Hospitality

Male hand ringing hotel bell at counter with index finger. Female receptionist standing on background

Hospitality Briefs – March 2023

By TCAJOB Staff | March 2023

State hospitality grants now available The Washington State Department of Commerce announced plans to award $100 million in hospitality and lodging grants. The program will award one-time grants to eligible…

robot hand holding bell

The robots will serve you now

By Kristina Lord | March 2023

We thought we’d enlist the help of ChatGPT to help us summarize this story about the trends in hospitality technology. After all, artificially intelligent robots soon could be checking us…

A-1 Hospitality Group of Kennewick recently renovated the 42-room Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa in Hood River, Oregon.  (Courtesy A-1 Hospitality Group)

Kennewick-based company renovates historic hotel

By TCAJOB Staff | March 2023

The Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa in Hood River, Oregon, recently unveiled its new look after a multimillion-dollar renovation. The 42-room property is managed by A-1 Hospitality Group of Kennewick,…

Q&A

Q&A with Letisha Peterson

By TCAJOB Staff | March 2023

General Manager, Legends Casino Number of employees you oversee: 700 Brief background of Legends: Yakama Nation Legends Casino opened in May 1998, and we’re excited to celebrate 25 years in…

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The Tri-Cities’ hospitality sector has recovered but can it now grow?

By Guest Contributor | March 2023

You don’t need to be a numbers geek to know that the pandemic wreaked havoc on the hospitality industry, here and elsewhere. Travel stopped, dining in became a dare and…

Food & Beverage

Marlando and Stephanie Sparks opened Restoration Market, a Kennewick food hub offering free food to members of the community who need it, at 4000 W. Clearwater Ave., Suite 110, Kennewick. The market provides weekly shopping opportunities in a unique environment for families looking for food assistance, with no documentation required to receive help. (Photo by Robin Wojtanik)

Market aims to restore dignity with free food distribution

By Robin Wojtanik | March 2023

There seems to be no coincidence between a family whose last name is “Sparks,” and the way they have set ablaze a full-time lifestyle of impacting the community. From churning…

Kelsey and John Plughoff, owners of Paper Street Brewing Company in Pasco, stand with their daughters, June and Jade. A recent closure allowed them to redecorate and spruce up their brew pub, which features a farm atmosphere that welcomes families. (Courtesy Paper Street Brewing Company)

New owners relaunch new and improved family-friendly brew pub

By Jeff Morrow | March 2023

For a young couple with two kids, John and Kelsey Plughoff found the dream place to run a business: a brewery on a farm in north Pasco. The Pasco couple…

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Plans underway to open new food co-op store in Richland

By Laura Kostad | March 2023

The Tri-Cities is getting another shot to support a local food co-op. Alan Schreiber of Schreiber Farms in Eltopia is leading the effort. The fifth-generation farmer is leading a steering…

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Boba shops find enthusiastic fans in the Tri-Cities

By Jeff Morrow | March 2023

Tri-Citians should be aware that there is a new wave of bobalicious goodness coming their way soon. Actually, it’s already here. But more is coming. The region is experiencing an…

Spring begins this month and late March is when asparagus harvest season in our state typically gets underway. Though many of our region’s farmers markets begin in June with Pasco’s starting in May, there are other options to get fresh produce onto your plate. (Courtesy Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership / Jan Mennenga)

Support local farmers by taking advantage of locally-produced food

By Laura Kostad | March 2023

The Tri-Cities is surrounded by farms, orchards and vineyards. Our state is a national leader in the production of apples, blueberries, hops, pears, sweet cherries and spearmint oil. It is…