Zinful in Kennewick closes its doors

A popular downtown Kennewick restaurant loved for its paninis and wine is no more.

Zinful, which operated at 114 W. Kennewick Ave. for seven years, sold off its remaining wine on Leap Day. Owner Cheri Manley said the closure had nothing to do with business being bad. She just felt she had earned a break and is retiring.

Manley and her husband, Mike, bought Zinful’s building and the one next to it in 1999 and spent years restoring it before opening the restaurant in 2009.

The restaurant became known for its panini sandwiches, ranked last fall as a “must-stop in the Tri-Cities” at No. 7 on a list on the website Only In Your State of 15 restaurants in Washington noted for their sandwiches.

Zinful also has frequently been the site of cultural events, including Mid-Columbia Lit Fest and downtown arts events.

The Manleys sold the restaurant in 2013, but eventually bought it back. Cheri Manley said she loves the business and her regular customers, but the restaurant industry is full of tight margins, and she was putting in 60 hours a week to keep Zinful running smoothly.

But they won’t be completely removing themselves from the business world because they will continue to hold onto their two buildings. The neighboring property is home to the boutique Heidi’s Mercantile, which Cheri Manley said is doing well.

“I’m going to be real careful who I lease (the Zinful space) to. I want it to fit downtown,” she said.

This story was originally published March 1, 2016 at 1:18 PM with the headline "Zinful in Kennewick closes its doors."