Inland NW links
Retail & consumer
- Air-Pipe Rural Broadband
http://www.air-pipe.com/
- Using the
Motorola Canopy system; wide coverage around the Inland Northwest (see the coverage map on the site) and apparently low-enough latency for VoIP.
- Bedini Electronics
http://www.bedini.com/
- Custom designed and hand built high-end consumer hi-fi, studio, and movie sound equipment.
- Coeur d'Alene Brewing Company
http://www.cdabrewing.com/
- Columbia Lighting
http://www.columbialighting.com/
- Craigslist Spokane
http://spokane.craigslist.org/
- Free online classified ads, including jobs.
- Craven's Coffee
http://www.cravenscoffee.com/
- Local high-end coffee roasting, available in supermarkets around here.
- Davis Office Furniture
http://www.davisofficefurniture.com/
- Good deals on new and used office furniture.
- Eager Beaver Computers
http://eagerbeavercomputers.com/
- This is the place for oddball computer parts, especially for older hardware; west end of the strip mall at Sprague & Evergreen, across from Target.
- Fitness Fanatics
http://www.fitfanatics.com/
- Discount sports gear.
- Fowl Places (Chattaroy WA)
http://www.fowlplaces.com/
- Decorative certified bird houses made from recycled, naturally weathered materials, such as barn boards, rusted metal, old bolts and insulators, all built for no-tools cleanout.
- Garland Theatre
http://www.garlandtheatre.com/
- $3.50 discount movies, appearing here just after their first run is finished, in a nice old-fashioned single-screen neighborhood theater with its own parking.
- General Store
http://www.generalstorespokane.com/
- This place has been in Spokane since before my time, and it really is pretty much a general store; a little bit of everything at discount prices.
- HAV Western Wear
http://www.havwesternwear.com/
- Western clothing and boots, including custom boots. Founded in 1949 by three brothers named Hugo, Alfons and Victor.
- Inland ReTech
http://www.inlandretech.com/spokane.htm
- Computer recycling.
- Jim's Home Brew Supply
http://www.jimshomebrew.com/
- Since 1955, everything needed for home production of beer and wine, including malt sugars also useful for baking.
- Magic Lantern Theatre
http://www.magiclanternspokane.com/
- Independent cinema.
- top
- Main Market Coop (downtown)
http://www.mainmarket.coop/
- Local foods, membership basis.
- The Man Shop
http://themanshops.com/
- Fun hair salons designed for men; three locations in Spokane and one in Pullman. If you think thirty bucks is too much for a haircut, you don't like getting knocked over by the stench of perm chemicals as you walk in the door, and you don't want a Fred MacMurray barbershop haircut either, give The Man Shop a whirl. They even have imitators now.
- Mountain Goat Outfitters
http://www.acmeclimbing.com/
- Hiking and backpacking gear.
- Mont Lamm Belgians
http://www.montlammbelgians.com/
- Hayrides and sleighrides with big draft horses, parties; 55-acre facility off US395 west of Deer Park.
- Northwest Seed & Pet
http://www.thegardenpet.com/
- "Spokane's gardening headquarters since 1944."
- PODS
http://www.pods.com/
- The better way to move. PODS (Portable On Demand Storage) are 8×8×12 or 8×8×16-foot steel cargo containers with a wood lining and roll-up doors. They're delivered by special hydraulic-lift trucks to ground level—no ramps!—loaded at your leisure, delivered across town or across the country, or stored for you in a dry warehouse. We now have a PODS franchise serving Spokane and Kootenai counties.
- Precious Time Photography (Coeur d'Alene ID)
http://www.yourkidsreally.com/
- High quality digital child photography, in partnership with photographers nationwide; they also have a local studio. A Flash-dependent site.
- Radar Electric
http://www.radarinc.com/
- Electrical and electronic tools and supplies, mostly for the trade.
- Recycle Techs
http://www.recycletechs.com/
- Good deals on used corporate computers. The Spokane store is at 12928 E Indiana Ave Ste 7, just west of Latah Creek Winery; park all the way back next to the freeway.
- Revival Lighting
http://www.revivallighting.com/
- Restored vintage lighting fixtures.
- Spokane Computer
http://www.spokanecomputer.com/
- Spokane Discount
http://www.spokanediscount.com/
- Liquidation and discount merchandise, including electronics.
- Spokane Pump
http://www.spokanepump.com/
- "We Fix Things That Suck."
- Thomas Hammer Coffee Roasters
http://www.hammercoffee.com/
- Local coffee roasting, several retail locations.
- Upscale Home Furnishings
http://www.upscalehomefurnishings.com/
- High quality consignment used furniture.
- White's Boots
http://www.whitesboots.com/
- Imagine a brown civilian version of Corcoran jump boots, but even tougher and made to order; especially prized by
smokejumpers. Originally founded in Virginia before the US Civil War. Also at the same local address: White's Outdoor general outfitter retail store.
- Yoke's Foods
http://www.yokesfoods.com/
- Supermarkets in Spokane area and North Idaho; deli, bulk foods, specialty baking supplies; good prices and customer service.
top
- Anthony's at Spokane Falls
http://www.anthonys.com/restaurants/info/spokane.html
- Fresh Northwest seafood and local produce, with a spectacular view of the falls, and outdoor deck dining in warm weather months; on Lincoln Street on the north bank of the river.
- Big Daddy's Casino, Bar/Grill, & Bowling (Lincoln Heights)
http://www.bigdaddyscbg.com/
- Cafe Marron (Browne's Addition)
http://www.cafemarronbrownes.com/
- Across the street from the Elk Cafe.
- Catacombs Pub
http://www.catacombspub.com/
- Basement of the Montvale Hotel, the former boiler room space; entrance on Monroe Street.
- Clinkerdagger's
http://clinkerdagger.com/
- Fine dining on the river side of the Flour Mill for decades.
- David's Pizza
http://davidspizza.com/
- The best pizza I've tasted in Spokane since I came back here; northwest corner of Hamilton and Boone in the heart of the Gonzaga district; look for the neon. The odd-looking tables in the big back room contain salvaged sections of basketball court from the old Gonzaga Kennel. Flash-dependent site.
- Elk Cafe & Moon Time Pub
http://www.wedonthaveone.com/
- Pub grub and microbrews; Spokane's Elk Cafe in Browne's Addition, Moon Time Pub in Coeur d'Alene on Sherman Ave, The Porch Public House in Hayden Lake, and The Two Seven Public House in Lincoln Heights.
- Flamin' Joe's Wings
http://www.flaminjoeswings.com/
- North Division and East Sprague.
- Heroes and Legends
http://www.spokanelegends.com/
- Elaborate downtown sports bar.
- Hills' Restaurant & Lounge
http://www.hillsrestaurantandlounge.com/
- Formerly Hills' Someplace Else, now at 401 W Main in downtown Spokane.
- Hot Rod Cafe (Post Falls ID)
http://www.hotrodcafe.com/
- See the site for a guide to regular hot rod nights at various local eateries.
- Isabella's Restaurant and Gin Joint
http://www.isabellasspokane.com/
- Steaks & seafood, downtown.
- top
- Longhorn Barbecue
http://www.thelonghornbbq.com/
- Two Spokane locations plus catering.
- Luigi's
http://www.luigis-spokane.com/
- Italian, downtown.
- Maggie's Grill
http://www.maggiesgrill.com/
- Home cooking including a gluten-free menu.
- Mizuna
http://www.mizuna.com/
- Downtown restaurant & wine bar featuring organic.
- Perry Street Cafe
http://perrystreetcafe.com/
- Pete's Pizza
http://www.petespizzaplant.com/
- Two locations: Northwest Boulevard and the Gonzaga district. Homemade dough and good marinara sauce. They feature calzones, but I'm not that fond of them myself.
- Pizza Pipeline
http://www.pizzapipeline.com/
- Pizzas and subs, mostly delivery, pizza by the slice at some locations; founded in Spokane, now in seven Western states and Missouri.
- Rocket Bakery
http://www.rocketspokane.com/
- Seven locations around town now, plus the bigger Rocket Market on the South Hill, and an office/warehouse in the Valley. They have wireless Internet at most Rockets; see the FAQ page. If you find a Rocket where the WiFi hotspot seems to be locked, try asking a counter person for the password.
- Skyway Cafe
http://skywaycafe.com/
- In the historic Felts Field terminal, with its windows looking out on the field; breakfast and lunch only, seven days a week.
- Steam Plant Grill
http://www.steamplantgrill.com/
- Built in a renovated downtown central steam/power plant.
- The Swinging Doors
http://www.theswingingdoors.com/
- A north Spokane restaurant and sports bar I hear about lots.
- Talotti's 211
http://www.talottis211.com/
- Thomas Hammer Coffee Roasters
http://hammercoffee.com/
- Eight locations in Spokane, Cheney, Post Falls, and Boise.
- Thai Bamboo
http://www.thaibamboorestaurant.com/
- Supposed to be the best Thai food in town. Three locations: North Division near Northtown, East 29th near Regal on the South Hill, and East Sprague near Pines in the Valley.
- Wake Up Call
http://www.wakeupcoffee.biz/
- Espresso, coffee, related beverages, and some pastries. Three Valley locations: Dishman-Mica (drive-up only) and Evergreen and Pines with coffeeshop lobbies and free WiFi; the Pines location is bigger.
- Wolf Lodge Steakhouse
http://www.wolflodgerestaurants.com/
- Coeur d'Alene and since 1999 in Spokane near Sprague & Freya, AKA Wolf Lodge Inn, reputed to be the best area steakhouses. The original location off I-90 in the foothills east of Coeur d'Alene features open flame cooking; see the site for directions and prices.
top
These days we have a decent assortment of local establishments offering free WiFi Internet access, including all Spokane city and county library branches and the Coeur d'Alene library. At Rocket Bakery locations you may need to ask staff for the password on your first visit. Some local colleges have unlocked WiFi and some restrict it to students.
A partial list:
We also have local branches of national chains offering free wireless, including
Barnes & Noble and
Borders bookstores,
Hooters, and
McDonalds (some locations). A number of local hotels and motels also offer wireless.
Some WiFi hotspots, including coffeeshops and library branches here, give you access as soon as your hardware detects the signal. Some places annoy by requiring you to acknowledge their usage policy every time you connect, which means every time your netbook wakes up from closed-lid Suspend mode.
There's another new wrinkle; you go into a coffeehouse or whatever, and your sales receipt has an access code that lets you on their WiFi. Then after a set time it cuts off and you have to buy something else. Also annoying enough to cause me to go elsewhere. Most people are actually pretty good about buying something periodically, without having their arm twisted.
top
site feedback