Brewery plans to open in Columbia Gardens

A Benton County brewery known for its panoramic views of Badger Mountain and the Tri-Cities has made plans to open near the waterfront at Port of Kennewick’s Columbia Gardens Wine & Artisan Village.

Port commissioners unanimously approved on Oct. 28 a five-year lease, which is about $1,400 a month, with planned annual increases. It began Nov. 1.

Wheat Head Brewing Company, which opened its doors at 92308 E. Locust Grove Road, Kennewick, at the end of 2023, is planning a new venture: Wheat Head on the Water. It will offer views of Duffy’s Pond from its deck.

A sister brand to Wheat Head Brewing Company, Wheat Head on the Water plans to set up shop at 313 E. Columbia Drive, Suite 120, Kennewick, alongside Bartholomew, Monarcha/Palencia and Gordon Estate wineries, Swampy’s BBQ restaurant, and a number of food trucks. 

Wheat Head on the Water will be open to adults only from noon to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, according to Wheat Head’s website. 

Wheat Head on the Water also has launched its own Facebook page.

Benton County offers online property tax transparency tool

Wondering how much you’re paying in property tax levies or what the impact will be from proposed levies on election ballots? Benton County has a tool for that.

The Benton County Assessor’s office has launched a new tax transparency tool as part of upgrades to its property records website, according to a release. 

Using the tool, taxpayers can view their property information, see the levies currently in place and compare them to proposed levies to estimate their potential tax liability if the proposed measures are approved by voters. 

“The tax transparency tool reinforces the county’s commitment to offering easy and convenient ways for the public to access property and tax information,” the county said in a statement. “The upgrade ensures that residents have the information they need to make informed decisions at the ballot box.”

The tax transparency tool is available at property.spatialest.com/wa/benton#/.

Pasco coffee shop expanding to Kennewick

A coffee shop that opened in the heart of downtown Pasco almost two years ago is bringing its focus on community and creativity to a new location on the other side of the Columbia River. 

Café Con Arte opened its new coffee shop, co-located with The Vault art gallery and studio, at the Columbia Center mall in Kennewick on Nov. 5, according to the coffee shop’s social media. Café  Con Arte was founded by Saul Martinez to serve as a community art space as well as a coffee shop. 

The Vault, initiated by metal sculptor Nathan Robles, opened in September in a space on the north end of the mall near JCPenney. Designed as an immersive art gallery and collaborative studio space, the new artistic space showcases work from Tri-City artists and artisans while also offering workshops and events.  

Insurance company plans to expand to West Richland

Scott Smith Insurance Agency plans to build an office next year in West Richland.

The State Farm insurance business announced plans on social media to develop a lot at 6397 Keene Road.

Smith’s 6397 Keene LLC bought an acre of land from the city of West Richland for $338,000 in mid-October, according to public property records. The land is near the intersection of Belmont Boulevard.

The agency has offices in Kennewick and Yakima.

Port sells Subway building in Benton City

The Port of Benton has sold its Benton City development building at 515 Ninth St. in Benton City for $300,000.  

Issar Properties LLC, a Subway franchisee, bought the building, which has had a Subway restaurant in it for several years. Issar Properties’ owners, Nishaant Issar and Jennifer Kaslow, took over the Subway franchise through their company Kayaan LLC in January 2025, port officials said. The previous Subway owner was Jeramy Schultz.  

The Benton City Subway is the franchisee’s 12th Subway store throughout the Northwest.  

 The port originally acquired the building at 515 Ninth St. to support local business growth and enhance infrastructure. The building underwent a series of improvements to ensure it was ready for future commercial use.  

“The port’s investment in this property was always intended to be a catalyst for private sector growth,” said Diahann Howard, the port’s executive director, in a statement. 

National sandwich chain expanding in Tri-Cities

A fast-growing national sub sandwich chain has plans for a fourth location in the Tri-Cities, roughly four years after opening its first in Richland. 

Signage for Jersey Mike’s along with a poster saying “Coming Soon” has been installed on the small three-space retail development along George Washington Way in the Washington Plaza shopping center. Currently a Starbucks is the only tenant in the development, which was completed more than a year ago. 

A company spokesperson said plans currently call for the new location to open in early 2026.

The privately-owned sandwich chain, which began in 1975, has more than 600 locations and has been expanding quickly since being acquired by hedge fund Blackstone. Its first Tri-Cities location opened in Richland’s Vintner’s Square in the Queensgate retail district in 2021. It was soon joined by one in Kennewick in a development built in the Columbia Center mall’s parking lot and another along Road 68 in Pasco.

New discount retailer opens Richland store

Tri-Citians have a new option for holiday shopping. 

Philadelphia-based Five Below opened its new store in Richland’s Vintner Square in the Queensgate shopping district on Nov. 7.  

The new store is located in the space previously leased by Party City, which was dissolved via bankruptcy earlier this year, with 44 of its former leases acquired by Five Below. 

The company has more than 1,800 stores nationwide with most of its items priced between $1 and $5 and some above $5 in categories such as crafts, home decor, technology and sports.