Articles by Robin Wojtanik
Richland’s Reach Museum emerges
from pandemic leaner and stronger
The Reach Museum survived the pandemic, increasing admissions beyond pre-pandemic levels, celebrating its eighth anniversary and looking to the future with hope for an expansion at its Richland facility overlooking the Columbia River. “It’s really a milestone for us,” said Rosanna Sharpe, executive director. The museum was meeting its goals before the Covid-19 pandemic forced…
Kennewick auto repair shop gears up for expansion
After growing his business from a mobile shop run out of a Jeep, Nathan Goetsch looks forward to rolling up the doors at his new 5,600-square-foot automotive repair building at 8504 W. Clearwater Ave. in Kennewick. Goetsch, the sole owner and operator of Platinum Automotive, is taking the plunge to finance his own $1.3 million…
Established cheer gyms change owners; two new ones open in last year
Cheer teams continue to attract a wide range of athletes across the Tri-City community, now filling four gyms in the area with participants in both competitive and recreational options. Two of the gyms opened in the past year and the two others recently went under new ownership, turning over a new leaf on the popular…
West Richland diner reopens under new ownership, new name
A longtime West Richland diner once named for Jamie McCallum is now owned by Jamie himself, and the first order of business was changing the restaurant’s name – to honor his young daughter with a terminal cancer diagnosis. Jamie and his wife, Frances, launched Lil’ Moon Diner at 3790 W. Van Giesen St. in the…
Crane repair company expands
Tri-City footprint
A 51-year-old crane repair company recently opened its second location in the Tri-Cities. WHECO Corp. started out as a parts supplier in Dayton and then expanded to six facilities across the U.S. over the decades, along with a rebuild center in the Marshall Islands in the central Pacific Ocean. The Pasco site at 525 S.…
Area manufacturing jobs rebound but not to pre-pandemic levels
The state predicts the number of manufacturing jobs will drop in the next decade, yet industry groups intend to do everything they can to not only buck that trend but double the number of both manufacturing positions and manufacturing companies in Washington. “If the Legislature does nothing, we will have fewer manufacturing jobs,” said Dave…
Demand for truckers keeps CDL schools ‘busier than ever’
Truck drivers are in demand for jobs based in the Tri-Cities. Teresa Maki, who has been in business for more than 30 years as owner of T Enterprises, a Pasco private trucking school certified in Commercial Driving License (CDL) training by the state Department of Licensing, said her enrollment has almost doubled since 2020. “The…
Roundabout to alleviate Hanford traffic delayed until next year
A roundabout planned to alleviate Hanford traffic in north Richland is now delayed until next spring. A traffic circle is planned at the intersection of Highways 240 and 225 and Route 10 adjacent to the Hanford nuclear site. “There’s been a lot of near misses in the area and also a lot of congestion, especially…
Tri-City businesses find success with new locations in Spokane
While many business owners felt fortunate to have emerged from the pandemic still operating, a handful of Tri-City entrepreneurs decided to take the plunge and expand – often to Spokane. After noticing other businesses entering the market two hours north, Rich Breshears of Breshears Professional Photography jokingly questioned, “Is that the new black – to…
Longtime community leader works to make an impact
Chauné Fitzgerald continues to make a mark on the Tri-City community through her volunteer work and advocacy, operating her own business and starting a successful nonprofit. She’s also working to launch a Tri-City chapter of the Washington African American Chamber of Commerce. But the Richland entrepreneur says she regularly feels unseen or invisible and works…
