It’s not the typical narrative for small business owners.When statewide shutdowns in the wake of Covid-19 closed the Richland Public Library’s doors, its café, Novel Coffee + Teas, shut down with it.Though many businesses took advantage of the lull to re-imagine their brands, spaces and business models, few were faced...
Steven Whitehead played football for years, getting a cup of coffee with the National Football League’s New Orleans Saints before embarking on a successful indoor football league career with the Tri-Cities Fever.The last season with the now-defunct Fever came in 2015, when he was named the Indoor Football League’s (IFL)...
Since Kennewick’s first indoor go-kart track opened, it has been a popular place for those who need to speed.The Kennewick track is the sixth DirtKart facility to open since Brycen Tarr and his family launched the first one in Spokane in September 2019, after years of having a dirt track...
Pilar “Angelica” Hernandez had already earned her cosmetology license and commercial driver’s license before realizing she had a hidden talent as a cake decorator.Now, the Pasco businesswoman owns Delicakes by Angelica, operating out of the Pasco Specialty Kitchen and providing elaborate cakes for weddings, birthdays, quinceañeras, baby showers and other...
On a recent Friday morning, customers were coming into Runners Soul at a steady flow.Suddenly, a woman and her high school-aged son from Connell entered the store and walked right up to Scott Conrad, who owns the Kennewick establishment.“My son is running cross country and he needs new shoes. I’ve...
Arthur Baranovskiy, who credits YouTube and Pasco’s Delta High School for propelling him into technical drawing, is building a successful business offering drafting and related services to Tri-City businesses.Baranovskiy, 24, isn’t shy about touting AYB Drafting, which offers drafting and design services, including technical drawings, blueprints for high-end custom homes...
One new Richland business knew brides would “say yes to the dress” if they could. RoseLily Bridal is doing whatever it takes to allow them their moment, even in a pandemic.RoseLily, formerly Amy’s Bridal, is under new ownership after longtime employee Elaina Morrow bought the store from her mentor, Amy...
An unassuming West Richland lavender farm brims with purple and possibility as the owners dream well beyond U-pick bunches to becoming the largest lavender-cutting supplier in the state.Terri and Steve Szendre operate SunKissed Lavender on Flat Top Mountain, off Collins Road, where they nurture 2,000 lavender plants, land once covered...
For 28 years, Paleteria La Jalpita has been handcrafting icy Mexican treats on a stick in downtown Pasco.“We have six pots a day, with each pot producing 800 paletas, for 4,800 total paletas a day,” said Rom Romero, whose dad, Jesus Romero, owns the shop.Paletas are Mexican ice pops that...
Aaron BrinkIn just a few short years, Aaron Brink went from an annoyed homeowner, frequently stung by bees while mowing, to a commercial beekeeper who laughs off daily stings while tending to hundreds of beehives.“I’m immune to bee stings,” said Brink, owner of Brink’s Bees. “I got into the bees...