Business Profiles
Former Disney World artist launches face-painting business
Dee Pridemore wants people to know that face painting can be more than a hobby. She has made it her business to change the perception and has turned it into a professional career. By all accounts, it’s been successful as she’s recently landed work with an Oregon amusement park. “I love making people happy,” she…
Kennewick Inca Mexican Restaurant to move to Marineland Village
One of the longest-standing restaurants in the Tri-Cities is moving, although not very far. Inca Mexican Restaurant in Kennewick, at 3600 W. Clearwater Ave., will relocate up the road to Marineland Village. Owners Javier Rodriguez and Antonio Mendoza expect the new Inca to be ready at 201 N. Edison sometime in November. The current building…
Kelley’s Tele-Communications finds success by adapting to changing market
On July 1, 1968, Jerry and Elaine Sovereign bought the Pasco office of Kelley’s Telephone Answering Service Inc. of Seattle from then-owner Max Kelley. Fifty years later, Kelley’s Tele-Communications is still going strong, complete with a name change in 1983. Jerry and Elaine are still the owners, but their daughter, Julie Sovereign, has been the…
Indoor shooting range keeps customers returning to Kennewick gun shop
Scott Schoffstall understands the formula for staying in business for 47 years. “The key is to not get overextended,” said the owner of Hole in the Wall in Kennewick. “When people start businesses, sometimes they borrow $400,000 to $500,000 from banks, and they end up paying the banks. If you can’t afford to do it,…
West Richland clock repairman continues to see uptick in workload
Al Nihart took apart his first clock before the age of 10. Like his father, Nihart was a mechanic at heart. But that’s where their similarities end. “He was a watch repairman, and I hate watches,” Nihart said. “You don’t fix a watch. You open it up and take out a broken or rusty part…
Richland spiritual supply store offers tools, classes for self-discovery
A Richland shop that opened a year ago already has expanded its footprint and offerings with a goal of providing “spirituality for all.” Lotus of the Moon, a metaphysical and spiritual supply store, recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. The shop opened in June 2017 using $5,000 in savings and donations inside a 350-square-foot space in…
Ki-Be Market owners encourage Benton City pride
One would be hard pressed to find bigger boosters of Benton City than Mark and Lori Loften. The couple have lived in the small town west of the Tri-Cities since 2006 where they own and run Ki-Be Market. Along the way, they’ve helped their community and employees, supporting citywide cleanup efforts, employees down on their…
Standard Paint & Flooring opens new stores in Richland, Sunnyside
By Dave Leder, Yakima Valley Business Times Standard Paint & Flooring has been busy this spring — busier, perhaps, than at any other time in its 64-year history. During the past month, the Yakima-based home décor chain not only opened two new showrooms in Richland and Sunnyside, but also improved its online ordering system to…
Benton City veterinary clinic under new ownership after 30 years
Sunrise Vet Clinic’s new owner has plans for building, technology improvements Sunrise Veterinary Clinic in Benton City kicked off the new year with a change of ownership, new hires and plans for several improvements. Dr. Sharon Molton took over the 2,800-square-foot, full-service practice for companion animals and the active customer base of 2,000 on Dec.…
Former employee runs two printing businesses under one roof
Ron Morris buys BIG Print Shop, Digital Image Tri-Cities in 2017 Ron Morris spent decades learning the ins and outs of the printing world and within a span of six months last year, he bought two printing businesses, both of which he used to work at. The tale of how he became the owner of…
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