Viticulturist Matt Halldorson came from Arizona to make the vineyards of the Yakima Valley his professional home, working most recently for the biggest of the big, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.In February, he made another big move when he left the mega producer to join Kiona Vineyards and Winery, the family-owned...
In a little more than two years, Pasco’s Grocery Outlet validated the decision to open on Road 68.Of the 150 or so Grocery Outlets dotting the Northwest, Pasco recorded the biggest growth in sales in 2020, said Charles Grimm, who operates the store with his wife, Janice.The Grimms opened the...
A state grant is helping a West Richland custom slaughter business grow to meet rising demand from small farmers and ranchers.Gene’s Custom Slaughter, owned since 1993 by Stacy McCorkle, used the grant to buy and equip two trucks to travel to customers through the Mid-Columbia. McCorkle is training his son...
Of all the shocks that buffeted the Tri-Cities last year, here’s one that few people know about: the economy grew in late summer and early fall.In data just out from Washington State’s Department of Revenue, taxable retail sales went up by 4% from the third quarter of 2019. Even more...
Kristi Thien and the staff and volunteers at Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels paced nervously in the parking lot.Would anyone come for hot meals, the first since the pandemic began?Senior Life Resources Northwest, which runs Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels, was about to pass out hot meals to seniors in a drive-thru...
Food and agriculture lay claim to many segments of the economy of the greater Tri-Cities.The area’s fields, orchards, vineyards and animal husbandry operations yield a cornucopia of products. While a good portion of these products is shipped beyond county lines, much is sent to facilities here to process the bounty....
The store may include “restaurant” in its name, but Western Restaurant Supply & Design also is hoping to serve home chefs at its new 10,000-square-foot Richland showroom.“If you’re looking for a $15 knife, I got those, or if you want a $400 knife, I got those, too. We’re always looking...
Three generations of Erstad family worked at Burger Factory before owning itRhonda Erstad grew up in Connell. So did her husband, Mike.They’ve lived in the Connell area pretty much their whole lives, and Rhonda wouldn’t have it any other way.“I love Connell,” she said. “Our kids always had someone looking...
By Marilou SheaIn a recent column, I waxed poetic about how lovage, among other uncommon herbs, is trending as a culinary darling these days. I’ve just done a deep dive into lovage—which sounds like “luggage”—and it’s a pretty, cool herb, and while it won’t shake the shingles off your roof,...
Pamela Montgomery,Founder and CEO of Chukar CherriesNumber of employees you oversee: Chukar employs more than 50 team members total, but I work directly with three individuals on marketing and branding and with two company executives on business planning and growth strategy. Brief background of your business and its origins: In the mid-80s our...
