MetroSpokane

STOREFRONT: Vintages at 611

SOUTH HILL - Upon first hearing that a new restaurant was opening in the ultra deluxe Manito Center we feared that the Pear Tree Inn bit the dust.  The panic was so profound it prompted an evening trip up to 29th and Grand to check out the rumor (hence the night shot).  No worries, all you FBC-ers can breathe a sigh of relief as Vintages at 611 will be taking up the once proud location of Hamer's Men's Clothing just across from the Pear Tree.

STOREFRONT: The Porch

Through the grainy viewfinder of camera phone West Cent's latest specialty retail offering is The Porch.  Formerly the site of the Overcomer Outreach Thrift Store, The Porch is rumored to be bringing fresh cups of coffee, food, and a meeting room to the location at 1804 West Broadway.  In what one MetroSpokane reader describes as post-apocalyptic craftsman styled architecture, the old run down exterior has been retrofitted with wooden beams, brackets and lots o' glass...what you'd expect to see in a neighborhood setting.  It's looking nice...congratulations.

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Bay Market makes the Big Move

After three years of renovation to one of Spokane's last existing original Safeway buildings, East Sprague's finest Asian grocery store has now moved three blocks east to a new location on Sprague and Crestline. The new digs in the classic art-deco building are nice and spacious, complete with surplus fixtures from a defunct Tidyman's.

STOREFRONT: Tangerine ripens on West First

WEST FIRST - Just when you think West First has become nothing more than a collection of condos, litigation and Blu-Ray DVDs in walks a new boutique for the ladies.  Opening extremely soon, like July 5th, Tangerine is dubbed the Ultimate Closet for Women and occupies the ground floor storefront of the old Oddfellows Hall (a.k.a. the Centerstage Building) at 1019 West First.

STOREFRONT: Art, Music, and More

A new art space is putting the finishing touches on their new downtown location.  Art, Music and More will focus entirely on local, independent artists operating in a variety of mediums...just like the name says (visual arts, books, film, and music).  The new space is located on 2nd Ave and Howard just around the corner from the Interplayers Theater. 

Their mission is simple:  To raise the visibility of smaller, lesser-known artists by providing them a physical and online presence to reach new customers and admirers. Artists' work can be browsed online quite easily and if you find yourself downtown, the physical space will always be an option.

STOREFRONT: Doyles Ice-Cream out for the season

Pools aside, nothing signals it's summer more than ice cream.  When it's 90+ out, the air is still, and you've just spent the last hour mowing your damn lawn, two scoops on a cake cone make it all better.  Now that our usual summer weather is finally here we hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it is with a heavy heart that we inform you that ice-cream in Spokane this summer will be lacking. 

STOREFRONT: Bordeaux on Broadway

WEST CENT - Just when you think the action over in West Central is all Kendall Yards along comes a pleasant surprise.  The former Salvation Army Building on West Broadway near the courthouse is well into it's transformation into a mixed-use office/retail building.  A fresh coat of brown paint has been slapped on and the once closed in porches have been opened up to their original state. 

Recent 'for rent' signs advertising space available for a deli/cafe appear to have worked as a new sign announcing "Bordeaux on Broadway" has been strung up albeit a little haphazardly.  Just what B on B will be serving up isn't clear just yet, but given the location to the courthouse and hungry County workers there's a good chance that lunch will be served.  Oh Broadway, you have so much promise.

STOREFRONT: Roots on Perry

The slick sign out front is a good indicator that the quiet revitalization continues in the Perry District.  Opening this summer, and occupying the former location of an antiques store, ROOTS - Salon and Spa is a welcome addition to the Perry Street nabe.  Roots will offer a full service salon and day-spa and will bring an entire new crowd to the district while diversifying the existing collection of small neighborhood businesses already present.

STOREFRONT: Main Market Co-op taking shape

For quite awhile the lasting presence of a quality food retailer in downtown Spokane has been seriously absent and noticed by pretty much everyone.  By this October, however, that gap should be filled.  The Main Market Cooperative recently issued a press release outlining their plans to open Spokane's only natural foods cooperative at 17 West Main in downtown Spokane by the end of October.

STOREFRONT: The Monterey Cafe-Something's stirring at the old Mootsy's Pizza

[...and Mootsy's Pizza begat The Dough Shack, and The Dough Shack begat The Monterey Cafe...]

Admittedly we were bummed with the passing of Mootsy's Pizza awhile back.  With The Dough Shack, we blinked and didn't even have a chance to sample.  But now with the storefront plastered in newsprint and signs, the arrival of a pizza joint downtown is imminent. 

Enter The Monterey Cafe whose first and foremost focus will be on wholewheat pizza followed by wraps and salads.  The Monterey plans on being open for the lunchtime and dinner crowd, but the kicker will be the late night offerings, staying open until 3AM-4AM providing a nice compliment to the Satellite. Outdoor seating will be encouraged and plans are for a spiffy new bike rack for two-wheeled customers.  If all goes well, expect to see them opening the new garage door May 1st.

• STOREFRONT: Rock the Casbah  [MetroSpokane]
• The Monterey Cafe [Website]