Richland favorite restaurant closes its doors permanently after 40+ years

A longtime late-night haunt and morning gathering spot in Richland has served its last customers and is expected to be torn down.

A sign posted to the door of Shari’s near Safeway dated April 1 says that the location is permanently closed.

A Facebook post Tuesday on the Shari’s Richland page echoed the same message with customers voicing their dismay and recounting their fond memories.

County documents show that Shari’s first signed a lease for the location in August 1979, and the Northwest chain iconic for its pies became a popular Tri-Cities hangout.

A look through Tri-City Herald archives show stories ranging from teens socializing at Shari’s after concerts at the fairgrounds to community groups meeting around the restaurant’s bottomless cups of coffee.

In December, the Shari’s at 1745 George Washington Way and 1200 N. Columbia Center Blvd. in Kennewick temporarily closed during indoor dining restrictions during the COVID pandemic.

The Kennewick location is back open.

The decades-old building owned by Shari’s will be demolished. The Benton County Auditor’s Office listed the building’s value at $106,000 last year.

In its place, a new retail outlet will be built in the parking lot that is near Safeway.

The owners of Washington Plaza Shopping Center told the Herald that the new building will be about 4,800 square feet and will accommodate one to three retailers.

One of the units will have a drive-up lane and window, and the area will have an outdoor seating space.

Kiemle Hagood commercial sales company is handling the real estate listing.

A construction kick-off date is pending approval of permits, and units being lease. The building is being designed by Archibald & Co. in Richland.

This story was originally published April 7, 2021 at 11:51 AM.