Sip Back and Un-Wine
PERRY DISTRICT'S NEWEST WINE BAR, PACIFIC TO PALOUSE, IS A COZY CELEBRATION OF HOME
BY ELIZA BILLINGHAM, INLANDER
With a blue brick fireplace, vintage maps, and upcycled furniture, you’re basically in Amber Park’s living room.
Park, the owner of Wanderlust Delicato in downtown Spokane, just opened Pacific to Palouse, a new Northwest-themed wine bar in the heart of South Perry. The cozy neighborhood spot features local wines from family-run vineyards, plus a menu of light fare highlighting Washington ingredients from the salty coast to the Idaho border.
It’s the perfect counterbalance to Wanderlust, which scratches the travel itch by importing delicacies from far-flung corners of the globe. Instead, Pacific to Palouse celebrates everything that’s within reach from our nest in the “Upper Left.” Perry’s newest neighbor is super family-friendly, from nonalcoholic drink options to cute children’s furniture.
Thoughtful, handcrafted touches lurk everywhere in the new wine bar. To the right of the door when you walk in, a map of Washington hangs on the wallwithautographsfromwinemakersacrossthestate.
“I really like small-production, family-owned wineries that are really letting the winemaking happen in the vineyard,” Park says. “They’re not over processing. They’re not trying to make this overly consistent
product. They’re letting the vintage variation happen.” Buy a glass of wine for an afternoon chat, or buy an entire bottle to enjoy for an evening at home. A staff sommelier will help pick out something you’ll like or you can sample a flight of three wines to taste to decide for yourself.
“I want varietals that you don’t necessarily see all the time,” Park says. “I’m going to have things like gamay noir and Rhone white blends coming out of Oregon, and tempranillo grown in Washington by a Spaniard. I would also like to introduce you to varietals that you’ve never heard of.”
The bar’s menu is curated by Park’s daughter, Mariah Brown. Mix-and-match chips and dips give plenty of opportunities for the perfectly tailored snack. Depending on your mood, you could pair marinated labneh with sourdough toast points made fresh at Gander & Ryegrass, or Dungeness crab dip with artisan crackers, or Cougar Gold cheese with Tim’s Cascade potato chips. Or, have Brown do the choosing for you and opt for a charcuterie board, either westside or eastside themed.
Brown doesn’t use any seed oils in her kitchen and keeps up with the latest “biohacking” information, a term that refers to optimizing health and cellular
function through food.
“It’s really important to me that my food isn’t toxic,” she says.
Her staff in the kitchen are all high school students at NEWTech Prep, a skill-based high school in Spokane with a respected culinary program. It’s a great partnership for everyone —the students get a paid position, plus work credit through Spokane Public Schools. Brown and Park get enthusiastic, skilled employees who are so much fun to work with, they say.
“They are like rockstars,” Park says. “It’s amazing how much they know and how professionally they’re trained. They’re doing a really good job for students.”
Local beer and cider will also be available for anyone who doesn’t want wine, as well as nonalcoholic, or “NA,” options for anyone not allowed to drink or just choosing not to.
For Park ,who grew up on the South Hill, Pacific to Palouse is an extension of her home in every sense of the word. She and her family want you to feel like you’re hanging with your family in your own living room — “except,” she says, “you don’t have to do the dishes!”
YOUNG KWAK PHOTO
Making Your Home Stand Out: Strategies for a Successful Sale
CARMA STAHNKE
Intoday’s bustling real estate market, ensuring your home outshines the competition is crucial to cinching a quick and profitable sale. These home selling strategies, along with the guidance of a trusted real estate agent, can make all the difference in a competitive landscape.
Illuminate the Possibilities
Light has the magical ability to transform spaces, making them appear more open, airy and welcoming. Pull back the curtains, open the blinds and let the natural light flood in. For showings later in the day, ensure that your home is well-lit with ambient, task and accent lighting to create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Enhance Your Curb Appeal
First impressions are not just lasting – they’re everything. A manicured lawn, trimmed trees and well-placed flowers help create a warm and
welcoming feel that brings buyers through the door. Small touches like a freshly painted front door, new house numbers, a charming mailbox and inviting lighting can also have a big impact.
Declutter and Depersonalize
Your home tells a story, but now it’s time to let buyers envision their own narratives within its walls. Decluttering not only creates a neutral canvas – it is also key to maximizing space and allowing the home’s features to stand out. By removing all personal items, like picture frames, toys and knickknacks, buyers can more easily imagine their lives unfolding there while making the interior appealing to a broader audience.
Refresh and Repair
A well-maintained home speaks volumes about the care it has received. Address those small repair jobs you’ve been putting off – fix leaky faucets, replace
outdated hardware and give the walls a fresh coat of paint. These details contribute to the overall feeling that your home is ready to embrace new owners without burdening them with a to-do list.
Highlight Unique Features
Whether it’s a cozy window seat, original hardwood floors or a remodeled kitchen, you want your home’s unique features to be front and center. Highlighting these elements in your listing information and during showings can make your home stand out while creating a memorable impression. Making your property stand out in the market doesn’t have to be a daunting endeavor. With these home selling strategies, you can not only speed up the sale process but also potentially increase your property’s value in the eyes of buyers. Remember, you’re not just selling a house – you’re selling a dream and a future full of possibilities.
NOTES
These Apple BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches are SO delicious- and easy to make for a crowd (I made them for a group of 25 last weekend!). These delicious sandwiches are piled high with tender chicken slow cooked in a tangy Sweet Onion BBQ Sauce, and layered with a refreshing and crunchy apple slaw. Perfect for all you summer gatherings!
Eric's Apple BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
INGREDIENTS
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 pounds chicken breasts boneless
• Sea salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups Sweet Onion BBQ Sauce
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 8 buns
INSTRUCTIONS
For Apple Slaw:
• 6 cups cabbage finely shredded
• 1 carrot shredded an 1 apple
• 1/4 cup lemon juice and olive oil
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1. Add bbq sauce and apple cider vinegar to slow cooker on high heat while preparing the chicken.
2. In a frying pan, add olive oil, and heat over medium high heat. Add chicken breasts, and season liberally with salt and pepper. Brown both sides of the chicken, but don't cook through.
3. Add chicken to the crockpot. I allow it to stay on high heat until the BBQ sauce has begun to bubble, then I turn it on low for 3-4 hours. You can cook it on low the entire time if you'd prefer.
4. Once chicken is cooked through and very tender, take the chicken breasts out, and shred them with 2 forks. The chicken should come apart very easily. Add the chicken back to the sauce in the crock pot and mix well. Turn off the heat after shredding the chicken to avoid it drying out.
5. To make the slaw, add shredded veggies to a bowl. After cutting apples, add to a dish with lemon juice and some added water to keep from browning. Add the ingredients, apple cider vinegar down, to a jar, and shake well. Drain the apples, and add to the slaw ingredients, then toss the slaw with the dressing to coat well. Layer shredded chicken and apple slaw on buns.
HOME TRENDS: PREPARING FOR A FULL HOUSE NOW THAT SCHOOL IS OUT
With school out for the summer, homes become bustling hubs of activity. As kids return home, it's essential to prepare your living space for the increased foot traffic and energy. Here are some home trends to ensure your home remains functional, safe, and enjoyable throughout the summer break.
Enhance Outdoor Play Areas
Summer is synonymous with outdoor play.
Ensure your backyard is safe and inviting by maintaining play equipment, adding soft landing surfaces like mulch or rubber tiles, and setting up shaded areas to protect kids from the sun. Creating a dedicated play area can help keep the rest of your yard organized and safe.
Organize High-Traffic Areas
Summer can lead to cluttered spaces.
Organize high-traffic areas like the kitchen and mudroom by adding storage solutions such as hooks, bins, and shelves. This helps manage the influx of sports gear, toys, and summer essentials.
Optimize Home Entertainment
Keep boredom at bay by optimizing home entertainment setups. Ensure your Wi-Fi is robust enough to handle multiple devices, and create a comfortable, tech-friendly space for movie nights or gaming.
Plan for Quick Repairs
Increased activity means more wear and tear. Keep essential tools and repair kits handy for quick fixes. Address minor issues like squeaky doors, loose tiles, and dripping faucets promptly to prevent them from becoming bigger problems.
By following these home maintenance trends, you can create a safe, organized, and fun environment for your children this summer. With a bit of preparation, your home can handle the summer surge and become the perfect backdrop for family memories.
Market Insights
In May 2024, the real estate market in Spokane, Washington, and Kootenai County, Idaho, demonstrated dynamic trends.
In Spokane, the average selling price increased to $459,270, a 3.2% rise from May 2023. The current inventory reached 1,163 properties, up by 49.9%, representing a 2.2-month supply, which still indicates a seller's market. Closed sales decreased by 9.6% to 574 compared to the previous year. Interest rates fluctuated throughout the month, ending slightly lower at 7.03%, with a further decline into the mid and lower 6% range in June. With prices on the rise, astute buyers are advised to enter the market and secure their dream homes now.
In Kootenai County, the average sales price was $683,897, with inventory increasing by 16.7% to 1,211 properties. Closed sales rose by 14.4% to 264 compared to last year. Despite inventory growth, high demand continues, sustaining price increases, albeit at a slower pace.
Consult with your Coldwell Banker Tomlinson agent as interest rates continue to drop and many buyers and sellers return to the market,
busy summer.