SPOKANE, Wash. — Councilman Jonathan Bingle hosted a press conference on Monday, September 9 outside Zona Blanca to address theft and vandalism in the area.
The press conference came days after Chef Chad White announced the restaurant will close their doors permanently.
In a Facebook post, Bingle said, “Theft? Vandalism? Our businesses deserve better.”
On September 6, Chef Chad White cited increasing crime, visible drug use and damage to public and private property in downtown Spokane as reasons for closing Zona Blanca.
White said after speaking with his wife and deep introspection, they decided the best thing for their family's health and well-being is to close the restaurant.
At the press conference, Bingle proposed solutions such as prioritizing police resources to high crime areas, adopting a repeat offender policy, cracking down on open drug use and working to enforce Proposition One, which prohibits people from camping on public property.
"When a business suffers it's not just numbers on a ledger, it is someone's livelihood," said Bingle. "It's someone's passion and their vision for this community's future."
Bingle said at the press conference that the Spokane Police Department has made 2,307 arrests in the last 8 months in the downtown Spokane precinct.
White said the restaurant has raised over $150,000 for local non-profits, along with hosting private dinners to support various causes.
"Zona Blanca has been more than just a restaurant; it has been a vibrant part of Spokane's culinary scene, a place where innovation thrived, and a community gathered.=," White wrote in the Facebook post. "We've been honored to receive numerous accolades over the years—recognition that speaks not only to our team's dedication but also to the support and love we've felt from this amazing city. From the Innovator Award by the WHA to being a two-time James Beard Awards Semi-Finalist, and everything in between, these honors are a testament to what we built together."
White said doors will remain open until they run out of ingredients.
"Closing the restaurant doesn’t immediately ease the financial challenges we’ve faced," White wrote. "I’m committed to doing everything I can to make sure that everyone—our team, our partners, and our community—are taken care of as best as possible. If you’re in need of a private chef, catering services, or you're interested in group cooking or cocktail classes, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly at chad@chef-cw.com. I’m eager to continue serving Spokane in new ways and to share my passion for food and hospitality with all of you."
The Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP), a non-profit membership organization that seeks to advocate for business owners in the downtown area, also released statements on Monday from several other business owners calling for action to be taken to improve safety downtown.
“Great downtowns define great cities, and everyone has a fundamental right to feel and be safe in Spokane,” said Emilie Cameron, President and CEO of DSP. “When businesses are willing to come forward to share concerns, this sends a signal that we need a significant shift in safety and the way people feel about downtown. We need solutions that intentionally and immediately prioritize the vitality of downtown.”