Foodies reveals what new restaurant will take over its smoke-damaged Kennewick eatery
Tri-Citians have been wondering for months what would become of Foodies Brick and Mortar in Kennewick after the restaurant was forced closed by a devastating fire in the neighboring Cascade building.
Well the wait is over, Foodies officially announced their exit in a social media post.
The restaurant was closed for several months due to smoke and water damage from putting the fire out, and because it was in the danger zone if a fire-damaged second story wall collapsed. Several other businesses also were displaced.
While many customers will mourn the restaurant’s departure from downtown, there’s good news rising from the ashes.
They announced that a local favorite Hot Mess Burgers & Fries will be opening its first brick and mortar restaurant in that spot.
The Hot Mess food truck is already a Tri-Cities staple, serving fat, juicy burgers and movie-themed monthly specials.
They’re currently parked just down the block from their future home. You can find them outside the Red Mountain Kitchen at the Flag Plaza.
It’s still early in the process though, so Hot Mess doesn’t have an estimated opening date just yet.
Foodies also teased an upcoming announcement of their own.
Whether it’s a new location is not yet known, but they have been working on a food truck for the past year, making some appearances already this summer. Their Richland location, Foodies Too, at 701 The Parkway, remains open.
Car Max
A national used car dealership is expanding to Richland.
Car Max has five other locations in Washington state, and is the nation’s largest used car seller. They also offer in-house financing.
Car Max is based out of Richmond, Va., and has more than 225 locations nationwide, offering shipping to homes or nearby dealerships.
Paperwork filed with the state shows they hope to begin grading work by October. The new lot will be large enough for 150 to 200 vehicles, according to the site plan.
It will also include a 5,100-square-foot office and a service bay.
The dealership will be at 1261 Tapteal Drive just west of Kohl’s and the Macy’s Mattress Store near Columbia Center mall.
Zintel Way
The Ridgeline Drive underpass isn’t even complete, but developers already appear anxious to build on the prime real estate on the east side of Highway 395.
Located in south Kennewick by the Canyon Lakes and Southridge developments, the Zintel Way apartments will include 195 apartments in five buildings, plus a clubhouse, according to permits filed with the state.
If all goes to plan, construction is set to begin in the spring.
Evergreen Housing Development Group of Seattle is developing the property. The underpass is expected to be done in October.
Residence Inn
A long-in-the-works $20 million hotel expansion near Columbia Center mall may be moving forward.
Ignite Hotels first proposed the new Residence Inn in 2019, before the pandemic threw a wrench in the works.
Earlier this year they began resubmitting permits and paperwork with the state and city of Kennewick.
The new hotel would be near their Red Lion Hotel property off of Columbia Center Boulevard. The Residence Inn would go in at the southeast corner of the property.
The 90-room hotel would be 80,000 square feet if the original plans are still in play.
They hope to begin construction as soon as this fall.
This story was originally published August 27, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
