June brought a wave of business developments across the Tri-Cities, from major retail projects taking shape in west Pasco to restaurant openings, closures and new entertainment venues. Here’s a look at the top stories shaping the local business landscape.
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Ohio-based Visconsi Companies LTD plans to spend more than $100 million on the 16-acre Riverbend Marketplace at Broadmoor, a grocery-anchored shopping center in far west Pasco that will include a 63,000-square-foot grocery store, a 124-room hotel and other retail — with all retail spaces already sold out.
Visconsi Companies LTD has submitted plans for Riverbend Marketplace, a grocery-anchored retail complex in Pasco’s Broadmoor area, for environmental review.
The new Pasco Aquatic Center is open. It features a lap pool with a Ninja Course, dual lazy rivers, a tower with two giant slides and an outdoor splash pad, with a Phase 2 expansion planned that includes a competition pool.
Families swim in the lazy river indoor the facility at the Pasco Aquatic Center on Saturday, June 27.
Angel and Carmen Peña are expanding their food empire with Angel’s Family Restaurant, a full-service eatery near the HAPO Center that seats more than 72 and adds dinner service to their popular breakfast menu.
Grilled Reuben sandwich and onion rings at Angel’s Cafe in Pasco.
Nearly half of more than 800 Pasco residents surveyed said Trader Joe’s is the retail store they most want to see open in the city, followed by Target and Costco.
Trader Joe’s will open new 13 stores in eight states.
Popular local coffee shop Mocha Express is closing its Kennewick drive-thru at 1400 W. 27th Ave. after eight years because the Jackson Food Stores gas station property owner is expanding operations.
According to a Facebook post that announced the closure, the business has been there for eight years.
HAPO Credit Union is building a $10 million business hub in west Kennewick totaling about 31,000 square feet across two buildings, while a former Arby’s in Pasco is being converted into the Tri-Cities’ first Slim Chickens restaurant.
Renovations have started to transform a former Arby’s at 5115 Road 68 in Pasco into the Tri-Cities first Slim Chickens restaurant. The Fayetteville, ark.-based chicken chain is spending about $1 million to update the closed restaurant.
Seven establishments in the Tri-Cities failed food safety inspections from the Benton Franklin Health District, with violations including improper temperature control, lack of hot water for handwashing and inadequate managerial oversight.
Napoli’s Italian Restaurant, owned by Tony and Valle Morina, has closed its Richland location at 3280 George Washington Way after three years because the building was sold to a new owner who plans to open a different restaurant.
Napoli’s Italian Restaurant’s sign in front of its old location in Richland
After a decade of pulling drafts in Kennewick, owner Darren Mayer has put Copper Top Tap House and Growler Fills up for sale, hoping a devoted customer will take over the Southridge venue and keep the name.
Darren Mayer is looking to sell his Copper Top tap house in Kennewick.
Founded by Brittney Hellman, Ballerz Club is a new baseball simulator venue in Kennewick with six high-tech bays using technology similar to Topgolf, with individual bays renting for $60 to $70 per hour.
The Ballerz Club, offering an “immersive” baseball simulator game experience, was recently opened by Brittney Hallman at 731 N. Columbia Center Boulevard in Kennewick. It’s next door to her Let’s Glow Mini Golf business.
Two Benton City wineries — Terra Blanca’s Vineyard Grill and Frichette — have been nominated for USA Today 10 Best awards in the Best Winery Restaurant and Best Wine Club categories, with voting open until July 20.
Red and white wines are ready for tasting.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
