Frankenburger’s, Fire & Brimstone close at Columbia Center

Frankenburger’s Fry Labs and its neighboring business, Fire & Brimstone Wood-Fired Eatery, quietly closed for business, leaving a pair of high-profile retail vacancies near Kennewick’s Columbia Center mall.

The twin eateries occupied the first and second floor of a retail pad at 1022 N. Columbia Center Blvd., near Lowe’s and a Carl’s Jr. establishment.

Gary Long Jr., who owns the building, confirmed the space is available for lease but declined to elaborate on what happened to the two restaurants. Fire & Brimstone closed in mid-July and Frankenburger’s followed a few weeks later.

Phone numbers for both establishments have been disconnected and their websites and Facebook pages have gone silent.

Fire & Brimstone was owned and operated under Jessie Verduzco’s Artisan Kitchen LLC banner. Long is listed as a “governing person” with Verduzco in Artisan Kitchen corporate documents on file with the Washington Secretary of State.

Fire & Brimstone announced its closure in a Facebook post in mid-July.

“It is with heavy, and bewildered, hearts we share publicly that the doors to our beloved ‘Fire & Brimstone’ has been closed.,” wrote Jessie and Jennifer Verduzco. The Verduzcos thanked customers for their support and pledged to revive the dream and desire to operate a restaurant.

Fankenburger’s Fry Lab enjoyed a long incubation with development beginning in March 2016 and the restaurant actually opening the day after Thanksgiving. It took its name from the Mary Shelley classic and promised to offer “mischievous” experiences for the tastebuds.

Frankenburger’s documented its progress in detail on its Facebook page. It most recently posted a Now Hiring ad on May 31.

The two restaurant spaces are being marketed by Steve Lambert of Tri-Cities Life, a local real estate firm. Lambert could not be reached Tuesday.

Derrick Stricker, a commercial broker with NAI Tri-Cities, isn’t directly involved with the property. But, he predicted, the first floor will be occupied soon.

The building is new, modern and occupies one of the highest visibility spots in the Tri-Cities, fronting Columbia Center Boulevard at the entrance sign to the Toyota Center.

“What Gary (Long) has got going for him is location of property. And it has the look and feel of what new retail wants,” he said. “It’s a good set-up for someone.”

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This story was originally published August 22, 2017 at 2:02 PM with the headline "Frankenburger’s, Fire & Brimstone close at Columbia Center."