PHOTO
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LOUNGIN’ ON LOON LAKE...
price as a movie ticket, folks can stay on the lake from 8 am to 8 pm. Guests can also plan to camp at the resort ($75 per night for an RV space and $165-$335 a night for cottage rentals) and book passes at granitepointresort.com.
Among the resort’s many amenities, Brozik says its expansive sandy beach is what guests enjoy the most.
“We have almost a mile-long sandy beach that we maintain and keep all the weeds off of, and we bring in sand to keep it refilled if it ends up sloughing off or anything like that,” Brozik says. “People love that we keep the grounds and the beach well maintained. It’s not something that you would typically find in this area, so it’s kind of a little bit of a shock that there is such a sandy beach for people to be on.”
If swimming at the beach isn’t your thing but you still want to be in the water, get in a boat. Folks can rent rowboats, kayaks, paddleboards and canoes at Granite Point ($16 per hour, $45 for a half day, $70 for a full day), or for $20 attendees can launch their own trailered boat onto Loon Lake. There’s also a ton of recreational opportunities on land, including courts for basketball, pickleball and volleyball, fields for baseball, soccer or football, and areas to play other yard games such as horseshoes or cornhole.
While Granite Point is a killer Inland Northwest destination in the summer, it’s also a great place in the late spring and early fall when the weather is just heating up or cooling down. The resort usually operates until the end of September each year.
“It’s actually really nice to be out here in the fall to watch all the trees change color when all the kids are back in school,” Brozik says. “It can be a good escape for some adults to come and have their own time out here.”
Sandpoint’s City Beach wraps around this point on the lake and boasts tons of amenities including sports courts, picnic shelters, restrooms and a seasonal snack shack.
Winter, summer or in between, beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho, offers amazing outdoor activities and indoor enjoyments. Sandpoint’s vibrant downtown is brimming with boutiques and art galleries, fine restaurants, wineries and breweries. There’s live music, events and festivals year-round. But it’s in the Great Outdoors that you can truly go deeper. In winter, ski or ride at Schweitzer – with 2,900 acres, Idaho’s biggest ski mountain. Come summer, hike or bike our three mountain ranges and swim or boat in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho’s biggest and most magnificent lake. Spring and fall bring color and magic to our mountains. Any time is the right time to discover Sandpoint.
We’ll see you here!
Photo by Rachael Baker
Home Teams
Cheer on your favorite pro athletes during a game with Spokane’s Chiefs, Indians, Velocity and Zephyr BY WILL MAUPIN
It used to be just baseball in the summer and hockey in the winter, but Spokane is a professional sports town all year-round thanks to the recent additions of two soccer teams to the city’s sporting scene. Here’s the need-to-know stats on each of the city’s four pro outfits.
SPOKANE CHIEFS
One of the more consistently successful teams in the Western Hockey League, times have been good for the Chiefs in recent years as they’ve qualified for six of the past seven playoffs. Last season saw the team skate into the league championship series, though they fell in five games.
SPOKANE CHIEFS
Season: September to March;
playoffs in March to May
Home Venue: Spokane Veterans
Memorial Arena
2024-25 season record: 45-20-3
Rival: Tri-City Americans
Mascot: Boomer the Bear
Team captain Berkly Catton returns for the 2025-26 season, though he’s likely to get some time with the NHL’s Seattle Kraken as well. Owen Martin returns as well after being
Getting in on World Cup Action
Spokane has been named a 2026 World Cup fan zone; Gonzaga University may host a national squad as its base camp
BY VICTOR CORRAL MARTINEZ
Imagine you see soccer legends like Lionel Messi or Kylian Mbappé practicing a bicycle kick with their teammates from the Argentinian or French national teams. But you’re not watching TV, you’re seeing it live on the soccer field at Gonzaga University as the team prepares for the World Cup.
That’s what Washington legislators, the city of Spokane, Visit Spokane and Spokane Sports are hoping Spokanites can experience as the city may host a base camp for one of the teams. National soccer teams will use base camps in the months leading up to the 2026 World Cup and during the group phase (matches run from June 11 to July 19) as a primary location for training and rest.
Spokane is also slated to serve as one of nine fan zone sites across the state, featuring large screens to watch matches streamed live as a local hub for the FIFA World Cup. Visit Spokane is promoting the fan zone, working with Seattle’s World Cup committee.
“Riverfront Park makes perfect sense, and we have the infrastructure to support a large viewing party, and being designated an official fan zone means we get all of the official branding and merchandise for FIFA,” says Visit Spokane CEO Rose Noble.
Spokane Sports will handle the operations. “[We have] a rich history in event execution,” says CEO Ashley Blake, “and we’re looking forward to building an electric atmosphere.”
In Olympia, legislators included $100,000 in the state capital budget to make improvements at Gonzaga University’s practice field so it could host a team’s base camp. Alexander Scott, city administrator for Spokane, says Spokane expects to learn by March 2026 whether it will be chosen as a base camp.
Currently, all three host countries (Mexico, the United States and Canada) will compete in the 2026 World Cup. As of August, Japan, New Zealand, Iran, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Australia, Jordan, South Korea and Uzbekistan had qualified as well. In all, 48 national teams will come to compete in North America; six matches will be played at Lumen Field in Seattle.
“Soccer — there’s just something about it as an international sport that I think connects us to the world in a positive way,”says Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown, “and I think we need that right now.”
Spokane Velocity midfielder Luis Gil ERICK DOXEY PHOTO
selected by the Winnipeg Jets in this year’s NHL Draft. Those two, along with draft-eligible Chase Harrington and Mathis Preston, are the next in line to make the jump from Spokane to the big time, and the Chiefs are no strangers to sending players up to the NHL.
Central Valley High School’s Tyler Johnson, an NHL all-star and two-time champion, is the most famous of the Chiefs’ alumni. Defenseman Jared Spurgeon is now carving out a long career with the Minnesota Wild. And last season’s leading scorer for the Chiefs, Andrew Cristall, made the jump to the Washington Capitals during the offseason.
SPOKANE INDIANS
The best franchise in Northwest League history showed their stuff once again during the 2024 season by winning their league-leading ninth championship — it’s their 14th overall, as the team has bounced between numerous leagues over the years. With roots dating to 1890, the Indians’ history runs far deeper than any other professional team in the Inland Northwest.
While the 2025 season hasn’t progressed as well as last season, the Indians’ roster still has plenty of talent poised to climb the ranks toward the major leagues. Braylen Wimmer,
Aidan Longwell and Jared Thomas have all shown a solid ability to hit for power.
SPOKANE INDIANS
Season: April to September; playoffs in September
Home Venue: Avista Stadium
2024 season record: 79-51
Rivals: Tri-City Dust Devils
Mascot: Otto, Ribby the Redband, Doris the Spokanasaurus, KC the Stratotanker
The team is averaging just about one home run per game through midseason. They could be among the next Indians to be called up to the majors, joining players like second baseman Adael Amador and pitcher Chase Dollander, who’ve made it to the Colorado Rockies’ roster in recent seasons.
Regardless of the outcome, though, Indians games are always a spectacle. With energetic mascots like Otto and Ribby the Redband — the trout is a fan favorite — as well as numerous theme and firework nights throughout the season.
SPOKANE VELOCITY
Despite a losing record during their opening season in 2024, the Velocity managed to qualify for the playoffs. Sometimes that’s all
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HOME TEAMS...
that matters, as the team then made a surprising run to the championship game and finished as league runners-up.
The 2025 season has seen considerable continuity from that surprisingly successful first year. Head coach Leigh Veidman returned to lead the squad from the sidelines. On the pitch, veteran midfielder Luis Gil once again provides high-level skill and experience. Carlos Merancio is back in goal, and as of midseason he’d recorded a league-high six clean sheets — that’s games without allowing a goal, for those still learning the lingo of the beautiful game.
SPOKANE VELOCITY
Season: March to October; playoffs in November Home Venue: ONE Spokane Stadium 2024 season record: 7-9-6
Returning experience on and off the pitch, along with a boost from their deep playoff run in season one, has led the Velocity to the top of the table at midseason and primed for another deep run into fall 2025. The addition of legendary Seattle Sounders midfielder Ozzie Alonso to the ownership group in early 2025 hasn’t hurt either.
SPOKANE ZEPHYR
New York, Dallas, Washington D.C. and… Spokane? That’s right, Spokane’s newest professional team is a top-flight women’s soccer club competing against teams from the biggest cities in the country. When the Zephyr kicked off play in fall 2024, they became the first “major league” team to call the city home in over a hundred years.
SPOKANE ZEPHYR
Season: August to May; playoffs in June
Home Venue: ONE Spokane Stadium 2024-25
record: 11-8-9
Inaugural league MVP Emina Ekic may be gone after one season, but this year’s squad features plenty of familiar faces. Leading returning goalscorer Ally Cook will have more room to operate with the departure of Ekic, while midfield stalwart Emma Jaskaniec will again anchor the center of the pitch. Diehard soccer fans around the Inland Northwest will recognize former Zags Kelsey Oyler and Sophia Braun, the latter of whom is also a regular presence for the Argentina National Team.
As the most northerly team in the USL Super League, the Zephyr play an interesting schedule. To avoid the potential harsh winter weather, all of Spokane’s 14 home games come before mid-November or after mid-March, so catch the action while you can.
In 1977, people got behind Don Kardong’s crazy idea — now known as the mighty Lilac Bloomsday Run
BY TED S. MCGREGOR, JR.
Bloomsday is quite the Spokane phenomenon, with runners keeping at it for what will be 50 years in May. It’ll be a special day; watch the Inlander in 2026 for details on the celebration.
In case you missed the backstory: Bloomsday founder Don Kardong had moved to Spokane to become a teacher after his college running career at Stanford. In 2016, the Inlander published a history of Kardong’s brainchild on its 40th birthday, and he shared his memories about that first running. Here are some of those recollections:
DON KARDONG: “It was a different time. When I was training [for the 1976 Olympics] in Spokane, I remember people yelling at me from their cars as they went by… They just wanted to harass someone doing something different, I guess.
“I thought big community races were a good concept because it was a sport where as an average athlete, you could compete with the best people in the world. That was unusual. You can’t do that in any other sport.
“I told a newspaper reporter that I thought we should have a downtown run here in Spokane. That was a time when it was really rare. I
didn’t intend to actually organize one. But then it was the accidental meeting on the elevator in City Hall with [Mayor David Rodgers], and he said, ‘Well, I read what you said in the newspaper…’”
Kardong made a presentation at City Hall, outlining his idea. Of course nobody wanted to shut down the streets on a Sunday in downtown, but the mayor got behind it, and the idea started to take off — the Spokane Jaycees volunteered to help, a local board was formed and in the years since, thousands of volunteers have gotten behind the vision, along with tens of thousands of participants every year.
For that first run, they settled on a downtown start then out to the old Natatorium Park site and back. On May 1, 1977 — the first Sunday in May, as it has been ever since — 1,198 early adopters finshed Bloomsday.
KARDONG: “[People] liked the name ‘Nat and Back,’ but I guess I had the right to name it. At a meeting they asked what we were going to call it, and I said, ‘I want to name it the Lilac Bloomsday Run.’
“I was really excited when the first race started. To be charging down Riverside at the head of that big group. It’s like a big idea that finally gets put into reality. When I ran across the Maple Street Bridge, it was still a toll bridge. I remember the big smiles the toll takers had. I led all the way across the bridge, and then [Olympian] Frank Shorter passed me. And then Herm Atkins out of Seattle passed me.
“The weirdest thing we did that first year is that someone convinced us that we should all meet ahead of time on the steps in front of the floating stage for a photo. We had 1,200 people sitting there. And Frank Shorter goes by, and he says, ‘Doesn’t anybody warm up?’ We never did that again.”
But they did run it back again the next year… and the next… and for 49 so far. And it’ll be 50 when the morning of May 3, 2026, breaks and tens of thousands gather on those same streets of Spokane.
Bloomsday founder Don Kardong led the pack right out of the gate for the inaugural run in 1977. LILAC BLOOMSDAY PHOTOS
The 1977 finisher T-shirt design by Rich Hearder and Bob Runkle.
Coaching Them Up
Get to know some of the notable folks running the Inland Northwest’s best sports teams BY SETH SOMMERFELD
Sports are an undeniable part of the identity of Spokane and the surrounding areas, and it’s nearly impossible to have a good team without a talented leader in charge of strategic operations. Thankfully for fans in the Inland Northwest, there are plenty of noteworthy coaches on our sidelines, courts and benches. Here are a select few who help define the local sports scene.
MARK FEW — GONZAGA MEN’S BASKETBALL
The undisputed king of the Spokane sports scene, Few turned Gonzaga basketball into a perennial powerhouse. While a national title still eludes him, he’s got the highest career winning percentage of NCAA Division I coaches who’ve been on the bench for at least 300 games at 83% (742-152), and he’s made the NCAA Tournament 25 straight years (aka ev-
ery season of his career) including two Championship Game appearances and a streak of nine-straight Sweet Sixteens or better (finally snapped last season). With an elite knack for offensive efficiency and player development, as long as Few wants to keep coaching, he’ll be the top (Bull)dog in town.
LISA FORTIER — GONZAGA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
While the men’s team gets more national attention, Lisa Fortier has firmly established herself as a top-tier coach by building on the foundation established by prior coach Kelly Graves, making GU’s women a perennial college hoops force. Since taking over in 2014, Fortier’s squads have made eight of 10 NCAA Tournaments and won 79.6% of their games. With an aptitude for constructing high-powered offenses and a fighter’s mentality on and
off the court (she beat a breast cancer diagnosis in 2024), Fortier has cemented the Bulldog women as so much more than just the other Gonzaga team.
ROBERT SACRE — NORTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL BOY’S BASKETBALL
After starring on the court at Gonzaga and then playing in the NBA, 7-footer Robert Sacre is quickly making a name for himself as a high school hoops coach at North Central. The Wolfpack won the district title and made the 3A State Tournament in his first season (2023-24), before falling just short of making State in his second year. After displaying both a fiery intensity and goofiness during his playing days, Sacre surprisingly brings a sense of calm to the sidelines as a coach (while unconsciously mimicking a handful of mannerisms of his former coach, Mark Few).
BRAD LAUER — SPOKANE CHIEFS
If you need proof of how much of an immediate impact a great coach can have on a team, just look at what Brad Lauer did in his first season in charge of the Spokane Chiefs. Before he arrived, the beloved junior hockey team hadn’t won a playoff round since 2013. But in his first year on the bench in 2024-25, the Chiefs won the Western Hockey League’s Western Conference before losing in the championship series. The turnaround wasn’t a total shock as Lauer had the highest career
From left: Coaches Lisa Fortier, Rob Sacre and Mark Few. ERICK DOXEY AND YOUNG KWAK PHOTOS
Recreation
winning percentage in WHL history (from his stint with the Edmonton Oil Kings) before taking the job in Spokane. His track record of getting the most out of young hockey players combined with an attitude that understands players need to be having fun to play their best means that Lauer’s winning ways should continue in the years to come.
JIMMY ROGERS —
WASHINGTON STATE FOOTBALL
Washington State football looms large around these parts, so even though he’s coached exactly zero games for the Cougars at the time of this write-up, Jimmy Rogers is one of the biggest names in the local coaching scene. The 38-year-old defensive-minded coach proved himself a winner as the head coach of FCS power South Dakota State, going undefeated and winning the 2024 National Championship in his first year at the helm and following it up with a 12-3 campaign before bolting for Pullman. His first year on the Palouse will be a bit in limbo, as WSU plays one more season as pseudo-conference nomads before the rebuilt Pac-12 relaunches in 2026, but it’ll be fascinating to watch what sort of culture Rogers begins to build for the Cougs’ football future.
DAN MONSON — EASTERN
WASHINGTON MEN’S BASKETBALL
Youngsters might forget that the coach who started Gonzaga’s rise to prominence was Spokane native Dan Monson, not Mark Few. Under his leadership, Gonzaga broke onto the national stage via an underdog run to the Elite Eight in 1999, the first of 26 straight NCAA Tournament appearances. After stints at Minnesota and Long Beach State, he took over as Eastern Washington’s head coach in 2024. While it might take the Eagles a bit of time to rebuild their program before taking flight again, it’s great for local basketball junkies that Monson has returned home.
KAMIE ETHRIDGE — WASHINGTON STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
After a Hall of Fame career as a player on the hardwood, Kamie Etheridge has continued her winning ways as a coach. She’s taken the Cougar women to the NCAA Tournament in three of her seven years in Pullman, and was named National Coach of the Year by The Athletic in 2023 after stunning the college hoops world and winning the ultra-competitive Pac12 Tournament as the 7-seed. Etheridge will strive to make WSU a power in the new Pac12 starting in 2026.
ROD SANDBERG — WHITWORTH FOOTBALL
NCAA Division III college football doesn’t draw a ton of attention, but Rod Sandberg has been building a highly entertaining and winning program in Spokane at Whitworth University. While he’s been on the job since 2014, the last two seasons (2023 and 2024) have seen the Pirates swashbuckle their way to a 20-3 record and a pair DIII Playoff appearances. Whitworth has been lighting up the scoreboard in recent years under Sandberg, and the coach’s hard-nosed intensity on the gridiron and caring nature off of it calls to mind coaches like Dan Campbell. The hope is that Sandberg can still have that Pirate flag flying high for years to come.
LEIGH VEIDMAN — SPOKANE VELOCITY
After going through some growing pains in the Spokane Velocity’s inaugural 2024 season, Liverpool native Leigh Veidman has helped his squad find its groove on the pitch. In only their second season, Veidman has the Velocity playing like the best team in the USL League One thanks to an aggressive attacking style of play. While Spokane isn’t about to switch from a basketball to soccer town anytime soon, the Velocity’s manager is doing his best to firmly establish his team as part of the local sporting conversation.
Leigh Veidman ERICK DOXEY PHOTO
Brad Lauer YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
Kamie Etheridge WSU ATHLETICS PHOTO
Rod Sandberg WHITWORTH ATHLETICS PHOTO
Dan Monson EWU ATHLETICS PHOTO
Chalk It Up
The Inland Northwest has places, both indoors and outdoor, ripe for the climbing
BY DORA SCOTT
Whether you prefer indoor or outdoor rock climbing, ropes or bouldering, or are a novice or an experienced climber, the Inland Northwest’s climbing scene has something for everyone. Climbing can be a dangerous activity, and you do so at your own risk. If you’re new to climbing or climbing outdoors, go with someone experienced.
Locally, you can find a number of climbing gyms with classes, amenities and constantly changing routes. Or, within a 30-minute drive or less, find yourself at one of many scenic outdoor climbing areas that are foundational to the region’s climbing community. What are you waiting for? Chalk up and climb on!
INDOORS
BLOC YARD
233 E. Lyons Ave., blocyardgym.com, 509-822-7604
Centered solely on bouldering (climbing walls at lower heights with padded floors but
no ropes), Bloc Yard opened in 2017 with a wide range of beginner-friendly to more advanced climbs. There’s also a topout boulder to climb atop and take a slide down — very family friendly, and will also make adults feel like a kid again! To hone your technique, hop on the light-up tension board or take advantage of an upstairs work out space.
COEUR CLIMBING
764 Clearwater Loop, Post Falls, coeurclimbing.com 208-777-9253
The newest climbing gym in the area, opened in 2023, Coeur Climbing is located in Post Falls and offers mainly bouldering, although there is a top rope and autobelay wall. Most of the bouldering walls are 15 feet tall with a balanced mixture of wall angles. The upstairs area has shorter walls for kids, a workout area and a small yoga studio.
EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
150 University Recreation Center, Cheney 509-359-4015
Free for Eastern Washington University students who are currently enrolled or community members with a URC pass, the climbing area at the school’s University Recreation Center features 30-foot top rope walls. Beginner, intermediate and advanced climbing classes are offered for both credit or noncredit.
GRADING EXPLAINED
Boulders are rated on a V scale: V0 is the easiest, and the difficulty increases with each number. V16/17 are world-class. A “+” or “-” can be postfixed on the grade to indicate slight variations in difficulty.
Ropes: The Yosemite Decimal System is primarily used in the U.S., and has three parts to it (eg., 5.12a). The first number refers to the class of hike, scramble or climb with increasing numbers reflecting an increase in the steepness, with 5 being a rock face that requires gear to climb.
The number after the digit refers to the difficulty level, a 5.8 being beginner-friendly with 5.12 more advanced. The letter after the grade further distinguishes the climb’s difficulty with “a” being easier to “d” being harder.
Spokane Bouldering by Shane Collins and Nate Lynch
Visit inwbouldering.com to download a free guidebook by Brendan Perdue
Mountain Project app
Local climber Owen Harro wrote a guide book on the many bouldering spots around Tubbs Hill in Coeur d’Alene. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
KROC CENTER
1765 W. Golf Course Road, Coeur d’Alene, kroccda.org, 208-667-1865
With a mixture of both top roping and bouldering, a small climbing area at the Kroc Center in Coeur d’Alene is perfect for casual climbing sessions. Non-members can climb with the purchase of a day pass, which also gains access to the rest of the amenities like a pool, multipurpose gym, workout equipment and more. If you’re wanting to work on your climbing technique, you can get personal coaching.
UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO
1000 Paradise Creek St., Moscow, 208-885-6810
Found in the university’s Student Recreation Center, the Climbing Center has a 55-foot pillar, 24-foot instructional wall and bouldering walls. Access to the climbing area is included in Student Recreation Center membership.
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
1105 N.E. North Fairway Road, Pullman, 509-335-8732
Open to currently enrolled students who pay mandatory fees, the climbing wall located in the Student Recreation Center has a 32-foot top rope wall, bouldering and dry tooling (using dry tool picks instead of your hands).
WILD WALLS
202 W. Second Ave., wildwalls.com, 509-455-9596
Since 1995, Wild Walls has been a pillar of Spokane’s climbing community. The indoor gym features a 40-foot top rope, lead and autobelay walls, and two bouldering areas. If you’re new to climbing, you can take one of the top rope classes. There are also yoga classes Monday through Thursday for a midweek reset. Make the most of a membership or day pass with a workout in the upstairs area that features gym equipment and more.
OUTDOORS
CLIFF DRIVE
Perfect for the 9-to-5 office worker who’s limited on time after work to get in an outdoor climb, the Cliff Drive climbing area is in the heart of Spokane, on the lower South Hill near the scenic city overlook. There are 18 bolted climbs on basalt rock that range from 5.6 to 5.11 grades. To find the main wall, park along Cliff Drive at the Pioneer Park pullout. You’ll see a steep path in a cleft between the rocks, making it easy to set up for top roping. If you stay for the sunset, you’re in for some great city views.
PHOTO COURTESY COEUR CLIMBING
Recreation
on 50-foot granite walls and are nearly all sport routes. After climbing, head over to The Cove for a dip in Long Lake.
DEEP CREEK
Head 20 minutes northwest of Spokane to Riverside State Park to find some of the best sport climbing the area has to offer. There are over 70 sport routes on basalt rock, many of them harder grades and overhung. The walls get a lot of direct sun, so the routes tend to stay dry, but also plan for the heat in warmer seasons. Note: You will need a Washington State Park Discover Pass for parking.
DISHMAN
625 S. Sargent Rd., Spokane Valley
Located in the heart of the Spokane Valley, this area’s 30-plus routes are on the harder side (ranging from 5.11-5.12) on overhanging granite. There are also ample bouldering routes with a wide range of difficulty. Mostly on private property owned by the Hutchinson Irrigation District, the Washington Climbers Coalition drafted a letter of resolution to ensure that climbers continue to have access.
MCLELLAN ROCKS
Located near Nine Mile Falls, McLellan is on undeveloped Washington State Parks land on the south bank of the Spokane River, which means you’ll need a Discover Pass to use the main parking lots. Most of the 176 routes are
MINNEHAHA
5699 E. Upriver Dr.
With over 70 routes on granite rock — all which can be top roped — Minnehaha is Spokane’s oldest climbing site and one of its most popular crags. It has a variety of rock shading and a range of difficulty. There’s also a good assortment of bouldering, mostly in the moderate grades. When you get to the top of routes at the main wall, you’re rewarded with a view of the Spokane River and Felts Field airport in the distance.
Q’EMILN
12201 W. Parkway Dr., Post Falls
Located in Post Falls in Q’emiln Park (pronounced Ka-MEE-lin), there are a number of top rope accessible routes alongside a mix of trad (where climbers place their own removable protection) and sport. There are a total of 190 routes, including some bouldering, on granite rock. After a long day of climbing, if weather permits, take a dip in the nearby Spokane River.
ROCKS OF SHARON
9399 S. Stevens Creek Road
With over 60 routes on granite outcrop-
pings, Rocks of Sharon in the Dishman Hills Conservation Area is worth the 20-minute uphill hike, rewarding you with great views of the Palouse. The area features sport, trad, some bouldering and beginner-friendly multi-pitch.
TUBBS HILL
208 S. Third Street, Coeur d’Alene
Located near downtown Coeur d’Alene, this public recreational land borders McEuen Park and the lake. While climbers have been bouldering here for decades, there’s renewed interest among younger generations in cleaning and establishing routes, now numbering over 70. Some boulders are along the waterline and only accessible during lower water levels, others are more inland and offer expansive views of the lake. Check out The Tubbs Hill Bouldering Guide by local climber Owen Harro for more information.
TUM TUM
7406 Hwy. 291, Tum Tum
Also referred to as “Craiglandia,” Tum Tum consists of 36 private acres of climbing open to the public with over 250 routes of trad, well-bolted and maintained sport routes and bouldering. Craig Anderson bought the land in 2015 to preserve its accessibility for climbers of all skill levels. There are also climbs located nearby on land owned by the Washington state Department of Natural Resources.
CHALK IT UP...
Inlander staff writer Dora Scott takes on a boulder at Tubbs Hill. YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
Up High, But Not Far
Spokane has five mountain resorts just up the road
SNOWLANDER SEASON
Monthly special sections inside the Inlander, October through February, and always online at Inlander.com/snowlander
LOOKOUT PASS
IT’S NOT THE HIGHEST mountain in our region, but Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area is prominent nonetheless. On the crest of the Bitterroot Mountains, straddling the border between Idaho and Montana, Lookout is located atop a geographic and climatological gold mine for winter sports.
Just as the Cascades wring the rain out of passing air masses, making the west side considerably wetter than the east, the Bitterroots do the same with snow. As a mountain on their crest, Lookout Pass is positioned to get socked in every single winter.
“We average about 450 inches on [Eagle Peak] and about 400 on the front of the mountain over the past 15, 20 years,” says Matt Sawyer, director of marketing at Lookout Pass.
Lookout celebrated 90 years last season, with steady growth occurring all around. A few seasons back it expanded onto the adjacent Eagle Peak. Two years ago saw growth at the historic lodge, while last year the parking lot was expanded.
Sawyer says there used to be some days each winter when the lot would be completely full. But that’s not a problem since the expansion, which is accessible directly off I-90 at Exit 0 on the state border.
Lookout is comfortable serving the locals who know it best, with amenities like its famed Free Ski School, but it also wants to share its splendor — and snow — with anyone curious to know about what’s happening along the Idaho/Montana state line. (WILL MAUPIN)
“We’re 1,023 acres, a lot of diversity of terrain. My favorite is taking Chair Five and coming down either Rubicon or El Dorado. They’re on the top right as you’re going up.”
— Matt Sawyer, Lookout’s director of marketing
There’s nothing better than a bluebird snow day! LOOKOUT PASS PHOTO
SILVER MOUNTAIN
WITH ONE OF THE longest scenic gondolas in the country, there’s no need to traverse icy, winding roads to embark on your winter sporting excursions at Silver Mountain.
“Look forward to making lifelong memories with your family,” says Gus Colburn, Silver Mountain Resort’s marketing coordinator. “There’s no place better to do that, and it starts from right when you get to the parking lot that’s right next to the gondola.”
Silver Mountain has 83 runs of varying difficulty levels, and they have a number of programs for new skiers and snowboarders that introduce them to the basics so they can begin hitting the slopes with confidence.
In addition to winter sports, Silver also has a waterpark at the base of the mountain that remains open during the winter. Plus, there are a bunch of restaurants, bars and activities to check out during a midday break or at the end of your day on the mountain in the Gondola and Mountain villages.
“I just think that the family atmosphere [at Silver Mountain] is so cool,” Colburn says. “It’s fun to go through the Mountain House and see all the different generations of people hanging out with each other.” (SUMMER SANDSTROM)
“My favorite groomer would be Sunrise, which is just this gorgeous, wideopen blue that runs down a ridge, and you kinda get a vista of the Bitterroots, then out over the Selkirks.” — Reid Allen, Silver Mountain ski patroller
Shred some gnar at Silver. SILVER MOUNTAIN PHOTO
BIG TERRAIN. SHORT DRIVE. ENDLESS FUN.
From first-timers to seasoned shredders, Mt. Spokane has it all— 1,700+ acres, 53 runs, terrain parks, lessons, tubing, and the longest ski days around.
Less drive time, more slope time.
Mt. Spokane: Your nonprofit playground.
49° NORTH
JUST 60 MILES NORTH of Spokane and 10 miles east of Chewelah lies 49° North Mountain Resort, which has built a reputation for great family-friendly skiing and snowboarding experiences. With more than 2,300 acres, it’s Eastern Washington’s largest ski resort, offering a myriad of snow sports experiences for all skill levels. The resort features 90 runs, seven ski lifts and opportunities for snowshoeing, Alpine and Nordic skiing.
The resort’s goals are to create memories and enjoyment with ease at 49° North by streamlining the process of renting, buying ski passes and attending ski school (if needed). The Experience Center is the new 7,000-square-foot headquarters for the snowsports school and equipment rental store.
“The goal is to make our rentals more fluid and hopefully make that process a little bit faster so people can get out on the snow,” says Leah Bardal, program manager at 49° North’s snowsports school.
“When you get up to the mountain, everyone is super excited to be first on the chair. They want to be out there and just get out onto the snow,” she says. “So making our systems streamlined makes the customer experience better.”
If you’re new to the resort or skiing, Bardal has you covered with certified instructors who can help with any skill level. Classes for children, teens and adults offer a range of instruction options.
(VICTOR CORRAL MARTINEZ)
“My go-to run is always down Silver Ridge because of its open terrain. But if it’s a good powder day and I want to challenge myself a little more, I head to Cy’s Glades.”
— Leah Bardal, 49’s snowsports school program manager
Snowy slopes and stunning views at Chewelah Peak.
NORTH PHOTO
& AT MISTEQUA CASINO HOTEL
Owned and operated by the Spokane Tribe, Mistequa Casino Hotel is located just north of Spokane at 2545 Smith Rd in Chewelah, WA. Mistequa Casino Hotel is the only 100% non-smoking casino in the region and offers delicious dining, comfortable hotel rooms, an event center and nonstop fun. Plus, check out our seasonal Stay & Play packages for your next getaway!
SCHWEITZER
LAST SEASON, SCHWEITZER RELAUNCHED
special events and doubled down on the services that have made the resort into a destination resort. Schweitzer Backcountry Adventures was previously operated by a third-party in partnership with Schweitzer but now falls entirely under the resort’s purview.
“It opens up access to more than 4,300 acres of untouched, non-lift-access terrain,” says Tom Chasse, president and chief operating officer of Schweitzer.
“It’s an opportunity for us to invite our guests to explore the terrain,” adds Taylor Prather, Schweitzer’s marketing manager. That new acreage features steep glades, open fields and, of course, untouched powder.
Pre-booked skiers and snowboarders will be ferried offsite by two 12-passenger snowcats, which run seven days per week, conditions permitting. A trained guide provides background on safety and the optimal drop-in zones. If that sounds a little too daunting, guided snowmobile tours offer family-friendly access to the same expansive backcountry.
Schweitzer has even more to look forward to in the evenings, especially the Sky House snowcat dinners. A limited number of guests can take the chairlift to the lofty Sky House on Schweitzer’s peak, where they’ll be served a multicourse meal complete with chef-inspired wine or cocktail pairings. Afterwards, guests will descend the mountain in a snowcat under the night sky.
“Schweitzer really is a place,” Prather says, “that you can bring the whole family and find something enjoyable to do together as well as on your own.” (E.J. IANNELLI)
“Backcountry skiing is more of a quiet, slow-paced experience — no lines, no stress, untracked powder. You’re more connected to place, time, the flow of things.”
— James Rowland, manager of Schweitzer Backcountry Adventures
Specatular views of Lake Pend Oreille await atop Schweitzer Mountain.
MT. SPOKANE
BASICALLY RIGHT NEXT DOOR to the city, Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park prides itself on having a laid-back, friendly atmosphere.
“Being a nonprofit organization is kind of like that X factor that is different, especially in the modern day of corporate skiing,” Terrain Park Manager AJ Ricci says. “It’s nice to take a step back and focus on some of the stuff that we got into skiing and riding for — the community and hanging out with our buddies up on the mountain.”
That’s not to say the mountain hasn’t changed with the times. Recent years have seen a major expansion in the number of lifts and runs, upgrades to grooming equipment and modernization of old lifts, and additions
“If I’m not ripping through the terrain park, I’m searching
for
some leftover powder. My favorite run outside of the park has got to be Lou’s Lane down on the backside of Chair Four.”
— AJ Ricci, Mt. Spokane’s terrain park manager
to the mountain’s event and food offerings.
One new lift that opened last season — the Half Hitch Tow Lift — serves the terrain park. Previously, skiers and riders had to descend almost to the lodge to catch a ride back up.
“We’re the only terrain park in the region that has invested in a lift just for the terrain park,” says Mt. Spokane Assistant General Manager Jodi Kayler. “So basically terrain park enthusiasts can just stay in the park all day and lap it.”
That means shorter wait times for the Parkway Express and Hidden Treasure lifts, freeing up space for those skiers and riders who prefer to carve on the slopes.
(WILL MAUPIN)
Mt. Spokane offers regular night skiing sessions.
MT. SPOKANE PHOTO
The More You Snow
Learn a winter sport this season through these local resources
BY MARTA SZYMANSKA
As the snow falls and the temperatures drop, people in the Inland Northwest might feel discouraged by the shrinking number of outdoor activities available in the harsh winter weather. Before you give up and settle for spending the season indoors, remember that the snow brings new opportunities for winter sports. Whether it’s snowshoeing, ice skating or cross-country skiing, the possibilities are endless for those who don’t mind throwing on some extra layers.
Trying a new outdoor hobby this winter could become a lifelong passion, so put on your mittens and woolen hat and go take full advantage of the Inland Northwest’s gorgeous winter.
SKIING & SNOWBOARDING
There are plenty of amazing mountains within driving distance of the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene area. Mt. Spokane, 49 Degrees North, Silver Mountain, Schweitzer and Lookout Pass all offer options for beginners to learn how to ski or snowboard, or to improve the skills they already have.
Schweitzer Mountain above Sandpoint boasts 92 runs, three terrain parks and 20 miles of cross-country trails. Schweitzer Ski and Snowboard School Director Ryan Hernandez says that in a first-time or beginner lesson, coaches focus on making students feel safe, confident and engaged.
“A first-time lesson at Schweitzer starts from the very beginning,” he says. “From simply moving around on flat ground and sliding for the first time in a controlled environment, to stopping, making your first turns and riding the chairlift. Our lessons are student-centered and designed to present information at an easily digestible pace to build confidence and maximize progression while mitigating risk. At the end of the day, we want to help you meet your goals and have an absolute blast doing it.”
Hernandez says beginner classes are important in establishing fundamentals and confidence, and that staff tailor lessons to students’ age, comfort and skill.
All the region’s mountains offer ski and snowboard lessons, so check your favorite’s website for details.
It’s important to dress for the season, so along with any specific gear, remember to wear layers, warm winter socks, a face cover, goggles and a helmet. Arrive early so there’s no stress regarding parking, gear or rentals. And, most importantly, don’t give up if you fall or if it’s challenging at first — stay positive and remember to have a good time!
Instructors at Schweitzer help newbies feel confident on skis or snowboards. SCHWEITZER PHOTO
FIGURE SKATING
Once the air becomes chilly, Riverfront Park’s Numerica Skate Ribbon transitions from cement to ice for skaters ready to try gliding rather than rolling.
Coeur d’Alene-based Lake City Figure Skating partners with the city of Spokane to provide wintertime ice skating classes for all ages. Classes run from early December to mid February. The group also offers year-round classes at its permanent location, Coeur d’Alene’s Frontier Ice Arena. In a typical beginner’s class, students first learn how to fall and get up on their own before they move into skills such as marching, swizzling and gliding.
“Skating is one of the best sports in the world,” says Moe Herr, director of both Spokane Figure Skating and Lake City Figure Skating. “I think it’s really important that skaters and people of all ages can go out there and have an enjoyable experience, and if providing lessons helps people learn to be stable and be safe to make their experience more enjoyable, then we’re happy to provide that.”
The Skate Ribbon is also a social hub in winter, hosting events and activities like themed skate nights and sessions featuring local DJs. Learn more at my.spokanecity.org/riverfrontspokane.
SKI RACING
For those who feel confident on the mountain and want to go a step further, the Mt. Spokane Ski Race Team offers a prime opportunity.
Ski racing can take several forms, but typically involves skiing through a set course and turning between flags or gates to the finish line. Two skiers often race down parallel courses; each skier does the course twice for an average as their final score.
One of several competitive ski teams serving local kids, the Mt. Spokane Ski Race Team is open to ages 5 and up, as long as racers can load the chairlift, manage their equipment, and ski parallel. Once a skier is over 21, they can enter the Masters program, which is more recreational with fewer restrictions on equipment and racing.
Joining the ski racing team has advantages beyond improving one’s ski skills. It’s a great way to make friends on the mountain, foster an appreciation for skiing, and possibly move on to skiing at the college level by receiving a scholarship.
Catherine Harnden, the ski team’s executive director, says its classes can be tailored to members’ goals. The team also hosts a number of races each season. For those new to racing, consider a five-day camp around the holidays.
Harnden says ski racing is a greatway to take your skills to the next level. It can help skiers develop pride and confidence in their skills while becoming more involved in the mountain community. Learn more at mssrt.org or pnwdivision.org/alpine/alpine-clubs/.
Learn to glide over the ice at the Numerica Skate Ribbon.
SPOKANE PARKS PHOTO
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There comes a time every winter when I get the itch. It comes after weeks (or months) of being locked inside, unable to enjoy the outdoors due to the freezing weather. Cabin fever. I get desperate, desperate to do anything outside, even if that means camping in February (yes, really). It doesn’t have to be like this, as there are plenty of other, more rational, options to stay active and outside during winter.
FAT TIRE BIKING
One of the biggest obstacles to staying active in winter isn’t just the temperatures, it’s the terrain itself. As anyone who’s tried to drive a front-wheel drive car on snowy South Hill roads knows, snow makes everything involving tires more difficult. There’s a solution to this, however — cheating the system by beefing up your tires. Enter fat tire biking, a type of bike designed to easily glide across unforgiving snow-covered terrain.
Mark Neupert, owner of Wheel Sport Bicycles, recommends that beginners try out fat tire biking on groomed trails first, which can be found at Mount Spokane and at Schweitzer. Neupert’s personal favorite trail is Cloudwalker at Schweitzer.
“It’s a nice long climb to get up to Cloudwalker, so you get about an hour climb before you get to it,” Neupert says. “The views off of Cloudwalker of the lake and the Cabinet Mountains are just beautiful.”
Although fat tire bikes are great in the winter, they can be used year-round. Neupert says they can be also used on sandy and bumpy areas, as the specialty tires absorb bumps and help with traction.
SNOWSHOEING
Winter sports have a reputation for being expensive and gear-heavy, but this isn’t entirely true. Snowshoeing is a relatively cheap sport; the biggest investment comes from purchasing the shoes themselves. Snowshoes can be rented, too. While many snowshoers trek out to far-off mountains and rugged wilderness, excursions can be as easy as a trip to your local park.
Spokane Parks and Recreation offers snowshoeing tours each winter. Andrew Fuzak, outdoor recreation supervisor for Parks and Recreation, says it’s a great way for beginners to get started. The program’s standard tours include all equipment and transportation to and from the destination. Tours range from $45-$80 per person.
“We’re able to offer a smoking deal,” Fuzak says. “They’re not going to find value like that at resorts.”
If you’re looking for a dual adventure/date night, Spokane Parks also offers combination dinner and snowshoe tours. These dinner tours are $80 per person and feature food catered by Greenbluff Fresh Catering Company, a meal of lasagna, breadsticks, salad and more.
Spokane Parks also hosts moonlight and starlight tours around Mount Spokane’s Bald Knob Campground, along with youth and family snowshoe tours.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
When someone hears the term “snow sports,” skiing usually comes to mind first. Cross-country skiing, however, is less well-known than its downhill cousin. With its origins as a form of travel in Scandinavia, cross-country skiing is practical in many ways. It allows the skier to travel vast distances that otherwise may have been impassable. Near Spokane, cross-country skiing is mostly delegated to recreation, not travel.
Matt Halloran, board president for Spokane Nordic Ski, says one of the main advantages to
cross-country skiing (also referred as nordic skiing) is that it’s a lifelong sport.
“If you look at it compared to downhill skiing, nordic skiing is something that you can do literally your whole life. From the moment you’re able to walk, you can probably figure out how to ski,” Halloran says. “We have folks all the way up into their 80s who we see regularly out on the trails.”
In addition to being advantageous to cardiorespiratory health, cross-country skiing is easier on the joints than downhill skiing, making it more accessible to a wider variety of people. Cross-country skiing is also more financially accessible than downhill skiing, Halloran adds.
Compared to downhill skiing, which requires lift tickets, cross-country skiing requires only a Sno-Park pass ($25-$70; visit parks.wa.gov/passes-permits). Sno-Parks are parking lots cleared of snow and provide direct access to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling trails; there are more than 120
of them spread across Washington state.
“So if you fit five people in your car, that one SnoPark [pass] can enable folks, like a whole family, to ski for a full year,” Halloran says.
For those just getting started with the sport, he recommends the Linder Ridge Road trail on Mount Spokane due to its flat terrain. Halloran also suggests checking out Spokane Nordic Ski’s program offerings (spokanenordic.org), including lessons and rentals.
Explore sparkling winter forests on snowshoes. AARON THEISEN PHOTO
Cross-country skiing is accessible to many. SPOKANE NORDIC SKI PHOTO
Photo : Rebecca Moore
Night
Local Artists to Watch
A snapshot of some of the up-and-coming acts in the local music scene
COMPILED & EDITED BY
SETH SOMMERFELD
There are many different sonic flavors available to folks checking out music in Spokane and the greater Inland Northwest. But since most don’t have time to fully dive head first into the scene, here’s a selection of local artists on the rise who we’ve featured in the Inlander’s most recent Artists to Watch issues. They’re all definitely worth checking out.
HAYES NOBLE
It’s rare to see a young up-and-coming artist move to Spokane as opposed to bigger metropolises, but that’s what happened when Hayes Noble moved to the Lilac City with his family in 2023. Still a teenager at the time, the singer/guitarist had just released an absolutely ripping fuzzy altrock debut album called Head Cleaner, one that calls to mind bands like Dinosaur Jr. and early Nirvana. Playing with his dad on drums and his younger brother on bass, Noble quickly became an anchor of the allages music scene.
Noble’s shows pulsate with raw energy and hit listeners with waves of distorted noise drawing on everything from ’80s college rock to ’90s screamo. He quickly followed his first record with 2024’s As It Was, As We Were, which further explores the always-messy feelings of coming of age via blistering bursts of frenetic sound, which translates just as well to grungy Gen Xers as it does to his fellow Gen Zers. instagram.com/hayesnoblemusic
Hayes Noble ALICIA HAUFF PHOTO
HANNAH SIGLIN
Singer-songwriter Hannah Siglin is on a not-in-a-hurry quest to marry her love of music and plants. Her gentle folk songs, like those found on the album Seeds, showcase Siglin’s raw and intimate lyrics over intricate guitar parts, fiddle, mandolin and other traditional folk instruments, her voice the stunning, striking centerpiece of it all. With lyrics on harvest, wishing for rain and heartbreak, the album is a masterclass in folk songwriting and pulls at the heartstrings of any listener who appreciates nature and a slow, well-lived life.
A song like “I Smell Rain” finds her commanding the sonic space with just her voice and a guitar, unintentionally silencing those who inhabit it, and filling it back up again with a singular line. The emotion is palpable as her voice weaves through chord changes to form a haunting melody that erupts into a chorus backed by fiddles and a beguiling piano line. As the strings speed up their weary dance, so does Siglin’s voice as it pierces through, bellowing a lyrical “hallelujah” when rain finally falls.
instagram.com/hannahsiglinmusic
Hannah Siglin ALICIA HAUFF PHOTO
Nightlife
ROOM 13
While it might lack mass appeal, Spokane hardcore is the most consistently thriving niche music scene in town, be it at house shows or all-ages venues like The Big Dipper. In short order, Room 13 has become a mainstay of the scene with its unrelenting, but not unwelcoming, brand of metallic hardcore music. Centered on big, heavy, chunky guitar riffs and the shredding screams of singer Steven Erminpour, Room 13 has put out three EPs since starting up in 2021, including 2024’s Up to No Good. Part of Room 13’s appeal lies in the band’s multifaceted nature. Sure, they’re going to create a wall of vicious noise, but there’s also a certain mirth to it all. The trio wants to dispel the fake tough-guy hardcore persona by just being working-class dudes that pedal in hard riffs and clever lyrics. Take “MTV2” where Erminpour screams about hollow nostalgia for blissful ignorance, which eventually leads to him bellowing “I want my... I want my MTV!” If you can’t have a bit of a laugh at lyrical touches like that, then maybe Room 13 isn’t for you. instagram.com/room13nwhc
THE BED HEADS
While evolution in nature can take eons, The Bed Heads are aiming for something much more rapid. In just over a year of existence, the Spokane indie folk band has already established itself as one of the Lilac City’s premier groups thanks to their incredibly accessible melodic folk tunes.
The core of The Bed Heads’ sound emanates from frontman Landon Spencer’s thoughtful songwriting and tender voice, with the rest of the instrumentals working in harmony to elevate his history-major lyricism. Those songs can range from stripped-down, sun-drenched reflections on everyday beauty to an entire EP based on Homer’s Odyssey (My Name is Nobody).
SPØØKY
As the band has expanded, they’ve begun to explore more indie rock and Americana sonic realms. Newer tracks feel closer to indie pop acts like Medium Build and Bendigo Fletcher than PNW folk. Still, the band strives to create campfire sing-along vibes that welcome all listeners. instagram.com/thebedheadsmusic
A room full of hardcore punk kids can feel intimidating for scene outsiders, what with their resting snarl faces and willingness to violently slam into their best friends. But anytime a certain guitar-wielding masked cowboy in assless chaps — looking like The Lone Deranger — takes a Spokane stage with his trusty dress-wearing percussive companion by his side, an inclusive hardcore hootenanny is fixin’ to go down. The two varmints in question are Micah Clay Lübben and Wes Marvin, who together unleash a barrage of wonderful heavy noise as the two-man hardcore sludge posse known as Spøøky.
The duo’s unique visual style and relentless energy help them stand out in Spokane’s thriving hardcore music scene, bringing a dose of mirth to a sometimes too-serious genre, thereby allowing everyone to lower their guard a bit and have an absolute blast while still thrashing about with riotous aplomb. Lübben has dubbed Spøøky’s brutal weirdo hardcore sound “Scablands hardcore,” an evocative nod to Spokane’s geographic region (the Channeled Scablands created by the Missoula floods) and the band’s “brokedown home on the range country vibe.” instagram.com/thespookyband
Room 13
ALICIA HAUFF PHOTO
The Bed Heads MAX DELSID PHOTO
Spooky ALICIA HAUFF PHOTO
Centers of Sound
Rounding up some of the Inland Northwest’s best live music venues
BY SETH SOMMERFELD
BIG-TIME VENUES FIRST INTERSTATE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
A downtown staple best known for hosting the Best of Broadway series, First Interstate Center is no slouch when it comes to concerts. In addition to drawing big rock and folk headliners, the space also hosts orchestra shows centered around the scores of beloved movie, television and video game franchises. 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., firstinterstatecenter.org
COMING SOON: Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, 10/11/25
GESA CREDIT UNION PAVILION AT RIVERFRONT PARK
Spokane’s most recognizable landmark (a remnant of Expo ’74 ) sporadically shifts into an open-air venue every summer. With a tendency to book hot modern singer-songwriters, indie rockers, country stars and jam bands, there’s always a wide range of patrons when tours stop in. 574 N. Howard St., spokanepavilion.com
BECU LIVE AT NORTHERN QUEST
RESORT & CASINO
Consistently ranked by Inlander readers as the best concert venue in the region, this outdoor complex draws huge country and rock names to play in a great open-air space with killer sound. While Northern Quest also hosts indoor shows during colder months in the Pend Oreille Pavilion, its summer concert series remains one of the hottest tickets around.
100 N. Hayford Road, Airway Heights, northernquest.com
COMING SOON: Old Dominion, 9/27/25
THE PODIUM
While The Podium’s prime focus is hosting top-tier sporting events, the venue across the street from the Spokane Arena also hosts a handful of concerts every year. With expansive floor and bleacher seating, it can comfortably host big-time acts in the hard rock, hip-hop and country realms. 511 W. Joe Albi Way, thepodiumusa.com
COMING SOON: Trivium, 11/28/25
YOU JUST PLAY HERE
SPOKANE ARENA
The biggest spot in town for 30 years running, Spokane Arena still brings musical legends and rising megastars to the Lilac City on the regular. When a building can claim recent tour kickoffs for icons like Paul McCartney and Shania Twain (in addition to a boatload of country, metal, Christian and classic rock concerts), there’s little doubt it’s a major national player.
720 W. Mallon Ave., spokanearena.com
COMING SOON: Brandon Lake, 11/23/25
ONE SPOKANE STADIUM
More than pro soccer and high school footbal, the Public Facilities District has drawn big-time shows to the brand-new venue, including Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and top-flight comedians with the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival. 501 W. Gardner Ave., onespokanestadium.com
MID-SIZED & MELODIC
BING CROSBY THEATER
Standing for more than a century, this downtown relic (Crosby started his career here) is a great place to catch classic rock cover bands, the occasional legendary touring acts and even top theater productions broadcast from London’s West End. 901 W. Sprague Ave., bingcrosbytheater.com
COMING SOON: Jim Brickman, 11/23/25
Nightlife
CENTERS OF SOUND…
COEUR D’ALENE CASINO RESORT HOTEL
In North Idaho, the Coeur d’Alene Casino can scratch one’s gaming and musical itches with big-name country and rock concerts. For a more intimate music experience, its Chinook and Nighthawk lounges both offer performances by local talent. 37914 S Nukwalqw St., Worley, cdacasino.com
COMING SOON: BlackHawk, 10/16/25
SPOKANE TRIBE RESORT & CASINO
The Spokane Tribe Casino has been a player in the indoor concert scene since launching its Spokane Live venue in 2023. The sleek space plays hosts to both modern and nostalgic big names across the country, rock and pop spectrum. 14300 US-2, Airway Heights, spokanetribecasino.com/spokane-live; COMING SOON: Colbie Caillat & Gavin DeGraw, 12/4/25
THE FOX
The Spokane Symphony’s home sees the ensemble host fresh takes on standards and family-friendly fare. The tremendous art deco space also boasts plenty of non-classical concerts by touring singer-songwriters, rockers and Americana stars. 1001 W. Sprague Ave., foxtheaterspokane.org
COMING SOON: Tommy Emmanuel, 4/14/26
KNITTING FACTORY
A force when it comes to bringing both established and up-and-coming acts to town, the 1,500-capacity Knit eschews genre pigeonholing by bringing in everything from rock and country to reggae and emo. 919 W. Sprague Ave., sp.knittingfactory.com
COMING SOON: The Mountain Goats, 12/5/25
SMALLER SCENE HOTSPOTS
THE BIG DIPPER
Everyone is welcome at The Big Dipper, the all-ages hub in downtown Spokane that primarily caters to the hardcore, metal and punk scenes. The Dipper also serves as a spot where many a local band gets to play their first official show. 171 S. Washington St., bigdipperevents.com
THE CHAMELEON + JAGUAR ROOM This
neon-tinged, jungle themed musical oasis incorporates eye-catching video visuals into sets that range from touring indie folk and local hip-hop to EDM and themed dance nights. The downstairs space, known as the Jaguar Room, is set up for all-ages gigs, opening up The Chameleon to a different audience in a more intimate space.
1801 W. Sunset Blvd., chameleonspokane.com
THE DISTRICT BAR
A smaller offshoot bar and venue attached to the Knitting Factory, The District Bar’s smaller space often leads to the space booking more up-and-coming, underground folk, punk and rock acts than can be found on the Knit’s main stage. 916 W. First Ave., sp.knittingfactory.com
NASHVILLE NORTH
Any country fan in the region worth their salt knows their way to Post Falls’ Nashville North. If you’re looking to line dance while busting out your Stetson, cowboy boots and Daisy Dukes, this is the place for you, partner.
6361 W. Seltice Way, Post Falls, thenashvillenorth.com
NEATO BURRITO
Beating your hunger while moving to the beat is a breeze here. Hosting both all-ages and 21+ shows, the tiny space hosts plenty of young local bands playing some of their first shows and niche touring acts in search of a small, cozy gig. 827 W. First Ave., instagram.com/neato.babybar
ZOLA
Almost every night of the week, Zola pairs its trendy bar vibes with top-notch music. Leaning heavily on local singer-songwriters, Zola is a scene unto itself with plenty of talented performers that’ll have you sticking around for one more round. 22 W. Main Ave., zolainspokane.com
TIME BABY
Two’s company and three’s a crowd, but seven’s heaven for Time Baby. Whether it’s a silent compliment thrown in the direction of a fellow band member who just completed a nasty solo or a perma-smile on each of their faces, the members of the Spokane instrumental jazz group always look like they’re having the time of their lives on stage — and they are. But behind the incredibly good vibes are years of dedication, practice and passion for jazz music, and the technical knowledge to perform it effectively.
A Time Baby show is like a quilt, where the members’ immense knowledge allows for different sonic fabrics to be woven together depending on the venue, crowd and concert lineup, shifting from funk to prog to Latin tunes to metal in a matter of moments. Each member is capable of busting out sick saxophone, guitar, keyboard, bass, vibraphone or drum solo at the drop of a hat. Residing on the outskirts of the local music scene, the band wants to break down the wall of jazz unapproachability via a fusion sound that strives to get people movin’ and groovin’ no matter where the group is performing. instagram.com/timebaby_official
YP
VIKA & THE VELVETS
The haze of a dimly lit piano bar. A red curtain draped across a dusty stage. The feeling of satin on skin. Turn these things into melodies, and it would sound like Vika & the Velvets. There’s not a lot that the band hasn’t done over the past few years — going from a local opener to a group getting booked at big regional festivals — while rising to the top tier of the Spokane music scene.
The band’s core sound blends a psychedelic indie rock core and vintage girl group pop vibes, but there are layers of other genre variations like country twang, bossa nova and surf rock fleshing out the soundscape. It all revolves around singer/guitarist Olivia Vika, a Russian/Egyptian immigrant whose voice possesses an alluringingly hypnotic neo-soul rasp that can be heard on the band’s 2025 debut album, Like a Spade. From her strong, passionate vocals to her confident presence, Vika is a force to be reckoned with anytime she takes the stage. instagram.com/vikandthevelvets
Finding your voice in an area that can be unaccepting of your identity is hard, but rapper YP, a Latino California transplant living in Post Falls, uses both backgrounds in his life to feature his voice. In one moment, he boasts a bold and epic bass-heavy tone that makes you feel his swagger, but seconds later, he switches up to an almost nasally higher pitch, mirroring the dichotomy of his existence in North Idaho.
Inspired by rappers like Lil Wayne and Travis Scott, at age 15, he took up the rap name YP, short for “Young Prospect.” And YP isn’t on this hip-hop journey alone. As a member of the local music collective Skeemn Entertainment, he’s part of a crew of independent hiphop artists and producers who uplift each other to their fullest potential, as can be heard on collections like Skeemn Tapes Vol 1: Dark Days. instagram.com/officialypmusic
Time Baby ERICK DOXEY PHOTO
Olivia Vika ERICK DOXEY PHOTO
INSIDER INSIGHT
Kingston Prescott
Music has been a constant in Kingston Prescott’s life, through his family full of musicians, playing and writing his own music since age 14, and now booking artists for venues in Spokane while still performing his own pieces.
Prescott grew up on the East Coast, living in Rochester, Baltimore and D.C. before moving to Spokane 11 years ago. Upon moving here, he got a job at downtown venue the Red Room Lounge and met the late Craig Larsen, who showed him the ropes of booking shows. Now, Prescott primarily books shows for Red Room and Trvst, as well as DJing and playing in his band, Kung Fu Vinyl.
INLANDER : What’s your process when it comes to booking artists and events?
PRESCOTT: If there’s one thing I learned from Craig about booking, it’s trying a lot of different stuff. Not everything is always going to work, but it’s kind of like throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks.
One thing I can say for him is he’d try anything once and sometimes twice or three times, because it’s cool to do shows with big names and people that people know, but it’s even more cool to help like bring artists to
INTERVIEWED BY SUMMER SANDSTROM
this town [who] people haven’t seen or haven’t heard of and kinda bring people here [who] may not have thought about Spokane.
What do you think makes Spokane’s nightlife and music scene unique?
The first thing that I noticed about Spokane, especially pre-COVID — things have been a lot different since COVID, like the music scene is drastically, drastically different — but I do remember, and it still happens to some extent, that local and regional artists kind of build together in a way that a lot of other places don’t.
You can go to a hip-hop show — my band is Kung Fu Vinyl — so you know you come to a Kung Fu Vinyl show and you’ll see people from the rock scene and from the country scene. Everybody supports everybody’s show.
What advice do you have for people who are trying to go to more shows?
I just want people to know that there are people really trying to make cool stuff happen in the city, and in order for us to continue to do cool stuff, they’ve got to come downtown and they’ve got to support, they’ve got to come try new things. Try something new like Trvst — it’s absolutely the coolest space to go into and dance.
These things exist in the city, but if people don’t go out and try, they all just sit online and talk on Spokane News about how bad downtown is and then don’t go out and see for themselves, it’s just an echo chamber and then the city dies.
SPEED ROUND
Favorite local bands or artists?
I love Kadabra, those boys are great, and they just put on a hell of a show. I also like No Soap, Radio, they’re funky, they’re super dope. Aspen Kye, still one of the best songwriters I’ve ever heard. Kosha is probably one of my favorites. He’s a great lyricist, phenomenal stage presence and energy.
Favorite genre of music?
It’s between soul and house. I’ve been listening to soul since the second I was born.
Live music bucket list?
Stevie Wonder is at the very top of that list. Jamiroquai is No. 2.
Who would you like to see play Spokane?
I’d love to see Little Brother here, it’s my favorite hip hop group of all time. … I’d love to see Erykah Badu or Jill Scott out here.
Nightlife Sashay
and Slay
Where to attend or perform in a drag show in Spokane
BY COLTON RASANEN
OK, so you watched an episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race and were astounded by the televised queens’ stunning gowns and killer comedic chops. Or perhaps you’ve been perturbed by the anti-drag legislation sweeping through the nation and want to support the artform locally.
One way or another, you’ve caught the drag disease and are looking for some local remedies — that’s why you’re still here on this page, isn’t it? The most regular dose of medicine in the Inland Northwest can be found at NYNE BAR & BISTRO’S twice-a-week shows.
Every Friday and Saturday before the Sprague Avenue queer club’s dance floor opens up, the show’s regular cast — including Angelic Jones St. James, Cindy Mayweather, Freedom Rights and Iluna Luna — and rotating guest performers take the stage.
“We like to draw from all different aspects of drag performers, so we have campy queens, we have campy kings. We have theatrical kings and queens, and a lot of androgyny. We have a wide variety of guests that we like to bring in, just to kind of keep things varied, and let a lot of the community be represented,” says nYne’s show director, Rita Fine. “A lot of people here in Spokane like to see that. You know, they like to see representation, they like to see diversity, they like to see a variety of different performances and performance styles. And that’s one of the things that we pride ourselves on.”
Each show starts with the host, usually Mayweather, getting a feel for the audience.
She’ll figure out who the drag show newbies are in the crowd and explain the show’s rules. While each host runs their show a little differently, these rules are often the same, Fine says.
1. Cheer loudly and cheer often. The more energy you give the performers, the more they’ll be able to give back.
2. Keep your hands to yourself. Unless a performer has given consent to be touched, you need to respect their space.
3. Tip the performers. Cash or electronic payments are both accepted at nYne.
“We think it’s an important thing to respect that our artists are putting in a lot of time and energy into these shows, and we know that our shows reflect that when the audience participates,” Fine says.
Each performer in the show will lip sync to three numbers, and usually the entire cast will get together for a finale at the end of the show where the audience is often brought in to participate, too. Kitty Kane, nYne’s owner, says the finale is her favorite part of her bar’s shows. “That’s just the most fun for me to see the people watching become part of the show,” she says.
OTHER PLACES TO SEE DRAG
While they aren’t as frequently occurring, there are a handful of other drag shows in Spokane that you don’t want to miss, either. Each month at the SPOKANE COMEDY CLUB, Victoria Sumerz St. James hosts the Sashay & Slay Drag Brunch. At NEATO BURRITO, T.S. Loveless and This Bitch host Queerdos: An Alternative Drag Show, which has a new theme each month, such as a trash-themed show, political satire and an ode to the funkiest drag performers, Club Kids.
At T’S LOUNGE on North Monroe Street near Kendall Yards, Nikita Romanoff and Polly Ester host another monthly alternative drag show called Freaky F’d Up Fridays. These are often themed shows, too. And during the summer, most PRIDE EVENTS feature drag performers.
And every second Wednesday of the month Marry A’Botumn hosts one of the city’s only amateur drag shows at nYne called Wicked Wednesdays. Interested performers can sign up for the show up to an hour before it begins at 9 pm.
Though they aren’t regularly occurring, one-off drag shows are always popping up around the Inland Northwest at places like GARLAND DRINKERY, Q LOUNGE, LUNARIUM, the BLUE DOOR THEATRE and the CHAMELEON. To stay in the know, follow your local drag performers and the venues they perform at on Instagram or Facebook.
“What’s nice about Spokane is that there is a place for every style of drag here. And if there isn’t a space, there are a lot of people who have found space or created spaces to be able to express themselves,” Fine says. “It’s really lovely to see how all the different types of artistry come together for a show in our city.”
Local queens Eden (left) and Cindy Mayweather (inset) perform at nYne Bar & Bistro. YOUNG KWAK PHOTOS
WORK HARD. PLAY HARD.
Spokane Sports Photos: Keith Webber // Concert Photos: Rebecca Moore, Nick Brommer, Eric Smith
Nightlife
Echoes from the Inland Northwest
Check out these recent albums from local artists to get a sonic sampling of the region’s scene
BY SETH SOMMERFELD
Allen Stone, Mystery
There’s nothing as undeniable in the Spokane scene as the soulful sound of Allen Stone’s voice. No mystery there. The singer-songwriter’s latest EP goes down as smooth as his vocals and sports delectable grooves that can get anyone dancing. allenstone.com
Automatic Shoes Remember When We Were All Lovers
The latest solo album from Atari Ferrari frontman Matthew Joseph Hughes mixes vintage singer-songwriter folk, modern bedroom pop and a dash of classic rock. The sonic diversity and Hughes’ crafty songwriting make for a rich and colorful sonic tapestry. theautomaticshoes.com
Betsy Rogue
Love or Fear
This folk trio of local teachers deserves stellar grades for its gem of a debut album, which combines harmonious, heartfelt love songs with pissed-off feminist rage in a way that would make their Lilith Fair foremothers proud. betsyrogue.com
Chuck Vibes, GTHM
With a unique sound mixing a post-punk core with hints of hip-hop flair, Chuck Vibes’ GTHM often feels as diverse and colorful as the Batman’s rogues’ gallery with songs featuring an atmospheric indie-rock-meetsautotuned-R&B fell, sinister creeping alt-rock and chaotic punk. chuckvibes.bandcamp.com
Karli Fairbanks Stay Radiant
The Emergency Exit Absolutes
This collection of extremely polished and catchy pop punk calls to mind bands like Jawbreaker and The Ataris. It’s enough to get nostalgic millennials yearning for the Warped Tour mosh pits of their teenage days. theemergencyexit.bandcamp.com
Myles Kennedy The Art of Letting Go
While his Alter Bridge bandmates might be busy riding the high of Creed’s sudden revival, Spokane native Myles Kennedy proves still more than capable of creating huge alternative hard rock songs on his own on his latest LP. You’re not gonna find anyone around who has soaring vocals and big riffs more suited for modern rock radio. myleskennedy.com
The Pink Socks Hurts Less Than Heartache
With an irreverent sense of humor and willingness to get a bit emo, this veteran Spokane pop punk band unleashes a frenetic barrage of melodic hooks and sing-along choruses on its latest album. facebook.com/thepinksockswa
Steve Von Till
Alone in a World of Wounds
The frontman of famed sludge metal band Neurosis now resides in North Idaho, where he creates hauntingly dark and atmospheric psychedelic folk albums that beautifully explore man’s connection to nature (while also being capable of sending a shiver up your spine). stevevontill.bandcamp.com
The Spokane scene stalwart fittingly exudes a radiance on this stellar collection of songs about getting through tough times that range from ethereal dream pop to stripped-down singer-songwriter melancholy to defiant and uplifting folk rock. karlifairbanks.bandcamp.com
Vika & the Velvets Like a Spade
Blending a psychedelic indie rock with vintage girl group vibes, the Spokane band’s long-awaited debut album manages to sound fresh and like a throwback at the same time thanks to tracks with surf rock, country western, and retro pop feels. vikandthevelvets.com
Green Zone
Green Zone
Rolling Up Some Canna-News
Washington chooses not to follow other states’ lead on consumption sites; also, updates on dispensary ownership equity, packaging waste and medical cannabis
BY INLANDER STAFF AND CONTRIBUTORS
Washington state still has not passed legislation authorizing the use of cannabis in temporary lounges. Washington House Bill 1932, which would have allowed for public cannabis consumption in regulated environments, died in the 2025 legislative session.
This is despite the fact, as pointed out by author Tyler Watson on the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board’s official website, that more than a dozen other states have legalized some types of public consumption.
“Since modern legalization of cannabis at the state level, there are currently 13 adult-use cannabis states that have authorized certain types of cannabis consumption sites,” Watson writes.
Some states, like California, even allow cannabis at fairs.
The California State Fair’s first cannabis exhibit in 2022 awarded medals for the cannabis flower and focused on the abundance of cannabinoids and terpenes in the buds. All entrants were licensed cannabis growers in California and were judged objectively with testing by SC Labs, a cannabis and hemp lab. The 21+ exhibit at the fair provided educational materials about cannabis and displayed the awards and information about the 60 winners.
While cannabis was legalized for recreational use and sale in Washington in 2012, it is not considered an agricultural product.
In 2024, after California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation authorizing licensed cannabis events, the California State Fair also integrated an on-site consumption lounge
where attendees 21 and older could buy the award-winning products to use there or take home.
“Providing patrons the opportunity to directly engage with and consume winning brands is transformational for public understanding of the plant,” said James Leitz, executive producer of the California State Fair Cannabis Competition and Exhibit. (WILL MAUPIN AND DORA SCOTT)
SOCIAL EQUITY IN OWNERSHIP
In summer 2025, Washington state’s Cannabis Social Equity program opened up applications for 52 new retail cannabis licenses to be awarded to qualifying applicants who were more likely to be impacted by the war on drugs.
To qualify, applicants needed to have a majority ownership share in the proposed business and meet at least two of the following four criteria:
Lived in a specified area of Washington disproportionately impacted by previous drug policy for at least five years between 1980 and 2010.
At the California State Fair, they award medals for the best cannabis legally grown in the state.
Were arrested or convicted of a cannabis offense, or are a family member of someone arrested for or convicted of one.
Have a household income below Washington’s median household income.
Be classified as socially and economically disadvantaged as defined in chapter 39.19 of the Revised Code of Washington.
When the state opened its legal marketplace in 2014, members of these groups were underrepresented. For example, LCB data from 2021 showed that just 4% of legal cannabis businesses in the state were Black-owned.
A previous round of the Social Equity Program awarded 45 licenses in 2023. However, those were existing licenses that had been either forfeited or revoked. The 52 licenses available in this round are all new, marking the largest expansion of the state’s legal market since its establishment over a decade ago. (WILL MAUPIN)
PACKAGING WASTE
Consumers are likely well acquainted with a byproduct of indulging: a bunch of trash from cannabis products and packaging.
Plastic joint tubes. Plastic edible packaging. Disposable vape products. Empty jars. At a certain point, it be gins to pile up.
While states with legalized canna bis must follow regulations to com ply with the federal Poison Preven tion Packaging Act to keep products out of the hands of children, Wash ington is strict in a way that leads to more trash.
Washington’s Liquor and Can nabis Board requires packaging be made of plastic at least 2 mil (two thousandths of an inch) thick. As an example, Wyld gummies in Washington come in a strip, each individually wrapped in plastic, while the same product in California just comes in a little plastic tub with the gummies loose inside it.
Single-use disposable vape pens are the most problematic.
“There is no plan for them,” says Mitchell Dunn, the assistant manager at Lucky Leaf Co. in Spokane, who is passionate about reducing cannabis waste. “You’re not even supposed to throw them away. And statistically speaking, 25% of our customers are looking for a disposable.”
Single-use vapes are not supposed to be thrown away as normal trash because they contain batteries that could become toxic and/or catch on fire. But since nobody wants a pile of used vapes around and most don’t know the method to take them to dumps’ hazardous waste disposal areas, they usually get tossed out.
While the issue probably needs to be addressed on
a legislative level, Dunn is hoping that the cannabis industry can at least take baby steps to fix some of the problems, even if it’s as simple as starting with weed jar recycling programs. Knowing that cannabis consumers tend to be more eco-friendly folks makes it seem like an obvious problem area to address.
“I look at our future and my boys’ and our legacy,” Dunn says. “And it’s like, I know, there’s lots of business opportunities you could take, but what can you really do that impacts your community?”
(SETH SOMMERFELD)
MEDICAL STILL HAS ITS BENEFITS
Washington voters legalized medical marijuana with Initiative 692 in 1998, but in the years since voters legalized recreational cannabis in 2012, the state’s medical marijuana infrastructure has been overlooked by many cannabis users.
Why go through the process of becoming a legally recognized medical marijuana user when there is a dispensary in your neighborhood that will sell you cannabis regardless of your health status, right?
For one, Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board points to cannabis collectives. These are groups of two to four valid medical marijuana users who band together to grow their own cannabis for medical use.
Individual medical marijuana users can also grow their own cannabis at home, with state laws allowing up to six plants at a time.
They can also possess cannabis in larger amounts than typical recreational cannabis users. The limit for recreational use is an ounce of cannabis, but medical laws allow up to 3 ounces. The laws for medical marijuana are flexible as well, with providers having the ability to extend those limits up to 15 plants and 16 ounces of cannabis if deemed medically necessary.
For those who choose not to grow at home, cannabis purchased legally through the state’s medical marijuana system is not subject to sales tax. Recreational cannabis, on the other hand, will cost you a nation-topping 37% in sales tax.
In Spokane County, 18 dispensaries are what the state calls “medically endorsed,” meaning they are part of the medical system. Unlike dispensaries that are strictly recreational, medically endorsed stores are required to have a state-approved medical marijuana consultant on staff to help customers with valid medical marijuana cards.
Patients with 13 groups of conditions can qualify, including cancer, pain, and certain mental and brain conditions. (WILL MAUPIN)
Cannabis Coverage
WARNING: This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Cannabis can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of the reach of children. TUESDAY
Green Zone Local Goods
Five products from the Inland Northwest to consider when you’re shopping for cannabis BY
WILL MAUPIN
DEWEY CANNABIS CO.
Down on the Palouse, Dewey Cannabis Co. was founded by Ph.D. plant geneticists who bring a scientific approach to what you smoke. The Pullman-based company offers everything from flower and prerolls to dab pens and cartridges, with science and engineering permeating every aspect of their products, from how the plant is grown to how the pens and cartridges function. Even their packaging shows that commitment, with a new line of flower containers featuring UV protective coating and special child resistant lids that preserve terpene content. deweycannabis.com
BLUE ROOTS FLOWER
Winners of Best Cannabis Brand in the 2025 edition of Inlander’s Best Of Readers Poll — the company’s fourth-straight win in the category — you really can’t go wrong with any of Blue Roots’ offerings. While they’ve since expanded, the Airway Heights company has been focused on growing the best hand-watered, small-batch cannabis since the legal market opened in 2014. Like their competitors, Blue Roots doesn’t shy away from growing trendy strains, but their commitment to the classics like Grape Ape and UDub Purple sets them apart. bluerootscannabis.com
PHAT PANDA BATTERIES
The Phat Panda umbrella extends over numerous brands. The Spokane Valley company’s broad reach, from flower to edibles to concentrates, has made them into a Goliath of the industry. More than just cannabis, though, the company also has a line of accessories. Their Phat Panda branded vape batteries come in six colors and feature four heat settings. The newest generation of batteries are USB-C compatible, allowing them to be charged just like the other devices you take on the go. phatpanda.com
ROOT DOWN PREROLLS
For many, cannabis is all about taking it easy, and just about nothing is easier than a prerolled joint. Spokane grower Root Down produces high-quality flower indoors without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. The result is an offering that runs more than 30 strains deep. Their prerolls are where the brand truly shines, with local stores offering a wide selection of their indica-heavy catalog. Most commonly available are their individual half-gram prerolls, though their Fireflies line delivers bang for the buck with eight halfgram prerolls per pack. rootdown509.com
BODHI ELEMENTS TOPICALS
Cannabis is more than just something to put in your body, it’s also something to put on your body. Operating in the Spokane area since 2015, Bodhi High focuses on concentrates. What really differentiates Bodhi from other concentrate-focused companies is their Bodhi Elements brand. With a line of skin care and body care products — each featuring Bodhi’s full-spectrum cannabis oil — these topicals are infused with medicinal herbs and essential oils to boost the impact cannabis can have on pain, inflammation and signs of aging. bodhibrands.com
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