A California-based taco chain eatery will open in downtown Spokane by early summer after taking the last ground-floor retail space in the renovated Bennett Block.

Chronic Tacos, under MCW Tacos Washington LLC, will occupy a 2,000-square-foot space on Main Avenue, between the Carhartt store and the Rocky Rococo restaurant. Other Bennett Block retail operations at street level include Indaba Coffee and Mizuna restaurant.

The fast-fresh Chronic Tacos chain has more than 30 locations, with a majority in California. Others have opened in Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, Arizona, Nevada and Canada. A new location is set to open soon in Lakewood, Washington.

Just over 50 seats are planned for the Spokane restaurant, and it will be the chain’s first in Eastern Washington. The business also will provide take-out for breakfast, lunch and dinner, said Dru Hieber, owner of Hieber Properties Inc., which holds the Bennett Block.

The Bennett Block’s second and third floors have a mix of professional office tenants, with some leasing activity of spaces still pending, but occupants include a law firm and a marketing company.

Brokers who assisted with the Chronic Tacos lease include Stephen Pohl and Mark McLees, both of Black Commercial, along with Chris Schreiber, of Kiemle & Hagood.

Hieber Properties wrapped up a major renovation of the historic property in 2015 to spruce up three floors of the 35,000-square-foot complex.

By early fall 2017, separate construction related to the Bennett Block includes the building of a new skywalk across Howard Street between it and the former Macy’s building, to be located about 100 feet north of a former skywalk location. The new 76-foot-long skywalk will be installed closer to midblock over Howard Street between Main Avenue and Spokane Falls Boulevard.

The Macy’s building, renamed The M, is being converted to apartments on the upper floors with retail or offices on the lower floors. Centennial Properties, which bought the building last year, is leading the project. Centennial is a subsidiary of Cowles Co., which publishes The Spokesman-Review.

The renovation of The M will bring 105 apartments to downtown with parking available on the basement level.

Goodwill opening

in Post Falls

A newly constructed Goodwill Industries facility is opening in Post Falls near Highway 41.

The 24,000-square-foot structure, 4040 E. 16th St., replaced a smaller facility at 317 Seltice Way. The site has a Goodwill store, drive-thru donation center, a Workforce and Family Services Program office, and a regional transportation warehouse hub.

Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest serves individuals and families with job training programs and community resources in 23 counties across Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

HomeStreet Bank branch opens

HomeStreet Bank has opened a commercial lending branch in downtown Spokane. The office’s team is led by Steve Storey and Cliff Poffenroth.

The HomeStreet office is located at 601 W. First Ave.

Art co-op moving

on N. Monroe Street

Urban Art Co-op, a pottery studio, is moving to a new location at 3209 N. Monroe St.

Opening two years ago, the nonprofit business plans to relocate later this month to the site, nearly double the size of its first location, also on Monroe Street.

The studio offers classes, workshops, and corporate events. Comcast and the Spokane Cares is working with the nonprofit to improve the new space. Spring classes start the week of April 17.

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