SPOKANE, Wash. — Many Spokane-area businesses have adapted to coronavirus restrictions since March, while others have announced that they will close permanently due to the pandemic's impact.
Here is a list of Spokane businesses so far that are shutting their doors for good. It was last updated on Jan. 1, 2021.
Please email newsdesk@krem.com to add a business to this list.
The Lantern Taphouse
On Jan. 1, 2021, The Lantern Taphouse in Spokane's Perry District announced that it would close permanently in part due to the "uncertainty of the restaurant industry."
The restaurant's Facebook post is as follows:
"After much thought and soul searching, we have decided to close the Lantern permanently. This was not a easy decision, but we have decided with the continued uncertainty of the restaurant industry it is the best choice for our family.
I have struggled to put all the memories, feelings, friendships, and love we experienced into words.I am so thankful for all the years of community, tears, love, and so many laughs.
Most who know us personally know this has been in motion since last year and Covid just help cement a difficult decision.
So here is a final thank you to the neighborhood, loyal customers, employees, and friends. We were blessed to be a part of such a great community. Best wishes and love for the future."
Central Food
On Facebook on Dec. 28, the restaurant announced it would not be reopening because the owner decided it was time for him to do new things. He said the decision was not due to the effects of COVID-19.
"For the last ten years Central Food has been my life," Owner David Blaine wrote. "I am proud of what was accomplished. I am grateful for the people who I worked with, the vendors who were our partners and I will always think fondly of the many, many customers who became friends. The restaurant’s success was because of you all and I never lost the sense of awe and the humble appreciation at what was achieved.
"The Kendall Yards community was a particularly wonderful, supportive group. From the neighborhood management, to the fellow business owners, the residents (and their dogs!); I felt supported from our first day working on this project in 2010 all the way to today.
"I have been part of the Spokane restaurant community for over 30 years and I know better than anyone the incredible efforts that have been made in building a food system that benefits the producers, the workers, and the customers. I look forward to doing what I can to be part of future progress.
"Thank you Spokane. It is a sad day today but I hope we can all smile when we think of our Central Food memories."
Wandering Table
The Wandering Table in Kendall Yards is closing permanently after Jan. 9, according to Eat Good Group General Manager Paul D'Orazi.
"It's just a shame that we're shut down and there's nothing else we can do," he said. "It does not translate well to-go meals and it does not translate well to half capacity."
The Wandering Table is part of the Eat Good Group, owned by Adam Hegsted who also owns several other restaurants around Spokane. Incrediburger & Eggs, Gilded Unicorn, Republic Kitchen and Taphouse, Honey, Doughlicious Bakery, and The Yards Bruncheon are some of Hegsted's other restaurants.
"It was really rough on us. We had to really adapt and go," D'Orazi added.
Hegsted is currently on vacation, but he elaborated in an Instagram post that The Wandering Table is a difficult restaurant to run.
"Well, we had a good run and we’ve had some amazing memories that will live on. With losing 65% of our revenue this year on top of being a tough restaurant to run, we’ve decided to end this chapter while we were still putting out great food and hospitality," Hegsted wrote.
This is not the end for the Eat Good Group or the restaurant in Kendall Yards.
"We would like to rebrand and Chef Adam is coming up with some menu ideas and stuff right now with some different concepts that will be more unique and more casual," he said. "We want to get away from fine dining and move into more of a casual atmosphere."
Players & Spectators in Spokane Valley
Players & Spectators II in Spokane Valley announced on social media that it would close permanently following Gov. Jay Inslee's latest round of coronavirus restrictions that took effect on Monday, Nov. 16.
The event center was host to 24 bowling lanes, pool tables, a full-service restaurant and bar, private party rooms, a video arcade and a casino.
"We would like to thank everyone that has continued to support us during these crazy times," a Facebook post from Players and Spectators reads. "Unfortunately, due to the Governor's newest mandates, we are forced to close our doors again, however this time - permanently. Thank you for the many fun years Spokane!"
Mackenzie River Pizza, Grill & Pub
The pub in north Spokane will not be reopening.
"It is with a heavy heart that we bring you this news. Our MacKenzie River location in North Spokane will not be re-opening after the temporary closure due to COVID-19," the restaurant posted on its Facebook page.
Owners encouraged customers to visit the location that's still open on the South Hill.
River Rock Taphouse
River Rock Taphouse, a restaurant in downtown Spokane, announced that it will be closing for good.
"We regret to inform you that we are closing River Rock Taphouse. The decision to close was extremely difficult to make. Denise and I, and our staff, worked very hard to make River Rock a success. Various factors played a part in our decision, including the extended closure due to COVID-19," owner Mike Magree wrote on Facebook.
The owners wished everyone good health and wellness in these trying times.
Cheap Shots
Cheap Shots, a live music venue in Spokane Valley, will not reopen its doors once restrictions are lifted
"Luckily Covid did not claim the life of anyone we know but unfortunately it did kill the business. We just cannot survive being shut down for over 2 months now and no actual timeline to be able to fully reopen," the business wrote on Facebook. "We sincerely wish there was another alternative but at this time there is not."
Owners also expressed their gratitude for those who frequented the venue.
Sapphire Lounge
The Sapphire Lounge in downtown Spokane announced on Thursday that it will be closing its doors for good.
In a release sent out Thursday night, Bar Manager and Head Bartender Travis Lawrence said that "as we embark on a journey of social distancing during this pandemic, it has become increasingly apparent that the future of the bar and lounge is in peril."
Party Palace
Party Palace in Spokane will close for good once all of the store's inventory is sold.
The Duncan family, who has owned the store for more than three decades, says they were hoping to hang on longer but the business shutdowns related to a statewide stay-at-home order were the "cherry on top to close us for good."
Party Palace is offering curbside pickup during the shutdown. It is easiest to contact the business from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.
Tomato Street in River Park Square
Tomato Street said it will permanently close its downtown location to focus on its restaurant in North Spokane.
According to owner Dean Haynes, the decision comes due to the "uncertainties in the future due to the COVID-19 virus." The restaurant was located in the River Park Square mall.
The North Spokane location will remain open along with the Coeur d'Alene restaurant, Haynes said.
Haynes' full statement reads:
"With all the uncertainties in the future due to the COVID-19 virus, we have, with much thought, decided to permanently close our River Park Square Tomato Street Restaurant and to focus our attention on our North Division Tomato Street. Many thanks to everyone who has supported our family at our downtown location. We will certainly miss you, but do look forward to seeing you up North. Likewise, our partner store in Coeur d'Alene is alive and well."
Paint and Pints
Amber Juliano, the former owner of Paint and Pints in downtown Spokane, emailed KREM to say that the business is permanently closing.
The business provided customers with a place to sip on local micro-brews or wines while painting.
Rocky Rococo Pizza
Rocky Rococo Pizza, located downtown on Main Street, is closed after 35 years in business.
The location temporarily closed in early April as Washington state's stay-home order shuttered restaurants and other businesses.
Franchise owner Lee Gibbon said in the statement that the "challenges of operating a businesses are never ending," but did not provide an additional explanation for the sudden closure.
Kootenai Heart Clinics closes Spokane locations
Kootenai Heart Clinics closed its Spokane locations by August 31.
It will be maintaining services in Idaho in a move to reduce significant operational losses at its Spokane locations. The closure will affect all three cardiology offices in Spokane and outreach offices in Washington.
“This was a difficult decision,” said Jon Ness, CEO of Kootenai Health, which has owned Kootenai Heart Clinics since 2012. “Kootenai Heart Clinics is one of the largest and most respected cardiology practices in the Northwest due to its outstanding cardiologists and exceptional staff. Given our current practice model, however, we were unable to overcome the financial challenges. I fully anticipate these providers will continue to practice in the community under a different business model.”
Patients of any physicians affected by the move will be able to transition their care to their physician’s new practice or to a different physician accepting new patients. Patients receiving care at any of the Idaho locations will be unaffected by the change.