Historic Tri-Cities building that burned twice has new owners. You’ve seen one on TV
In a promising development for downtown Kennewick, the Cascade building has new owners with a vested interest in reviving the neighborhood.
Kagen Cox, who recently opened a crepe restaurant business next to the Cascade building, announced in a Facebook post that he and a partner purchased the fire-damaged structure at 304 W. Kennewick Ave., at North Cascade Street.
Benton County property records indicate Cox and Kellen Adcock paid $650,000 for the 11,825-square-foot building in a deal that closed in late November.
Cox noted that the second incarnation of Kagen’s Coffee & Crepes recently opened next door, in the former Foodies Brick and Mortar location.
Burned twice
Foodies closed after fire tore through the neighboring building in February 2022, and the popular eatery moved to a spot overlooking the Columbia River at the Columbia Park golf course.
Cox indicated he’s eager to see the upper-floor apartments and ground-floor commercial spaces leased to new tenants. It was unclear if the building is fully restored.
The Cascade Building was built in 1940 and has been empty since the first fire broke out shortly after New Year’s in 2022. It burned again 18 months later after someone broke into the building while it was being renovated.
Cox roared onto the Tri-Cities restaurant scene in 2016 when he and his wife, Jennifer, opened the original Kagen Coffee & Crepes in the former Golden Croissant location in Richland’s Uptown Shopping Center on Williams Boulevard by the old theater.
The Coxes had fallen in love with crepes while on a date at a mall in Edmonton, Alberta. Seeking out great crepes became something of a hobby for the couple after they married, started a family and moved to Richland.
Lines the first day
They invested personal savings to open the original restaurant, which was an instant hit that drew hours-long lines on its first day.
More recently, Kagen Cox had a viral moment when he was selected to compete on Gordon Ramsay’s “Food Stars” program, which aired this past spring.
Cox and his fellow competitors took on a weekly challenge as they pursued a $250,000 investment by the celebrity chef.
Cox ended up being the first contestant to leave. Undaunted, he came home and set out to open a second Kagen’s Coffee & Crepes. He selected the old Foodies’ spot in downtown Kennewick.
The new restaurant opened in November, about the same time he closed the deal for the neighboring building.
Follow Kagen Coffee & Crepes on its Facebook page or bit.ly/KagenCoffee.
This story was originally published December 27, 2023 at 7:00 AM.