At Home With Coldwell Banker Tomlinson - February 2024

THE TABLE IS SET

REALTORS EMBRACE SPOKANE AS A CREATIVE, RESILIENT AND STUBBORNLY LOCAL TOP FOOD DESTINATION.

COURTESY OF THE INLANDER

It’sbeen over a decade since the first Inlander Restaurant Week. What started as a group of 53 restaurants offering two fixed price menus ($18 and $28)has, over the years, more than doubled in size and effort: 125 restaurants offering three-course dinners at three fixed prices ($25, $35 and $45).

In those 10 years, six local chefs have been considered for James Beard awards. Realtors advertised Spokane as a top new food destination, and demographics in Eastern Washington and North Idaho continued to shift. Yet minimum wage in Washington is increasing, experienced labor is getting more scarce, and the hospitality sector and its supply chains are still reeling from the worst threat to indoor dining in recent history.

A lot has changed since those $18 meals in 2013. But while the Inland Northwest emerges as a creative and resilient scene on the national level, it fights to remain stubbornly local. Competing chefs are also comrades. Industry workers take care of one another. And many community members focus on giving their support to independent restaurants instead of national franchises. It’s the support that independent creatives desperately need.

In 1956, the Lehnertz brothers left Texas, headed north and opened a barbecue joint in Spokane. Almost 70 years later, Erin Everhart is an operator and owner of not one but two Longhorn BBQ locations, in Airway Heights and Spokane Valley. Although owners changed and decades went, the spirit of the business stayed the same.

“Once you become part of a community, the community takes care of you,” Everhart says.

Almost 900 restaurants operate in Spokane County, with over 540 in downtown Spokane alone. Many are independently owned and operated by people who are dedicated to their home. Mike Alverson, owner of Remedy Kitchen and Tavern on the South Hill, lives just down the street from his business.

“We’re all part of the fabric of this community,” Alverson says. “We go to the restaurants, we go to the bars, we’re friends with everybody.”

Although the regional food industry employs about 19,000 people, insiders and outsiders alike note how close the camaraderie is.

“Spokane has almost this unique thing that almost no other industry has, which is this sense of community among the operators,” says Anthony Anton, president of the Washington

Hospitality Association.

“If two operators [were] across the street in Spokane and one of them got shorted lunch rolls, the one across the street would instantly say, ‘Here, take mine.’ It's just this really cool sense of, ‘We’re in this together.’”

That communal support has helped independent restaurateurs survive in a risky industry. It also takes plenty of local people prioritizing local business to allow the sector to survive. Despite unprecedented challenges in the last 10 years, Spokane County added about 80 restaurants that are still operating today, almost a 10% increase from 2014.

“It’s always sad to see long-standing restaurants go away,” Everhart says. “But at the same time, I think [Spokane] is becoming somewhat of a foodie town, and I think the community supports restaurants in the area, especially locally owned and operated.”

Not that any restaurant owner is sitting in the lap of luxury. According to Anton, the average yearly revenue of a Spokane restaurant is $1.2 million. If an owner is taking home a 3% to 4% profit, which is the national average, that’s a salary of less than $50,000 a year. But Everhart and Alverson say that higher labor costs make profit margins in Washington even slimmer. Alveron and his wife live only off tips from hosting and bartending themselves, plus a part-time social media job.

“My wife and I work here six days a week, and we have never once taken a paycheck,” Alverson at Remedy says. “My main goal is to keep our employees employed.”

Restaurants are all Krista Spencer French has ever known. She operated her first restaurant as a senior in high school. It was a local burger joint in a small town, but still.

French is now a sommelier and co-owner of Stylus Wine & Vinyl Bar in Coeur d’Alene. It’s a new experience for North Idaho, and not everyone understands it at first. But she and her husband, Robby, hope that with education and exposure, their home can grow into a community that embraces change.

“We’re pushing the limits a little bit,” she says. “We’re really trying to build this wine culture here — just continuing to show the other parts of the country that we can make good food and give great service and we have standards, too. We’re not just a little tiny town, and we actually are putting thought and effort into creating a finer dining scene.”

Stylus is participating in Inlander Restaurant Week for the first time this year. Its owners hope to connect with more people who have similar visions for the restaurant scene in the Inland Northwest — connected to its roots, but receptive to new ideas.

Curb Appeal: A Fresh Facade Makes a Statement

Maybe your perfect house was “new” a few years ago and it’s time for a refresh, or perhaps you’re just ready to mix things up a bit. Whatever your motivation for a mini home makeover, it’s always smart to begin by focusing on the facade. Go beyond a fancy mailbox or a seasonal wreath and check out these signature upgrades for considerable curb appeal.

It’s the Little Things

Maintaining the strongest and most attractive qualities of your home should be a priority. So before making any major alterations, take a good look at your front yard, walkway and facade, and figure out what could use some reimagination. Are the doorknobs losing their sheen? Could your off-white front door use a boldly hued coat of paint? And there’s no need to stop there – adding a graphic rug, piece of cozy porch furniture or tasteful planters are simple yet surprisingly effective ways to alter the front yard vibe.

Add a Splash of Color

Speaking of greenery, a quick online search

of gorgeous home exteriors almost always includes those with pert and perfect plant life. Dressing your home with its own corsage is a simple and often lasting way to beautify it. You don’t need a botanical wonderland like the gardening enthusiast down the street, but manicured landscaping can make all the difference. Spruce things up by planting shrubs and perennials instead of annuals and zone-picky florals. Select bushes that will fill empty spaces, trees that will accent your home’s peaks and native flowers that will add a dash of pizazz.

It’ll Be Worth It

Now for the big stuff. Even if you ignore all the above and prefer a more minimalist landscape design, maintaining a clean, presentable front is of utmost importance and ensures your home will always be a welcome sight. If you’re short on time, consider hiring a landscaper for routine lawn and yard maintenance. You can also make the exterior more enticing by pressure-washing the driveway, front walk and patio, using either a professional service or

buying or renting a power washer. Your brick, wood or stone will thank you.

Let It Shine

Why not highlight your home’s new style with landscape lighting? Check your local home improvement store for street posts, mountable lamps, and garden or walkway lights. While abundant lighting is the natural answer to nighttime, don’t overdo it –you don’t want to rival your hometown stadium, do you? Depending on the size, prices range from $10 per item and up, so do your research to find a great outdoor lighting business near you, or get into the DIY mood to set up your home for a show at dusk.

Making small updates and investments will ensure your home looks, feels and is well taken care of. Go ahead and use these tips, and if you continue to challenge yourself to improve your home’s first excellent impression, your neighbors may feel challenged to match it!

NOTES

These Irish Soda Scones pack the hallmarks of St. Patrick's Day favorites—loads of currants and caraway seeds—into a single serving with a light, fluffy texture. Just mix, scoop, bake, and enjoy with a spot of tea.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

Irish Soda Scones

Yields 8

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• ¼ teaspoon baking soda

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 stick cold unsalted butter

INSTRUCTIONS

• ½ cup dried currants

• 2 teaspoons caraway seeds

• 1 cup cold buttermilk

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 2 tablespoons whole milk

• ¼ teaspoon grated orange zest

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, granulated sugar, and salt.

2. Cut butter into small pieces; work into flour mixture with your fingers or a pastry cutter until dough resembles coarse meal. Add currants, caraway seeds, and buttermilk; stir until just combined.

3. Scoop 1/3 cup-size mounds of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced 3 inches apart. Bake until bottoms are golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely on sheet.

4. Meanwhile, combine powdered sugar, milk, and orange zest. Drizzle over scones; serve.

HOME TRENDS: HOW TO ACHIEVE A CLUTTER-FREE HOME

As we usher in the new year, many of us embark on a quest for a fresh start, aiming to declutter our lives and homes. Achieving a clutter-free home not only fosters a sense of calm and organization but also enhances productivity and overall well-being. Here are some effective strategies to help you kickstart your journey towards a clutter-free haven in the new year.

Firstly, start small but think big. Begin by tackling one area or room at a time, whether it's a cluttered closet, overflowing pantry, or chaotic home office. Breaking the task into manageable chunks makes it less daunting and more achievable.

Next, adopt the "one in, one out" rule. For every new item brought into your home, whether it's a piece of clothing, kitchen gadget, or decorative item, consider parting ways with something you no longer

use or need. This simple practice prevents clutter from accumulating over time.

Additionally, embrace the power of organization. Invest in storage solutions such as bins, baskets, shelves, and drawer dividers to neatly store belongings and maximize space utilization. Labeling containers and designating specific areas for different categories of items further streamlines the organization process.

Moreover, practice regular purging sessions. Set aside time periodically to assess your belongings and ruthlessly edit out items that no longer serve a purpose or bring you joy. Donate, recycle, or sell items in good condition to clear space and minimize clutter.

Finally, cultivate a mindful consumption habit. Before making impulse purchases, pause and reflect on whether the item aligns with your needs and adds value to your life. Opt for quality over quantity and prioritize experiences over possessions.

By implementing these strategies and cultivating mindful habits, you can create a clutter-free home that fosters a sense of tranquility, balance, and harmony in the new year and beyond.

Market Insights

In January 2024, the real estate dynamics in Spokane, Washington, and Kootenai County, Idaho, displayed notable trends.

Spokane reported a robust market with an average selling price of $420,739, marking a 4.6% increase over January 2023. The current listing inventory surged by 19.4%, reaching 703 giving eager buyers more options. Closed sales fell by 20.2%, totaling 245 for the month. Interest rates remained stable at just over 6% for the second consecutive month, fostering increased buyer activity amidst a milder winter. Pending sales indicate a potential upswing in closed sales for February and March. Spokane continues to be a sellers' market, with median days on the market dropping to 20.

In contrast, Kootenai County experienced a dip in average sales price by 10.5%, amounting to $597,926, and an inventory increase of 16.6% to 850. Closed sales in January for the county were 149, reflecting a 2.3% increase over the previous year.

Prospective buyers are encouraged to consult with their Coldwell Banker Tomlinson agent to explore bargains in both markets, capitalizing on mild weather and falling interest rates. With an early arrival of spring weather, the first quarter of 2024 promises robust sales and increasing prices.