Journal of Business - March 2021

CELEBRATING

March 2021 Volume 20 | Issue 3

YEARS

National Guard digs in on $15M Richland readiness center

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

Hospitality

Party supply company sees ebbs, flows of Tri-City hospitality sector Page A13

Food & Wine

Richland’s Tumbleweeds rolls through turbulent year Page A23

Real Estate & Construction

Entrepreneurial teacher opens gourmet cookie shop in Richland Page B1

NOTEWORTHY “Yes, it’s a franchise, but it’s still local.”

-Susan Mendenhall, owner of IHOP restaurants in Kennewick and Pasco Page A34

It took 10 years of meticulous planning, but a modern take on a military armory is taking shape in north Richland.

The Washington Army National Guard is building a $15 million, 40,000-square-foot readiness center at Horn Rapids Industrial Park to serve a 150-member Stryker Infantry Unit.

It will be ready by spring or summer 2022, with classrooms and conference rooms available for public use as well at 2655 First St. “We’re looking forward to being in the area,” said Col. Adam Iwaszuk, director of the Washington Military Department’s construction and facilities management office in Olympia.

The readiness center serves a similar function to armories, but has more communal facilities than its forebearer, including a fitness center and kitchen.

A decade in making It took a decade to bring the readiness center to the starting line. The process began in 2011 when the guard identified the need. The concept had to be shepherded through the National Guard Bureau and approved for federal and state funding.

Every year, the 54 states and U.S. territories compete for approval for projects 10 years out. Between 12 and 16 get the go ahead, Iwaszuk said.

The Richland project was approved in 2012 for a construction bid in 2020, one of 16 approved that year.

Funding is split 75%-25% between the U.S. and state governments, with $11.4 million in federal funds through the U.S. Department of Defense and $3.8 million from the Washington state capital projects budget, approved by lawmakers in 2019.

Iwaszuk said the Tri-Cities was identified a decade ago based on its growing population as well as its aging armory in Pasco. The readiness center will not replace the armory, but if the older building is retired, the new one maintains a local presence. uREADINESS CENTER, Page A4

Photo by Wendy Culverwell A custom packed box of produce is ready for delivery for customers of Local Pumpkin, a grocery service with roots in community-supported agriculture, run by Cathy and John Franklin in unincorporated Franklin County.

Local Pumpkin thrives as Covid-19 propels demand for food delivery

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

Cathy and John Franklin were vacationing with family in Arizona one year ago and watching television when former President Donald Trump advised citizens to avoid groups of more than 10.

As the couple watched the president and Dr. Anthony Fauci address the Covid-19 threat, they felt the weight of the coming shutdowns.

Back home in Pasco, the Franklins ran the Local Pumpkin, a community supported agriculture (CSA) business delivering weekly boxes of locally-grown produce and food to about 600 customers in the greater Tri-City area.

Food shortage fears triggered an almost instant surge for Local Pumpkin. Two hundred people signed up the next day. Within a week, its customer base doubled to about 1,200.

“We’re in Arizona going, ‘Oh crap,’ ” John Franklin recalled. “We had to figure out a waiting list. We couldn’t quite ramp up fast enough.”

Responding to demand The Franklins adapted quickly, adding a third delivery day and a third packing day to their weekly schedule. They delivered more than 25,000 boxes in 2020 and saw revenue double to more than $1 million. The company has 20 full- and part-time employees. uLOCAL PUMPKIN Page A26

New $22M Trios birthing center speeds up plans for recovery center

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

Trios Health is moving its birthing center to Southridge, a move that could accelerate plans to transform the former Kennewick General Hospital into a detoxification and recovery center for Tri-Citians facing drug addiction and mental health disorders.

If everything comes together, the birthing center and Two Rivers Rehabilitation Center both will open by mid-2022.

LifePoint Health’s $22 million investment in a birthing center at Trios Southridge Hospital comes as Tri-City officials pursue funds to develop a recovery center at the old downtown Kennewick hospital or, failing

that, on bare land near the Benton-Franklin Juvenile Justice Center on Canal Drive in Kennewick.

Collaborative efforts The Kennewick Public Hospital District is raising money to fund its $1.6 million agreement to buy the former hospital from LifePoint Health, the current owner.

Additionally, Benton County applied for a $2.5 million direct appropriation from the 2021 Legislature to support design work for either location. Benton County’s involvement doesn’t mean the old hospital plan is dead, said Matt Rasmussen, deputy administrator. uBIRTHING CENTER, Page A4

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Richland High grad is a ski, backcountry safety legend

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

One of Paul Baugher’s favorite memories of growing up in Richland involves snow.

On the rare occasions it accumulated, Baugher and his friends would slip into smooth-soled shoes and hold onto the bumper of a slow-moving car as it pulled them across compact snow and ice.

The child nearest the tailpipe would get a face full of exhaust. It was the 1960s and safety concerns didn’t get in the way of a good time.

“That was some of my first fun experience with snow,” said Baugher, who recently retired as head of the ski patrol at Crystal Mountain Resort after 32 years. It was just one of the roles he’s held improving safety in the skiing and backcountry worlds.

Baugher spent his career thinking about the ways people can die in the mountains and contemplating what needed to be done to reduce the risk. There is scarcely a skier or climber who hasn’t benefited from his work.

A ‘legend’ The National Ski Areas Association calls him a “legend.”

In addition to his work for Crystal Mountain, Baugher co-founded the Northwest Avalanche Institute, International Mountain Guides and is the ski industry’s go-to expert witness when accidents lead to lawsuits.

He is more than an expert witness, said David Byrd, director of risk and regulatory affairs for the National Ski Areas Association, based in Lakewood, Colorado.

Baugher teaches avalanche safety courses for the institute and is a leader in educating skiers about the lethal danger getting trapped in tree wells.

“We are very blessed to have him,” Byrd said. “It is really thanks to Paul that the broader ski industry is as well versed on (tree well dangers) as we are.”

Aside from the odd Richland snowstorm, Baugher did not grow up immersed in winter sports. There just wasn’t enough snow for it to be a regular feature of winter life.

He graduated from Richland High School in 1972 and only took up skiing in his 20s, after he moved to Tacoma to

Tri-City CONNECTIONS

study economics at the University of Puget Sound. Mount Rainier looms large over Tacoma and he took full advantage of it as his love of mountain adventures took hold.

Economics may seem an unlikely pursuit for a snow buff. Baugher said it was the right degree for his work.

“I always tell people my econ degree taught me how to think and to work out problems,” he said.

In retirement, he remains active as a legal consultant, climbing guide and avalanche forecaster, though he said he is scaling back.

During his career, he had his own brush with an avalanche. He’s also summited Mount Rainier more than 100 times.

Richland roots Baugher’s parents moved to Richland shortly after World War II. His father, a doctor, had made connections in the atomic world while at the University of Chicago. His late mother would recall a chilly greeting when she arrived at the Tri-City train station, “Oh you poor thing.”

The family lived off Howell Street, where he had a newspaper route.

An infamous disaster during his college career prompted his interest in mountain safety.

In 1974, he took a climbing course that involved camping on Mt. St. Helens, which wouldn’t erupt until 1980.

The course went off without a hitch, but a year later, on April 26, 1975, the subsequent class wasn’t so fortunate.

Five Puget Sound students died in an avalanche while camping on the mountain.

And that wasn’t the only disaster that hit too close to home. Another friend, a topflight French climber, died in a separate mountaineering accident.

“Early on, I had immediate experience with the aftermath of accidents. I got re-

Courtesy Paul Baugher Paul and Lynn Baugher ski with an avalanche dog. Paul Baugher is a Richland High grad who recently retired as ski patrol director for Crystal Mountain. He is one of the nation’s leading experts on snow and back country safety.

ally interested in that,” he said.

After college, Baugher joined the National Park Service as a climbing ranger in the Olympic Mountains, a role that led him to working on high altitude search and rescue missions. His first summer, he took part in an avalanche program, a gathering of the nation’s leading experts on the subject, then in its infancy.

He was hooked on learning how and why snow careens down mountainsides.

“That took me down the path,” he said.

Ski patrol Crystal Mountain Resort would be his professional home for decades, as a patroller and as a risk manager.

“Ski areas are the main way to learn about avalanches,” he said. “You set them off, ski into them to learn about them.”

He has narrowly escaped an avalanche and even had to dig a companion out of one.

Tree wells, or “snow immersion,” caught his attention in 2004. He was working on a lawsuit involving an Oregon snowboard manufacturer. The complaint claimed a victim died by suffocation because snowboard bindings did not release the same way as those on skis.

Suffocation was described as an odd and unusual way to die on the slopes.

But Baugher knew better. It happened on his own hill and he realized the danger needed attention. He would go to conferences for ski area operators, but people were more interested in avalanches than tree wells.

“For the first four or five years, I uBAUGHER, Page A14

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021 READINESS CENTER, From page A1 “It gives us a good foothold in the area,” he said.

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– CORRECTIONS – • Underground Creative of Kennewick designed Fresh Leaf Co.’s logo based on initial sketches from the restaurant owners’ daughter. The story on page A23 in the February edition didn’t make this clear.

The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business, a publication of TriComp Inc., is published monthly and delivered at no charge to identifiable businesses in Pasco, Richland, West Richland, Kennewick, Prosser and Benton City. Subscriptions are $27.10 per year, including tax, prepayment required, no refunds. Contents of this publication are the sole property of TriComp Inc. and can not be reproduced in any form without expressed written consent. Opinions expressed in guest columns and by advertisers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of staff, other columnists or other advertisers, nor do they imply endorsement by staff, columnists or advertisers. Every effort will be made to assure information published is correct; however, we are not liable for any errors or omissions made despite these efforts.

Stryker home base The center will serve as home base for a Stryker unit associated with the National Guard’s 81st Brigade Combat Team, whose members will travel to Richland to fulfill their commitment to drill one weekend a month and two weeks a year.

Reservists report to centers for briefings and equipment, then head out for field training. For the National Guard, that is typically the Yakima Firing Range or Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Reservists will report to Richland for deployments to local, state or federal assignments as well.

In addition to the part-time reservists, three or four full-time reservists will be posted to Richland as well.

Competitive project Richland-based Fowler Construction won the design-build contract in September.

Of the 16 projects authorized in the 2020 federal budget, Richland was one of nine that met a Sept. 30 deadline to award construction bids.

It is an accomplishment to be proud of, Iwaszuk said.

BIRTHING CENTER, From page A1 The county wants to see the recovery center move ahead, he said. If the hospital district can’t close the Auburn Street deal, the project could be built on three countyowned acres near the juvenile facility.

Rasmussen said the county stepped in to ensure the project advances.

He characterized its relationship with the hospital district as collaborative. So did Lee Kerr, the hospital district’s superintendent.

Kerr said Benton County wants to be in charge of funding for what could be a $15 million project, which suits the hospital district. Two possible sites increase the odds a recovery center will get built.

“We don’t mind having more than one torpedo in the water,” he said.

The state Department of Health has confirmed the hospital district does not need a certificate of need to convert the old hospital and referred the project to its licensing division.

Converting the hospital to a recovery

Courtesy Washington Army National Guard The Washington Army National Guard has started construction of a $15 million readiness center in Richland’s Horn Rapids Industrial Park. Richland-based Fowler Construction is the general contractor.

“It shows that the Washington Army National Guard is very organized.”

The project was competitive in part because the National Guard bought the 40-acre site in Richland in 2017. It paid the city of Richland $1.7 million for the land at First Street and Polar Way. “That’s why we buy land years in advance. We can compete because we own the land,” he said.

As work gets started in Richland, Iwaszuk is busy planning for new proj-

ects a decade in the future.

For 2021, Iwaszuk is putting forth a request to build a field maintenance shop at the Tumwater readiness center. Tumwater’s nearly complete 80,000-squarefoot readiness center is similar to Richland’s, but larger. Adding a maintenance shop will transform it into a regional military anchor.

He also is preparing plans for a Richland-style readiness center in Ellensburg, he said.

center depends on many steps. But moving the birth center to Southridge is key.

travel out of area to receive and keep the millions of treatment dollars in town. Operating costs are covered by Medicare and insurance companies.

The other big obstacle is identifying an entity to operate the center.

In yet another twist of fate, LifePoint is a potential candidate. Its head of behavioral health services has visited with local officials. LifePoint operates mental health services through its other Tri-City holding, Lourdes Medical Center.

Discussions are preliminary, but if LifePoint were to operate Twin Rivers, it would reduce friction over competition from a newcomer.

Kerr said the need for treatment is only increasing as the Covid-19 pandemic increases isolation and problems for people with chemical dependency and mental illness.

“We are literally in the middle of an opioid epidemic,” he said. “Come to one place, be appropriately assessed and provided with treatment.”

Southridge hub Trios is building a two-story, 23,376-square-foot addition above the first-floor surgery department with connections to the second and third floors. An additional 9,970 square feet in the hospital building is renovated as part of the project.

The addition will unite all Trios hospital operations at Southridge.

The hospital district owned and operated the hospital on Auburn Street but lost it after it filed for bankruptcy in 2017 after taking on debt to construct the Southridge hospital. A predecessor to LifePoint bought those assets in a bankruptcy auction.

The hospital district has $600,000 banked for the effort and is seeking local, state and federal support for the balance.

Need for recovery center The Tri-Cities is the only community of size in Washington that lacks a recovery center to help addicts and people who need detoxification services. Supporters say it will provide services that people must

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021 uBUSINESS BRIEFS Dean Strawn, business and civic leader, dies

Dean Strawn, a Tri-City businessman and devoted civic leader, died March 5 following a long illness. He was 77.

Strawn was a longtime member of Columbia Center Rotary and was named Tri-Citian of the Year in 1997 and Kennewick Man of the Year in 1998.

Originally from Fruitland, Idaho, he spent his adult life in the Tri-Cities, where he worked for and then became owner and president of Dependable Janitor Service.

He served on a dizzying array of civic groups, including the Kennewick Chamber of Commerce, the Tri-City Development Council, the Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau, the Private Industry Council and many more.

He and wife Sandi, former Benton County commissioner, celebrated their golden anniversary on June 8, 2013, with their children, Diona and Steve, and grandchildren.

Scott Smiley, Nate Higgins headline YP event

Scott Smiley and Nate Higgins will headline Tri-Cities YP Kick-Off 2021, an event for young professionals and Washington Policy Center members from 6-8:30 p.m. March 18.

Smiley is a Pasco native and U.S. Military Academy graduate who was blinded and temporarily paralyzed in an attack on his platoon in Mosul, Iraq, in 2005. He has earned numerous military and civilian honors and serves as a motivational speaker while working as an investment banker for Drexel Hamilton.

Higgins grew up in Richland was paralyzed from the chest down in a workplace accident. A swimmer, he overcame doctors’ predictions that he would be severely incapacitated. He set three American Paralympic swim records and represented the U.S. at the Para Pan American Games. A Gonzaga University graduate, he is a local real estate investor and is training for the Paralympic Games.

The event is open to all. Tickets are free to YP and WPC members and $10 for nonmembers.

Go to bit.ly/TCYPevent.

WPC creates income tax petition website

The Washington Policy enter is gathering signatures at PetitionBuilder.org calling for Washington to reject taxing capital gains and calling it an excise tax.

The state Senate approved SB 5096 on a 25-24 vote to tax capital gains. WPC research shows the Internal Revenue Service and all other states treat capital gains as income.

The House was expected to approve the bill and send it to Gov. Jay Inslee. If approved, it is widely expected to face a referendum vote as well as legal challenges.

The petition is at bit.ly/WPCtaxsite.

Columbia Park Trail is temporarily eastbound only The Richland stretch of Columbia Park Trail will serve eastbound traffic

only through April while the city makes road improvements.

The change affects the stretch of road between Fowler Street and Columbia Center Boulevard. Westbound traffic will be directed to Fowler Street.

It does not affect the stretch of road to the east in Kennewick.

Go to bit.ly/ColParkTrailEast.

SBA has training for emerging leaders

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Emerging Leaders program is offering free education and training for executives of small companies poised for growth.

The program includes 100 hours of virtual classroom time and gives business owners an opportunity to learn from

coaches and mentors. Workshops and networking are available as well.

The program is open to small business owners or decision-makers for businesses with $250,000 to $10 million in annual revenue and that have been in business for at least three years.

Go to bit.ly/SBAleaders.

Washington retain ‘best state’ status

Washington is the best state in the U.S. for the second consecutive year, according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual assessment of states.

Rankings are based on health care, education, economy, infrastructure, opportunity, fiscal stability, crime and the natural environment.

The magazine cited the strength of the

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state’s tech sector, its low-carbon energy system and its “robust” higher education system for its strong showing in an article that generally highlighted west side politics and businesses.

Rounding out the Top 10 were No. 2 Minnesota, No. 3 Utah, No. 4 New Hampshire, No. 5 Idaho, No. 6 Nebraska, No. 7 Virginia, No. 8 Wisconsin, No. 9 Massachusetts and No. 10 Florida.

The bottom 10 were No. 41 Kentucky, No. 42 South Carolina, No. 43 Oklahoma, No. 44 Arkansas, No. 45 Alaska, No. 46 Alabama, No. 47 West Virginia, No. 48 New Mexico, No. 49 Mississippi and No. 50 Louisiana.

Oregon was No. 22.

Go to: usnews.com/news/best-states/ rankings.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

DATEBOOK MARCH 18

• Washington Policy Center, Tri-Cities Young Professionals Kick Off Event: 6-8 p.m. Details at washingtonpolicy.org/events.

• Columbia Basin Badger Club, “Citizens United: Free Speech or Democracy for Sale”: noon March 18 via Zoom. Forum to examine how the 2020 Supreme Court ruling that contributions are free speech has affected political spending in America. Speakers include Timothy Kuhner, a law professor at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, Collin Carlson, organizer for Wolf-PAC, and Washington State Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville.

Free to club members or $5 for nonmembers. Register at bit.ly/ BadgerCitizensUnited.

MARCH 19

• Coffee with Karl: 9-10 a.m., webinar with president and CEO of TRIDEC Karl Dye and guest.

Facebook.com/tcdevcouncil.

MARCH 22

• Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership board meeting: 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. Details at historickennewick.org/calendar

MARCH 23

• Franklin County Commission: 9 a.m. Details at co.franklin.wa.us/ commissioners/meeting.php.

• Benton County Commission: 9 a.m. Details at co.benton.wa.us/ agenda.aspx.

• Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, “State of Higher Education”: Noon-1 p.m. virtual luncheon. Details at web. tricityregionalchamber.com/events.

• Washington Policy on the Go: Education Policy Update: Noon-1 p.m. Details at washingtonpolicy.org/ events.

• PNNL, Covid-19 seminar series, “Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3”: 5 p.m. Details at pnnl.gov/events.

• Port of Kennewick Commission: 2 p.m. Details at portofkennewick.org/commissionmeetings.

MARCH 25

• Port of Pasco Commission: 10:30 a.m. Details at portofpasco. org/about-us/port-commission.

• WSU Tri-Cities, “The Role of the Community in Disrupting the School-To-Prison Pipeline”: 4 p.m.

Details at tricities.wsu.edu/calendar.

MARCH 26

• Coffee with Karl: 9-10 a.m., webinar with president and CEO of TRIDEC Karl Dye and guest.

Facebook.com/tcdevcouncil.

MARCH 30

• Washington Policy Center Legislative Lunchbox: Noon –1 p.m. Details at washingtonpolicy.org/ events.

• PNNL, Covid-19 seminar series, “Model me this: Covid-19 Scientific Predictions and Where We Go From Here”: 5 p.m. Details at pnnl.gov/events.

• Franklin County Commission: 9 a.m. Details at co.franklin.wa.us/ commissioners/meeting.php.

• Benton County Commission: 9 a.m. Details at co.benton.wa.us/ agenda.aspx.

MARCH 31

• Washington Policy Center, “In from the Cold: Homelessness and Housing in the Covid Era”: 6-7 p.m. Details at washingtonpolicy.org/ events.

• PNNL, “Energy Storage Grand Challenge Community of Practice” webinar: 10 a.m. Details at pnnl.gov/events.

• UW Foster School of Business Consulting and Business Development Center’s “Supply Chain, Distribution, and Sales” webinar: 7:30 a.m. Learn to manage disruptions and changes to supply chain, improve relationships with vendors. Free. Register: bit.ly/ CBDCDigital2021.

APRIL 2

• Coffee with Karl: 9-10 a.m., webinar with president and CEO of TRIDEC Karl Dye and guest.

Facebook.com/tcdevcouncil.

VISIT TCJOURNAL.BIZ AND CLICK ON EVENT CALENDAR FOR MORE EVENTS.

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

OPINION OUR VIEW Want to see what local innovation looks like?

Just flip through this month’s Journal

By Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

The first anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns that rattled the Tri-Cities as well as the world coincide with the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business’ monthly focus on food, wine and the hospitality industry.

We confess we were apprehensive as we prepared for this edition, fearing a paper full of doom and gloom as we looked at some of the pandemic’s hardest hit sectors.

We’re a business publication with a love for entrepreneurs and the big bets they place on themselves and their dreams.

It gives us no pleasure to see – and report about – our neighbors struggling with forces beyond their control or clinging to Paycheck Protection Program loans and grants to stay afloat when they should be earning revenue from happy customers.

But lo and behold, entrepreneurs don’t give up on their dreams so easily. “Pivot” is an overused term, but it describes the innovations we report on in this edition of the Journal.

We’re proud of the stories we tell this month, and we hope you agree they are compelling evidence that the Tri-Cities will not be daunted by this deadly virus.

Local Pumpkin, a family-owned grocery delivery business with roots in consumer-supported agriculture,

saw signups double almost overnight as pandemic-related shutdowns led to fears of food shortages.

Owners Cathy and John Franklin had to set up a waiting list while they ramped up the infrastructure to serve 1,200 Tri-City families. Local Pumpkin dishes up locally-raised produce, dairy, meat, dry goods and more, all from a barn in the family’s back garden.

And Stacy McCorkle, owner of Gene’s Custom Slaughter in West Richland, was already dealing with soaring demand from small farmers and growers to slaughter and process beef, pigs and other animals before the pandemic. Customers had to wait months or even a year to get on his calendar.

Thanks to a state grant funded from the coronavirus relief bill, he bought and equipped two trucks and is training his son to join the family business.

If you think meat comes from a package in a grocery store, think again after you learn more about McCorkle and what it takes to transform a 1,200-pound Angus into 700-800 pounds of hanging beef.

Red Door Party Rentals owners Tammy and P.J. Stoflet were in shock as brides, caterers and event planners deluged them with calls to cancel in the early days of the pandemic.

Instead of hiring for the season, they uINNOVATION, Page A8

Our Second Amendment rights are under attack The U.S. Constitution guarantees lawabiding Americans the right to keep and bear arms, but once again, our Second Amendment rights are under attack by the left.

Democrats in the House are bringing forth two pieces of legislation that aim to make it even harder for citizens to legally obtain a firearm. Contrary to what the critics say about HR 8 and HR 1446, these bills will do nothing to prevent mass shootings or ensure guns do not fall into the wrong hands.

HR 8 will essentially criminalize gun sales and transfers without the permission of the federal government. The fact of the matter is that restricting a law-abiding citizen’s ability to acquire a gun will not protect our communities from wrongdoers.

It’s likely that the opposite will be true.

The other bill, HR 1446, would extend the window for completion of a fed-

eral background check from three days to 10.

Not only is this 10-day requirement completely arbitrary, but with the technological advances Dan Newhouse Congressman throughout our GUEST COLUMN society and increased attention on ensuring safe and legal firearm sales, access to this important information is essentially in the palms of our hands.

If anything, we should decrease the burdensome delay.

Besides, do Democrats really think that a 10-day background check extension is going to stop a criminal from uNEWHOUSE, Page A10

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Tri-Cities helps pilot portal to link interns with prospective employers In the last few months, dozens of Washington students have gone online and signed up for accounts in a new matchmaking website.

But it’s not what you’re thinking.

The matchmaker is the Washington Workforce Portal, and its aim is to connect college-age students with real-world job experience in their local communities.

The portal has launched pilot projects in Spokane and the Tri-Cities, with plans to expand throughout the state and beyond internships with additional workforce tools.

For the students and employers who have already signed up to use it, the portal is not only a resource to meet a current need but also a bullish bet on Washington’s post-pandemic future.

More than a year into the worst pandemic in a century, recovery is still farther away than anyone would have hoped. And yet there are signs of optimism.

The rate of new infections is falling.

Vaccine distribution is gaining momentum. We’re not there yet, but we can start to envision life on the other side of this ordeal.

One of the ways we can work now to prepare for the post-pandemic job market is by helping to equip young people with the knowledge and skills they will need to find a career in a world that will look different than it did just a year ago.

Even before the pandemic, Washington faced challenges with respect to workforce development. A growing skills gap created a situation where too many jobs were left unfilled because employers couldn’t

find qualified applicants, while too many young people struggled to find careers.

Without action, that trend might accelerate coming out of Kris Johnson the pandemic in Association of the same way the Washington Business pandemic has GUEST COLUMN accelerated other trends, such as the growth of digital commerce and working from home. But the skills gap doesn’t have to grow.

The Washington Workforce Portal was created by the AWB Institute, the nonprofit workforce development arm of the Association of Washington Business.

Work on the portal was underway prior to the pandemic, and the program launched last fall in Spokane and last month in the Tri-Cities.

In each of the two pilot communities, the portal has local support from higher education partners and from the employer community, with Greater Spokane Inc. and the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce helping to lead the effort in their respective regions.

Use of the portal is free for students, educators and employers.

To date, 14 colleges and universities have joined the effort and more than 20

uJOHNSON, Page A10

Future Badger forums tackle free speech, polarization of America Like many organizations that survived the coronavirus pandemic — at least we think we’re surviving —the Columbia Basin Badger Club is starting to wonder what the future will hold.

Will we simply go back to the way things were? Probably not.

A year ago, we had to postpone what promised to be a great Badger forum on health care out of concern for the safety of our members and guests, many of whom are at high risk for complications of Covid-19.

We thought – as did most folks – that we would be on hold for a couple months. Maybe until July or August.

Little did we know.

What we did know at the time is that we had a firm date for retired Marine Corps general and former Secretary of Defense James Mattis to speak in June.

That’s when we discovered Zoom.

Our first virtual Badger Forum had

more than 1,100 registrants from all over the globe to hear Mattis discuss leadership in a time of crisis.

Our members have been able Kirk Williamson to hear directly Columbia Basin from – and put Badger Club questions to – a GUEST COLUMN range of speakers on Zoom that we likely would never have been able to present in person. In addition to Mattis, we heard from former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper, Washington Commerce Director Lisa Brown, Association of Washington President Kris Johnson and political commentator Peter Wehner, just to name a few. uWILLIAMSON, Page A10

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

INNOVATION, From page A7 laid off employees, including longterm ones. Tammy cried for days. But then something happened: Businesses wanted to rent tents to accommodate outdoor dining, temperature screening and to provide more room during the lockdown.

Keith Moon, owner Tumbleweeds Mexican Flair in Restaurant, had a similar story. The shutdown closed the dining room and curbed business, including from the high schoolers who normally stopped by for an lunchtime burrito.

He had a brainstorm when he got an air fryer as a gift: Sell trays of burritos for customers to air fry at home. It was a hit.

Moon said he’s learned not to let fear drive decisions, a mistake he made early in the pandemic.

Pasco’s Grocery Outlet had been open a little over a year when the pandemic struck. Owners Janice and Charles Grimm embraced Covid-19 procedures and kept going, though their children could no longer help out in the family business.

Customers responded: The Pasco Grocery Outlet led the Northwest for same store sales growth in 2020, according to its California-based parent.

And John Bookwalter, president of Bookwalter Wines, has plenty to keep him busy at his Richland winery and restaurant, where he is building a major addition. Undaunted, he bought a used food truck from an employee

and launches it April 1 in Kennewick – in the parking lot of an office furniture store being converted into a food pod.

It’s been a long year, full of heartbreak and ingenuity and everything in between.

The entrepreneurs featured in this month’s edition have faced the uncertainty with tenacity and grace – and some fear, too.

Here’s hoping as we navigate through Phase 3 of Washington’s Roadmap to Recovery, which offers greater latitude to dine in restaurants, attend movies and gather with friends, that we continue to support the local businesses working hard to do what they do best: Serve our community the best way they know how.

They’re an inspiration to all of us.

uBUSINESS BRIEFS Covid-19 dashboard adds vaccination data

Washington’s Covid-19 “dashboard” has added demographic data about vaccination recipients to its sprawling list of metrics related to the pandemic.

The new additions include the percentage of people by age group who have been vaccinated as well as the race/ethnicity of those 65 and over who have had at least one vaccine and those who are fully vaccinated. Information is available by county.

The dashboard includes a variety of infection, testing and vaccination statistics to measure Washington’s progress fighting the virus.

Go to doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/COVID19/DataDashboard.

For demographic data, click on the “Vaccinations” tab and the top and then select “Who is getting vaccinated?”

National Park Service seeks ideas for Manhattan Project

The National Park Service will hold a series of virtual events as it plans to develop the multi-state Manhattan Project National Historical Park, with locations at Hanford, Los Alamos, New Mexico and Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Stakeholder sessions begin in April.

Residents of the communities and cities in each of the Manhattan Project locations are invited to participate in the interpretive planning process.

Go to bit.ly/ManhattanStakeholder.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

NEWHOUSE, From page A7 buying a gun? It won’t.

Under existing law, there are 10 classes of persons prohibited from purchasing, receiving, transporting, or possessing firearms including felons, drug addicts, violent offenders, illegal immigrants and more. These people do not fall into the category of “law-abiding American citizen,” and they should not have access to a firearm.

Republicans are not opposed to screening perspective gun owners. We, along with Americans across the country, support keeping guns out of the hands of criminals.

Congress must ensure that our background check system is as accurate, up-to-date, and efficient as possible, and Republicans have already supported efWILLIAMSON, From page A7 Logistics and costs involved would have made it impractical to present people of this stature to our audience had it been necessary to bring them here in person.

But we also know that our members also miss the social nature of in-person Badger forums.

And therein lies the challenge.

We’re working to understand the potential to present future forums in a “hybrid” form.

More to come on that.

For now, we’ll continue to present virtual Badger forums on important topics of the day.

This month our topic is “Citizens

forts to address these issues.

In the 115th Congress, Republicans passed the Fix NICS Act, a bill that requires states and federal agencies to ensure the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has the updated, necessary information to ensure an accurate and timely background check for gun purchases.

These are the types of common-sense improvements Congress should be making. Let’s make sure our existing laws and systems are working before we pile on new, burdensome regulations that infringe upon our constitutional rights.

Despite the picture that may be painted by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, we know in Central Washington that our Second Amendment rights extend beyond just the ability to own a gun.

The Constitution guarantees our right to

protect ourselves and our families, and hunting is an integral tradition of Western culture that is passed down from generation to generation. I grew up shooting jackrabbits and sage rats with my friends, and I regularly go shooting with my children, my wife, and our friends on our farm.

Limiting the ability for any law-abiding American to buy a gun will not make America safer, and these two bills will only increase the federal governments influence on our daily lives. I am strongly opposed to HR 8 and HR 1446 because I support our constitutional right to keep and bear arms, and I will continue to defend that right on behalf of Central Washington. U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, represents Washington’s Fourth Congressional District.

United: Free Speech or Democracy for Sale?” It’s set for March 18.

Speakers include professor Timothy Kuhner, an expert in campaign finance and constitutional law; Cassidy Faber, an activist who supports a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United; and State Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, who will argue that the U.S. Supreme Court was correct.

On April 15, we’ll get right to the heart of the issue: political divisions in our country that have taken on some very disturbing features in recent years.

In the Badger forum, “Why can’t we just get along? The political polarization of America,” author and professor Seth

Masket, director of the University of Denver’s Center on American Politics, will offer insights based on his research.

And that’s not all.

Upcoming Badger forums will look at growth management (or lack thereof) in the Tri-Cities, lessons learned from the pandemic and a close-up look at competition between the U.S. and China.

Check our website, columbiabasinbadgers.com, for details and to register.

Nonmembers pay $5 to attend. Members of the Badger Club still enjoy a $5 discount on each forum and pay nothing when they register. Come join us. Kirk Williamson is president of the Columbia Basin Badger Club.

JOHNSON, From page A7 employers have posted internships for summer 2021 including in-person, virtual and hybrid experiences. More than 100 students have registered profiles in the portal, with demand expected to rise as we move into spring and the typical internship season.

For the higher education partners, the portal is meeting a real need.

“I hear time and time again from employers that they are looking for employees who have had applicable job experience by the time they graduate from college,” said Sandra Haynes, chancellor of WSU Tri-Cities.

Rebekah Woods, president of Columbia Basin College, said the portal will expand opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds.

“More than 40% of our students are first-generation college students. By using this portal to increase the visibility of local internships, we are opening doors of opportunity for them that they may otherwise not have,” Woods said.

As we move into spring and begin to prepare for the end of the pandemic, it’s the perfect time to throw open the doors of opportunity for all Washington students. If you’re an employer or a student, check out the Washington Workforce Portal today — and let the matchmaking begin.

For more information, go to washingtonworkforceportal.org Kris Johnson is president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s chamber of commerce and manufacturers association.

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Longtime librarian plans to read more in retirement

By Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Tom Moak started his career at MidColumbia Libraries before the age of the internet.

He joined the library district in 1979, back when there were no library cards, and customers signed a three-ring binder when checking out books and materials.

There were 16mm films, mostly educational, art prints and 33 1/3 RPM classical records for loan.

Times sure have changed over the arc of Moak’s 41 years as a librarian with MCL. He retired as the West Richland branch manager on March 4.

Today, patrons have 24/7 access to more than 400,000 books, audiobooks, magazines, and videos, including more than 100,000 downloadable e-books, audiobooks, e-magazines and streaming video.

He began working in a library as a teen. Growing up in Tacoma, his first library job was as a page at a local Tacoma library branch.

He had attended Western Washington University with the intention of becoming a Spanish teacher and also worked as a substitute teacher for several years.

But, he enjoyed his work at the library and decided to pursue a master of librarianship at the University of Washington.

After completing his degree in fall 1979, Moak moved to the east side of the state to begin his job as head reference librarian at the Kennewick library,

now called the Keewaydin Park branch, in downtown Kennewick.

At the time, MCL consisted of the Bookmobile and five Tom Moak branches: Benton City, Connell, Kennewick, Pasco, and West Richland.

Today, there are 12 branches, a rural delivery service and a digital branch.

MCL founder Neva LeBlond Bequette had already retired when Moak arrived, but he got to know her well and would later be the emcee at her memorial service in the library she built in 1964.

With the opening of the new Kennewick branch on Union Street in 1999, Moak served as branch manager there until 2016.

With his years of MCL knowledge and expertise, it’s no wonder Moak was the library jeopardy champ (by a long shot) at all-staff training day in 2019.

“That’s what I live for,” he said with a smile.

Moak also has lent his library expertise at the state level. In the 1990s, Moak served as chairman of the bylaws committee for the Washington Library Association.

Since taking the helm at the West Richland library five years ago, Moak seen usage increasing, especially since

the remodel of the building in early 2019.

“The staff have risen to the challenge of meeting the needs of the West Richland community, which really supports their library,” he said. “Staff go the extra mile. They make me look good. It really is the people who work with me—with their great community service attitude— who deserve a lot of the credit. There’s a framework here for the next manager to do even better.”

Moak opted to retire in March because it gives a new manager some time to get settled before the rush of summer.

And, he didn’t fancy working another March, one of the longest months of the year, he said.

MCL Executive Director and Chief Librarian Kyle Cox said the library district is thankful for the commitment, community focus and zeal for knowledge Moak has given to MCL. “Tom’s mark on life in the Mid-Columbia can be seen within our libraries and in so many other organizations. He is the personification of a life lived in service, believing life can be made better through effort and intention,” Cox said.

Staying busy While he has a plenty of mixed emotions about retiring, Moak has many ongoing commitments—from another part-time job and volunteer leadership roles, to home improvement projects— to fill his time.

“I don’t think I’ll be bored,” he

said. “It’s a good time to look afresh at things.”

Moak serves as a Port of Kennewick commissioner, a position he has held since 2014; his current term lasts four more years.

He is president of the Kennewick Housing Authority, vice president of his Kiwanis Club, and he recently became president of the Benton-Franklin-Walla Walla Good Roads and Transportation Association.

Moak has a long history of community involvement and volunteerism. He served for 12 years on the Kennewick City Council and was appointed and briefly served as a state representative for the 8th District.

He was president of the East Benton County Historical Society, where he’s proud to have implemented historic home tours and installed historic marker plaques on city sidewalks.

“If you’re doing things that you feel are rewarding to you and the community, you keep doing them,” he said.

Retirement plans In retirement, Moak said he looks forward to being able to travel again (postpandemic), to reading more often (he is a big fan of genealogy and family and local history), to taking naps, and to attending library programs.

“I want to enjoy being busy doing the things I want to do, when I want to do them,” he said.

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Party supply company sees ebbs, flows of Tri-City hospitality sector your perspective.

She began wondering why she should work for someone else when she could be her own boss. She thought about the flexibility of owning her own business when she and P.J. began to raise their family.

So the couple moved to the Tri-Cities, and P.J. managed D&D for a few years.

By Kristina Lord

publisher@tcjournal.biz

A third-generation rental store owner isn’t looking to the future with the fear she felt a year ago.

Today, she’s planning with Covid-19 in mind. And it appears so are her customers.

“Right now, customers are booking with the mandates in place, so they know what they’re dealing with. Last year, they cancelled,” said Tammy Stoflet of Red Door Party Rentals.

“People are planning with Covid in mind. I don’t think anyone is planning they’re going to be free and clear (of regulations). We’re seeing a lot of 30- to 40-people events versus 200- to 300-people events,” she said.

Tammy and her husband P.J. Stoflet operate party rental supply stores in Kennewick and Richland and have had a frontrow perspective on how the Tri-City hospitality industry has weathered the pandemic.

Family business bound Stoflet, 42, and her husband bought The Red Door Party Rentals stores from her father in 2007. That’s also when they dropped “The” from the business’ name.

P.J. takes care of all the equipment, most of the deliveries and is the point of contact for large customers wanting canopies, usually working out of the 1331 Wyman Road store in Richland. Tammy handles the administration side and works the counter at the store at 7501 W. Kennewick Ave. They have three employees.

Tammy’s grandfather, Virgil Rose, launched the family business when he bought Gordy’s Rentals in Moses Lake and started Northwest Rentals and Northwest Rentals II in Richland.

Her father, David Rose, took over the business and opened D&D Rents in the Richland Wye in the late ’70s. He opened Northwest Rentals on Wellsian Way in the late ’80s and West Richland Rentals in the early 2000s. He bought Red Door in the early ’90s.

Rose still owns the Northwest Rentals and West Richland stores today; Tammy’s

Photo by Kristina Lord Red Door Party Rentals owners Tammy and P.J. Stoflet stand in the lobby at their Richland store at 1331 Wyman Road. The couple have owned the business for 14 years but haven’t ever experienced a year like the past one.

brother-in-law Bob Marshall operates them.

Rose closed D&D Rents at the end of 2020, a casualty of the pandemic.

“That one hurt his heart quite a bit. Covid was the nail in the coffin,” Tammy said.

1304 E. Hillsboro St., Pasco, WA (509) 545-8420 • skoneirrigation.com

When Tammy left the Tri-Cities to attend Eastern Washington University, she didn’t plan on returning – or going into the family business. She earned a business degree, got married and moved to Spokane.

But life has a funny way of changing

All the party supplies Tammy has seen the ebb and flow of the hospitality industry from a unique vantage point. Her business supplies many of the items needed for weddings, fundraisers and other big community events.

They rent dance floors, tables, chairs, china, glassware – everything needed for a wedding reception or other big event, and more.

When the Stoflets took over, they ventured into offering bigger canopies.

“We had an existing contract with a local car dealership in town. We’ve changed with their demand,” Tammy said.

Their largest canopy is 40-by-140, a huge tent that takes about eight hours to put up with industrial-grade tools to secure them. The smallest size runs 20-by-20.

Their heavy-duty canopies aren’t the flimsy stuff of pop-up sun shades, but come

uRED DOOR, Page A31

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

BAUGHER, From page A3 couldn’t get anyone to listen to me,” he said.

Victims are overwhelmingly young and male. While collisions account for more than half of the 40 or so ski fatalities each year, tree well or immersion deaths represent 15%-20%. The ski area association’s Byrd called it an “astonishing” number.

The fatality rate for skiers was 0.81 deaths per 1 million visits in the past season.

As Baugher’s experience grew, so did his responsibilities at Crystal Mountain.

He directed the ski patrol and oversaw risk management – monitoring snow for conditions that can lead to avalanches and other dangers.

It’s a tricky balancing act. Ski areas and visitors both have a part to play.

There is give and take, as he demonstrated during a 2016 lecture on risk mitigation available on YouTube.

In the video, an expert skier gets his tips crossed and veers into a tree with a deep snow well around it. In a second, he disappears, leaving no sign of what happened. Fortunately, he was with a colleague who rescued him while a camera filmed the incident.

Another video showed what happened when ski area staff touched off a low angle avalanche as a precautionary safety measure. The unexpectedly large avalanche slammed into a chairlift, causing millions in damage but no injuries.

“When it comes to managing risk, I know what the ski area can do and what

HOSPITALITY the (skier/snowboarder) can do,” he said.

It is a message he’s called on to share in courtrooms. Juries can shape the way ski areas operate through verdicts. He considers it his mission to give them a complete picture of risk and risk management.

“I have a seat at the table when the jury is saying, ‘The ski area should close all the runs and put seatbelts on the chairs,’” he said, describing unrealistic restrictions.

“I want to be able to explain, ‘This is how this works. These are the problems, and this is why ski areas do it this way.’ ”

Work-life balance Baugher and his wife, Lynn, have an adult daughter and a shared love of being in the mountains.

He said he’s fortunate that he never had to choose between family and the career that sustained him. He recalled an early climb to Camp Schurman on Mount Rainier with Lynn.

It was a miserable, cold, sleety day.

They reached the cabin and dug it out. It was “ice cold” inside, with nothing but a Coleman lantern for comfort. Baugher imagined his wife, a flight attendant, would never climb again.

“She looked at me and said, ‘This is the coolest thing I’ve ever done!’ ” he said.

“We’ve been doing this stuff ever since.”

The couple live in Enumclaw, equidistant from Crystal Mountain and the International Mountain Guides office and to SeaTac International Airport.

As he prepares to turn 67 this summer, Baugher said he’s preparing to leave International Mountain Guides. But he isn’t giving up on the fun side of his work.

Courtesy Paul Baugher Paul Baugher worked as a climbing ranger in the Olympic Mountains after graduating with an economics degree from the University of Puget Sound.

He enjoys heli-skiing, skiing done at remote sites by skiers transported by helicopter, and calls Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Alta/Snowbird in Utah his top ski spots, along with Crystal Mountain.

“There’s a reason why I stayed,” he said.

Want to stay safe on the slopes?

Visit these sites: nsaa.org/NSAA/Media/Industry_Stats.aspx; Deepsnowsafety.org. Tri-City Connections is an occasional profile of Tri-City natives and former Tri-Citians who have had interesting careers. Contact editor@tcjournal.biz to suggest candidates.

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

HOSPITALITY

Q&A

Number of employees you oversee: We have over 300 employees across our portfolio of nine hotels.

Brief background of your business: A-1 Hospitality is a hotel development and management company headquartered in Kennewick. The company was founded my parents Vijay and Mita Patel in 1997, three years after immigrating to the U.S. The company started off with one small roadside motel in Pendleton, Oregon, and has since grown to currently holding nine hotels in our portfolio. We operate under franchise agreements with Marriott, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham Hotels, G6 Hospitality, RL Hotels and one independent property, Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River, Oregon.

How did you land your current role?

How long have you been in it?

I joined (full time) the family business after earning my MBA from the University of Portland in 2015.

Why should the Tri-Cities care about the hospitality industry?

The hospitality industry is important to all societies but also to economies, customers and employees. Our industry generates a significant amount of tax

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TARAN PATEL

Managing principal A-1 Hospitality Group

revenue through lodging, occupancy and sales tax dollars.

The dollars are often put right back into our local economies, providing funding for infrastructure, schools, etc.

The industry also provides a rewarding career track. Currently the industry accounts for over 10% of total U.S. employment.

Hospitality has been uniquely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and A-1 had just opened a new hotel. How is this affecting your company? What are you doing to survive? What is your message to the community, to employees, to visitors?

Covid without a doubt has brought upon many unprecedented challenges that we have had to navigate through.

For our company, we added in four hotels to our management portfolio in the past 12 months. At the peak, we had a 80% drop in occupancy levels across the portfolio. I can confidently say that even the most conservative companies do not stress tests for such a drastic drop.

Fortunately, with funding available from the CARES Act and relief from most of our lenders, we have been able to navigate through the worst part and feel that we have weathered the worst of

the storm. We still have had to make adjustments to our operating model and plan on a full recovery still two years out.

What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?

Empathy. Regardless of leadership style, when a leader possesses an empathetic characteristic, it allows their leadership to be effective.

What is the biggest challenge facing business owners/ managers today?

When visiting our properties, the most common question I get is, “When will we return to normal?” The biggest challenge is keeping our teams motivated without being able to give them a definite timeline on when we will be back to “normal” or the “new normal.”

If you had a magic wand, what would you change about your industry/field?

There is often a misconception on the franchisee-franchisor relationship in our industry. Oftentimes consumers,

Taran Patel

and, at times, even lawmakers, see a big box name such as a Holiday Inn or a Marriott and automatically assume the business is owned by a large corporation. Reality is in most cases these hotels operate under a franchise model and are often owned by local small familyowned business owners.

What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?

Be ready to tell your story. Let your team know how you got to your current uPATEL, Page A18

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Coronavirus pandemic stimulates RV sales, rentals Interestingly, while restaurants and airlines continue to be clobbered by coronavirus-related lockdowns, recreational vehicle sales and rentals took off. People have switched their travel preferences to minimize their Covid-19 exposure.

Travel trailers and motorhomes are iconic symbols of campgrounds in our “Great Outdoors.” Meanwhile, outdoor recreation increased once the initial lockdowns to prevent the spread of Covid-19 lifted.

Before the pandemic came ashore in the U.S., the number of active camping households was increasing and reached 1.4 million in 2018. In effect, outdoor recreation was social distancing before

“social distancing” had a name.

As travelers try to keep their separation and avoid crowds, recreational vehicles rentals increased 65% last year, Don C. Brunell CNET’s Road/ Business analyst Show reported.

GUEST COLUMN Buying an RV is expensive. They cost between $10,000 and $300,000, depending on the style and features. A moderately-equipped camper trailer pulled behind a truck might cost

$20,000, while a fifth-wheel may be $40,000. Most motorhome prices usually start around $100,000, CampReport.com reports.

Despite the price tags, RV Industry Association President Craig Kirby reports RV manufacturers experienced strong consumer growth over the past 10 years, but the recent soar in consumer interest in “RVing” driven by the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a marked increase in RV shipments to meet the incredibly strong order activity at the retail level.

That’s a long way of saying business is good and getting better.

“This new forecast confirms what we

have been seeing across the country as people turn to RVs as a way to have the freedom to travel and experience an active outdoor lifestyle while also controlling their environment,” Kirby added.

In other words, it’s about enjoying the comforts and necessities of home while sleeping in the woods.

RV shipments were expected to surpass 400,000 units by the end of 2020 and grow by 20% in 2021 (more than 500,000 units), the RV Industry Association estimated.

The RV industry’s 400 manufacturers and suppliers generate an estimated $114 billion to our economy each year.

The good news is 98% of all RVs are “Made in America.” The United States produces about 60% of RVs worldwide.

Business Insider reported RVs are becoming the go-to vacation for many Americans coming out of coronavirus lockdown.

Lower gas prices helped fueled RV growth last year. AAA finds Washington’s statewide average for the cost of a gallon of gas is 9 cents higher than a year ago at $3.17 a gallon, as reported on March 8. The nationwide average is $2.77 a gallon.

According to a study conducted by Kampgrounds of America (KOA), which runs a series of privately owned campgrounds, including one in Pasco, 34% of prospective U.S. and Canada-based campers say that road trips will be the safest form of travel.

This increasing interest in road trips was expected to see to 46 million Americans taking an RV trip in the last year.

Analysts see the trend continuing once the coronavirus passes.

RVs also provide the ability for people to work and students to learn remotely, especially with high-speed internet and rapidly expanding coverage.

Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom believes new “working-from-home economy” is likely to continue long past the coronavirus pandemic.

“We see an incredible 42% of the U.S. labor force now working from home full time. About another 33% are not working – a testament to the savage impact of the lockdown recession. And the remaining 26% – mostly essential service workers – are working on their business premises,” Bloom said.

So, by sheer numbers, the U.S. is a working-from-home economy. The good news for the RV manufacturers is home can be an RV parked anywhere from a campsite in Yellowstone National Park to one in the Columbia River Gorge.

8Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He recently retired as president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and now lives in Vancouver. He can be contacted at theBrunells@msn.com.

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

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Let’s allow restaurants to become part of the solution As we enter the second year of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have an opportunity to look back at what the last year has meant for the hospitality industry — and look ahead at how we can recover.

The hospitality industry has been hit the hardest of any industry in the state, by far.

As the largest private employer in the state, we lost a third of jobs almost overnight last March when restaurants were shut down.

Since then, 202,248 people who work in food service have filed unemployment claims. Billions of dollars vanished from the hospitality industry in our state in every single quarter of the pandemic.

In Benton and Franklin counties, about $10 million per month has vanished from the hospitality industry. And that $10 million isn’t just hitting restaurants: For every dollar spent in a restaurant in average times, 96 cents is reinvested in the community.

The money goes to pay employee wages and to local food suppliers, wineries and breweries. This has a multiplier effect, meaning every dollar spent in a restaurant benefits many more industries and businesses than, say, a dollar spent at an online retailer that vanishes from our local economy instantly.

This huge loss has translated to an onslaught of closures.

Nationwide, Washington’s restaurants are among the hardest hit.

According to a presentation to the state Legislature by Yelp, Washington state has the fifth highest closure rate in the nation.

We estimate Anthony Anton 35% of restauWashington rants will close Hospitality by this fall. That’s Association one in three GUEST COLUMN dreams crushed.

Already, thousands of restaurants in our state have closed permanently. In the first six months of the pandemic, 40 restaurants in Benton and Franklin counties closed their doors forever.

As I write this column in early March, our industry is allowed 25% indoor dining capacity and most restaurants that are still open are losing around $18,000 per month at that level.

Hotels are in a similar position: As of December, revenue per room was down 53.2% from the same time last year.

The busy travel months disintegrated, and the American Hotel and Lodging Association estimates that 49% of hotels will face foreclosure without congressional help.

It’s a bleak picture — but we see a path to recovery.

First, we must reopen restaurants to

help stop the spread of Covid-19. That may seem counterintuitive, but it’s not: Contact tracing in our state showed that less than 1% of cases were traced to restaurants.

When indoor dining was shut down entirely, cases skyrocketed.

When indoor dining was reopened, cases dropped and have continued to drop.

On top of that, states with mask mandates and 50% indoor dining capacity had the lowest Covid-19 rates and lowest death rates.

All the data we have points to the fact that Washington restaurants, which have among the strictest safety standards in the

nation, are part of the solution — not part of the problem.

And that’s where the good news is: We can help jump-start our economy, multiply the impact of our dollars, and save local businesses all while reducing the spread of Covid-19. Remember, 96 cents of every dollar spent at a restaurant is reinvested in the local community — so every one of us can multiply the impact of our spending by supporting local restaurants. Anthony Anton is president and chief executive officer of the Washington Hospitality Association.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

PATEL, From page A15 position and what you are going to do for them to help them achieve their professional goals.

Who are your role models or mentors?

My parents. Both of them have been my role models and mentors for as long as I can remember. My sister and I have been blessed to have had a front row seat to all the blood sweat and tears our parents put into establishing our company.

How do you keep your team members motivated?

Purpose. We put an emphasis on ensuring each team member knows that they have a specific valuable purpose to our organization. We think of all of

our team members as family, rather than employees.

This has always been the core of our philosophy and the key to our success.

It’s quite simple: If we take care of our team members, they will take care of our guests, and if our guests are taken care of, they will come back and stay with us.

How did you decide to pursue the career that you are working in today?

I have grown up around this industry.

My sister and I both grew up in an apartment attached to the front desk of a small hotel from 1994-2005. From a young age we were exposed to the behind-thescenes aspects of our industry, whether it be folding towels, vacuuming rooms or filling up vending machines.

HOSPITALITY We gained a unique perspective and appreciation for the industry. I couldn’t imagine myself in any other field.

What do you consider your leadership style to be?

My leadership style would be a strategic leadership, I always try and focus on our long-term success and vision without getting too caught up on the short-term hurdles and obstacles.

How do you balance work and family life?

Being a family-owned small business, this has always been an interesting one for us. Over the years we have gotten better at setting aside time where we try not to talk about business outside of typi-

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cal work hours.

Obviously, this gets challenging at times when we are operating businesses, which do run 24/7.

What do you like to do when you are not at work?

I enjoy spending time with family, friends and staying physically active.

What’s your best time management strategy?

Checklists have become my best friend. When I am wrapping up the day, I take some time to jot down some to-do items for the next day, allowing me to efficiently knock out pending tasks.

Best tip to relieve stress?

For me it’s going to the gym or on a run with my headphones, just being in a zone where you can just shut out the outside world for a bit.

Favorite book?

“Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t”

by Jim Collins Do you have a personal mantra, phrase or quote you like to use?

The signature line of my emails reads: CFO asks CEO: “What happens if we invest in developing our people and then they leave us?”

CEO: “What happens if we don’t and they stay?”

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

HOSPITALITY

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Hindsight is 2020: A look ahead for Washington’s wine industry Washington wine has experienced unprecedented growth over the past 20 years, adding an average of one new winery every week, doubling the vineyard acreage, and steadily turning into an $8.4 billion industry.

And then 2020 happened – a year of turmoil, change at every turn, new restrictions and much uncertainty.

It forced the entire industry to take a good look inward, which in turn led to greater creativity, community, growth – and a whole lot of planning for the still uncertain, but perhaps more certain, future.

“If this past year has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected,” said Steve Warner, president of the Washington State Wine Commission. “It’s important to take the lessons of 2020 and continue making new plans – concrete, yet flexible plans.

The million-dollar question is ‘now what?’

Although you never can be certain, our board of commissioners is taking all of the data and information we have to make assumptions and predictions for the year ahead.”

Direct-to-consumer model Direct-to-consumer (DTC) business has been a lifeline for wineries through the pandemic.

Online, to-go and curbside sales, digital activations and limited in-person interactions have allowed wineries to connect with customers to sell wine throughout this time.

It’s expected that DTC business will stay strong and pick up momentum as more in-person tasting experiences are permitted.

“Some aspects of the pandemic customer experience may be here to stay,” Warner said. “Wineries and customers have enjoyed the one-on-one time, so we might see more tastings by appointment and other opportunities for small groups as we open back up.”

DTC business also will benefit with the rise of tourism, which travel experts predict will ramp back up over the next year.

Washington wineries are preparing to welcome visitors – especially from drivable distances around the Northwest – back in much higher numbers this spring, summer and fall.

Think (and drink) local The great majority of Washington’s wineries are small, family-owned businesses, which depend on community support and wine club members. Luckily, wineries

found that during the pandemic, customers continued to support local.

“It’s more important than ever that we support our local Heather Bradshaw businesses, the Washington State heartbeat of our Wine Commission communities,” GUEST COLUMN Warner said.

“This pandemic put a spotlight on the importance of supporting each other, which we expect will continue even in post-pandemic life.”

Value-led buying A rising trend among consumers is purchasing with intention and in alignment with their core values.

While these are individual business decisions, the Washington wine industry is collectively taking action in two specific areas: Diversity, equity and inclusion and sustainability.

The wine commission board formed a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) task force in the summer of 2020 to integrate DEI into the ethos of the industry.

The task force determined the need to bring in expert-level advice and guidance and is beginning work with two organizations which will help the industry take steps toward inclusivity in every way.

Following the lead of several reputable consumer and trade surveys, a Washington wine industry group approved an effort to formally launch a certified sustainable wine program next year.

This will allow Washington wineries and vineyards to label their bottles as sustainably farmed. The label communicates a commitment to being environmentallysound, socially equitable and economically viable.

Bigger crop in 2021 Not only were Washington winegrowers impacted by Covid-19 in 2020, they also were impacted by a series of wildfires and weather events that decreased the size of the crop.

Luckily, growers are happy about the overall quality of the fruit. However, there will be less of it compared to years past.

Winegrowers are always at the mercy of Mother Nature, but assuming there are no negative impacts to the growing season, they should see a significant increase

Subscribe to print edition online.

Grin 1 Year: $27.10 GRIN-WINK 2 Years: $45.56 Surprise 3 Years: $65.11 Prices include 8.6% sales tax.

tcjournal.biz

in the 2021 grape harvest.

Innovation Innovation is at the core of Washington’s wine industry, from the vineyards to the cellar, to the marketing, packaging and research efforts – everything.

Although Cabernet Sauvignon is king in terms of production, there are new vineyard plantings going in every year as wine growers experiment with different varieties and hone in on the right sites for specific varieties.

Washington’s winemakers embody innovation, as they encourage each other to push boundaries, try new techniques and work collaboratively on experimental projects. On the marketing side, wineries are innovating with alternative packaging, virtual experiences and new social media activations.

Of course, all of the innovation and experimentation is grounded in data provided

by Washington’s world-class wine and grape research program.

“Our wine research program is vital to the continued success of both our winemakers and winegrowers,” Warner said.

“With the research backbone, and collaborative spirit of our entire industry – we’re truly only just scratching the surface of what’s possible here.”

Bottom line While it’s hard to plan for the uncertain, one thing is for certain: Washington’s wine industry is strong, flexible and poised to thrive no matter what circumstances this year may bring. Heather Bradshaw is communications director for the Washington State Wine Commission.

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Richland’s Tumbleweeds rolls through turbulent year and didn’t get a lot of traffic.

By Kristina Lord

publisher@tcjournal.biz

When anyone asks the owner of Tumbleweeds Mexican Flair about his plans, he likes to quip: “I am just honored that you think I have a plan.”

The past year has been a lesson in flying by the seat your pants at the familyowned restaurant at 894 Stevens Drive in Richland.

But despite the past year’s challenges, owner Keith Moon said his business has weathered the chaos of pandemic 2020.

“We even have more employees now than we did pre-pandemic,” he said. He started 2020 with 10 and currently has 12.

Moon, 32, recently had an opportunity to reflect on the past year when he shut his restaurant down for some repairs in late February (which turned out to be more expensive than he’d planned on – that’s how it goes with improvement projects, right?, he asked.).

He admitted he made some mistakes but he’s also learned valuable lessons about managing the 21-year-old business – and even about Tri-City spending habits and the area’s economy.

Homework first Moon and his wife Jane bought the restaurant in 2014 from his mother, Eve Moon.

“We’re a true family business,” he said.

Eve had worked as a regional manager for three TacoTime restaurants in the TriCities for years. The company sold her the Kennewick and Richland locations

Photo by Kristina Lord Keith Moon adds tomatoes to the line of tacos being prepared for the lunch crowd at Tumbleweeds at 894 Stevens Drive in Richland. Moon said his restaurant and crew have adapted to the turbulent year of the pandemic.

when it pulled out of the market when its lease came due at Columbia Center mall.

She bought them in 2000, renaming them Tumbleweeds.

Her son began working in the Kennewick restaurant when he was 14.

Soon, he was closing the restaurant five nights a week; it evolved into a 40hour work week.

“I’m cut from an entrepreneur’s cloth, but I knew I needed to finish school,” he said.

Moon spent his lunch period doing homework. He graduated from Kenne-

wick’s Southridge High in 2006 with a 3.9 grade-point average.

His mother decided to close the Kennewick restaurant in 2008. It was tucked behind the Arby’s on Clearwater Avenue

Getting creative Two developments in 2020 helped Moon’s business stay in the black when dining rooms closed because of the pandemic: preorders and a lunch contract with Liberty Christian School in Richland.

Tumbleweeds began presales of weekly take-and-bake enchiladas around June, with a different flavor every week.

“That was really awesome and our customers picked up what we were throwing down,” he said. “It bridged the gap to make up the difference from dining room dine-in losses. Once we started doing that, now that we’re back to regular, in terms of revenue, ordering and production, we brought back employees.”

Inspiration hit around the holidays when Moon received an air fryer for Christmas.

He threw out an idea on Facebook: Would anyone be interested in air crisping Tumbleweeds’ burritos at home?

The restaurant pre-sold 150 trays.

“The air-fried burrito took off like a rocket,” Moon said.

Tumbleweeds hand-rolls 10 crisp burritos – beef, chicken or bean – which are reuTUMBLEWEEDS, Page A28

Washington State University solicits proposals from qualified and experienced food service providers to operate a retail food service location in the Compton Union Building at the heart of the WSU Pullman campus – Pullman, WA. The University seeks an innovative and creative vendor that will provide the students, faculty, staff and visitors of WSU expanded variety and a quality retail food option to complement current food court environment offerings.

Full details of this Announcement of opportunity can be found at http://cub.wsu.edu/facility-info/ vendor-opportunity/. Responses are due in Pullman, WA no later than 5 p.m. (PST) on March 31, 2021.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

uBUSINESS BRIEFS Visit Tri-Cities offering free wine passport

Visit Tri-Cities is offering a free wine passport filled with deals to encourage visitors to check out the region’s wineries.

Deals include being a wine club member for a day and discounts on wine purchases, wine tastings and food at 20 different wineries from Pasco to Prosser.

The Tri-Cities Wine Passport is delivered via text and email – there’s no app to download.

When visiting a participating winery, passholders simply present their phone to redeem the special offer.

If passholders also “check in” at a spe-

cific number of locations, they also are eligible to win one of four $50 gift cards.

To download the passport, go to bit.ly/ TCWinePassport.

Goose Ridge Estates now produces vodka

The family that owns Goose Ridge Estate Vineyards and Winery in Richland is now distilling vodka.

The Monson family introduced its VIDO Vodka, named for Arvid “Vido” Monson, a Selo High School graduate and cattleman whose farming operations set the stage to develop Goose Ridge Estates. The elder Monson dreamed of distilling vodka from the family vineyards.

VIDO Vodka is distilled from Goose

FOOD & WINE Ridge-grown grapes that are pressed, fermented and distilled through a series of 24 copper distillation plates before being vaporized, filtered and freeze filtered for clarity.

Go to shop.drinkvido.com/Find-ourVodka.

Vintners Logistics adds COO; owner plans motorcycle adventures

Vintners Logistics in Kennewick has named Lisa Petersen as chief operating officer.

Petersen is a 25-year logistics industry executive, most recently serving as director of Intermodal Services for Independent Dispatch Inc. in Portland. She is an Oregon State University graduate with

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a family background in the Willamette Valley wine industry.

“Lisa’s experience will ensure we continue to provide a seamless full suite of logistics, transportation and warehousing solutions while also developing and implementing new warehousing and transportation service lines,” said Robert Thompson. “With Lisa’s arrival, I will be able to increase my energies toward servant leadership and also extensive adventure motorcycle riding.”

Thompson formed Vintners Logistics in 2007 to provide transportation, warehouse and logistics services to the state’s $8-plus billion wine industry.

The company is based in Kennewick with locations in Oregon and California.

Auction of Washington Wines plans in-person, online events

The Auction of Washington Wines will hold a series of in-person and virtual events for its annual fund-raising program.

The auction supports Washington State University Viticulture & Enology Research, Seattle Children’s and funds industry grants.

• Private Barrel Auction, April 19-20: Thirty Washington wineries will offer five-case lots. The program is coupled with winemaker interviews conducted via Zoom by wine expert Owen Bargreen.

• Wine & Music Week, May 18-23: The mix of online and in-person events starts with a virtual concert and an online auction of more than 100 bottle lots.

Small wine country dinners will be held as conditions allow at Fiction @ J. Bookwalter Wine in Richland and Hightower Cellars Vineyard in Benton City.

• Online Auction and Virtual Gala, Aug. 10-16: A weeklong silent auction will feature more than 150 lots with offerings ranging from wine to travel to culinary experiences. The program culminates Aug. 14 with a virtual gala featuring 20 live auction lots. Supporters will be able to order gala-in-a-box dinners from local chefs.

Go to auctionofwawines.org for information and updates.

Woodinville Wine Country endows WSU scholarship

Brought to you by:

Woodinville Wine Country is endowing a new scholarship to elevate minority voices and talent in the state’s winemaking industry.

Chateau Ste. Michelle and DeLille Cellars are creating the endowment through the Washington State University Viticulture & Enology Program to support minority and under-represented students majoring in viticulture and enology “This scholarship will allow us to bring in students from all backgrounds to study with us and to join the wine industry,” said Thomas Henick-Kling, director of the viticulture and enology program at WSU.

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Red Mountain veteran makes big jump to small vineyard

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

Viticulturist Matt Halldorson came from Arizona to make the vineyards of the Yakima Valley his professional home, working most recently for the biggest of the big, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.

In February, he made another big move when he left the mega producer to join Kiona Vineyards and Winery, the family-owned estate that was the first to cultivate grapes on Red Mountain.

It’s not just a big move for Halldorson.

It is a big move for the Williams family of Kiona, which has managed its acres since the original vines were planted in 1975.

Three generations Now in its third generation, Kiona brought in a viticulturist as it takes a bird’s eye view of the operation, said JJ Williams, who works alongside his father, Scott, and brother, Tyler. Together, the Williams family oversees an operation that includes farming, winemaking and a public tasting room.

His parents, Scott and Vicky Williams, aren’t leaving. The couple are building a new home at Red Mountain. And the family not only works in close quarters during the week, it skis together on weekends, cramming into a 400-square-foot condominium near White Pass.

But at 62, Scott and his family recognized it was time to think about transitions and bring in a professional who shares his commitment to science-based farming. “(Scott) knows the ins and outs of these 272 acres like no one else. But for any organization to have so many eggs in one basket is a dangerous thing,” said JJ, who shares the title of general manager with his father and brother.

Scientific mindset Halldorson, who has worked vine-

uBUSINESS BRIEF Restaurateurs buy Walla Walla’s Basel Cellars

A group of Northwest hospitality entrepreneurs recently bought Walla Walla-based Basel Cellars Estate’s winery, vineyard, brand, inventory, equipment and all real property, including the on-site estate resort and event facilities.

The new ownership group includes Walla Walla residents and business owners Dan Thiessen, Paul Mackay, and Philip Christofides of the Walla Walla Steak Company and Crossbuck Brewing. Chad Mackay of Fire & Vine Hospitality, and Scott Clark, principal at Clark Property Development, round out the leadership team.

Terms were not disclosed.

The new group will continue to operate Basel Cellars Estate as a wine country lodging and event location while developing plans for further

yards across the region, knows the area and shares the Williams family’s scientific mindset.

“He’s a good farmer. He’s got science chops,” JJ said, adding, “Given our engineering and science backgrounds, we tend to farm more on the science end of the spectrum. We like to know why things happen.”

Halldorson studied plant biology at Northern Arizona University and graduated in 2008, in the teeth of the Great Recession. The promised jobs were not there. He took odd jobs, including firefighting, but did not give on his dream of working around plants.

He found his path when he contacted Markus Keller in the Washington State University Viticulture and Enology program. Soon, he was headed to Washington to attend graduate school and a paying job. WSU led to a job with Wykoff Farms and then Ste. Michelle Estates, putting him in charge of vineyards from Paterson to Red Mountain.

He’s excited to work Kiona Vineyards and its comparatively smaller acreage.

Kiona grows grapes on five vineyards: Kiona Estate, Heart of the Hill, Ranch at the End of the Road, Artz Vineyard and Sunset Beach. Collectively, they supply grapes to its winery and under contract to 60 others.

Halldorson shares the Williams family’s commitment to science.

“If you really want to understand how things work, you need that scientific background,” he said. “People pay really good money for these (Red Mountain) grapes and they need to be absolutely as perfect as they can be.”

Kiona’s beginnings Kiona Vineyards and Winery is the brainchild of a pair of Hanford engineers and metallurgists, John Williams and Jim Holmes.

The pair met at General Electric and winery and hospitality expansion on the property.

Owners Steve and Jo Marie Hansen of Vancouver, Washington, became partners at Basel Cellars in 2004 and had been the sole owners since 2011.

The Hansens’ 83-acre estate includes 27 acres of mature vineyard, a full winery production facility and cellar, on-site tasting room, an eight-bedroom vacation rental, a two-bedroom cabana, and grounds for hosting weddings and private events.

Originally built in 1997 as a private residence, the Estate House at Basel Cellars was one of the finest homes in the Walla Walla valley.

The property was acquired in 2002 and converted into an estate winery, vineyard, luxury vacation rental and event venue.

METIS, a Pacific Northwest mergers and acquisitions advisory firm focused on the global adult beverage and hospital industries, brokered the deal.

Courtesy Kiona Vineyards and Winery Kiona Vineyards and Winery recently announced that viticulturist Matt Halldorson will oversee farming responsibilities for the five estate vineyards owned and operated by the Williams on Red Mountain.

collaborated with wine pioneer Walter Clore of the Washington State University extension.

Clore, considered the father of Washington’s wine industry, was testing the commercial viability of growing wine grapes in Washington in the 1960s. Williams and Holms lent their engineering expertise.

They suspected Red Mountain would be a good grape growing area. There were no roads, infrastructure or irrigation. But the land was cheap and 1972, the two bought 10 acres. JJ called it a handshake deal that depended on successfully drilling a well.

The engineers predicted they’d hit water at 550 feet and they did. The well continues to supply domestic water.

The first vines were planted in 1975.

Scott, then in high school, recruited friends to help. Cabernet, Riesling and Chardonnay went in first. Lemberger and other varieties came later.

The vineyard grew to 24 acres in the mid-1980s and to 60 a decade later. Today, Red Mountain is among Washington’s best-regarded growing areas.

It is a distinct American Viticultural Area (AVA) within the Yakima Valley AVA. Its grapes command premium prices. The AVA has more than 2,200 planted acres and is best known for its red grapes.

The founders kept their jobs at Hanford and treated wine as, JJ described it, “a side hustle.” The Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers honored John Williams and Jim Holmes with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016 for their work to develop the industry.

Son Scott made it a career and is credited with turning Kiona into the business it is today. The winery produces 25,000 cases a year, making a “big small” winery. He studied agricultural engineering at WSU and made a career of farming the land.

Brothers join business JJ and his brother Tyler grew up on “the hill.”

“You can take 10 steps out the door of the family home and be in the vineyard,” JJ said. Kiona was the family business, but it wasn’t handed to the brothers.

Both earned degrees at Gonzaga. JJ sold wine in the Seattle area and lived in Italy. Tyler, the winemaker, worked in wineries around the world before coming home.

“My parents made it pretty clear early on that while it wasn’t an expectation, we could work in the family business.

But if it was an interest, we couldn’t just mosey in because of what our last name was,” JJ said.

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LOCAL PUMPKIN, From page A1 “It was kind of a wild ride,” John said.

“From a business standpoint, we were the opposite of shut down.”

He credits a thoughtful approach to growing the business with helping meet the explosive growth.

“We had the infrastructure more or less to handle it. By God’s grace, we were set up to do it. It kind of fell in our laps.”

How it all began The Franklins started Local Pumpkin in 2014. John had a business background, including owning software companies and working as a manager for Basin Disposal.

Cathy is a counselor who stayed home and raised their five children, including homeschooling. She had a long-standing interest in healthy eating.

The couple both enjoyed farmers markets but family life kept them from going as often as they wanted. When they could, they had to visit multiple markets to find all the produce grown in the Mid-Columbia.

They were familiar with CSAs, which typically entail a farmer delivering a box to subscribers each week. The Tri-Cities needed one that could leverage the bounty of the region without being a side business for a busy farmer.

They started with what John called “awkward” conversations with vendors at the Pasco Farmers Market. Most gave him odd looks, but a few were interested enough to do business with him.

A notice on Facebook produced the first 25 customers.

For the first summer, the Franklins

FOOD & WINE bought produce at the farmers market and boxed it for customers at their kitchen table, with help from their kids.

They spent more than they charged, but it served as a good pilot for the business.

By the second year, Local Pumpkin had doubled to 120 customers. The kitchen table wasn’t Photo by Wendy Culverwell big enough anymore. Local Pump- Cathy and John Franklin run Local Pumpkin, a local and organic boxed food delivery service, from the barn behind kin rented a grange their home in unincorporated Franklin County. hall in Pasco one day a week where family Pumpkin as a store, choosing what they and friends helped them pack boxes. They want from its website. And they’re no lonpaid supporters in produce. ger confined to produce.

When the customer base grew to 300, Local Pumpkin offers dry goods, soup the couple eyed the old barn behind their mixes, bakery and fresh dairy and meats. home in unincorporated Franklin County. In March, it added Prudhoe Bay-caught They took out a home equity loan to fix it salmon from Alaska. The Walla Walla up with a concrete floor, insulation and air vendor needed a new outlet to sell after conditioning. its regular roster of restaurant customers In the first years, customers received dried up. boxes with whatever produce Local In January, it added yet another new Pumpkin sourced that week. The Frank- feature. Customers shop for items using a lins tried to select items with broad appeal point system. and even surveyed members about their Local Pumpkin is still a CSA and empreferences, but the results were all over phasizes its connection to the 30 farmers the place. and 15 other vendors that supply it. But “Some people love beets, some people today, the Franklins said customers can hate beets,” John said. use it for more than produce.

“Some customers use it so much I don’t Year-round deliveries think they go to the store very often,” John As it added more vendors, including prepared foods and meats, customers got said.

After the wild ride of 2020, the couple is more choice in what came in their boxes.

But one message was clear: Customers grateful to see the business that started as a wanted year-round deliveries, not just sea- labor of love grow. They want to move out of the barn, add deliveries to Prosser and sonal one.

It partnered with Organically Grown, implement a healthy food line up.

“We decided for 2021 to keep doing an Oregon company, to keep it provisioned with organic products throughout what we’re doing and expand where we can. But we’re staying put on the propthe year.

Software lets customers treat Local erty,” John said.

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Family-owned Grocery Outlet in Pasco is tops for Northwest sales growth

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

In a little more than two years, Pasco’s Grocery Outlet validated the decision to open on Road 68.

Of the 150 or so Grocery Outlets dotting the Northwest, Pasco recorded the biggest growth in sales in 2020, said Charles Grimm, who operates the store with his wife, Janice.

The Grimms opened the grocery at 5710 Road 68 in mid-2018 after operating JC’s Mesa Grocery & Deli in north Franklin County for more than a decade.

Grimm said Pasco’s growth, as well as a business model that resonates with a select group of grocery shoppers – the bargain hunters, the treasurer hunters and the dollar stretchers –­ drove sales growth. He credits staff as well for maintaining a fun atmosphere, even during the pandemic.

“It’s our team buying into the vision of a family, fun atmosphere,” he said.

Grocery Outlets stock shelves with a mix of heavily discounted items sourced “opportunistically” from manufacturers and distributors, as well as fresh meat, produce and dairy.

Grocery store veterans And its stores are owned and operated by independent owners. The Grimms were longtime grocery veterans before Emeryville, California-based Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. selected them to operate the Pasco store in 2018, shortly before it opened.

He had started as a high school kid with

Photo by Wendy Culverwell Charles Grimm owns and operates Pasco’s Grocery Outlet with his wife, Janice.

The store opened in 2018 and was the California chain’s fastest growing location in the Northwest in 2020.

an after-work job that paid $3 an hour in Tumwater. Fifteen years later and married, he had worked his way up to management.

The couple wanted to operate their own store and looked for opportunities.

They were priced out of western Washington, but the small Mesa store beckoned them to Franklin County.

In 2006, they moved and began running JC’s, making Mesa their home as they started a family that now includes four children under 13.

Grimm loved being the small city’s gro-

cer. His store displayed an outsized American flag on a pole donated by his uncle. He served as grand marshal for a fall festival parade in nearby Connell.

“We were welcomed like family,” he said.

The Grimms sold the Mesa grocery in 2017. The store was not being marketed but they received an inquiry from a buyer who readily agreed to pay the price Grimm asked.

Joining Grocery Outlet Grocery Outlet caught his attention

when he was running an errand near one of its stores. Intrigued, he learned more and applied for the owner-operator training program. After more than two decades in the business, he found the seven-month program enlightening.

“I learned every day in my training,” he said.

The Grimms had plenty of competition when Grocery Outlet announced plans to anchor a new strip mall on Road 68 in western Pasco, in the heart of the fastgrowing area. The Grimms, with their past community involvement, were selected.

In its 2020 year-end report, Grocery Outlet (NASDAQ: GO) reported its 2020 net sales increased 22.5% to $3.13 billion for the year. It had 380 stores at the end of the year, including 35 newly open ones, for a rough average of $8.2 million in sales per store.

The chain operates chiefly on the West Coast. The company does not disclose individual store data, but a spokeswoman confirmed the Pasco store is a top performer in the region.

“We are incredibly pleased with its success,” said Layla Kasha. “Charles has done a great job of integrating into the community and providing fresh, name-brand products at wow prices for its customers.”

On the shelves The Pasco Grocery Outlet has 13,00 square feet of selling space as well as storage. It employs about 25.

The Grimms had their young children

uGROCERY OUTLET, Page A32

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TUMBLEWEEDS, From page A23 frigerated and ready to be cooked at home in an air fryer, or an oven. They retail for $15.

“We’re selling between 80 to 90 pans a week to fulfill residual interest in that. We are responsible for at least five air fryer purchases,” Moon said.

Moon said many use the restaurant’s mobile app to order the take-and-bake options, and the app saw 2,200 downloads in the year of the pandemic.

“Once the pandemic started, 100% of orders were drive-thru or takeout and our app kind of exploded. We doubled app downloads in one year. That’s been a blessing of pandemic,” Moon said.

The lunch contract An unexpected lunch contract with

Liberty Christian School in the fall helped offset the loss of lunchtime sales from the daily high school crowd.

Every Thursday, Tumbleweeds delivers crisp bean burritos, chicken soft tacos and cheese quesadillas to the private Christian school in Richland.

“That’s 150 items for us. Every week,” Moon said.

The school doesn’t have a commercial kitchen. It relies on partners to bring hot lunches as an alternative to lunches packed at home: Dairy Queen’s chicken strips on Mondays; Subway’s sandwiches on Tuesdays; Arby’s on Wednesdays; and Papa John’s pizzas on Fridays.

“The little kids love cheese quesadillas and the bigger kids like the burritos and tacos. There are quite a few (from the staff) that order from Tumbleweeds

FOOD & WINE too,” said Lori Shaffer, lunch coordinator at Liberty Christian, which enrolls about 400 K-12 students.

A few observations The restaurant owner has made a few observations about the economy of the Tri-City community, based on restaurant sales.

“When the first stimulus payments went out, I think people were kind of flush with cash. We live in an area that’s very much propped up by Hanford. There were furloughed employees who were getting their regular pay – the majority of them were. When people at home are getting full pay, then getting stimulus checks, it really did stimulate the economy. … In June-July we had a month and we were like, ‘This is great. This pandemic is

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working perfect for us.’ We were nestled in sweet spot. But, honestly, once that sort of bled out of the economy, then it died down again,” he said.

Moon said the uncertainty of the past year made it a roller coaster for the business.

“In business you’re trying to plan for what’s coming. We couldn’t plan for nothing. ...We don’t know what’s coming out of leadership tomorrow and how that going to change things,” Moon said.

Customers’ buying habits changed too.

When his wife picks up dinner somewhere, she checks in with his grandmother or mother to see if she should pick up something for them. He notices other people do this too.

“Our order count has gone down dramatically in the pandemic but the average order ticket has gone up dramatically and it’s almost been a wash,” Moon said. Prepandemic the average was $10 and it’s currently $17.

In the early stages of the pandemic, Tumbleweeds, like many businesses, successfully applied for federal Paycheck Protection Program through Gesa Credit Union Moon realized life wasn’t going back to normal in August.

“In June to July, we were waiting and at the whim of politics. I knew we had to do something and take control here. Once I realized that, I thought, ‘Let’s pretend it’s never going back to the way it was before.’ It’s sort of how take-and-bake enchiladas was born,” he said.

Charity sales Though it started as a TacoTime, Tumbleweeds’ menu has evolved over the years, including using its own blend of spices, processes and products. “It’s been so long there’s just few similarities. We both have burritos and tater tots,” Moon said.

Tumbleweeds’ most popular offering and its “claim to fame” is the grilled steak burrito, Moon said.

He credits his wife for coming up with the popular cafeteria burrito (beans, rice, cheese, sour cream, burrito sauce, Siracha ranch, onion-cilantro mix).

Sale proceeds go to different charities.

In 2019, Tumbleweeds paid off the Richland School District’s student lunch debt.

It’s also made donations to Grace Kitchen and Office Moms and Dads, a nonprofit that works with foster children.

Lessons learned Moon said his two biggest challenges in the past year have been working to respect where people are on what he calls the Covid spectrum – which ranges from those who believe it’s a fake virus to those who live in fear of getting it and never leave their home – and trying to adhere to the state’s changing regulations.

“In the beginning I was scared to death.

I put on a strong and happy face all the time but the level of fear was overwhelming. A lot of people can relate to that. … the fear factor was extreme,” he said.

While listening to a Dave Ramsey podcast, he had an epiphany. “It’s OK to have fear and not know what’s coming next.

It’s not OK to act on fear,” he said. “Due to fear, I had laid off people. But my fear, caused me to lay people off. My lesson was not to react in fear, but in fact.”

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

FOOD & WINE

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State grant helps Gene’s Custom Slaughter invest in growth Small farmers, ranchers drive demand for meat processing services in Mid-Columbia

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

A state grant is helping a West Richland custom slaughter business grow to meet rising demand from small farmers and ranchers.

Gene’s Custom Slaughter, owned since 1993 by Stacy McCorkle, used the grant to buy and equip two trucks to travel to customers through the MidColumbia. McCorkle is training his son to operate the second truck and will keep the third in reserve as a backup.

Gene’s is one of about 50 small meat processing operations that shared $5 million in pandemic relief grants funded through the federal coronavirus relief bill, according to the Washington Department of Agriculture.

The grants of up to $150,000 acknowledge the role small processors play in the food supply chain. The money aimed to improve availability of meat, mitigate expenses related to Covid-19 and improve slaughter capacity.

McCorkle said demand was already strong when Covid-19 shortages sparked demand and caused supply chain challenges early in the pandemic, when commercial processors faced shutdowns over infections.

He focuses on beef, pigs and sheep and handles some buffalo, killing and processing them in the places where they’re raised. Customers book his services months or even a year in advance to coincide with when the animal is mature.

“All my shops that I slaughter for are expanding,” he said. A combination of pandemic-stocking and interest in locally-raised food led to a rise in customers

investing in freezers. That gave to a rise to demand for halves and quarters.

Small growers and even people who haven’t raised animals for meat before are getting into the business.

“The cool thing is, people who had never raised an animal will buy an animal,” he said.

McCorkle grew up in Burbank, where his father owned Burbank Market and a related meat-smoking business.

He learned to smoke and cut the meat and to process deer and elk. He tagged along when animals were slaughtered for his dad. He found the work intriguing.

He bought Gene’s in 1993 and now serves customers from Mattawa and Sunnyside to Walla Walla and Dayton, and to Pendleton and Milton-Freewater in Oregon. He is licensed in both states.

He’s served generations of small growers, families that slaughter a handful of animals a year.

“I get homemade pie, cookies, jam. It’s like going back in time, being the milk guy,” he said.

Longtime customers Debra and Mike Peale raise cows as well as horses on 13 acres in Benton City. Debra is retired from Hanford and Mike works for the Hanford Patrol. They started raising cows to support the cost to keep horses.

They’ve turned to Gene’s to slaughter about eight animals a year for two decades. They book his services up to a year in advance. The couple bought weaned calves from a neighbor and raise them on grass and alfalfa until they are about 2 years old.

Slaughtering is a collaborative effort that starts with keeping the animals calm and unsuspecting until the fatal shot is

Photo by Wendy Culverwell A state grant helped Stacy McCorkle buy and equip two new trucks for Gene’s Custom Slaughter, which serves small farmers and ranchers across the MidColumbia. Above, he processes an Angus in Benton City.

delivered. On a February wintry day, McCorkle parked his truck out of sight before getting to work on the four Angus he was processing for the Peales that day.

The idea is to avoid agitating animals, McCorkle said. The owners will approach the animals as usual while McCorkle slips behind with a .22.

“If an animal is excited and nervous, we don’t process it that day. It makes that big of a difference in the quality of the meat,” he said.

On the Mid-Columbia’s warmer days, he will slaughter two at a time, process them and take the sides of beef to the butcher shop, then return to process the remaining two.

Turning a 1,200-pound Angus into 750 pounds of hanging beef is labor intensive and demands a full array of tools.

Once the Peales’ animals were down, McCorkle moved his truck to the site and got to work.

At every stage, McCorkle sprayed the area with hot water to keep the process sanitary. His trucks have generators, hot water heaters and compressors and the interiors are stainless steel.

McCorkle makes the big cuts with a powered saw, but he keeps an old school meat cleaver in the truck as a memento of the old ways of doing it.

Once the Peales’ cows were processed, the quartered sections were delivered to a local butcher shop to age a week before being cut into more familiar products.

Every animal Gene’s processes is presold, with the buyers identified by tags attached to the bodies. The couple kept meat for themselves and sold the rest to family, friends and colleagues from Hanford.

“We’ve had the same clients for years.

Selling beef is not a problem,” Debra said.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

FOOD & WINE

Tri-City retail sales grew last summer, fall – but not at restaurants $1,925,000

25%

$1,750,000

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$1,575,000

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$1,225,000 5% $1,050,000 0% $875,000 -5% $700,000 -10%

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such as Gross Metro Product.

Notably absent is the government sector, as well as the quasi-government sector, such as the Hanford cleanup mission.

D. Patrick Jones But since our Eastern state extends Washington the sales tax to University activities far beGUEST COLUMN yond retail sales, and since retail sales are driven by income, and since total personal income and metro GDP are two sides of the same coin, it is highly likely that the greater Tri-City economy expanded year-over-year.

For those readers statistically minded, the correlation between metro GDP in the two counties and annual taxable retail sales over the period 2002-18 wasn’t perfect, but close to it, at 0.94 (Correlation coefficients run between -1.0 and 1.0, with the latter number implying perfect co-movement in the same direction of the two measures.)

Within the state, the greater Tri-City area was not alone.

Nearly all Eastern Washington counties, with the exception of Grant County, experienced year-over-year taxable retail sales growth in the third quarter.

Somewhat puzzling, King County witnessed a steep drop of more than 8%.

Change from Same Quarter of Previous Year

Off all the shocks that buffeted the Tri-Cities last year, here’s one that few people know about: the economy grew in late summer and early fall.

In data just out from Washington State’s Department of Revenue, taxable retail sales went up by 4% from the third quarter of 2019. Even more surprising, the number of firms in the two counties climbed by 10% from the same quarter of the prior year. In the jaws of an economic panic, entrepreneurship flourished.

To track the rise in taxable sales, refer to the accompanying chart.

What’s behind this resumption of overall economic normality in the middle of a pandemic?

A few thoughts come to mind.

First, the initial federal stimulus dollars and extension of unemployment benefits began to impact incomes and therefore spending by Tri-Citians.

Second, after the near lockdown in the spring, pent-up demand for goods and services in the local economy was strong.

Third, the area is a regional retail hub and its big box stores likely attracted outof-county shoppers.

Fourth, the area’s agricultural sector, in the top five as defined by workforce was deemed an essential industry and no lockdowns took place beyond those required by Covid-19 infections.

For sure, taxable retail sales don’t capture all the activities that are counted in a complete measure of the economy,

Benton & Franklin Counties - Total Retail Sales (thousands) Benton & Franklin Counties - % change from previous year Washington State - % change from previous year

Courtesy Benton-Franklin Trends

Since its experience strongly influences state results, Washington state’s numbers declined ever so slightly, at -0.1%. This is visible in the graph.

And yet, the local gains were far from evenly distributed among the economy’s sectors.

The largest retail trade sector, motor vehicles, posted an 8% year-over-year bump, twice the two-county total rate.

All retail “transportation” industries shone well, but sales of RVs and boats particularly sparkled, with a 14% increase.

The second largest (taxable) retail sector, general merchandise (big box) stores, experienced a 7% increase in sales.

Among the winning retailers, building materials and gardening stores saw their sales shoot up an astonishing 20%.

Not all has been well in retail, however, as apparel and jewelry stores suffered double-digit declines.

But measured by their contribution to the local economy, sales at restaurants, bars, caterers and coffee shops fared

worse.

On a year-over-year basis, their taxable plummeted 17% in the two counties.

The decline is attributable to the necessary public health restrictions to combat Covid-19.

The downturn followed on the heels of a 32% year-over-year plunge in the spring (second quarter).

In light of these jaw-dropping challenges, it is hardly surprising that the number of firms in the restaurant sector of the two counties at the end of September was 98 fewer than in September 2019. This represents nearly a fifth (18%) that were no longer in business.

The number at the end of December was likely lower yet.

Within the entire sector, there have been relative winners and losers.

Detailed data on the sector in the TriCities doesn’t exist, although insights can be gleaned at the state level. But detailed state third quarter numbers from

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021 RED DOOR, From page A13 from canopy manufacturers and boast high wind ratings, up to 75 mph.

Their biggest canopy customers are car dealerships, caterers, corporations and nonprofits, which hold events like the Sausage Fest in Richland or Hogs & Dogs in West Richland.

After that, it’s weddings.

Deluge of cancellations “Everything was going great at the beginning of last year. 2020 started out to be a record year. Everybody wanted to get married that year. We were starting to see reservations and the bookings,” Tammy said.

Then news about the pandemic hit along with the shutdowns.

“We didn’t know what to do. There were no ringing phones. There was a weird lull. Everybody was like, ‘What’s going to happen?’ she said.

And the business was gearing up to bring on extra employees.

“We usually hire eight to 10 in spring and summer. We should have been trying to hire. Instead, we had to lay everybody off,” she said.

It was the hardest business decision they’d had to make. Tammy said she cried for days.

But it was also the right decision at the time to let their five employees go, she said. Two of them were going on their ninth year at Red Door. One had been with them three years. Another was seasonal. A part-timer was a niece.

“It also allowed us to breathe. I knew they had applied for unemployment. It

Photo by Kristina Lord P.J. Stoflet of Red Door Party Rentals shows off the sledgehammer, gaspowered stake driver and stake pullers used to anchor and take down large canopies.

was the biggest relief for us,” she said.

The business closed its doors to the public for four weeks and transferred the business phone lines to their home.

“During that time, all we dealt with were cancellations,” Tammy said.

Tammy said their customers were fantastic to work with and most didn’t mind when their small business asked if they could process their refund within 30 days, instead of immediately, to help with their cash flow.

“I didn’t have a single person who said, ‘I want it now.’ They were very, very supportive. They all felt awful for having to cancel,” she said.

Calls for the canopies After the shock of all the cancellations, businesses started inquiring about canopies.

Hospitals and food processors between the Tri-Cities and Connell wanted to set them up outside their entrances for health screenings or to create extra space during lunch breaks. They signed long-term contracts with Red Door.

Restaurants then came calling for canopies to accommodate outdoor seating.

And with the region’s move into Phase 3 in March with indoor dining now allowed, “all the long-term rentals have all come down,” Stoflet said.

Limping along The business didn’t get approved for Personal Paycheck Protection money or state grants, though it applied twice. It did receive a grant from the Small Business Administration and Benton County in the fall.

“That was huge for us,” she said. “We kept saying, ‘All the bills are paid,’ and that’s all I cared about.”

One bill they didn’t have to worry about was their rent. Tammy’s dad owns their buildings.

“I didn’t have that fear. That alone made things easier. For me, I never had that fear I was going to lose my business, which allowed me to not freak out as much,” she said.

Red Door’s orders went from 200-plus to 30. “We scaled way back to pay the bills and limped along,” she said.

The leaner business model revealed some cost-saving opportunities.

“It did kind of open P.J.’s and my eyes

A31

about how much money we spent on things we didn’t need to spend it on and how to run this business, things to scale back ... it helped us moving forward. We have a better understanding of payroll and finances,” she said.

Looking ahead By summer 2020, Red Door was able to rehire three laid-off employees part time.

They’re doing a work-share, collecting a percentage of unemployment to cover the hours they’re missing.

The stores continue operating on a reduced schedule of 20 hours a week, though the Kennewick store recently expanded to 24 hours a week beginning March 13.

“We’re optimistic. We feel the need is there to start moving forward, just not on the scale it usually is,” Tammy said.

The Stoflets said they’re heading into 2021 “pretty hopeful.”

People are still getting married, though none of the usual nonprofit and community events have booked yet, Tammy said.

“I feel bad for these nonprofits. Their events they have during year is how they survive and … this has had such a ripple effect,” she said.

But for Red Door to return to “normal,” Tammy said they would need the return of these annual events.

“I don’t know when we’ll see some of that,” she said, but said she’s learned to go with the flow in the last year.

“At one point I finally said, ‘I can be negative, or I can just roll with it.’ It was so dark and gloomy and I couldn’t do it anymore,” she said. “I do know we survived last year with what took place. I feel we’ll be fine this year with what takes place.”

A32

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

Counting cost of college loans should be as easy as counting hamburger calories I vaguely remember the first time I saw 1,050 calories listed beside a quarter-pounder meal at McDonald’s.

This was back in 2012, and my high school brain couldn’t comprehend how that many calories could be concentrated in such a tasty burger, fries and soda.

Needless to say, I’m a fan of this type of easily quantifiable and useful information. If you know the number of calories you should eat in a day, then you can easily deduce what you should eat and drink throughout the day.

It’s not an exact science, but these ballpark estimates will point you in the right direction.

This quantifiable and useful information is noticeably absent though from the realm of higher education.

When perusing university and college planning websites, you’ll find a lot of information about graduation rates, faculty-to-student ratios, extracurriculars and financial aid.

This is all important stuff, with financial aid being closer to what I’m looking for, yet it’s still only one half of the equation.

The result is that there is no “calorie” listing when you visit a university’s website. No one is actively telling you how much a student will earn after graduation, the key element in any return-on-investment calculation.

Now, there is probably a campus crusader out there who would decry my

materialistic concerns, but if the past few election cycles have proven anything, it’s that high levels of student debt combined with Nicholas Haberling low-paying Community First jobs is not a fun Bank & HFG Trust experience.

GUEST COLUMN Thankfully, in 2019 the Department of Education released information on debt levels and income for recent graduates at nearly every university in the country as well as for most degrees.

The Wall Street Journal was then able to create a tool for students and parents to review these universities and degrees. You can find this tool in the Wall Street Journal article titled, “Which College Graduates Make the Most?”

I would encourage every parent, counselor and mentor to keep The Wall Street Journal’s tool in mind when researching universities with students.

For decades, young Americans have been explicitly and implicitly taught that a college education is the key to success — and it still is in most cases.

Multiple studies show that a college education continues to lead to higher

lifetime earnings when compared to a high school education.

However, in the past decade many college graduates have learned the tough lesson that some degrees are worth more than others. This discrepancy between expectations and outcomes has led to much individual and societal pain and an astronomic increase in private debt.

I’ll admit, it’s not all about income.

Though I think even George Lucas would agree there’s an unsafe amount of debt for an education in film studies.

Other careers also may have low immediate earnings, due to factors such as residency requirements, but later experience rapid and profound growth.

You also can’t discount the job security entirely separate careers provide.

Like calorie listings, conversations surrounding post-graduate income and debt levels are nuanced and need to fit the needs of the individual.

Despite all these variables, when reviewing future education opportunities, it never hurts to check a degree’s calorie content to make an informed decision. Nicholas Haberling is a partnership advisor for Community First Bank | HFG Trust in Kennewick.

GROCERY OUTLET, From page A27 helping but put that on hold when the pandemic struck. The store is operating under Washington’s Roadmap to Recovery rules, which limited capacity. Grimm said this only comes into play during peak after-work shopping hours.

The company casts itself as an extreme value retailer that keeps costs down by purchasing name brand items at opportunistic prices when distributors and manufacturers are looking to clear out inventory.

Grimm gives cereal as an example. A box may feature a Disney princess for an expiring promotional campaign. Grocery Outlet buyers get the cereal at a 60%-70% discount over traditional retail channels.

Local operators order from the company’s warehouses in real time. Pasco is served by a warehouse in Gresham, Oregon, as well as a cold storage facility in Tacoma. As operator, Grimm selects about 80% of the items on the store’s shelves, with the balance pushed out by the parent.

It supplements basic groceries with fresh meat, produce and dairy to provide a well-rounded shopping experience.

The Pasco store sells eggs from Oakdell Farms, a Franklin County egg producer.

Avocados were the top-selling item in Pasco in 2020. Natural, organic and health foods are popular sellers too, he said.

Grocery Outlet raised more than $400 million when it began trading on the NASDAQ in June 2019. It is using the money to develop stores and infrastructure, with an emphasis on Washington and Oregon.

The company also operates in California, Pennsylvania, Idaho and Nevada.

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

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Protecting your address is possible but complicated In the world of property privacy planning, it would be nice if a single solution existed to protect a person and his or her assets from the prying eyes of the rest of the world.

Some seek privacy to protect the nature and extent of their financial wealth.

Others seek privacy for personal protection.

Regrettably, it’s not so simple.

There are some strategies to make asset ownership more difficult to uncover, but with each layer of protection comes additional complexity and cost.

And, virtually no strategy offers complete privacy protection.

Let’s focus on a piece of property.

You have decided to buy your next home, and you want to ensure no one can find where you live.

Without privacy protection, various websites will be able to show your new home’s address.

Among those websites are the county assessor’s (or relevant taxing jurisdiction) website and the county auditor’s website (the latter of which is the repository for all deed-related transactions).

One of the first layers of protection is to look to entity planning – setting up a trust or a limited liability company (LLC) to hold the ownership of the home.

A trust can be set up to be revocable (able to be changed) or irrevocable (can never be changed).

This first layer of protection offers some name protection.

By that, I mean that the owner (let’s call him my business partner Matt Beau Ruff Riesenweber) Cornerstone would set up a Wealth Strategies trust in a name GUEST COLUMN that is not at all identified with Matt – call it the “Sunshine Tree Trust.”

Now, a cursory view of a county website will reveal the ownership of the property not vested in Matt’s name, but instead vested in the name of the trust.

But, a slightly more skilled detective might look at the signatures on the relevant transfer paperwork.

Necessarily, someone needed to sign on behalf of the trust. And, whose signature is on the transfer paperwork and all the closing documents? Matt Riesenweber as trustee of the Sunshine Tree Trust.

Can we go a step further to provide additional privacy protection with the trust?

Perhaps Matt appoints an independent trustee (and realizes the increased cost, as trustees generally charge for their services). Now, the signature on the transfer paperwork is signed by hired gun Beau Ruff, trustee of the Sun-

shine Tree Trust.

This achieves another potential layer of protection but at an ongoing cost.

But what if Matt required a loan to acquire the property? Matt would have had to apply for the loan in his personal name.

Did Matt use a Realtor to help him find the property? Did he have all associated parties sign non-disclosure agreements to offer legal recourse if they disclose the identity of the property owner?

Certainly a cash transaction where an agent (e.g., Beau Ruff) makes all arrangements for the purchase offers more protection, but again it comes at a cost both in terms of money (payment to Beau Ruff) and complexity.

What about an LLC? With an LLC, Matt would likely have similar problems. Matt might choose to set up an LLC under the name Sunshine Tree LLC. Again, a cursory view of a county website will reveal the ownership of the property not vested in Matt’s name, but instead vested in the name of the LLC. Again, a more skilled detective would now turn to the Secretary of State’s website at sos.wa.gov to look up the governor information for the LLC. In many states like Washington, an LLC would be required to list the “governors” of the LLC. And, on that website, the detective would find Matt’s name. Matt

can potentially find a state in which to establish his LLC that does not require the disclosure of the LLC’s members (maybe Delaware) and where he can appoint an independent LLC manager (again like Beau Ruff) to manage the LLC and be named on all transactions.

Some simple things also can help – setting up a P.O. box for mail, for example. A person also could use a friend or family member’s address for many transactions to protect identity.

We still have a mountain of other potential privacy-thwarting issues to work through, things like: Where will you register to vote? Do you have children registered in school to a specific address? Do you hide your identity from your neighbors? How do you hire work to be done at the house by contractors?

Do they know your identity?

The rabbit hole of privacy planning can become very deep. It therefore makes sense to have a realistic assessment of the desire for privacy planning, the level of planning to which you are willing to engage and the cost you are willing to bear. Beau Ruff, a licensed attorney, is the director of planning at Cornerstone Wealth Strategies, a full-service independent investment management and financial planning firm in Kennewick.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

BUSINESS PROFILE

IHOP owner: Locally-owned franchises are local too of them ask for the same information.

There are many of them out there. I don’t know why more businesses don’t try to get them.”

By Jeff Morrow

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Susan Mendenhall is a fighter.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a pandemic or trying to educate the public that her two Tri-City IHOP stores are local restaurants.

She won’t lose her fight because after 20 years with IHOP, she still loves and believes in what she does.

She loves the people, whether it’s her employees or her customers.

“There is not an hour that’s ever the same at IHOP,” Mendenhall said. “That keeps it really fresh. I’ve always been a people person. I’ve always been my happiest interacting with the customers.”

Pandemic pain

Still, Mendenhall is not going to lie about this pandemic: this past year has been the hardest one in her career.

“There hasn’t been a day last year where I have had a good night’s sleep,” she said.

Mendenhall and her staff have done what they could to keep things going, even while indoor seating is limited to 50% capacity under Phase 3 of the state’s Roadmap to Recovery rules.

They put up tents. They served up more take-out.

Mendenhall applied for loans and grants.

She received two different federal Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, loans.

Courtesy of Lauren Jones Susan Mendenhall, the franchisee of the Kennewick and Pasco IHOP restaurants, loves the interaction she has with customers.

“That PPP loan the first time saved our bacon, no pun intended,” Mendenhall said. “Without that money, we would’ve been done by Jan. 1.”

But the woman who was named IHOP’s Franchisee of the Year in 2018 – among all 1,700 IHOP restaurants worldwide – has a lot of friends and supporters.

“I have a great relationship with the Community First Bank people,” Mendenhall said. “They know my track record. Just today, the vice president of community relations called me to check

on me. I mean, who does that? I have to be very blessed.”

That first PPP loan came in April, but she said the business didn’t need it until August.

She received grants from the state, $50,000 from the Tri-City Development Council and $11,000 from Franklin County.

“Another grant we’re eligible for is from the Washington State Department of Commerce,” she said. “So we’ve gotten some help there. Once you do one of them, they’re easy. Because almost all

Getting into IHOP Mendenhall worked 15 years for the McDonald’s Corp. before running her own day care business starting in 1992.

That lasted for nine years when her brother-in-law approached her in 2001.

“Randy Mendenhall had his company, Heritage Landscaping, doing work at the Kennewick store, when he found out it was for sale,” she said.

He made her an offer: “I’ll buy it, you run it for me. And when you’re ready, you can buy it from me.”

After four years, he was ready to sell it to her. But Susan, who knew the dayto-day operations of the restaurant, felt she wasn’t ready.

“I was not confident,” she said. “So Randy said, ‘Then let’s build a second one in Pasco, and you can learn the financial side of the restaurant.’ ” That was in 2005.

Susan finally made the move in 2010.

Winning national kudos Susan doesn’t like to toot her own horn. She has to be prodded and research has to be done.

“We’ve been consistently A-rated,” she finally admitted. “I’m involved with my restaurants. A lot of franchisees don’t ever set foot in theirs. We test items for IHOP and whether they should be put on the menus (for the entire company).”

Currently, the Kennewick restaurant is piloting a new point-of-sale system that could be used company-wide.

“And our sales have consistently gone up over the years,” she said.

The restaurants also like to help the community when they can.

In 2015, a large group of California firefighters were on their way to north central Washington to fight fires when they stopped to eat in Kennewick.

Susan and her staff comped their meals.

“The standing rule we have is that any time there is a natural disaster, with first responders, we typically give them a free meal,” she said. “We give back when we can.”

That means donating meals to the local mission. Or during this pandemic, feeding first responders in local hospitals, clinics and medical centers.

Battling the pandemic With a limited amount of indoor seating or no indoor seating at all, Susan and her daughter Lauren Jones – who serves as district manager for both stores – have had to get creative.

Of course, there has been takeout orders, but it’s still been a challenge.

“We opened at 25% (capacity) last year,” Susan said. “In November we got busier, hired more people, trained them.

We were open for two weeks, then they shut us down again. We spent thousands of dollars training those people. We can’t keep shutting down.”

And there have been the tents – first in the summertime, then this past winter.

uIHOP, Page A37

BUSINESS PROFILE

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

A35

Columbia Quail supplies bite-size alternative to chicken eggs

By Laura Kostad

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Fancy a fancy quail egg?

A Pasco farm’s flock supplies them by the dozen to several Tri-City retailers.

These quail eggs don’t come from the kind of wild quail commonly seen around the Tri-Cities. The small, speckled eggs are produced by their larger cousin, the Japanese coturnix.

These quail look like a small female grouse and hail from east Asia. They’ve been raised around the world for centuries for their meat and eggs.

Carmen Kane, owner of Columbia Quail LLC, raises them locally with the help of her husband and four children, They keep anywhere between 100 to 200 birds at a time for breeding and egg production, with each female laying 300 or more eggs per year.

“They’re very similar in flavor to a chicken egg, but richer and more decadent,” she said.

Seeking an alternative Kane discovered quail eggs while searching for an alternative to chicken and duck eggs, which her children are allergic to.

“People are allergic to either the yolks or the whites – each contain different proteins,” Kane said, adding that while some people outgrow their egg allergies, others have them their whole lives.

“Some people are even sensitive to the birds’ diet – for example, if the birds are fed a soy-based feed,” she said.

Duck eggs, a common substitute for chicken eggs, have similar protein markers, so Kane’s kids still experienced allergic reactive symptoms.

Kane found some at Highlands Organic Market, but the store didn’t have a consistent supplier at the time, so she sought out backyard producers to supply quail eggs for the special-occasion recipes she wanted

to make.

Though selling poultry eggs without a license is legal in Washington state as long as the eggs are sold on-location where they are laid, there are no other regulations or inspections required, so “it’s buyer-beware,” Kane said.

That’s when Kane, a stay-athome mom and substitute for the Mid-Columbia Libraries system, decided to look into acquiring her own birds to supply her family with eggs, as she had previously kept a backyard flock of chickens.

Going into business Seizing the opportunity to capitalize on a niche market, Kane applied for licensure in 2018 and partnered with Highlands Organic Market (HOM) in 2019 to begin providing customers a consistent supply of quail eggs.

Find Columbia Quail eggs at HOM’s locations at 101 Vista Way in Kennewick and 1769 George Washington Way in Richland, as well as Anything Grows at 1625 Columbia Park Trail in Richland. A dozen quail eggs retails for $5 or less.

Kane also sells eggs to area restaurants, though the Covid-19 pandemic put a damper on restaurant demand for the gourmet ingredient, she said.

“As far as I know, I’m the only nonGMO quail egg supplier in the area,” she said, noting that there is one other local competitor, but their birds are not fed a GMO-free diet. Kane said her quails’ diet is soy-free as well.

She said some Asian markets in the area carry quail eggs, but they are sourced from

out of state.

“Worldwide, it is a pretty traditional egg,” Kane said. “In a lot of cultures, it’s the egg they grew up eating.”

She said some view quail eggs as a healthier option overall due to a richer mineral and amino acid chain profile that chicken eggs don’t have.

Quail or chicken eggs?

Though egg size is more variable among Japanese quail, Kane raises birds that lay jumbo-size eggs and said the recipe conversion is about three jumbo quail eggs to one chicken egg.

Columbia Quail LLC’s Facebook page (@ColumbiaQuailLLC) features regular posts of recipes using quail eggs – a few recent ones include egg drop soup, eggnog ice cream, deviled quail eggs and mayonnaise – as well as tips on how to crack the smaller-size eggs, as the technique differs from that of chicken eggs.

With spring weeks away and Easter coming, Kane is happy to report that despite their charming speckles, quail eggs can be dyed, either with a standard eggdying kit or using naturally-derived dyes.

She cautioned not to use too high of a concentration of vinegar though or leave them

Photos courtesy Columbia Quail ABOVE: Carmen Kane, owner of Columbia Quail LLC, holds a Japanese coturnix quail in front of a basket of eggs. Her small flock supplies eggs by the dozen to several Tri-City retailers.

LEFT: The speckled quail eggs can be dyed for Easter, just don’t let them sit in the vinegar too long or it will dissolve the speckles.

for too long in the vinegar bath since this will dissolve their speckling.

Future goals Though Columbia Quail benefits from being in a niche market there are drawbacks.

“I definitely think my biggest challenge is bird management,” Kane said.

Though like chickens, Japanese quail uCOLUMBIA QUAIL, Page A36

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

JONES, From page A30 the Department of Employment Security aren’t yet out.

If local experience tracks national trends, which is likely, winners have been restaurants with drive-thrus and national chains offering limited menus. In other words, most of the food businesses that have closed their doors are locally owned.

And the outlook for the entire sector once a level of herd immunity is reached so dining out can become normal again?

This observer of the local economy doesn’t pretend to be a restaurant expert.

But based on national surveys and reports, some predictions over the next two years seem safe: • Restaurants of national chains will

continue to gain market share.

• Restaurants and coffee shops with drive-thrus will do relatively well.

• Dine-in restaurants will still meet hesitation from a significant portion of Americans.

• Grocery stores, winners since the pandemic’s sanctions, likely will hold on to a good part of their gains. At least we are rediscovering the joy of cooking. D. Patrick Jones is the executive director for Eastern Washington University’s Institute for Public Policy & Economic Analysis. Benton-Franklin Trends, the institute’s project, uses local, state and federal data to measure the local economic, educational and civic life of Benton and Franklin counties.

COLUMBIA QUAIL, From page A35 can lay year-round with light supplementation in winter, their lifespan is one to three years and they consistently lay for only one year.

This short window translates to a lot of careful timing and logistics for Kane when it comes to breeding and hatching new birds, as well as managing flock size to accommodate market demand.

Though quail meat is consumed commercially and by local hunters going after native valley and mountain quail, Kane and her family don’t sell the meat, using it instead for personal consumption.

“Washington state is highly regulated, which makes it very difficult to sell the meat,” she said.

She also has to weigh the fiscal pros and

cons of venturing into new market sectors.

She considered selling at a local farmers market but the cost of running a booth versus projected sales didn’t pencil out.

“Future goals would be to sell more regionally. I have stores interested, but it’s a matter of getting the eggs to them,” Kane said, pointing to additional expenses of licensing delivery drivers to transport the eggs, among other barriers and restrictions.

In the meantime, until demand makes expansion more economically feasible, Kane said, “I’m looking forward to restaurants getting back into the full swing of things so that one can find our eggs in restaurants more frequently.”

She welcomes wholesale inquiries.

Columbia Quail LLC: 509-380-7661; Facebook; columbiaquail@gmail.com.

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021 IHOP, From page A34 “Anybody wants to learn about tents, my husband Russ can give a class,” Susan said. “We learned a lot. The wind blew one over. A snow load caved another one in.”

In the winter, heaters were added, but Susan said she had one rule.

“If we couldn’t get that tent up to 60 degrees, we couldn’t do it. Not if you have a plate of eggs to take out there.

They had to be warm,” she said.

It appears the tents are coming back as spring arrives.

“I don’t know if we’ll ever get back to 100% indoor dining,” she said.

Mendenhall, with the help of her Pasco landlord, added an outdoor patio with the idea it can be used throughout the year.

“We hope to get something similar at the Kennewick store,” she said.

The tents, though, were a godsend.

“When things got shut down, the calls

uBUSINESS BRIEFS Tri-Cities Airport: Stop trespassing at 20 Dead Cows The Tri-Cities Airport is increasing security to halt pervasive trespassing in the area northeast of Runway 12/30.

The area, commonly known as “20 Dead Cows,” has been closed to the public since 2017 but continues to be used illegally for off-road vehicles, firearms practice and other pursuits.

It is posted with “No Trespassing” signs. New security measures include gates and other barriers as well as an increase in police patrols.

3 Rivers Foundation opens Covid-19 grants

3 Rivers Community Foundation is accepting grant applications for a sec-

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would not stop. People were wanting to eat,” she said. “We thought, ‘We could do this. Let’s take a chance.’ It carried us through the dark months.”

Employees who were laid off called Susan and Jones.

“They were saying, ‘I need to come back to work. I’m tired of being home,’ ” said Susan, who praised her employees who faced down the pandemic beside her. “My staff did such a good job. We have a phenomenal staff. We tried to keep most of the full-time staff when we did have to do layoffs.”

Which brings us to her next problem: not enough staff.

“Now we have the opposite problem in that we can’t find enough people to work,” Susan said. “And we’re getting busier and busier.”

There are a combined 70 employees at both the Kennewick and Pasco stores.

“And both stores could each use another 10 to 15 more employees,” Susan said. “I mean, we can’t stay open later

because we just don’t have the people.”

Currently, hours of operation at both stores are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week. Before the pandemic, they were open until 9 p.m.

“But they talked me into going to Yakima,” she said.

Just before she was to pull the trigger, she got cold feet and backed out. Not much longer after that, the pandemic hit.

“My husband, who was mad at me when I was going to build in Yakima, thought I was a genius,” she said.

Maybe someday it will happen. And when it does, she hopes the local IHOP restaurants stay in the family business.

Susan wants to eventually turn it all over to Jones, with the hope that she would someday turn it over to her kids.

Susan said she’s survived thanks to the support from her loyal customers and employees.

“I can’t take a lot of credit on this,” said Susan of her company’s success over the years. “The Tri-Cities has supported us so much, especially during this pandemic. Financially, we’re OK. We’re not making any money, but we’re close to breaking even.”

ond round of Covid-19 grants.

The foundation will distribute $53,000, in addition to the $153,000 already granted to local nonprofits.

Nonprofits in Benton and Franklin counties affected by the pandemic can apply for up to $10,000 in funds through March 31. Apply at 3rcf.org/ non-profits/how-to-apply-for-a-grant.

Make donations at threeriverscf. fcsuite.com/erp/donate.

tion line will help the state plan for infrastructure, growth in call volumes and access to the new 988 number.

Until the changeover, anyone can reach the lifeline at 800-273-8255.

County Superior Court by Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson.

The AG’s office received 1,200 complaints about the company between March 19, 2020, and Feb. 23, 2021.

Consumers do not need to file a claim.

Brown Paper Tickets will arrange refunds directly.

The average amount owed is less than $50. The company will pay $70,000 in attorney’s costs and fees as well.

Suicide Prevention Line to get new number in 2022

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number will change to 988 in Washington in July 2022 after the Department of Health received a state planning grant.

The $190,000 grant from the nonprofit that oversees the suicide preven-

WHEREVER YOU WORK, WE HAVE A CHAIR FOR YOU

2501 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Richland 509-735-0300 • www.brutzmans.com

A PR problem and the future In a time when people promote spending their money at local stores and restaurants, Mendenhall has to remind them that their restaurants are local too.

“Yes, it’s a franchise, but it’s still local,” she said. “We fight it every day.

People say, ‘Shop small or local.’ I tell them, ‘Hey, I’m a business owner. I have local people working in this store. I’m the one that’s carrying all of the risk.’ ” And that includes eventually adding another store.

“Right up until the pandemic, I got a bit of pressure from IHOP to build more stores,” Susan said.

But there are not enough people yet in the Tri-Cities to build a third store, according to IHOP.

Brown Paper Tickets to refund $9M to customers

Brown Paper Tickets of Seattle will refund $9 million to 45,000 ticket purchasers who bought tickets for canceled events following a lawsuit in King

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

uBOARDS • Michael Crowder of West Richland, manager/shareholder of Barker Ranch, was installed as the president of the National Association of Conservation Districts, or NACD. Crowder has an extensive résumé of farming, ranching, conservation and volunteer service experience, including serving on the Board of Benton Conservation District. He was first elected to the NACD officer team in 2017 as second vice president after previously serving as national director for the Washington Association of Conservation Districts on the NACD Board of Directors.

Crowder was selected as a Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business Young Professional in 2015.

• Jennifer Harper of Kennewick has been elected president of Drive Electric Washington, a nonprofit working to aggregate the efforts of the state’s electric vehicle associations. She and her husband, Mark, have been involved in the Mid-Columbia Electric Vehicle Association since 2017. She is a project manager for Energy Northwest.

uAWARDS & HONORS • The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce received an Outstanding Chamber Program Award for its Economic Gardening program at the Western Association of Chamber Executives (WACE) annual conference in Henderson, Nevada, on Feb. 6. The award recognizes programs in the core com-

petency areas of strengthening the local economy, promoting and improving the community, political action, representing interest of business with government, and/or networking and building business relationships. The chamber’s Economic Gardening Program is the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. In partnership with the Edward Lowe Foundation, economic gardening provides regional second-stage businesses with guidance from the National Center of Economic Gardening’s National Strategic Research Team. This team of specialists from across the country deliver economic gardening services specifically tailored to each business.

• The Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation received the Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency for 2021. The

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award recognizes the foundation’s commitment to transparency and excellence in philanthropy.

• The 23rd annual Crystal Apple awards for excellence in education recipients are from the following school districts in Educational Service District 123: Deanne Rada, Columbia-Burbank; Jennifer Yochum, Finley; Katrina Kutschkau, Kennewick; Rick Harding, Kiona-Benton City; Erin Glossen, North Franklin; Karen Magaña, Othello; Jacqueline Brewster, Pasco; Connie Hachtel and Dean Smith (teacher team), Prosser; and Linda Johnson, Richland.

These winners receive a glass crystal apple, certificate presented by their superintendent and a $1,000 check.

• SVN Retter & Company in Kennewick has ranked 28th out of more than 200 SVN offices in 2020. Three of its senior advisers, Rob Ellsworth, Scott Sautell and James Wade, placed in the top 100 out of more than 1,600 advisors.

• McKenzie Thoelke of Kitchen & Bath ReStylers in Kennewick recently has become a certified kitchen and bath designer through the McKenzie Thoelke National Kitchen and Bath Association. NKBA certifications are globally recognized credentials. Thoelke is a lead designer with Kitchen & Bath ReStylers, a 33-year-old design-build kitchen and bath remodeling firm.

• Petersen Hastings, an investment advisory firm, has been named one of InvestmentNews’ 2021 Best Places to Work for Financial Advisors in the nation. This program identifies and recognizes advisory firms across the United States that empower, encourage and inspire employees to provide their clients with the best investment and financial planning advice. This is the fourth consecutive year the firm has earned this award.

• Matthew Riesenweber of Cornerstone Wealth Strategies, Inc., an independent wealth management firm in Kennewick, has been honored by LPL Financial by being included in its executive council. Those named to the council make up less than 1% of the firm’s more than 17,000 financial advisors nationwide. LPL Financial is an independent broker/dealer specializing in the retail financial advice market.

• Jason E. Johnson, a wealth advisor with Ameriprise Financial, was named to the list of “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors,” published by Forbes magazine.

The list recognizes financial advisors who have demonstrated high levels of ethical standards, professionalism and success in the business. Johnson is part of 509 Wealth Management, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise.

Support your community Support local business

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021 uNEW HIRES • Trios Health has hired Dr. Maria Vitug as an internal medicine provider. Vitug will see patients at the Trios Care Center at Vista Field in KenneDr. Maria Vitug wick. She treats patients for a variety of conditions, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, chronic illness, stroke, preventive care, diabetes and more. Vitug attended medical school at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery from 1986-90 and completed a postgraduate internship at Santo Tomas University Hospital and an internal medicine residency at Sinai Samaritan Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Most recently, Vitug was a physician at Madison Medical Clinic in Wisconsin. She has also been a physician at Fond du Lac Regional Clinic, St. Agnes Hospital, Milwaukee Health Services, and St. Martin de Porres Medical Clinic, all in Wisconsin.

• Chris Blotsky is STCU’s new director of real estate origination and sales. He brings more than 10 years of financial industry and real estate Chris Blotsky leadership experi-

ence and will oversee STCU’s home loan offerings. Previously at Numerica Credit Union, Blotsky is a graduate of Lewis and Clark College and the Washington Banker’s Association Executive Development Program.

• Laura Coolidge has joined the health care team at Miramar Health Center in Pasco as a physician’s assistant.

She completed her master of science Laura Coolidge in physician assistant studies at the Medical University of South Carolina, in Charleston, South Carolina. She speaks Spanish.

• Summer Mattson joined Creekstone Senior Living as the new resident care coordinator in Kennewick. She has been a caregiver since 2014 when she was a caregiver for developmentally-delayed adults. After a year she moved to working with the elderly in an assisted living setting. She’s enrolled at Columbia Basin College, pursuing a registered nursing degree.

uDONATIONS • United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties announced that local nonprofits will receive $146,732 from the latest round of Emergency Food & Shelter Program, or EFSP, funding.

The program addresses the needs of people across the country and United

Way facilitates the process for the bicounty region. The local EFSP board allocated the funding to 15 programs at 14 local agencies.

Most of the funds support food assistance, with $116,732 awarded for the following programs: Critical Care Boxes (Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton & Franklin Counties), $13,000; St. Vincent Center Food Bank (Catholic Charities), $2,032; Lunch Buddies Food Distribution (Central United Protestant Church), $2,400; Emergency Food Grocery Cards (Columbia Basin College Foundation), $5,000; Opportunity Kitchen (Columbia Industries), $12,500; Emergency Food Assistance (Riverview Adventist Church Food Bank), $8,000; Family Assistance (Safe Harbor Crisis Nursery), $11,950; Healthy Food Access (Second Harvest), $10,000; Food Assistance (Salvation Army), $8,000; Food Assistance (Tri-Cities Food Bank), $12,500; Food for Good (Women of Wisdom Tri-Cities), $4,950; and My Friends Place served meals (Safe Harbor Crisis Nursery), $12,500.

Additionally, Domestic Violence Services received $20,000 and St. Vincent de Paul Society $10,000 for their respective emergency shelter and support services.

• Gesa Credit Union and Columbia Basin College announced the creation of the first CBC co-branded affinity debit card. The new card is designed to raise unrestricted funds for the Columbia Basin College Foundation to allocate toward its Emergency Fund, which is used by students for books, supplies, rent and

A39

tuition. Each time a cardholder swipes this special Visa debit card, a donation is made to help cover one-time expenses that may prevent a CBC student from continuing their education or being successful. To kick off the partnership, Gesa Credit Union donated $10,000 to support CBC students. The co-branded debit cards are free to Gesa members with a checking account.

• Energy Northwest raised $83,000 for United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties. Led by an employee committee, the campaign kicked off in October 2020 with a pledge drive. In February, the committee hosted a silent auction and donation drive, raising another $10,000.

Additional cash contributions by employees and matching funds donated by senior leadership pushed the campaign over goal of $80,000. This year marked the first time the committee partnered with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 77 and United Steelworkers (USW) Local 12-369 unions, with union members serving on the committee and the unions generously contributing items to the silent auction.

Energy Northwest has partnered with United Way since 1994.

• US Cellular donated $7,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties, thanks to Northwest customers participating in US Cellular’s holiday “Give with US” campaign. US Cellular pledged $5 to Boys & Girls Clubs for every device traded in during the month of December, up to $100,000.

Customers traded in more than 20,000 devices.

A40

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

CELEBRATING

Richland Cash & Carry is now a CHEF’STORE

Page B2

YEARS

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION

What do you do when you run a restaurant and a winery? Launch a food truck of course

Page B3

March 2021 Volume 20 | Issue 3 | B1

Entrepreneurial teacher opens gourmet cookie shop in Richland

By Kristina Lord

publisher@tcjournal.biz

A Richland elementary school teacher who runs a festive wintertime side hustle is adding another one – this one catering to the Tri-City sweet tooth.

Kevin Hatch, 39, plans to open Crumbl Cookie in late March. The cookie shop franchise features a weekly rotating menu of more than 120 specialty flavors.

The new store at 2665 Queensgate Blvd. in Vintner Square shares a strip mall anchored by Five Guys and Maurices, near Target.

Hatch said that’s intentional.

“When we were searching for locations, we looked all over the Tri-Cities. Crumbl likes to be next to Target. That’s their demographic: The Target mom,” he said, referring to the Orem, Utah-based company.

The pandemic delayed their opening plans slightly, mainly due to supply chain issues, but waiting for the previous tenant’s lease to expire for their coveted neighborto-Target location took longer.

Why Crumbl?

Hatch and his business partner, Ian Taylor of Provo, Utah, a friend for over 20 years, began planning in earnest to open the 1,700-square-foot store in August 2019.

Taylor and Hatch served together dur-

Work to begin this fall on $75M energy research lab at PNNL

By Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland will house the U.S. Department of Energy’s next generation “Grid Storage Launchpad,” a $75 million facility with 30 research laboratories focused on energy grid resilience, energy storage and clean energy adaptation.

The Department of Energy announced the project on March 10 in a move that further cements the Tri-Cities and Washington state as a center for clean energy development.

The Washington State Department of Commerce is supporting the federal inuPNNL, Page B7

ing a two-year Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mission in New Mexico. They’ve been friends ever since. Taylor pitched the Crumbl franchise idea to Hatch.

“I fell in love with the cookie and then the Crumbl brand and what it offers customers. He said, ‘We’ve got to bring this to the Tri-Cities,’ ” Hatch said.

Hatch said the franchise is “just growing like crazy across the nation.”

Two cousins opened the first Crumbl in Logan, Utah, in 2017, and the franchise has exPhoto by Kristina Lord panded to more than 75 Longtime friends Kevin Hatch of Richland and Ian Taylor locations in 11 states. of Utah decided to become business partners and open The Richland store a Crumbl Cookie store at 2665 Queensgate Blvd. in will be the first on the Vintner Square in Richland. east side of the state, always been the last to get things. We’re with stores already open in Covington and Puyallup. A new store in Marysville is still waiting on things that some bigger cities have. Crumbl is one of those things that opening in March.

“I grew up here, and it seems like we’ve bigger cities have. We’re excited to bring

it here. We have great faith in our community and know they will support it,” Hatch said.

The store’s opening is planned for the week of March 24, with an official grand opening day on March 26, which is a free cookie day. Customers are encouraged to download the Crumbl smartphone app to receive a free chocolate chip cookies on this day.

Crumbl customers can order takeout, curbside pickup, delivery or nationwide shipping via the app.

Fancy flavors galore Among the shop’s unique cookie flavors are cinnamon swirl, caramel popcorn, peanut butter oatmeal cookies with chocolate fudge frosting, red velvet white chip and molten lava cookies with a gooey center.

“There’s no end in sight to the new cookie flavors they’re bringing out,” said Taylor, whose day job for the past 13 years is vice president of sales for a software company.

The most popular cookie flavors include Nutella, raspberry cheesecake and lemon poppyseed, Hatch said. “Some of them do have a cult following,” he said.

Those who prefer the familiar comforts of traditional flavors can enjoy Crumbl’s warm milk chocolate chip and chilled suguCRUMBL, Page B5

Rocco’s Pizza brings pickle face pizza to Kennewick

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

A West Richland couple is betting a popular Pasco pizza restaurant known for its pickle face and beer garden pizza specials will thrive in the heart of Kennewick.

Bethany and Ryan Pierson opened the second edition of Rocco’s Pizza March 14 at 7911 W. Grandridge Blvd., former home of Pacific Pasta & Grill Restaurant.

Pacific Pasta moved to Richland and the building was sold to Chance Partnership, a Kennewick investor, in January for $675,000.

The Piersons are partnering with Rob Curet, Rocco’s owner and a longtime family friend, to bring Rocco’s and its quirky take on Italian offerings to Kennewick.

Curet is providing financial support for the new location while the Piersons invested savings to cover the startup costs.

The team began scouting sites in November. They bought fixtures and furnishings from the closed Dickey’s Barbecue Pit location in Kennewick, paying pennies on the dollar for the gear to keep costs down.

The Grandridge location was their first choice. They applied for and got it, but their hopes were temporarily sidelined when the building was slated for a conversion to office space. The conversion plan was abandoned, and the owners agreed to lease it for Rocco’s.

Bethany said she’s thrilled. It is minutes from Columbia Center mall and the Three Rivers Convention campus, including Toyota Center.

Bethany said she was fortunate enough to “marry into” a family of educators that is close to Curet.

She worked on special projects for him and said he has been present at the major moments of their lives, from cooking salmon for their wedding reception to their housewarming party to raising kids together.

For Bethany, opening a restaurant is a dream come true after years spent working in various businesses as she raised the couple’s three children.

“I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur,” she said.

The couple spent more than a month giving the 3,400-square-foot spot the “Rocco’s touch,” spending 12-hour days performing tenant improvement work themselves.

The Grandridge building opened in 2005 first as a noodle restaurant and then later without much remodeling as Pacific Pasta.

By the time the Piersons came along, each of its dozen walls was painted a different color. They repainted every surface with a calm brown with the Rocco’s maroon touches.

Their eldest daughter painted a portrait of Rocco, the hangdog pup that inspired its name, near the entrance.

They pulled out carpets and created uROCCO’S PIZZA , Page B2

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION ROCCO’S PIZZA, From page B1 Bethany Pierson and her husband, Ryan, are bringing Rocco’s Pizza to Kennewick in partnership with Rob Curet, a longtime family friend and supporter. Rocco’s opens March 14 at 7911 W. Grandridge Blvd., the building formerly occupied by Pacific Pasta & Grill.

Photo by Wendy Culverwell

an open space to handle larger gatherings.

Five televisions will carry big games.

The Piersons want a community vibe.

They salvaged a discarded wooden Horn Rapids Dam sign from the Yakima River, which they intend to hang on one wall.

They are keeping space for local artists and students too.

Rocco’s will cater to visitors as well

as the substantial number of people who work in retail and office settings in the Columbia Center Boulevard corridor.

She noted there are many senior living facilities as well. She’d like to offer opportunities for seniors to dine out and be serenaded by local school choirs.

In keeping with Rocco’s pizza pie focus, the restaurant opened on “Pi Day,” or March 14, observed by proud STEM nerds with slices of pizza and other pies to honor the 3.14 (etc.), the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.

The Kennewick Rocco’s will carry all the community favorites found in Pasco, from traditional combos to its quirky takes on meat, vegetarian and even seafood pizzas. It offers sandwiches and desserts as well.

The pickle face combo is a crowd pleaser and features pepperoni, salami, Italian sausage and of course dill pickles.

The beer garden pie mixes salami, dill pickle, linguica, onion, sauerkraut and sweet hot mustard.

Follow both Rocco’s Pizza locations on Facebook at Rocco’s Pizza.

uBUSINESS BRIEFS Richland Cash & Carry is now a CHEF’STORE

The Richland Cash & Carry Smart Foodservice store has been rebranded as a US Foods CHEF’STORE, effective March 1.

US Foods acquired Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores in April 2020 to accelerate growth in the cash and carry market. This change combines the US Foods brand with the assortment, pricing and customer service of Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores, paving the way for an enhanced customer experience, according to US Foods.

As part of the rebranding, all 72 Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores, including the one in Richland at 1939 Fowler St., updated store signage, marketing and promotional materials, associate uniforms and other elements in and around the stores.

Shoppers can still expect the same service and products at the whole foods and restaurant supplier. Over time, stores will begin to introduce US Foods Exclusive Brands to expand product assortment.

US Foods operates 33 stores in the state, including a new one in Clarkston.

US Foods, headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, is one is a foodservice distributor, partnering with about 300,000 restaurants and foodservice operators.

Trios Health opens spine and pain clinic

Trios Health opened a spine and interventional pain clinic at Trios Care Center at Southridge, 3730 Plaza Way, Kennewick.

The clinic opened Feb. 22 in the former Pinnacle Pain space in suite 6100.

The medical team is led by neurosurgeon Dr. Matthew Fewel and intervention pain management specialist Dr. Michael Kolczynski.

Fewel joined Trios in 2019 and Kolczynski in 2020.

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION

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What do you do when you run a restaurant and a winery?

Launch a food truck of course

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

Richland’s Bookwalter Wines is expanding with a food truck focused on the foods of the South and the Pacific Northwest.

Non-Fiction Food Truck named for the winery’s restaurant, Fiction @ J Bookwalter, debuts April 1 in a new food truck pod forming in the ample parking lot of Bella Furniture, 7425 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick, subject to securing health district approval.

It’s the latest undertaking for John Bookwalter, president of the winery and restaurant that bear his name. The truck is run by the husband-and-wife team of chefs and operators Maigh and Will Willingham, longtime Tri-Citians.

Bella Furniture will be its permanent home, though Non-Fiction will hit the road for fairs and public gatherings as well as special events. It will serve visitors to the winery as well, after Bookwalter opens its new building on Tulip Lane this spring.

When possible, and with the right permits, it will serve Bookwalter wines, he said.

Bookwalter called the truck an extension of its culinary and wine businesses.

“It’s all part of our branding,” he said.

“It’s an extended handshake for us.”

The food truck will use the winery as a commissary, though the Bella location will eventually offer one for its food truck tenants.

Bookwalter said he heard about the truck from an employee who had outfitted and operated it as a side business before securing regular employment.

It sat unused for three years with new equipment.

With the Covid-19 pandemic in full swing and the winery on a partial shutdown, it made sense to branch into the food truck business. He bought the truck without a firm vision of what to do next.

He met the Willinghams by chance on the patio at Fiction @ J Bookwalter. The couple were sitting at one end of a long table and Bookwalter at the other.

They struck up a conversation about food and hospitality and discovered a shared interest in operating a food truck. The conversation turned into interest and then an agreement.

“You never know who you’re going to talk to,” he said.

The truck was in good shape but was retooled to support the couple’s ambitious menu, which combines Southern staples such as grits and collard greens with Northwest ones such as salmon.

The menu offers southern hugs, wontons stuffed with collard greens and cream cheese, and grits tots, deep fried cheesy tots topped with chipotle aioli and green onion.

Burger lovers can choose from a classic cheeseburger to a Bloody Mary edition topped by an egg, a dirty bleu or pimento. Gluten-free and vegetarian op-

Courtesy Bookwalter Winery Non-Fiction Food Truck, the latest offering from Bookwalter Winery, will roll into Kennewick on April 1. The truck is operated by the husbandand-wife team of Maigh and Will Willingham.

tions are available as well.

Will Willingham is a former corporate manager trainer for the Red Robin gourmet burger chain. Maigh Williingham has worked in both corporate and primary local restaurants and has helped to launch nearly a dozen new restaurants. They opened Willingham’s Grill at 335 W. Columbia Drive, across the street from Hubby’s Pizza, in 2011.

Non-Fiction Food Truck will operate from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays to start. Bookwalter expects to deploy it to the Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo, as well as events such as Sunsets at Southridge in Kennewick, when public gatherings resume after the pandemic.

Follow Non-Fiction on Facebook at nonfiction.bookwalter and on Instagram at nonfiction_bookwalter.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

Jersey Mike’s opening first sub shop in Richland

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

Jersey Mike’s Subs will open its first Tri-City shop at Vintner Square in Richland this fall.

A company spokesman confirmed the New Jersey-based sub chain will open at 2729 Queensgate Drive in the third quarter. It is expected to open in a strip mall anchored by Starbucks and Bath and Body Works.

Fans currently must travel to Spokane or to western Washington to visit a Jersey

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION

Digging deep for Kennewick reservoir

Mike’s, which serves up Garden State favorites, including several options of hot cheesesteaks; the Jersey Shore’s Favorite, a cold sandwich featuring provolone, ham and cappacuolo; and cult-favorite Tastykakes for dessert.

The chain has three shops in development for Washington. In addition to Richland, it will open a shop in Federal Way, south of Seattle, and in Lacey, north of Olympia.

The Richland opening was announced on the company website and on Indeed,

uJERSEY MIKE’S, Page B9

Your local family-owned florist since 1969.

HELLO SPRING! Drive-thru and no contact delivery.

509.582.5123 • 604 W Kennewick Ave.

Photo by Wendy Culverwell Rotschy Construction is pouring the walls for a six million-gallon concrete reservoir after excavating a massive hole at 18th Avenue and South Irving Street in Kennewick’s Creekstone neighborhood. The project for the city of Kennewick includes retiring an existing tank on the same site, rerouting water lines and installing a new 30-inch water main. Work began in 2020 and will wrap up when the old tank or reservoir is demolished in early 2022. The project necessitated the temporary closure of Irving Street and a private neighborhood park in early 2021.

Thank you for supporting local journalism. #ReadLocal #ShopLocal #StayConnected

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION CRUMBL, From page B1 ar cookies as they’re always on the menu.

“They really just perfected it. They’ve perfected the chocolate chip cookie but the chilled sugar cookie is my favorite. They use almond extract and that takes it over the top for me,” he said.

Many of Crumbl’s cookies are served warmed. After baking, they’re placed in a warmer to maintain that “just out of the oven” temperature. “Even if delivered, they’ll be served warm,” Hatch said.

All the cookies are from scratch, Hatch said. “Nothing is premade. We have an open concept kitchen. Customers will be able to see us making cookies.”

But don’t expect to try each of their flavors when you visit the store.

Crumbl pushes out four new weekly flavors every Sunday.

“They’re trying to keep the element of surprise and anticipation by only releasing the cookie flavors the Sunday before so people are always looking and always coming back,” Hatch said.

The Richland store’s cookie prices are $3.98 for one cookie, $13.48 for a fourpack and $34.88 for a dozen.

Their ice cream sells for the same price – $3.98 a pint.

Wait, what? They sell cookies and ice cream?

Yes, the store sells half pints of ice cream in a variety of cookie-inspired flavors: cookies & cream, salted caramel, s’mores, chocolate cake, vanilla, churro and muddy buddy.

Six ice cream flavors will rotate quarterly, Hatch said.

Crumbl doesn’t offer indoor seating, but will have a couple tables outside.

To wash down the cookie goodness, customers can buy milk, chocolate milk and water in an aluminum bottle.

The store offers catering, a rewards program and delivery, using its own drivers and DoorDash.

Teacher & entrepreneur Hatch is a teacher with an entrepreneurial heart.

The Richland father of four, ages 2, 4,

6 and 8, is in his second year of teaching.

He worked as a kindergarten teacher at Jefferson Elementary in Richland his first year. This year, he’s teaching first-graders at the Richland Virtual School, the school district’s new online-only school.

The virtual school means he can structure some of his day on his own schedule.

The class meets live Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. He prepares video lessons and other assignments for stu-

dents for the rest of the week.

“I don’t have a traditional schedule like a teacher does in a classroom,” he said.

While he’s teaching, he plans to rely on his Crumbl crew – more than 40 bakers, delivery drivers and shift leads – to run the shop.

While most are part-timers, about six to eight will be shift leads.

“I’m surrounded by great people. It’s not a one-man show. I have excellent family support, a great business partner and a great team of people around me,” he said.

An early start Hatch began his entrepreneurial career early.

The Kennewick High graduate used to buy bags of candies at Costco and sell them his siblings’ friends who came over to their house. He ran a shaved ice business and mowed lawns.

“I guess it’s being your own boss is part of it,” he said. “Working for the man has its benefits too. There’s benefits on both sides.”

Another aspect of being his own boss that he enjoys is identifying problems and solving them.

Fourteen years ago, he launched a holiday lighting service business, Deck the Hall, which hangs, maintains and takes down Christmas lights for commercial and residential customers.

His nephew Landon Willard bought

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021 into the business in 2020. They employ up to eight people seasonally.

It originally started when Hatch and his buddy were doing landscaping work. They started it and each made $24.

“We thought we were doing great,” he said.

Today, the business has more than 300 customers.

Hatch said he makes as much from Deck the Hall as teaching, “if not more,” he said.

So why would a busy father of four, a full-time teacher and owner of another business want to launch a new franchise like Crumbl, Hatch laughed and said, “I wonder myself why I’m doing this.”

“I was sold on the product and the process and the people. They’ve perfected the

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Photos courtesy Crumbl Cookies

cookie and their branding is spot on. I just want to be a part of it. They have a proven, successful model,” he said.

Store hours are 8-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday; and closed on Sundays.

More information: crumblcookies.com.

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REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION uBUSINESS BRIEFS Baker Boyer buys neighboring office

Baker Boyer Bancorp, a Walla Walla bank, bought the office condominium next to its Kennewick office as an investment in its future.

Baker Boyer paid $525,000 for a former hearing aid clinic that occupied 3,239 square feet on the other side of its building at 1149 N. Edison St., Suite D. Vesna Dodge, branch manager, said there are no plans to expand the 18-person staff into the other side of the two-unit building. The bank already owned the unit it occupies.

Buying the space buys flexibility to grow in the future or sell the entire build-

ing as a single unit.

Baker Boyer has branches in Kennewick and Yakima. The local branch provides trust and wealth management services as well as business banking.

each assembled a collection of images to display in the terminal for the coming year.

Tri-Cities Airport puts development on display

Meadow Springs Country Club is one of 11 final qualifying sites for the U.S. Open golf tournament.

The U.S. Golf Association identified 109 local sites and 11 final sites to serve as the lead-up for the tournament, which will be held June 17-20 at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego.

Players who advance from the local qualifying process in 43 states and Canada advance to the finals.

In addition to Richland, finals will be held in Texas, Ohio, California, Florida,

The Tri-Cities Airport has debuted a new artwork project that celebrates the history of development of the region.

The 2021 display, curated by the Airport Art Committee, highlights the people, buildings and events that shaped the community.

The local chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the Pacific Northwest Aviation Museum and the Franklin County Historical Society and Museum

Courtesy Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Pacific Northwest National Laboratory soon will select a design and construction contractor for the $75 million Grid Storage Launchpad facility. This is a conceptual rendering of what the GSL facility could look like on the Richland campus.

PNNL, From page B1 vestment with $8.3 million for advanced research equipment and specialized instrumentation.

“Deploying new grid technologies means we can get more renewable power on the system, support a growing fleet of electric vehicles, make our grid more reliable and resilient and secure our clean energy future,” said Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.

The launchpad, or GSL, as it is being called, will include research laboratories, with testing chambers capable of determining how new technology works in real world conditions.

It will encourage collaboration through flexible workspaces and Fellowship Labs, dedicated spaces where researchers will work on energy storage technology originating in the U.S. research and development community.

The project also will bring jobs to the area.

“Accelerating the development of energy storage technologies is fundamental to the transition to a cleaner and more diverse electricity grid,” said Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington. “By manu-

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

facturing and deploying these technologies here at home we will reduce energy costs, create jobs, and help keep the lights on during extreme weather emergencies. Washington is well positioned to lead the nation in advancing energy storage technologies, so I’m pleased that Energy Secretary Granholm is today affirming our nation will continue to harness the talents and innovation of the leading scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory with this announcement.”

PNNL will select a design and construction contractor, with work expected to begin by late 2021. The GSL is expected to be ready for occupancy in 2025.

In addition to providing funding, the state department of commerce signed a memorandum of understanding with the federal energy department’s Office of Electricity to promote partnerships to advance grid energy storage technologies, support the energy storage innovation ecosystem, and share best practices with other states.

The collaboration builds on a prior agreement signed in 2016.

Meadow Springs is U.S. Open final qualifying site

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Georgia, Maryland, New York and in Japan and Canada. Meadow Springs will host a U.S. Open final on June 7, according to Golf Week magazine.

Sandhill Crane Festival heads online

The Othello Sandhill Crane Festival will be held online from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

March 20. The cost is $10.

The speakers are Gary Ivy, who will discuss the cranes that migrate through Othello; Bruce Bjornstad, who will discuss the ice age floods; Mike Denny, who led tours for the festival for more than 20 years; and Jason Fidorra, who will discuss burrowing owl habitat.

Go to othellosandhillcranefestival.org/ online-registration.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

uBUSINESS BRIEFS Foreclosure ban is keeping the zombies at bay, for now

At least one feature of the Great Recession has not made an appearance during the economic upheaval of the Covid-19 pandemic: The vacant, often foreclosed, zombie house.

Prohibitions against foreclosures are depressing the number of abandoned or unoccupied properties to a minimum, according to the First Quarter 2021 Vacant Property and Zombie Foreclosure Report from ATTOM Data Solutions.

ATTOM, parent to RealtyTrac, reports 1.4 million vacant properties, or 1.5% of the 99 million homes in the U.S. The data is based on publicly recorded real estate data, including foreclosure status,

equity and owner occupancy status.

The foreclosure rate was 38% lower than a year ago and 12.3% lower than the previous quarter. The “zombie” rate translates to one out of every 14,825 homes, compared to one in 11,405 a year ago.

ATTOM attributes the drop to a moratorium against lenders foreclosing on government-backed mortgages, which has been in place for a year. The mortarium affects 70% of home loans in the county and was extended to June 30, 2021, by Congress in 2020.

“These days, you can walk through most neighborhoods in the United States and not spot a single zombie foreclosure.

That continues a remarkable turnaround from the (Great Recession) when many communities were dotted by abandoned

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION properties,” said Todd Teta, chief product officer for ATTOM who also noted the numbers will worsen when the moratorium is lifted.

New York had the most zombie properties, followed by Florida, Illinois, Ohio and New Jersey. California led the West.

Blue Mountain Land Trust plans virtual film fest

Blue Mountain Land Trust, a Walla Walla nonprofit focused on preserving natural areas, will screen its annual Wild & Scenic Festival online at 6:30 p.m.

April 1.

The event pairs inspirational films that celebrate the natural environment while attendees chat and vie for door prizes.

Walla Walla area residents can sign up for special food packages as well, with

special meals available from AK’s Mercado in Walla Walla, Little Canyon Food Cart in John Day and Sundown Grill & Bar-B-Q in Pendleton.

General admission is $25. Go to bmlt. org/wild2021.

Northwest Farm Credit Services raised dividend rate

Northwest Farm Credit Services paid a one-time patronage dividend of 1.5% of customer-members’ eligible average daily loan balance instead of the customary payment of 1.25%. Eligible beneficiaries received a portion of the payment in mid-2020 and the balance in mid-February 2021.

NWFCS, a $14 billion financing cooperative, paid $177 million to more than 9,000 customer-members for 2020.

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Markel Mixed-Use Building 2250 Keene Road, Richland

Greg Markel of Washington Securities and Investment Corp. built a 4,000-square-foot mixed use building with space for a fast-food restaurant at 2250 Keene Road in Richland.

The project, which is near Markel’s TacoTime at Queensgate Boulevard, was constructed on the expectation it would lease soon after completion.

The project includes 2,300 square feet for a restaurant with a drive-thru, built-in grease trap and rough plumbing for restrooms.

It also has 1,700 square feet of finished office space.

Hummel Construction and Development of Richland was the general contractor.

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JERSEY MIKE’S, From page B4 where it posted a job for a general manager. The salary is $48,000 to $52,000 per year.

The company began in 1956 as Mike’s Subs, a mom-and-pop shop on the Point Pleasant, New Jersey, shoreline serving visitors from Philadelphia and New York City.

Peter Cancro, the current chief executive officer, began working for the original owners at 14 while still in high school.

Backed by his football coach-banker, Cancro bought the business at the age of 17 and opened more locations.

He rebranded as Jersey Mike’s Subs in 1987 and began selling franchise rights.

There are about 1,880 locations chiefly in the U.S.

Photo by Wendy Culverwell A full moon rises over a busy parking lot at Southgate Cinema in Kennewick after the community moved to Phase 2 of Washington’s Roadmap to Recovery Plan. The community is moving to Phase 3 on March 22, which will allow restaurants, movie theaters and other public spaces to operate in a greater capacity.

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North Franklin Visitor Center 661 S. Columbia Ave., Connell

The city of Connell completed a $250,000 project to renovate an existing building at 661 S. Columbia Ave. to serve as the North Franklin Visitor Center.

The project, which wrapped up in late 2020, includes a lobby with a reception office, two restrooms and a conference room.

The Connell Chamber of Commerce is operating it as a destination for visitors.

Michael Corbin of Wave Design Group LLC in Kennewick was the architect.

The Port of Pasco provided project oversight.

S&K Mountain Construction of Walla Walla was the general contractor.

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Amazon’s $150M fulfillment center to add 1,000 jobs in Spokane Valley

By Amy Edelen

Spokane Journal of Business

Amazon, the Seattle-based e-commerce giant, is building a $150 million fulfillment center in Spokane Valley that will bring an additional 1,000 full-time jobs to Eastern Washington.

The 1.3 million-square-foot facility, previously known by its code name, “Project Fireball,” will open later this year. It will fulfill orders for larger items such as bulk cleaning supplies, paper goods, patio furniture, pet food and outdoor sports equipment.

The addition will bring Amazon’s Spokane-area payroll to about 5,000, making it the county’s second-largest private emPaid Advertising

ployer and fourth-largest overall.

“We’re excited to continue our growth in the Spokane area, adding our third fulfillment center of this type to our greater Pacific Northwest operations,” said Catie Hydeman, Amazon’s North American customer fulfillment non-sort operations director.

The center will speed up shipping times for customer orders of larger items.

Amazon will begin hiring for roles involving receiving and stowing inventory, shipping customer orders and supporting network logistics, this year.

Jobs at the fulfillment center begin at $15 an hour and include benefits. Employees will have access to Amazon’s Career Choice program, which pays 95% of tuition

for courses in high-demand fields such as nursing and IT programming.

Grant Forsyth, Avista Corp.’s chief economist, said the center will help offset pandemic-related job losses.

“There are these ripple effects that will help job creation because of those 1,000 Amazon jobs,” Forsyth said.

Amazon said it has created more than 80,000 jobs in Washington and invested nearly $100 billion across the state.

Doug Tweedy, regional economist for the Washington state Employment Security Department, said the new employees in Spokane Valley show the growing importance of transportation and warehouse work to the economy of Eastern Washington.

“It’s not just Amazon increasing jobs.

It’s also UPS and FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service,” Tweedy said. “They are riding that wave of people shopping from home and getting their purchases delivered.”

Chicago-based Clayco Inc. is the contractor. The Washington State Department of Commerce said Amazon received no incentives for the project from the state. The 80-acre project site is owned by Centennial Properties, a subsidiary of the Cowles Co., which also publishes The Spokesman-Review.

The site is part of an industrial area where the city of Spokane Valley partnered with Spokane County to attract business by extending utilities and taking other steps to address transportation and other concerns before developers file for permits.

Tri-City Dermatology 112 Columbia Point Drive, Suite 105, Richland

Tri-City Dermatology PLLC, led by owner Dr. Jeremy Peck, has completed construction of a 3,637-square-foot interior renovation to add six patient exam rooms, lighting, flooring and a nurses’ station at 112 Columbia Point Drive, Suite 105, in Richland.

The $155,000 project was completed on Feb. 1 and houses the comprehensive dermatol-

ogy practice. Tri-City Dermatology offers care ranging from skin cancer diagnosis and surgery to cosmetic dermatology.

Bruce Baker Architect was the designer.

Hummel Construction and Development of Richland was the contractor.

Go to tricityderm.com.

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Wave Design Group designed the processing building.

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Circle K

Convenience Store, Gas Station and Car Wash 1501 Bombing Range Road, West Richland

Circle K Stores Inc., operating as Land Development Consultants, built a $225,000 convenience store, gas station and car wash at 1501 Bombing Range Road, in front of Yoke’s Fresh Market in West Richland.

The project consisted of a 5,187-square-foot convenience store, 10 covered fuel pumps and a 1,262-square-foot automatic car wash.

It is the 21st Circle K in the Tri-Cities and the second for West Richland.

Buffalo Construction Inc. of Louisville, Kentucky, was the general contractor.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

PUBLIC RECORD

uBANKRUPTCIES Bankruptcies are filed under the following chapter headings: Chapter 7 — Straight Bankruptcy: debtor gives up non-exempt property and debt is discharged.

Chapter 11 — Allows companies and individuals to restructure debts to repay them.

Chapter 12 — Allows family farmers or fishermen to restructure finances to avoid liquidation for foreclosure.

Chapter 13 — Plan is devised by the individual to pay a percentage of debt based on ability to pay.

All disposable income must be used to pay debts.

Information provided by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Spokane.

CHAPTER 7 David Schwarder, 2624 S. Kellogg St., Kennewick.

Catherine Khang, 5031 W. Clearwater Ave., Apt. 174, Kennewick.

Daniel Adam Quintanilla, 4509 Desert Plateau Drive, Pasco.

Luis Morales, 9603 Palomino Drive, Pasco.

Adrianna Ceja, 200802 E. Game Farm Road, #21, Kennewick.

Donald H. & Sharon R. Derifield, 3313 S. Green Loop, Kennewick.

John Steven Cooper, 1770 Leslie Road #302, Richland.

James Perry Linder, 4808 Porlier Lane, Pasco.

Michael Shane & Crystal Lynn Gladden, 674 Tanglewood Drive, Richland.

Ricardo Michel, 908 W. Jan St., Pasco.

Bryan Jamison Watts, 541 Meadows Drive S., Richland.

Douglas Michael & Rebecca Marie Roberts, 6114 Midland Lane, Pasco.

Gregory Lee & Anne Marie Rose, 2948 Leav-

enworth Lane, Richland.

Lindsey Kay Lish & Luron Anderson, 4719 Hilltop Drive, Pasco.

Melvin & Mary Crabb, 1115 N. Irving Place, Kennewick.

Anita Maria Martinez, 161 Pilgrim Road, Pasco.

Nathaniel Theodore Hawkins, 5784 W. Albany Place, #120, Kennewick, and Edith Esther Hawkins, 1600 McPherson Ave., Richland.

Terrie Diane Larson, 1035 Park Ave., Prosser.

Miguel Rubio, 1724 W 45th Ave., #D10, Kennewick.

CHAPTER 11 Easterday Ranches, 5235 N. Industrial Way, Pasco.

Easterday Farms, 5235 N. Industrial Way, Pasco.

CHAPTER 13 Erluciana Haro Floyd, 182 Travis Lane, Kennewick.

Jose Carlos Aparicio, 1411 Vancouver St., Apt. B, Kennewick.

uTOP PROPERTIES BENTON COUNTY 345 Columbia Park Trail, Richland, 3,840-square-foot home on 2.5 acres. Price: $639,000. Buyer: Tao Wang & Junming Pan. Seller: Robert A. Ford.

1324 Canyon Ave., Richland, 2,329-squarefoot home. Price: $550,000. Buyer: Marlyn & Cheryl Heinemeyer. Seller: Travis Peterson & Britt Tiffany.

5351 S. Kent St., Kennewick, 0.34-acre home site, square footage not listed. Price:

$615,100. Buyer: Robert & Gail A. Hynes.

Seller: Performance General Construction LLC. 15606 S. Grandview Lane, Kennewick, 2,262-square-foot home. Price: $730,000.

Buyer: Dennis J. & Mary Alice Rickettson.

Seller: Marilyn E. & Deric M. Foxall.

7021 W. Eighth Ave., Kennewick, 3,453-square-foot home. Price: $550,000.

Buyer: Mark A. & Gayleen Cano. Seller: Kirt D. & Georgene Bare.

1986 Greenbrook Blvd., Richland, 2,930-square-foot home. Price: $583,600.

Buyer: Craig R. & Leslie B. Joseph. Seller: Herbert F. Parsons III. 1686 Pisa Lane, Richland, 3,600-squarefoot home. Price: $770,000. Buyer: Charisao Srisuthipomsakul & Sergio J. Flores. Seller: Lance & Courtney Frisbee.

300 Piper St., Richland, 0.2-acre home site, square footage not listed. Price: $677,000.

Buyer: Cassidy R. & Ana E. Blount. Seller: Miguel Angel Saldana.

11102 Summit View Court, Kennewick, 2,855-square-foot home. Price: $660,000.

Buyer: Jason & Danielle Clapp. Seller: Landmark Homes of Washington Inc. 30833 E. Ruppert Road, Benton City, 2,400-square-foot home and 20 acres. Price: $649,000. Buyer: David L. & Amy L. Seaman.

Seller: Nathaniel D. & Debra J. North.

1629 S. Currant St., Kennewick, 2,193-square-foot home. Price: $676,000.

Buyer: Tyler & Jennifer Price. Seller: Landmark Homes of Washington Inc. 73552 N. Pederson Road, West Richland, 2,436-square-foot home. Price: $513,000.

Buyer: Scott W. & Jessica L. Meyers. Seller: Eric Davenport & Dawn Koons.

1915 Sheridan Place, Richland, 3,216-square-foot home. Price: $900,000.

Buyer: Shannon M. Doyle & Matthew L.

B15

Croskrey. Seller: Nathan R. & Angela V. Croskrey.

5226 S. Quincy Place, Kennewick, 2,210-square-foot home. Price: $670,000.

Buyer: Eric C. & Melissa L. Butcher. Seller: Prodigy Homes.

11812 S. Paige Lane, Prosser, 2,265-squarefoot home on 2.4 acres. Price: $525,000.

Buyer: Evan R. & Mindy L. Tidball. Seller: Clifton Gamble.

4001 W. 34th Court, Kennewick, 2,875-square-foot home. Price: $585,000.

Buyer: Wallace R. & Edith S. Haws Trustees.

Seller: David P. & Sharon R. Bergland Trustees.

2352 Morency Drive, Richland, 3,054-squarefoot home. Price: $582,000. Buyer: Sasa & Brynne R. Kosjerina. Seller: Stonecrest Builders Inc. 850 Aaron Drive, Richland, apartment complex on 3.7 acres. Price: $4.9 million. Buyer: P&L Land Company LLC. Seller: Scott Tri-City Properties LLC. 3131 Hood Ave., Kennewick, apartment complex on 4.8 acres. Price: $6.7 million. Buyer: P&L Land Company LLC. Seller: Scott Tri-City Properties LLC. 2110 S. Rainier St., Kennewick, apartment complex, manufactured home on 1 acre. Price: $3.8 million. Buyer: Clover Housing Group LLC. Seller: Gramercy 2110 LLC. 1821 Neka Court, Richland, 2,572-squarefoot home. Price: $700,000. Buyer: Stacey Fang. Seller: Dream Builders LLC. 212 Hillview Drive, Richland, 2,241-squarefoot home. Price: $520,000. Buyer: Rebekah S. Dobbs. Seller: Justin L. Dobbs.

4848 McEwan Drive, Richland, 3,400-squarefoot home. Price: $525,000. Buyer: Thomas E. Mendenhall & Maria Stringham. Seller: New

uPUBLIC RECORD, Page B16

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

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Estate planning for blended families

JONATHAN D. SALMON

(509) 943-2920 If you’re in a blended family, you’re already aware of the emotional and financial issues involved in your daily life. But what about the future?

When it’s time to do your estate planning – and it’s never too soon for that – you’ll need to be aware of the entanglements and complexities that can get in the way of your vision for leaving the legacy you desire.

You can take comfort in knowing that you’re far from alone. More than half of married or cohabiting couples with at least one living parent, or parent-in-law, and at least one adult child, have a “step-kin” relationship, according to a study from researchers at the University of Massachusetts and other schools. That’s a lot of estate-planning issues.

Nonetheless, the task does not have to be overwhelming – as long as you put sufficient time and thought into it. Here are some ideas that may help: • Seek fairness – but be flexible.

Even in a nonblended family, it’s not always easy to be as equitable as you’d like in your estate plans – too often, someone feels they have been treated unfairly. In a blended family, these problems can be exacerbated: Will biological children feel cheated?

Will stepchildren? Keep this in mind: Fair is not always equal – and equal is not always fair. When deciding how to divide your assets, you’ll need to make some judgment calls after carefully evaluating the needs of all your family members. There’s no guarantee that everyone will be satisfied, but you’ll have done your best.

• Communicate your wishes clearly. When it comes to estate planning, the best surprise is no surprise – and that’s especially true in a blended family. Even if you’re the one creating your estate plans, try to involve other family members – and make your wishes and goals clear. You don’t have to be specific down to the last dollar, but you should provide a pretty good overall outline.

• Consider establishing a revocable living trust. Everyone’s situation is different, but many blended families find that, when making estate plans, a simple will is not enough.

Consequently, you may want to establish a revocable living trust, which gives you much more control than a will when it comes to carrying out your wishes. Plus, because you have transferred your assets to the trust, you are no longer technically the owner of these assets, so there’s no reason for a court to get involved, which means your estate can likely avoid the time-consuming, expensive and very public process of probate.

• Choose the right trustee. If you do set up a living trust, you’ll also need to name a trustee – someone who manages the assets in the trust. Married couples often serve as co-trustees, but this can result in tensions and disagreements. As an alternative, you can hire a professional trustee – someone with the time, experience and neutrality to make appropriate decisions and who can bring new ideas to the process.

Above all else, make sure you have the right estate-planning team in place. You’ll certainly need to work with an attorney, and you may also want to bring in your tax advisor and financial professional. Estate planning can be complex – especially with a blended family – and you’ll want to make the right moves, right from the start.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

JOY BEHEN

RYAN BRAULT

DUSTIN CLONTZ

JAY FREEMAN

SHELLEY KENNEDY

TERRY SLIGER

6115 Burden Blvd., Ste. A, Pasco

3616 W. Court St., Ste. I, Pasco

1060 Jadwin Ave., Ste. 325, Richland

16 W. Kennewick Ave., Ste. 101, Kennewick

767 Williams Blvd.

Richland

1329 Aaron Dr. Richland

(509) 542-1626

(509) 545-8121

(509) 943-1441

(509) 783-2041

(509) 946-7626

(509) 943-2920

CFP®

AAMS

CFP®

www.edwardjones.com HARRY VAN DYKEN

CARSON WILLINGHAM

T.J. WILLINGHAM

TARA WISWALL

JONATHAN D. SALMON

2735 Queensgate Dr. Richland

1020 N. Center Parkway, Suite F, Kennewick

1020 N. Center Parkway, Suite F, Kennewick

6855 W. Clearwater Ave., Suite C, Kennewick

1329 Aaron Dr. Richland

(509) 627-6537

(509) 735-1497

(509) 735-1497

(509) 783-2042

(509) 943-2920

Tradition Homes Inc. 7120 W. Bonnie Ave., Kennewick, mobile home park and 2,707-square-foot home on 7 acres. Price: $5.9 million. Buyer: Michael & Denise Werner II. Seller: PV TC144 RV Park LLC. 74307 N. Grosscup Road, West Richland, 2,180-square-foot home on 3.2 acres. Price: $1.2 million. Buyer: Tom & Shannon Sackett.

Seller: John M. & Donna Doyle.

Undisclosed address, 40 acres. Price: $1.5 million. Buyer: Roxie & Tim Schescke. Seller: Shaw Horn Rapids LLC. 10415 Summit View Court, Kennewick, 2,544-square-foot home. Price: $615,000.

Buyer: Timothy Hanson. Seller: Daniel & Wendy Marsolek.

686 Titan Ave., West Richland, 0.28-acre home site. Price: $519,000. Buyer: Benjamin Garrett & Kylie Bosch. Seller: P & R Construction LLC. 1126 N. Cleveland, Unit B, Kennewick, 3,744-square-foot apartment. Price: $500,000.

Buyer: 22 Suns Properties LLC. Seller: Investment Construction LLC. Undisclosed address, 9-acre commercial/ industrial land. Price: $1.6 million. Buyer: Hansen Park Development LLC. Seller: Hansen Park LLC. 1832 Somers Lane, Richland, 2,489-squarefoot. Price: $531,000. Buyer: Robert & Sarah Peebles. Seller: Prodigy Homes Inc. 7221 W. Deschutes Ave., Kennewick, 8,460-square-foot medical office. Price: $2.2 million. Buyer: Inland Imaging Investments Inc. Seller: Five Star Associates of Tri-Cities LLC. 108203 E. Pine Hollow PR SE, Kennewick, 3,250-square-foot home on 6 acres. Price: $830,000. Buyer: Bruce & Cherry Mitchell.

Seller: Francisco Islas.

7320 N. Canyon View PR NE, Benton City, 4,078-square-foot manufactured home, pole building on 15 acres. Price: $750,000. Buyer: Pacific Agri-Services LLC. Seller: Douglas E. Newton.

312 N. Delaware St., Kennewick, 3,629-square-foot dental clinic. Price: $530,000. Buyer: King Real Estate NW LLC. Seller: Dorsett Properties LLC. 311 N. Van Buren St., Kennewick, 11,957-square-foot warehouse discount store.

Price: $540,000. Buyer: RFJ USA Holdings Inc. Seller: Windsor Plywood Northwest Inc. 142205 SW 1406 PR SW, Prosser, 2,470-square-foot home, pole building on 2.7 acres. Price: $500,000. Buyer: Daniel & Maureen Gore. Seller: Kevin D. & Esther M. Laurent.

3090 Wittkopf Road, Prosser, 12,000-square-foot retail store, light manufacturing facility, 73,500-square-foot warehouse, 63,462-square-foot warehouse on 37 acres.

Price: $7.2 million. Buyer: E & J Gallo Winery.

Seller: The Hogue Cellars Ltd. 583, 589, 595, 601, 605, 609 Marysville Way & 2966, 2960, 2954, 2959, 2971 Woodland Place, Richland, multiple home sites with most homes less than 2,000 square feet.

Price: $770,000. Buyer: Hayden Homes LLC. Seller: Richland 132 LLC. 2481 Woods Drive, Richland, 2,088-squarefoot home. Price: $715,000. Buyer: Jeffery & Sherri Parker. Seller: Elegant Custom Homes LLC. 171102 W. Evans Road, Prosser, 750-square-foot home, pole building on 76 acres. Price: $1.2 million. Buyer: Country Line Enterprises LLC. Seller: Dale R. & Patricia M. Swager.

266 Greenview Drive, Richland, 3,020-square-foot home. Price: $515,000.

Buyer: Abigail H. Runner. Seller: Kristine M. Geckle.

93704 E. Granada Court, Kennewick, 2,867-square-foot home, pole buildings on 1.7 acres. Price: $570,000. Buyer: Stacey & Jody Mitchell. Seller: Dean E. & Leah R. Blomquist.

80608 E. 249 PR SE, Kennewick, 2,885-square-foot home on 7 acres. Price: $660,000. Buyer: Michael R. & Chrystal R. Durkee. Seller: Edith Mendoza.

43506 E. McWhorter Lane, West Richland, 2,817-square-foot home. Price: $535,000.

Buyer: Michael & Felisha D. Benavidez. Seller: Bradly A. & Amanda S. Watts.

1260 Medley Drive, Richland, 2,440-squarefoot home. Price: $625,000. Buyer: Michelle V. & Kevin A. Gustafson. Seller: Riverwood Homes Washington LLC.

uPUBLIC RECORD, Page B17

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021 1187 Plateau Drive, Richland, 2,356-squarefoot home. Price: $670,000. Buyer: Kevin & Tracy Osborne. Seller: Linda L. Walby.

1633 Molly Marie Ave., Richland, 3,422-square-foot home. Price: $600,000.

Buyer: Michael R. & Renee L. Conatore. Seller: Bryan S. & Karen S. Kerr.

552 Summerview Lane, Richland, 2,456-square-foot home. Price: $511,000.

Buyer: Ting Bao & Yun Wang. Seller: Viking Builders LLC. 1282 Cameo Drive, Richland, 2,006-squarefoot home. Price: $530,000. Buyer: Bradley & Rachel Noah. Seller: Michael P. & Heidi L. McShane.

1255 Jolianna Drive, Richland, 2,419-squarefoot home, 2 pole buildings on 8.5 acres.

Price: $1.3 million. Buyer: R3T Ventures LLC. Seller: Robert Zinsli.

1284 Medley Drive, Richland, 2,760-squarefoot home. Price: $600,000. Buyer: Andrew J. & Breanna J. Traver. Seller: Riverwood Homes Washington LLC. 2615 W. Kennewick Ave., Kennewick, 9,968-square-foot commercial building. Price: $675,000. Buyer: MGSC LLC. Seller: Bond & Cannon Investments.

2389 Legacy Lane, Richland, 3,385-squarefoot home. Price: $728,000. Buyer: April L. White & Guillermo Castaneda. Seller: Pahlisch Homes at Westcliffe Heights LLC. 362 W. Riverwood St., Richland, 2,704-square-foot home. Price: $505,000.

Buyer: Karen E. Christian. Seller: Brandon S. Blank.

1207 W. 13th Ave., Kennewick, 3,536-squarefoot apartment buildings. Price: $510,000.

Buyer: Michael Ramsey. Seller: Jason Zook.

4802 White Drive, Richland, 3,146-squarefoot home. Price: $517,000. Buyer: Navdeep Gill & Priya Kaur Manhas. Seller: New Tradition Homes Inc. 11714 S. 952 PR SE, Kennewick, 3,530-square-foot home on 1.8 acres. Price: $660,000. Buyer: Gary L. & Mary D. Allen.

Seller: Michael S. Anglesey.

7911 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick, 3,520-square-foot restaurant. Price: $675,000.

Buyer: Chance Investments LLC. Seller: The Gerald & Spring Covington Living Trust.

704 Clermont Drive, Richland, 2,220-squarefoot home. Price: $550,000. Buyer: Mell J. & Michael J. Roy. Seller: Laura K. Montgomery.

4549 Ruth Court, Richland, 2,608-squarefoot home. Price: $544,000. Buyer: Daniel A. & Meggin A. Sanner. Seller: New Tradition Homes.

2575 Morris Ave., Richland, 3,414-squarefoot home. Price: $533,500. Buyer: Gerald D. Perales & Sylvia Trevino Perales. Seller: New Tradition Homes Inc. 1149 N. Edison St., Suite D, Kennewick, 3,239-square-foot commercial building. Price: $525,000. Buyer: Baker Boyer Bancorp. Seller: Aiello Kennewick Property LLC. 3903 Southlake Drive, West Richland, 3,148-square-foot home. Price: $683,000.

Buyer: Andrea Lynn & Manuel M. Fernandez.

Seller: Edward K. & Sharon L. Manthei.

3530 Bing St., West Richland, 0.24-acre home site. Price: $505,000. Buyer: Ramon L. & Francine Milam. Seller: Dennis Sawby Construction LLC. 103436 E. Kash Loop, Kennewick, 2,091-square-foot home. Price: $658,000.

Buyer: Jeff Montgomery & Linda B. Snyder.

Seller: Dean E. & Lisa A. McDaniels.

110108 E. Rubicon PR SE, Kennewick, 3,711-square-foot home on 5 acres. Price: $757,000. Buyer: Anthony J. & Candace R. Verret. Seller: Steven C. & Eileen Angelsey.

21291 S. 1522 PR SW, Prosser, 4,005-square-foot home on 26 acres. Price: $750,000. Buyer: Robert S. Foster & Mark A. Eder. Seller: Susan L. McKinney.

2404 N. Bermuda Road, Kennewick, 2,283-square-foot home. Price: $557,000.

Buyer: Jared Fleming. Seller: Donald O. Katherine L. Arbon.

368 Riverwood St., Richland, 1,864-squarefoot home. Price: $565,000. Buyer: Eric L. Garcia. Seller: Bradley Jr. & Nicole K. Anderson.

7162 Napoli St., West Richland, 2,346-square-foot home. Price: $530,000.

Buyer: Merwyn E. Gilderoy, trustee & Linda Williams, trustee. Seller: Tracy C. Degenstein.

4175, 4199, 4247 Highview St., 4253 Corvina St., and 4253, 4138 Barbera St., Richland, 5 home sites. Price: $670,000. Buyer: Juanita

Cottages LLC. Seller: Monson Development Washington LLC. 3083 Riverbend Drive, Richland, 2,811-square-foot home. Price: $750,225.

Buyer: Brian & Sandrine Arizmendi. Seller: Prodigy Homes Inc. 355 Old Inland Empire Highway, Unit 74, Prosser, mobile home park on 12 acres. Price: $5.3 million. Buyer: 355 Wine Country LLC. Seller: Hopp Farms LLC. 531 Summerview Lane, Richland, 2,679-square-foot home. Price: $595,000 Buyer: Brian O. & Maria Molina. Seller: Ryan Cooper.

86202 E. Sagebrush Road, Kennewick, 2,377-square-foot home. Price: $561,000.

Buyer: Walter W. & Megan Smith. Seller: Richard M. & Gina R. Miller.

105 S. 716 PR SE, Kennewick, 2,246-squarefoot home. Price: $515,000. Buyer: Shawn & Chelsey McElroy. Seller: Anthony & Debra Grisafe.

1294 Paige St., Richland, 3,179-square-foot home. Price: $654,100. Buyer: Michael & Heidi McShane. Seller: Titan Homes LLC. 1662 Lucca Lane, Richland, 1,931-squarefoot home. Price: $800,000. Buyer: Mitchell & Madelyne Peterson. Seller: Tom Sackett.

2181 W. 51st Ave., Kennewick, 4,206-squarefoot home. Price: $735,000. Buyer: Lareena & William Roberson. Seller: Colt Homme.

1705 S. Edison St., Kennewick, 3,096-square-foot home. Price: $505,000.

Buyer: Christopher Robert Meinhardt. Seller: William L. & Lareena Roberson.

3109 Bobwhite Way, Richland, 2,547-squarefoot home. Price: $521,000. Buyer: Francisco Islas. Seller: Pahlisch Homes at Horn Rapids Limited Partnership.

10710 Summit View Court, Kennewick, 1-acre home site. Price: $661,400. Buyer: Jose Atilano Jr. Seller: Prodigy Homes Inc. 106 Keene Road, Richland, 3,133-squarefoot retail building. Price: $1.2 million. Buyer: Kimmet Properties LLC. Seller: JPAM LLC. 632 Hunter St., Richland, 3,499-square-foot home. Price: $700,000. Buyer: Kyle M. & Katherine E. Parham. Seller: Isaac P. & Andrea C. Reeve.

1119 W. 53rd Ave., Kennewick, 2,140-square-

B17

foot home. Price: $520,000. Buyer: Jack & Corinne Delange. Seller: Roy L. & Janet S. Kerns.

FRANKLIN COUNTY 12531 Rock Creek Drive, Pasco, 0.5 acres of undeveloped land. Buyer: David E. & Pamela J. Nelson. Seller: Hammerstrom Construction Inc. 8317 Silver Mound Drive, Pasco, 0.23-acre home site. Price: $565,000. Buyer: Tommy & Mariza Guerra. Seller: New Tradition Homes Inc. 12518 Rock Creek Drive, Pasco, 0.61 acres of undeveloped land. Price: $742,000. Buyer: Amanda G. Walker (et vir). Seller: Hammerstrom Construction Inc. 3807 & 3801 W. Court St., Pasco, 7,174-square-foot fitness center and office building. Price: $1.3 million. Buyer: DRT Properties LLC. Seller: Isaiah 6:8 LLC. 7121 Valley View Place, Pasco, 2,766-square-foot home. Price: $550,000.

Buyer: Carolyn & Kyle Groom. Seller: Dagoberto Garcia.

Undisclosed location, 2.4 acres of undeveloped commercial land. Price: $750,000. Buyer: Solgen Holdings LLC. Seller: Joseph L. & Collen D. Lane.

Undisclosed location, 3.9 acres of undeveloped industrial land. Price: $508,000. Buyer: M2K Properties LLC. Seller: Carl & Barbara Ueland (Trustees).

12502 Blackfoot Drive, Pasco, 0.55-acre home site. Price: $617,000. Buyer: Gary Shindehite. Seller: Hammerstrom Construction Inc. Undisclosed location, shop building, 58 acres of ag land. Price: $870,000. Buyer: Patrick B. Sullivan. Seller: CC Sullivan Farms LLC. 4215 Orville Loop, Pasco, 0.38-acre home site. Price: $600,000. Buyer: Esau M. Rocha & Martha E. Trevino. Seller: A-Legacy Construction Inc. 7004 Sandy Ridge Road, Pasco, 2,508-square-foot home. Price: $635,000.

Buyer: Dan W. & Kristina M. Harris. Seller: Hammerstrom Construction Inc.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

12417 Rock Creek Drive, Pasco, 0.5-acre home site. Price: $549,000. Buyer: Chad & Lindsay Kirby. Seller: Hammerstrom Construction Inc. 12529 Hunter Road, Pasco, 2,667-squarefoot home. Price: $722,700. Buyer: Omar & Morgan Diaz (et. al.). Seller: Infinity Homes By P&R Construction LLC.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

uBUILDING PERMITS

KENNEWICK

BENTON CITY CMS Properties LLC, 1025 Jacobs Road, $386,000 for new commercial. Contractor: LCR Construction LLC.

BENTON COUNTY AT&T, address not listed, $15,000 for antenna/ tower. Contractor: Mastec Network Solutions.

Brent Hartley Land, 15906 E. Produce PR SE, $3.2 million for ag building. Contractor: Teton West of WA LLC.

Hollingsworth Hay, 5280 Hollingsworth Road, Mesa, $77,400 for commercial addition. Contractor: W McKay Construction LLC. Ice Harbor property, 10368 Pasco Kahlotus Road, $379,300 for new commercial. Contractor: Peak Contractors Inc.

Kennewick Assoc. Ltd. Partnership, 7411 W. Canal Drive, $745,000 for commercial remodel, $125,000 for heat pump/HVAC, $87,000 for plumbing. Contractors: Hoover Construction, Bruce Mechanical Inc., Riggle Plumbing Inc. Columbia Mall Partnership, 1321 N. Columbia Center Blvd., $300,000 for commercial remodel, $20,000 for heat pump/HVAC. Contractor: Torcom Construction.

Kennewick Holdings LLC, 3810 Plaza Way, $14 million for commercial remodel for Trios Health tower expansion, building onto existing hospital vertically for future birthing/pediatric center, $1.8 million for heat pump/HVAC,

$979,000 for plumbing. Contractors: Layton Construction, Apollo Mechanical Contractors.

Colorado Investment LLC, 602 N. Colorado St., $50,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Stonecrest Builders.

Mirage Pool N’ Spa, 7422 W. Clearwater Ave., $16,300 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Cliff Thorn Construction.

Circle K Stores Inc., 104 S. Washington St., $18,000 for sign. Contractor: Ramsay Signs.

James Hutchinson, 410 E. Kennewick Ave., $20,000 for antenna/tower. Contractor: A&M Communications.

Sage Creek Apartments, 4302 W. Hood Ave., $120,000 for commercial reroof. Contractor: Silver Bow Roofing.

Corp of LDS, 6501 W. Deschutes Ave., $82,300 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Knerr Construction Inc. LAIC Inc., 6515 W. Clearwater Ave., $459,000 for antenna/tower. Contractor: Real Centric Solutions.

GFTWC LLC, 1000 W. Fifth Ave., $92,000 for commercial reroof. Contractor: Gabriel & Sons.

Michael L. Wooley, 1501 W. 14th Ave.,

$8,4000 for commercial reroof. Contractor: Perfect Circle Construction.

Daniel & Cheryl Brimlow Trustees, 3500 W. Clearwater Ave., $5,000 for commercial remodel. Contractor: AAV Construction LLC. Loren K. Sharp, 4253 W. 24th Ave., $120,000 for tenant improvements, $25,000 for heat pump/HVAC. Contractors: owner, Bruce Mechanical Inc. C&C Investment Co., 3600 W. Clearwater Ave., $7,000 for sign. Contractor: Mustang Sign Group.

Kennewick Baptist Church, 2425 W. Albany Ave., $32,500 for commercial reroof. Contractor: Palmer Roofing Co. City of Kennewick, 2901 Southridge Blvd., $46,000 for new commercial. Contractor: Ray Poland & Sons Inc. Winco Foods LLC, 4602 W. Clearwater Ave., $20,000 for commercial remodel. Contractor: DTL Builders Inc. CS Land Company LLC, 8202 W. Quinault Ave., $150,000 for commercial remodel. Contractor: LCR Construction LLC. Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, 6351 W. Rio Grande Ave., $1.8 million for commercial remodel, $210,200 for heat pump/HVAC, $150,2000 for plumbing. Contractors: Neenan Company LP, Total Energy Management.

Prodigy Homes Inc., 2055 N. Steptoe St., $150,000 for commercial remodel. Contractor: Prodigy Homes Inc. TMT Homes (NW) LLC, 8122 W. Grandridge Blvd., $10,000 for commercial remodel. Contractor: Double J Excavating Inc. Harland Douglas, 908 N. Colorado St., $5,500 for sign. Contractor: Mustang Sign Group.

James Houser, 2604 S. Tweedt Court, $7,200 for sign. Contractor: Yesco LLC.

PASCO Weber Properties, 2404 W. Court St., $40,000 for sign. Contractor: Mustang Sign Group.

Linden Knapp Trust, 6217 W. Court St., $923,000 for new commercial construction of storage units. Contractor: owner.

Zepgon Investments, 2120 W. A St., $5.5 million for multi-family homes. Contractor: Columbia River Walk Development.

City of Pasco, 5801 Chapel Hill Blvd., $625,000 for new commercial. Contractor: Total Site Services LLC. UPI Property LLC, 904 S. Oregon Ave., $7,500 for demolition. Contractor: owner.

Columbia River Walk Development, 2120 W. A St., $783,600 for new commercial. Contractor: Zepgon Investments.

Dang and Pack Pro, 8610 W. Court St., $358,100 for new commercial. Contractor: owner.

Frank Tiegs LLC, 1445 E. Foster Wells Road, $12.7 million for ag building. Contractor: Teton West of WA LLC. Yakima Federal Savings, 3604 W. Court St., $40,000 for sign. Contractor: Eagle Signs LLC. Pahlisch Homes at the Parks LLC, 3291 Burns Road, $33,000 for demolition. Contractor: Pahlisch Homes Inc. Port of Pasco, 2101 W. Argent Road, $75,000 for grading. Contractor: Construction Services of Washington.

Goodwill Industries, 307 W. Columbia St., $30,000 for commercial reroof. Contractor: Palmer Roofing Co. DHIJ Rentals, 2200 W. Shoshone St., $1 million for commercial remodel. Contractor: Cliff Thorn Construction.

DHIJ Rentals, 500 N. 24th Ave., $1 million for commercial remodel. Contractor: Cliff Thorn Construction.

Pahlisch Homes Inc., 3291 Burns Road, $700,000 for grading. Contractor: to be determined.

RICHLAND Shadow Mountain, 2570 Schaeffer Way, $150,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Shaeffer Industries.

Shadow Mountain, 2550 Schaeffer Way, $150,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Shaeffer Industries.

Croskrey Brothers, 2920 George Washington Way, $523,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Northwest Construction Services.

Anchorage Corp, 430 George Washington Way, $100,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Flaminco LLC. DFP LLC, 2521 Stevens Drive, $29,000 for

uPUBLIC RECORD, Page B19

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021 commercial reroof. Contractor: Royal Roofing Inc. Liberty Christian School, $12,500 for commercial reroof. Contractor: Palmer Roofing Inc. Washington State University Tri-Cities, 2700 Crimson Way, $20,000 for new commercial.

Contractor: Cliff Thorn Construction.

TTAP Construction, 241 Jackrabbit Lane, #A, $464,000 for new commercial. Contractor: TTAP Construction.

Richland School District, 450 Hanford St., Bldg. V, $6.3 million for new commercial. Contractor: Chervenell Construction.

WRP Washington, 1819 George Washington Way, $35,200 for demolition. Contractor: Columbia Property Maintenance.

650 GWW LLC, 610 George Washington Way, $250,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Fowler General Construction.

Ford Group LLC, 1973 Fowler St., $20,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Ford Group LLC.

WEST RICHLAND Sue Wharton, 3683 W. Van Giesen St., $11,000 for demolition, $135,000 for commercial addition. Contractor: KDOW Construction LLC. Reliance Fellowship, 4201 Kennedy Road, $60,000 for commercial remodel. Contractor: owner.

Gesa Credit Union, 4755 Paradise Way, $265,000 for commercial remodel. Contractor: owner.

Mister Car Wash, 3220 Kennedy Road, $25,000 for sign. Contractor: Mustang Sign Group.

Owner not listed, 5826 W. Van Giesen St., $60,000 for demolition. Contractor: HCS LLC. Owner not listed, 5370 Astoria Road, $40,000 for antenna/tower. Contractor: Vintage Engineers/T-Mobile.

uBUSINESS LICENSES RICHLAND Advocare International, 2800 Telecom Parkway, Richardson, Texas.

D-10 Contracting, 3624 E. Newby St., Nampa, Idaho.

The Industrial Fumigant Company LLC, 13420 W. 99th St., Lenexa, Kansas.

Utility Service & Maintenance Inc., 9909 Clayton Road, Saint Louis, Missouri.

Lineage Transportation LLC, 46500 Humboldt Drive, Novi, Michigan.

Co2 Monitoring LLC, 4310 Cameron St., Las Vegas, Nevada.

Apex Steel Inc., 935 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland.

JMS Construction Inc., 904 E. Ainsworth St.,

Pasco.

Sunset Topcoats LLC, 191 Ziegler Road, Eltopia.

Dimensional Communications Inc., 1220 Anderson Road, Mount Vernon Bud’s Plumbing LLC, 14019 NE 20th Ave. A-6, Vancouver.

Pacific Modular LLC, 820 SW 34th St., Renton.

Baldwin Sign Company, 6409 N. Pittsburg St., Spokane.

Pumptech Inc., 12020 SE 32nd St., Ste. 2, Bellevue.

Royal Holland Inc., 15 W. A St., Pasco.

Premier Woodworks LLC, 109 N. Washington St., Kennewick.

Home Town Rebuilders LLC, 12464 W. Coyote Lane, Post Falls, Idaho.

M K Hawk, 1259 Fuji Way. Holocene Drilling Inc., 11412 62nd Ave. E., Puyallup.

R-2 Construction of Eastern Washington Inc., 18621 S. Haney Road, Kennewick.

Daedalus Design, 414 Birch Ave. Moore Fire Protection, 14401 Issaquah Hobart Road SE, Issaquah.

Diamond Electric LLC, 1267 Evanslee Court.

Commonstreet Consulting, 100 S. King St., Seattle.

J Silver Belly Music, 138 Macarthur St. Standard Paint & Flooring LLC, 1480 Tapteal Drive.

Dry Creek Engineering and Geospatial Services, 1120 Appaloosa Way. Performance General Construction LLC, 1150 Belmont Blvd., West Richland.

J All Green Lawn Care, 1005 S. Alder Loop, Kennewick.

Side Note Consult, 1410 E. Section St., Mount Vernon.

Superior Roofing, 524 W. Bonneville St., Pasco.

Epic Insurance Solutions LLC, 1305 Fowler St. ESF Development LLC, 541 Sheridan Road, Walla Walla.

Nico Solutions LLC, 2895 Pauling Ave. Cosco Fire Protection Inc., 3311 E. Ferry Ave., Spokane.

Strong Foundations WA, 458 Mainmast Ct. Jaxson Flooring & Remodeling, 8518 Massey Drive, Pasco.

Launch Hive, 1660 Lantana Ave. Wilkins, Michael, 2205 Butterfield Road, Yakima.

J & E Homes LLC, 195504 E. Bowles Road, Kennewick.

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., 1100 112th Ave. NE, Bellevue.

Carniceria La Cabana #3 Richland, 1305 Jadwin Ave. Carter Family Construction LLC, 1130 W. Clark Place, Connell.

A&D Fire, 10311 E. Montgomery Drive, Spokane Valley.

Pro-duct HVAC LLC, 723 N. Third Ave., Pasco.

Suzanna Superior Clean Janitorial Services, 1221 Cottonwood Drive.

Wine Country Landscaping and Construction, 3207 S. Lyle St., Kennewick Glo Beauty Bar and Spa, 1325 Aaron Drive.

Hammered LLC, 124 S 41st St., Yakima.

Square Plumb LLC, 4001 S. Anderson St., Kennewick.

Briggs LLC, 723 The Parkway.

Superior Construction and Roofing LLC, 1895 Belair Ave., Walla Walla.

Havana Cafe Express, 1415 George Washington Way. LP Sweet’s Construction, 63 Cosmic Lane.

El Dorado General Construction, 153 Eldorado Drive, Pasco.

Da Construction LLC, 1418 W. Sixth Ave., Kennewick.

Frederickson Construction LLC, 4341 NW Commons Drive, Pasco.

Youthful Sports, 1956 Forest Ave. D Croskrey Fitness, 2633 Sandstone Lane.

Shane’s Mobile Mechanics LLC, 3205 N. Commercial Ave., Pasco.

Columbia Plastering Inc., 4008 S. Jean St., Kennewick.

Be Presint LLC, 250 Gage Blvd.

Senior Helpers, 616 The Parkway.

Linda Tharp, 808 Smith Ave. Make It So LLC, 723 The Parkway.

Elevenses LLC, 723 The Parkway.

NW Appraisal Group, LLC, 352 S. First Ave., Walla Walla.

Matson Trucks LLC, 4602 Kennedy Road, West Richland.

Coleman Oil Company, LLC, 2451 Logan St. Cougar Country Adventures LLC, 664 Sherwood St. Newhaven Realty, 1853 Newhaven Loop.

Elwein’s Dusty Barn, 1510 Cottonwood Drive.

Olivia Louise Photography, LLC, 1424 Haupt Ave. Stitch A Logo Main St Embroidery, 770 Canyon St. Slightly Artistic, 1885 Stevens Drive.

Binding Fields LLC, 2864 Karlee Drive.

B19

Soul Journeys, 2451 Allison Way. Magana Law PLLC, 723 The Parkway.

We Iz Dead, 1850 Stevens Drive.

Agvantage Consulting LLC, 2819 Leopold Lane.

Harrison Development Inc., 2403 Whitworth Ave. PNW Development & Consulting LLC, 1601 S. Washington St., Kennewick.

Honey Drip Creative LLC, 511 Sanford Ave. Paragon Corporate Housing, 1100 Jadwin Ave.

KENNEWICK Hoover Construction, 108 N. Medina, San Antonio, Texas.

Vibetech Specialties LLC, 6435 SW 90th Ave., Portland, Oregon.

Diversions LLC, 1988 E. Gunther Ave., Coeur D’Alene, Idaho.

T. Gerding Construction Co., 200 SW Airport Ave., Corvallis, Oregon.

Tri-Ply Construction LLC, 106 W. Pine St., Yakima.

Canyon Contracting Corp., 2821 Skye Road, Washougal.

Ace Electric Inc., 425 W. 47th Ave. Advocates Consulting & Counseling, 1030 N. Center Parkway.

Badillo’s Landscaping LLC, 2606 Englewood Ave., Yakima.

Real Roofing, 1713 Portland Ave., Walla Walla.

Trojan Wall Products Inc., 3530 C St. NE, Auburn.

Butterfield Construction, 1104 Adams St., Richland.

Raelen Photography, 216 S. Young Place.

Cousin’s Trim Custom LLC, 603 N. Arbutus Ave., Pasco.

Mafe Auto Sales, 407 W. Columbia Drive.

Standard Paint & Flooring LLC, 1480 Tapteal Drive, Richland.

Superior Custom Concrete, 5620 W. Wernett Road, Pasco.

Wrenchmonkee, 530 S. Beech Ave., Pasco.

New Life Photography by Elisabeth Mills, 10

uPUBLIC RECORD, Page B21

Value Card Get 50% off Green Fees and Cart Rentals Purchase The Zintel Creek VALUE CARD for

$400 (includes tax)

12 months of 50% off from the date of purchase!

Zintel Creek Golf Club

509-783-6131 | zintelcreek.com 314 N. Underwood, Kennewick

B20

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021 Massachusetts.

Fusion, 155 Willowbrook Blvd., Wayne, New Jersey.

Cosmotologist, 2909 S. Quillan St. Fuerza Humilde, 406 N. Kansas St. Kim Mason, 325 S. Young Place.

T. Symons Services, 8350 W. Grandridge Blvd.

Children’s Tri-Cities, 8232 W. Grandridge Blvd.

Tommer Construction Company, 5720 Highway 28 W. Ephrata.

Green Basin Landscape Inc., 1971 Fir Road, Eltopia.

Firetronics Inc., 25421 E. River Road, Otis Orchards.

Brett & Son Inc., 1350 Walnut St., Wenatchee.

Perfection Lawn Care, 1201 Willard Ave., Richland.

Theta’s Rentals, 28 S. Quay St. A&M Communications Inc., 202 NE 181st Ave., Portland, Oregon.

The Missing Piece, 222 W. Kennewick Ave. Paws n’ Roses, 6201 W. Clearwater Ave. Rainbow House Cleaning, 1444 SE Central Ave., College Place.

Stratum Concrete, 412 N. Ninth Ave., Pasco.

KB Heritage II, 1386 Baywood Ave., Richland.

Noble HVAC Services, 920 N. Road 44, Pasco.

Eye Candy Studio, 101 N. Union St. Outdoor Elements Northwest, 5989 Pioneer Drive, Cashmere.

Little Woodworks, 312 Pinetree Court, Richland.

Honest Air, 3620 W. Leola St., Pasco.

Sherlock Homes Improvement, 1037 N. 60th Ave., West Richland.

Precision Builders, 2313 W. Sylvester St., Pasco.

The Ark Carpentry, 2716 Torrey Pines Way, Richland.

McCue Solutions, 120 W. 31st Ave. Kohne Investments, 101 S. Washington St. Tri-Cities General Construction, 1731 N. 18th Drive, Pasco.

Velocity General Construction and Demo, 107 Casey Ave., Richland.

Mojica Construction, 223 S. Etiwanda Court.

BMI Const. LLC, 1248 Riesling St., Richland.

Eddie U Enterprise, 1030 N. Center Parkway.

Web Design Presence, 1030 N. Center Parkway.

DRD Exteriors, 2021 Mahan Ave., Richland.

Bonafide Landscaping, 1830 Terminal Drive, Richland.

Leo’s Masonry & Construction, 2105 N. Steptoe St. Hearthwood Construction, 2929 S. Kellogg St. Alpha Renovations, 1212 W. Ainsworth Ave., Pasco.

G&G Quality Construction, 3308 W. Hood Ave. Silver Pointe Construction, 613 S. Huntington Place.

Tri-Cities Concrete Pumping, 210 E. Albany Ave. Proficient Perez Construction, 2906 W. Seventh Ave. Rangel Lawn Care, 1425 Riche Ct., Richland.

Marquez, Cynthia L., 3311 W. Clearwater Ave. UAC Flooring & Carpeting, 1215 S. 13th Ave., Pasco.

Midtown Village HOA, 101 N. Morain St. Atlantic Fresh Carpet, 601 S. Kent St. Quality Roofing, 331 E. 27th Ave. Tet, 1313 N. Young St. Mod Jamz, 129 S. Ely St. Doncaster Financial Inc., 1020 N. Center Parkway.

Hair by G, 301 S. Zillah St. Abe Transport, 5772 W. Albany Place.

KBG Mansonry, 1111 N. Beech Ave., Pasco.

Desert Wind Counseling PLLC, 1030 N. Center Parkway.

Molecular Talent Labs Inc., 404 N. Conway St. Cichocki Mechanics, 7101 W. Deschutes Ave. Atlas Integral Solutions, 6512 W. Umatilla Ave. Mod Pizza, 1659 N. Columbia Center Blvd S. Hudson & Hudson Inc., 2500 S. Vancouver St. Clearwater Law Group Inc., PC, 5101 W. Clearwater Ave. The Vineyard AFH, 609 E. 31st Court.

uPUBLIC RECORD, Page B22

Agriculture + Viticulture in the Columbia Basin Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business’ full-color, glossy magazine Focus: Agriculture + Viticulture takes a closer look at how our region serves as the powerhouse that drives our state’s agriculture and viticulture industries.

Focus: Agriculture + Viticulture will be inserted into the Journal of Business’ June 2021 issue.

Center spread Back full page

Advertising Rates

Ave. AGB Freight LLC, 504 S. Zillah St. Schirm Law PLLC, 1030 N. Center Parkway.

Elaina Wright, 4504 W. 26th Ave. Auto Repair Shop, 1615 E. Chemical Drive.

Oholei Aromatics, 7901 W. Clearwater Ave. La Raza, 3311 W. Clearwater Ave. Dana Engineering Consultants LLC, 4000 S. Irby St. Bradley Johnson Designs LLC, 4510 W. 20th Ave. Olivera Financial Group LLC, 320 N. Johnson St. TJD Properties, 7405 W. Grandridge Blvd.

Revitalize! Health Spa & Organic Store, 15 N. Auburn St. Dove Perfect Cleaning, 2507 E. Alvina St., Pasco.

Worldhouse Greenery, 2530 W. 33rd Place.

Tri-Town Sugar Shop, 8631 W. Klamath Ave. Cosmic Print LLC, 421 S. Washington St. The Soulspark Mission, 6027 W. 38th Ave. Caring Hands, 730 E. Sixth Ave. Violet Power, 3240 Richardson Road, Richland.

The Chicken Shack, 3320 W. Kennewick Ave. John B. Kay Jr., PCA, LLC, 2707 W. 40th Ave. Clean & Tidy Services LLC, 904 W. 23rd Place.

Rocco’s Pizza, 7911 W. Grandridge Blvd.

Rattlesnake Mountain Harley, 3305 W. 19th Ave. Richelle Davis, Realtor/broker, 8200 W. Grandridge Blvd.

Graybeal Group Inc., 4206 W. 24th Ave. JRG Global Solutions LLC, 13 W. Third Ave. Mooers Family Farm LLC, 23133 W. Orcutt Road, Benton City.

Kelly Elliott Counseling & Consulting, 8378 W. Grandridge Blvd.

Dotted Line Notary Services, 4803 S. Washington Place.

Voe Auto Sales LLC, 228 N. Benton St, Zanna LLC, 4110 S. Irby St. Tri-Town Automotive and Customizations, 1901 W. Fourth Place.

Musser Maintenance LLC, 1752 Buckskin Lane, Richland.

Couples and Sex Therapy of PNW LLC, 3800 W. 40th Place.

Big Rods Guide Service, 601 S. Young Place.

Start Fresh Cleaning Services, 1323 S. Washington St. White Silo Properties LLC, 6855 W. Clearwater Ave. Cush-Africa Halal Food, 126 Vista Way. Tri-City Treasures, 2913 W. Kennewick Ave. Van Slycke Logistics, 424 E. Third Ave. Welsh Commissioning Group, 4508 Auburn Way N., Auburn.

Gravity Consulting & Training LLC, 8826 W. First Ave. Cleaning Services, 1026 W. 10th Ave. Laquita’s Honest Help, 421 N. Quay St. Lotus Financial Services LLC, 309 S. Morain St. Space Express LLC, 4302 W. Hood Ave. His and Hers, 1321 N. Columbia Center Blvd.

Tid Inc., 870 Robinson Drive, North Salt Lake, Utah.

I3-imagesoft, 25900 W. 11 Mile Road, Southfield, Michigan.

Veritiv Operating Company, 7016 A C Skinner Parkway, Jacksonville, Florida.

Utilities One Inc., 13 Branch St., Methuen,

$2,590 SOLD

$2,290

Inside front cover fullSOLD page

$1,950

Inside back cover fullSOLD page

$1,950

Full page

$1,350

Half $970 Island $750 Terrace $700

Dimensions

S. Fruitland St. All Green Lawn Care, 1005 S. Alder Loop.

VW Quality Roofing, LLC, 1215 E. Alder St., Walla Walla.

4b 509 LLP, 40708 S. Nine Canyon Road.

Elysian Estates Adult Family Home, 3174 W. Payette Ave. His Majesty Cleaning, 1114 W. 10th Ave. Wilkins, Michael, 2205 Butterfield Road, Yakima.

Benage, Kaitlyn Ashley, 3617 Plaza Way. We Be Detailing, 4106 W. 34th Ave. Spaer Contractors, 701 Catskill St., Richland.

Ace Carpentry Solutions, 6222 Rio Grande Lane, Pasco.

Dovetail Home Improvement LLC, 10906 Summit View Court.

Vam Masonry & Flooring LLC, 8316 Ballard Loop, West Richland.

JLB Construction, 2400 W. 19th Ave. Jungquist, Bryce, 10251 Ridgeline Drive.

Custom Care Mowing, 97702 162 PR SE. El Dorado General Construction, 153 Eldorado Drive, Pasco.

Pacific Fence LLC, 2809 S. Underwood St. Da Construction LLC, 1418 W. Sixth Ave. Paris & Co., 5905 W. 14th Court.

Columbia Plastering Inc., 4008 S. Jean St. Platinum Construction, 1520 W. Seventh Place.

Harte Brass, 3002 W. 46th Ave. Pump Junkie, 2922 S. Hartford Place.

Stillwater Insurance Company, 2720 S. Jean St. Holmes Consulting, 3922 S. Kellogg St. Basin Fabrication Maintenance and Repair LLC, 1338 W. Third Ave. LVL Health and Fitness LLC, 2010 W. 40th Ave. Hood Manor Apartments, 3131 W. Hood Ave. Reactor Services Inc., 8350 W. Grandridge Blvd.

Steven Castellano Enterprises, 1114 W 10th Ave. Crossfit Ataraxia, 8804 W. Victoria Ave. Southwest Answering Service Inc., 8121 W. Grandridge Blvd.

Quick Fix Auto, 1351 E. Third Ave. Uncle Buffalo LLC, 5031 W. Clearwater Ave. Anderson & Zentz Dental, 1310 N. Grant St. Story Brothers LLC, 301 N. Zillah St. Bliss Salon & Barber, 5215 W. Clearwater Ave. Stordahl, Christian, 5986 W. 37th Place.

Tigre Consulting LLC, 9008 W. Rio Grande Ave. Rrony and J Express LLC, 1511 W. 21st Ave. John Donovan Agency, 10251 Ridgeline Drive.

Pura Vida Health and Wellness Clinic, 910 S. Columbia Center Blvd.

Garza, Jantz, 401 N. Morain St. Lobos Tax, 505 S. Olympia St. Family First Dental, 7521 W. Deschutes Ave. Camila Beauty Cosmetics LLC, 821 S. Garfield St. Diamond Detailing, 4802 W. Metaline Ave. PNW Development & Consulting LLC, 1601 S. Washington St. JPH Collective LLC, 3218 S. Cascade St. Vendsenddiscounts, 2718 S. Jean St. Turping Construction LLC, 3309 S. Buntin St. Therapeutic Riding of Tri-cities (Trot), 104 E. 41st Place.

The Ponderosa Studios, 3925 W. Okanogan

B21

Advertising and payment deadline: Thursday, May 6, 2021 Space is limited. Call to reserve your ad today!

Focus magazine ads are in addition to normal, contracted advertising.

Rates, deadlines and publication date subject to change.

Sponsorships not guaranteed until paid in full.

Full Page 7.25”w x 10.25”h* *Safe guide for text and images: 0.25” from all sides. Crop marks at 7”w x 10”h Center spread 14”w x 10”h

3.95”w x 4.375”h Half 6”w x 4.375”h

Island

Terrace 1.85”w x 9”h

Preferred file format is a high-resolution PDF with embedded fonts. We also accept JPEG, TIFF and EPS files.

All files must be submitted in CMYK color and 300 dpi.

For more information, call 509-737-8778.

Tiffany ext. 2 or Chad ext. 1.

B22

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021

50 GUNNERS is a networking group of local, trusted industry leaders who provide outstanding services and quality products.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ROBERT BURGES Burges Carpet Care Services

burgescarpetcare.com (509) 295-2938 Carpet and upholstery cleaning.

ADDITIONAL MEMBERS Jennie Oldham Kennewick Flower Shop Dawn King Spectrum Reach Tom Stride Tritan Plumbing Tim Mether Kestrel Home Inspection Services Michael Thorn Cliff Thorn Construction

JUSTIN DODD Dayco Heating and Air

daycoheating.com (509) 820-0177 Heating and cooling installation and repair.

Jeff Sperline Sperline Raekes Law Tiffany Lundstrom Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business Cindy Sams AAA of Washington Stephanie Brooks Body Compass Massage

DAVID FRITCH The Kenmore Team

kenmoreteam.com (509) 438-6260 Commercial real estate.

Jim Carey Cruise Holidays Joe Klein McCurley Integrity Auto Dealerships Kim Palmer Perfection Tire Allyson Rawlings Rawlings Flooring America & Design

MIKE MILLER Miller Electrical

(509) 948-8402 Residential and commercial electric.

Elsie Leman The UPS Store (Pasco) Sandra Lopez Tri-City Dental Care Kristi Kesler Hot Solar Solutions Cris King 4 Kings Construction

MICHAEL MCKINNEY Riverside Collision

riversidecollision.com (509) 737-9121 Collision repair, dent repair and towing.

SANDRA LOPEZ Tri-City Dental Care

tricitydentalcarewa.com (509) 579-0759 General, cosmetic and general destistry.

Sandy Lang Olin Homes Jose Vasquez Swanky Lawn Care LLC Andrea Poulson RAZR Restoration Zane Lane Smooth Moves, LLC Tonya Callies Windermere Group One Frank Prior 1st Priority Detail George Hefter TCT Computer Solutions Tim Rosenthal Perfection Glass

50gunners.com

Dulce Suenos Boutique, 210605 E. 163 PR SE. Trainworks, 6700 W 15th Ave. Tacoma Panel of Consultants, 7808 Pacific Ave., Tacoma.

Ground Support Coffee Company, 9910 Gamay Drive, Pasco.

Underwood Apartments Inc., 214 N. Underwood St. Always Crystal Clean, 805 S. Hartford St. Cruz E. Artistry, 3311 W. Clearwater Ave. J Transmission, 214 E. Albany Ave. Teressa Arteaga, PT, Atomic Athletics Powered by Arteaga, 801 N. Fisher St. RKM Creations, 1876 W. 52nd Ave. Black Rock Store Operations, 2615 S. Vancouver St. AJ’s Auto Sales, 108 W. Columbia Drive.

Medic First Aid International Inc., 333 W. Canal Drive.

Suga Snobz, 1336 S. Washington St. Amazing Quilts and Supplies, 1805 S. Rainier Place.

Singh, Gurlal, 1600 S. Edison St. Villasenor-Moran, Elizabeth, 2017 W. Ninth Place.

Tru Accounting Services, 8350 W. Grandridge Blvd.

Ron Hicks Consulting, 10251 Ridgeline Drive.

Rad Roots Nursery, 3206 S. Dennis St. Thrive Virtual Academy, 6994 W. 31st Ave. Locked and Secured Tri-Cities, 1915 S. Garfield St. BKM Construction, 406 S. Louisiana St. Monique Angel, 5215 W. Clearwater Ave. Roy’s Transport, 3324 W. 19th Ave. Pennington, Alex, 3617 Plaza Way. Auto Spa, 5003 W. Clearwater Ave. Penney Opco, 1321 N. Columbia Center Blvd., #100.

Bit, 2218 W. 15th Ave. Putnam Family Properties, 5602 W. 20th Ave. Bunny Ranch Exotics, 623 S. Alder St. Rapid Renovations, 101 S. Washington St. Farmworkers Alliance, 207 N. Dennis St. Ricchezza Investments, 101 S. Washington St. La Ley, Exitos, La Raza, La Reyna, 207 N. Dennis St. Aurum Corner Trucking, 211507 E. Cochran Road.

Salutare Properties, 101 S. Washington St. Foresight Network Solutions, 5263 S. Kent St. Delicias Raspados, 3600 W. Clearwater Ave. Scarlett & Co. Design, 1127 N. Oklahoma St. Lagoy Transport, 505 S. Florida St. P & S Cleaning Services, 3407 W. Hood Ave. Leons Flooring Installers, 1026 W. 10th Ave. A&N Transport Express, 1804 W.10th Ave. Royal Cookware Pro, 7701 W. Fourth Ave. CES International, 10283 W. 18th Place.

His and Hers, 19 S. Cascade St. The Inspection Guy, 3121 W. Hood Ave. Luminous Skin Aesthetics, 3311 W. Clearwater Ave. Grace Esthetics Studio, 3311 W. Clearwater Ave. Koglin, Timothy, W., 1020 N. Center Parkway.

Orr & Associates, 5900 W. 25th Ave. Oliver, Corlea Brenn, 2329 W. 22nd Ave.

PASCO Equipmentshare.com Inc., 1125 E. Spokane St. Pro Made Construction LLC, 7909 Waxwing Drive.

Columbia River Funerals, 224 S. 24th Ave. AFG Express LLC, 4405 Des Moines Lane.

C & J Coleman Properties LLC, 3205 Syrah Drive.

D&R Perez Trucking LLC, 925 N. Elm Ave., #114.

Barberia Hernandez, 1424 N. 14th Ave. West Coast Dispatchers LLC, 5601 Hartford Drive.

Saa Investments, 9803 Nottingham Drive.

CSC Innovative Solutions LLC, 8506 W. Bell St. Meticulous Custom Carpentry, 3918 Charleston Lane.

Adilene Herrera, 506 W. Clark St. M&Z Trucking LLC, 607 Fiesta Ct. Olga’s Barber and Beauty Salon, 506 W Clark St. Car Doctor Auto Repair LLC, 821 S. 13th Lane.

M&M Mechanical LLC, 1121 W. Nixon St. Yiyi Child Daycare Services, 610 W. Sho-

shone St. Heavenbug, 6212 Road 68, #04C. Glam Doll Boutique, 343 S. Owen Ave., Apt. 343.

El Antojito Mexicano Restaurant, 1915 W. Court St. Lynsie Vandinter Photography, 9411 Shire Drive.

Fishunt Co., 8910 Landon Court.

Tri-Cities Animal Shelter & Control, 1312 S. 18th Ave. Bombshellz LLC, 8425 Chapel Hill Blvd.

Vonbon Daycare, 413 S. Hugo Ave. Accounting & Business Solutions LLC, 5300 W. Sylvester St. Frederickson Construction LLC, 4341 NW Commons Drive.

Karla’s Snacks, 524 W. Lewis St. Beauty and Style Salong LLC, 1424 N. 14th Ave. Remodels Plus Construction LLC, 1507 Mcpherson Ave., Richland.

Shane’s Mobile Mechanics LLC, 3205 N. Commercial Ave. Home Town Rebuilders LLC, 12464 W. Coyote Lane, Post Falls, Idaho.

Clickit RR Tri-Cities, 3203 W. Marie St. The Tiki Pirate LLC, 8708 W. Livingston Road.

Self-Help Services, 2735 W. Court St., A. VW Quality Roofing LLC, 1215 E. Alder St., Walla Walla.

Self-Help Services, 478 Second St. SE, East Wenatchee.

True Retail, 4406 Vermilion Lane.

Sagewood Lanscape Design, 7803 Wrigley Drive.

Sparky’s Quality Construction, 5404 Coolidge Ct. Open4bismuth, 5324 Oriole Lane.

Dj Silver Entertainment LLC, 4319 Desert Plateau Drive.

Bruce R Buchanan - Lyft, 1606 Sicily Lane, Richland.

Electromech Industrial Services, 73 Riverview Drive, Cochrane, Albert Canada.

Ja Northwest Painting LLC, 6025 Basalt Falls Drive.

Ipitimi Inc., 8156 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Ste. 740, Littleton, Colorado.

Bruce R Buchanan - Lyft, 1606 Sicily Lane, Richland.

Rose Laurel Abigail, 5242 Outlet Drive.

Graber Consulting, 1218 Potter Ave., Richland.

Himalayas AFH, 1 5614 Rio Grande Lane.

Eddie’s W Fresh Shrimp LLC, 5502 Hayes Lane.

Fromm Here 2 There LLC, 3821 W. Octave St. Fuel Up Cafe Inc., 4845 Broadmoor Blvd., #5 Miguel’s Trucking LLC, 6005 Maryhill Lane.

Wilson Orchard and Vineyard Supply LLC, 2212 N. Commercial Ave. J & M Holistic Home Goods and Remedies, 3717 Bismarck Lane.

Despacho Contable Rios, 8704 Packard Drive.

Charter Plus Services, 3713 W. Sylvester St. Dove Perfect Cleaning, 2507 E. Alvina St. Cortes Yeimy Sanchez, 118 N. Fourth Ave. Rosie’s Hair Salon, 1005 W. Lewis St., #1001.

Castillo Interiors LLC, 5515 Robert Wayne Drive.

A.G.S. Counseling Services PLLC, 14 Jasmine Lane.

Northern Charm Boutique, 5902 Middle Fork St. El Menchito Mix, 110 S. Fourth Ave. Real Estate by Dina Camacho, 1541 N. 15th Ave. All Green Lawn Care, 1005 S Alder Loop.

Foenem LLC, 703 S. Hugo Ave Lilac Lawns Inc., 12411 E. Gibbs Road Ste. 439 Mica, Washington.

Lxe Fashion, 6221 Sidon Lane.

Big Mapel Properties LLC, 104 N. Fourth Ave., #10.

C4i Solutions LLC, 4012 Providence Lane.

Juana Soto Panduro, 325 W. Lewis St. Tap That Beverage LLC, 6314 Thistledown Drive.

G&G Quality Construction LLC, 3308 W. Hood Ave., Kennewick.

Thompson Design and Graphics, 3706 Cook Lane.

Americas Best Roofing LLP, 5903 Taft Drive.

Emik Construction LLC, 5616 Westminster

uPUBLIC RECORD, Page B23

TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021 Lane.

Beauty Star, 1212 N. 20th Ave. Kelly’s Creative Design, 8618 La Salle Drive.

Center for Financial Literacy, 1917 W. A St. Curiosidades El Colibri, 514 W. Clark St. AF Creative, 5914 Road 90.

Mari’s Cleaning Business, 8 W. A St. Robinson Law LLC, 821 Road 56.

Oday S Ali - via, 2007 W. 26th Ave., Kennewick.

John C. Perry - via, 137235 E. Christensen Road, Kennewick.

Alan Trucking, 8203 Orcas Drive.

Creation Home Services LLC, 5102 Sinai Drive.

Suarez Auto Detail, 1712 W. Bonneville St. A. Nicholas Thai, 408 Road 36.

Conquer Meals LLC, 2532 N. Fourth Ave.

WEST RICHLAND Agile LLC (Distributing Defense), 3114 S. Everett Place, Kennewick.

Growing Forward Services LLC, 5602 Mulberry Drive.

Testcomm LLC, 2211 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane.

The Flooring Store LLC, 6250 W. Clearwater Ave., Bldg. B, Kennewick.

Remedy Urgent Mobile Medicine, 3311 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick.

Whole Industries, 871 Pikes Peak Drive.

Agape Realty LLC, 4004 Jenny Lake Court.

Gema Harper Interpreting LLC, 4811 Holly Way. Vamows Lawncare & Maintenance, 264 S. 39th Ave. Lilcocoa Market, 4711 N. Dallas Road.

Two Pines NW, Two Pines Creations, 4501 Mallet St. Haynes Homes, 2916 Bluet Drive.

Pyrobros Discount Fireworks, 6013 Elizabeth Ave. SE, Auburn.

Black Rock Store Operations LLC, P.O. Box 1645, Bend, Oregon.

Michael D. Maxfield, DDS, PLLC, 4476 W. Van Giesen St. Wesley K. Karlson, DMD, PLLC, 4476 W. Van Giesen St. Sagrado Salon and Skin, 4033 W. Van Giesen St. Ariel Gourmet & Gifts, 617 The Parkway, Richland.

Perfection Lawn Care, 1201 Willard Ave., Richland.

Pillar Contracting LLC, 3019 Duportail St., Richland.

Jr Lawn Care, 1453 Carson St., Richland.

Stratum Concrete LLC, 412 N. Ninth Ave., Pasco.

All Green Lawn Care, 1005 S. Alder Loop., Kennewick.

Tri-Cities General Construction, 1731 N. 18th Drive, Pasco.

Mojica Construction, 223 S. Etiwanda Court, Kennewick.

Shadow Mtn Septic and Plumbing, P.O. Box 610, Benton City.

Musser Maintenance LLC, 17640 S. Fairview Loop, Kennewick.

DRD Exteriors LLC, 2021 Mahan Ave., Richland.

Bonafide Landscaping, 1830 Terminal Drive, Richland.

Tri-Cities Concrete Pumping, 6415 Whetstone Drive, Pasco.

UAC Flooring & Carpeting LLC, 1215 S. 13th Ave., Pasco.

Quality Roofing, 331 E. 27th Ave., Kennewick.

KBG Mansonry LLC, 1111 N Beech Ave., Pasco.

Eden’s Lawn Care, 732 W. Leola St., Pasco.

M&R Quality Cleaning Services LLC, 218812 E. 59th Ave., Kennewick.

South by Northwest Education Services, LLC, 6216 Shale St. Nana’s House Cleaning LLC, 9315 Chapel Hill Blvd., Pasco.

W. Jason Madsen, DDS, PLLC, 4476 W. Van Giesen St. Utilities One Inc., 13 Branch St., Methuen, Massachusetts.

Jordan Mechanical Group, 1606 S. Roosevelt Place, Kennewick.

Superior Custom Concrete, 5620 W. Wernett Road, Pasco.

Virtual Reality Construction LLC, 12104 Rock Creek Drive, Pasco.

West Coast Development LLC, 412 Sanlyn

Court, Benton City.

Timeless Homes LLC, P.O. Box 5358.

Harris Plumbing LLC, 8310 W. Bruneau Place, Kennewick.

The Ark Carpentry LLC, 2716 Torrey Pines Way, Richland.

Concrete Elite, 1314 Stevens Drive, Richland.

Dove Perfect Cleaning, 2507 E. Alvina St., Pasco.

Paragon Remodeling, 1233 Carson St., Richland.

BMI Const. LLC, 1248 Riesling St., Richland.

Alpha Renovations, 1212 W. Ainsworth Ave., Pasco.

G&G Quality Construction LLC, P.O. Box 5115, Pasco.

Bautista’s Lawn Care LLC, 2533 Banyon St., Richland.

Rangel Lawn Care LLC, 1425 Riche Court, Richland.

uLIQUOR LICENSES BENTON COUNTY NEW APPLICATIONS The Chicken Shack, 3320 W. Kennewick Ave. License type: direct shipment receiver-in WA only; beer/wine restaurant-beer/wine w/ taproom; off premises. Application type: new.

GR Distillery, 16304 N. Dallas Road, Richland. License type: off-site spirits tasting room. Application type: new.

MOD Pizza, 1659 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Kennewick. License type: direct shipment receiver-in WA only; beer/wine restaurant-beer/ wine; off premises. Application type: new.

Miranda’s Meat Market, 1009 Dale Ave., Suite C, Benton City. License type: grocery store – beer/wine. Application type: assumption.

Hedges Family Estate, 53511 N. Sunset Road PR NE, Benton City. License type: domestic winery >249,000 liters. Application type: added/change of class/in lieu.

Pacific Pasta & Grill Restaurant & Catering, 603 Goethals Drive, Richland. License type: beer/wine restaurant – beer/wine. Application type: new.

Ara Sushi & Grill, 430 George Washington Way, Suite 201, Richland. License type: beer/ wine restaurant – beer/wine. Application type: new.

Col Solare Winery, 50204 Antinori Road, Benton City. License type: domestic winery > 249,999 liters. Application type: change of corporate officer.

DISCONTINUED Pacific Pasta & Grill Restaurant & Catering, 7911 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick.

License type: beer/wine restaurant-beer/wine.

Application type: discontinued.

FRANKLIN COUNTY NEW APPLICATIONS La Cantina, 2735 W. Court St., Suite D, Pasco. License type: direct shipment receiver-in WA only; spirits/beer/wine restaurant, lounge+. Application type: new.

APPROVED Rice and Noodles, 3315 W. Court St., Pasco.

License type: beer/wine restaurant – beer/ wine. Application type: new.

Las Lupitas, 720 W. Lewis St., Pasco.

License type: beer/wine restaurant – beer. Application type: new.

El Aguila Restaurant, 939 S. 10th Ave., Pasco. License type: beer/wine restaurant – beer. Application type: new.

APPROVED

DISCONTINUED

Kolibri Winery, 520 Wautoma Road, Sunnyside. License type: domestic winery <250,000 liters. Application type: change of corporate officer.

Rice and Noodles, 3315 W. Court St., Pasco.

License type: beer/wine restaurant – beer/ wine. Application type: discontinued.

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uMARIJUANA LICENSES BENTON COUNTY NEW APPLICATIONS Sog LLC, 15505 N. Webber Canyon Road, Suite 3, Benton City. License type: marijuana producer tier 3; marijuana processor. Application type: change of location.

APPROVED The Cannasseur Reserve, 15505 N. Webber Canyon Road, Suite H, Benton City. License type: marijuana producer tier 3. Application type: assumption.

Five Leaves, 234805 E. Straightbank Road, Suite B, Kennewick. License type: marijuana producer tier 3. Application type: change of corporate officers.

Inland Desert Concentrates, 65710 N. Hysler Road, Suite A, Benton City. License type: marijuana processor. Application type: change of corporate officers.

uBUSINESS UPDATES MOVED Chervenell Construction has moved to 107422 E. Detrick PR SE, Kennewick. Contact: 509-735-3377; chervenell.com.

NAME CHANGE Richland Cash & Carry Smart Foodservice store is now US Foods CHEF’STORE at 1939 Fowler St, Richland. Contact: 509374-3905; chefstore.com/locations/store/ richland-575.

CLOSED D&D Rents at 1221 Columbia Park Trail in Richland has closed.

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TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS | MARCH 2021