Retail

Farmers markets beginning to open

Mon, 04 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Farmers market season kicks off this month with Pasco welcoming vendors and patrons alike to its downtown mercado.

WA sues Albertsons over ‘deceptive’ buy one, get one free deals

jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Washington state has sued Albertsons over allegations it has been overcharging customers for years via buy one, get one free offers.

Businesses line up for $166B in tariff refunds

amurray@statesnewsroom.com — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection tariff refund system went live April 20, marking what small business advocates call a “complex” first step for entrepreneurs to recoup $166 billion in import taxes accrued under President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs, which the U.S. Supreme Court struck down in February.

After sitting idle for years, Pasco Amazon facility set for $30M overhaul

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:30:00 -0400

A vacant Amazon warehouse in Pasco that cost nearly $140 million to build will soon see another $30 million in improvements to make it operational, reflecting a shift toward increased automation and leaner staffing.

Vacant Rite Aid in Pasco draws retail attention

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Roughly eight months after they were closed, one of the four Rite Aid pharmacy buildings that served the Tri-Cities has found a new tenant.

Two auto part stores shift into expansion mode

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Two auto part companies are expanding their Tri-Cities presence with two new stores.

Damage following downtown fire closes bookstore permanently

ty@tcjournal.biz — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A downtown Kennewick bookstore is permanently closing its storefront due to smoke and water damage related to the fire at a neighboring restaurant three weeks ago.

Rounding out debate, Ferguson signs bill addressing retailers’ penny problem

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A new Washington state law offers a way to make change in an era without pennies.

Tri-Cities lands long-awaited Nordstrom Rack

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:23:12 -0400

For years, Tri-Cities shoppers have made the trip to Union Gap, Spokane or the west side for discounted designer finds, but this fall a Nordstrom Rack will bring those deals closer to home.

Longtime tenant buys landmark building, adjacent shops for $1M

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:30:00 -0400

A Richland church recently bought the Uptown Theatre as well as five adjacent commercial spaces for $1 million from the estate of the late business owner and developer Warren Luke. It is already planning improvements.

Retail sales data illustrate a tale of two counties

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:30:00 -0400

It’s a tale of two economies in Benton and Franklin counties based on the latest taxable retail sales data recently released by state revenue officials.

Auto parts retailer to pay $5.6M for denying employee pregnancy, nursing accommodations

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A national auto parts retailer that a year ago had to pay more than $160,000 in illegally eliminated sick time to its Washington state employees must now pay millions for discriminating against employees.

As pennies disappear, Washington must address how retailers make change

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

When the federal government stopped making pennies, it left it up to states to decide how retailers deal with the change.

In Washington, lawmakers are trying to come up with a uniform approach for merchants that is easy to understand for consumers.

Fuse sells building to office furniture retailer for $2.3M

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

Fuse is hoping the recent sale of the building to a Boise-based office furniture retailer will further its mission by freeing up funding and bringing new energy into the space.

Founder of Baum’s Candy dies

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

The woman who founded a Kennewick chocolate and candy shop that served the Tri-Cities for more than 40 years has died.

Legacy clothing retailer closing Columbia Center mall location

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 21:00:00 -0500

A more than 100-year-old clothing retailer that was part of a merger last year with JCPenney and Columbia Center mall owner Simon Property Group will shutter all 200 of its stores, including in the Tri-Cities.

The latest attempt to legalize homegrown marijuana in Washington

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 21:00:00 -0500

After more than a decade of failed attempts, supporters of amending Washington state law to allow for homegrown marijuana are growing frustrated, but not giving up.

Study: U.S. firms, consumers shoulder nearly all costs of tariffs

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 21:00:00 -0500

The tariffs on international goods that the Trump administration has said would extract substantial revenues from foreign governments and companies has done quite the opposite, according to a German economic policy think tank.

Is it a Target? Maybe. Will it bring more traffic? Definitely

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500

A new retail building planned for the busy Road 68 corridor of Pasco is expected to significantly increase traffic to the already busy area, and renderings hint that a Target store may be the anticipated tenant.

This local vodka is grown and distilled in the Mid-Columbia

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500

An influential Pasco farming family has developed the state’s first farm-to-bottle distillery and received early accolades for their premium potato vodka, taking top honors in a Best of the Northwest contest.

A story of family, faith and healing becomes a children’s book

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500

A first-time children’s author whose life story spans from rural El Salvador to Pasco, as well as profound personal loss, has debuted her new bilingual children’s book, “Mango Market Adventure.”

WA plastic bag fees to increase Jan. 1

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 21:00:00 -0500

If you haven’t gotten into the habit of bringing your own reusable bags while out shopping, you may want to start.

Sports retailer coming to Columbia Center mall

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 21:00:00 -0500

The holiday shopping season may be at a close, but the mall at Columbia Center is hoping patrons will stop by in the near future to visit its newest future tenant.

Without pennies, should retailers round up or down? States offer their 2 cents

khardy@stateline.org — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 21:00:00 -0500

As pennies vanish from the American landscape, many businesses are clamoring for federal guidance on how to handle cash transactions in a penniless world.

21-year-old business calling it quits in Richland

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 21:00:00 -0500

A Central Richland shop offering locally popped varieties of kettle corn, as well as its associated businesses, will close Dec. 31.

Retailers group announces 2026 legislative agenda

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 21:00:00 -0500

The organization representing retailers across the state has set its legislative goals ahead of the 2026 legislative session, saying it is focusing on helping its members overcome rising costs, an uncertain economy and a plethora of state and federal regulations.

Police offer tips as thieves target small businesses

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0500

A series of break-ins recently rattled the Tri-Cities’ small business community, targeting establishments ranging from restaurants, an entertainment center and a salon. And local police have advice on how businesses can deter would-be criminals.

Retailers counter tough market with optimism, standout service

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Local businesses have felt some strain this year with rising costs, changing tariffs and customers pulling back on spending. Overall, the year has been flat for three longtime local businesses as they work to engage customers in the ways they know best.

Downtown Kennewick sees burst of new business this holiday season

ty@tcjournal.biz — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Two sisters are welcoming customers to Ink Drinkers Bookshop’s first holiday season at a storefront at 309 W. Kennewick Ave. in downtown Kennewick. They aren’t the only ones betting on downtown either. Their store opening is part of a flurry of new businesses injecting life into the city’s commercial district.

Deadline to use prohibited cosmetics approaches

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 21:00:00 -0500

Your favorite salon may not be able to use your long-preferred products at your next appointment as the state law banning cosmetics containing a variety of prohibited chemicals goes into effect on Dec. 31.