New owners for 2 popular Foodies restaurants? + New Pasco eatery and a coffee bar

Wendy Culverwell
·4 min read

Foodies, the popular Tri-Cities restaurant brand with spots in Kennewick and Richland, may not be done after all.

After abruptly closing Foodies locations on The Parkway in Richland and in Columbia Park in Kennewick, owner Joanna Wilson posted that she’s sold the business.

“Today, I am happy to announce that both Foodies on the River in Kennewick and Foodies Too in Richland have been sold to a new women owned business team. They will be introducing themselves in due time, but I am excited to be able to pass the torch to a pair of women who share the same passion and excitement of food and hospitality!!” Wilson wrote on the Eat At Foodies Facebook page.

The city of Kennewick confirms it is negotiating a new lease with the new owners of Foodies.
The city of Kennewick confirms it is negotiating a new lease with the new owners of Foodies.

She’s released few other details but the new Foodies will be a new venture with its own leases and business plan.

The city of Kennewick, its landlord at Columbia Park, confirmed it is negotiating a new lease with the unidentified new owners. It offered no other details except to say that no final decision has made.

Foodies moved its Kennewick restaurant to the waterfront in 2022 after its original downtown location was closed by damage from a fire in the neighboring Cascade Building. (Kagen’s Coffee & Crepes opened in the old spot, 308 W. Kennewick Ave., last fall.)

The city previously said it did not receive notice that Foodies would close.

The Benton Franklin Health District confirmed it was notified that the two Foodies had closed. It had not been notified of a change in ownership as of this week.

All establishments undergoing a change of owner must submit an application and plan review to the health district. As part of the review, an inspector will review its menu and operating plans, according to Alea Jensen, supervisor for the health district’s food safety, plan review and permitting functions.

Watch eatatfoodies.com for updates.

Ciao Trattoria owners Imbibe

Jessie and Susanne Ayala, owners of Pasco’s Ciao Trattoria, open their newest eatery March 19. Imbibe is an Italian-style espresso bar, cafeteria and wine bar, 104 N. Fourth Ave.
Jessie and Susanne Ayala, owners of Pasco’s Ciao Trattoria, open their newest eatery March 19. Imbibe is an Italian-style espresso bar, cafeteria and wine bar, 104 N. Fourth Ave.

Susanne and Jessie Ayala, the Pasco restaurateurs behind Ciao Trattoria and Pasco Hamburger Co., will open their latest, Imbibe, at 104 N. Fourth Ave. in downtown, on March 19.

As the couple shared in 2023, they conceived Imbibe as an Italian-style cafeteria and wine bar after touring Italy. Imbibe sits squarely between Ciao Trattoria, just three doors to the north, and Pasco Hamburger Co., a few doors south at Pasco Specialty Kitchen.

The Ayalas said the positioning is deliberate. Imbibe will accommodate overflow from their tiny Ciao Trattoria.

Hours will be 7 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4 p.m.-9 p.m., Tuesday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday.

The morning and night hours are deliberate too, the Ayalas said.

“From the first sip of espresso in the morning to the last cocktail at night, guests are invited to savor the best of what Italy and local Pasco offerings have to offer,” they said.

Susanne and Jessie Ayala will open Imbibe March 19 three doors down from Ciao Trattoria in downtown Pasco. Their latest venture was inspired by their tour of Italy.
Susanne and Jessie Ayala will open Imbibe March 19 three doors down from Ciao Trattoria in downtown Pasco. Their latest venture was inspired by their tour of Italy.

Imbibe will offer pastries, desserts, panini, soups and pasta, with a focus on sourcing produce from the nearby Pasco Farmers Market in season.

David V35, a local artist, created art for the space, lending a mid-century vibe in the heart of downtown.

Go to theciaowagon.com or follow Imbibe Pasco on Facebook.

Swigg Coffee Bar opening

Swigg Coffee Bar holds a grand opening celebration from 5 a.m.-7 p.m., March 15 at its newest location, 1472 Bombing Range Road in West Richland.
Swigg Coffee Bar holds a grand opening celebration from 5 a.m.-7 p.m., March 15 at its newest location, 1472 Bombing Range Road in West Richland.

Swigg Coffee Bar plans a grand opening from 5 a.m.- 7 p.m., March 15, to celebrate the opening of its second location, 1472 Bombing Range Road, West Richland.

Owner Jerick Guilliam opened the second edition of Swigg in late 2023. During the grand opening, Swigg will serve $2 large drinks all day followed by deals on drinks and food throughout the week.

The West Richland shop joins the original Swigg, which is at 4854 Broadmoor Blvd., Pasco.

Swigg offers breakfast pastries and an ambitious food menu featuring grilled cheese sandwiches, charcuterie and an El Fat Cat Grill burrito.

Go to swigg.coffee.

WaFd Bank debuts in Kennewick

WaFd Bank has opened at 5331 W. Canal Dr. in Kennewick.
WaFd Bank has opened at 5331 W. Canal Dr. in Kennewick.

The newest WaFd Bank branch, celebrated the grand opening of its new Kennewick branch, 5331 W. Canal Drive, on March 7.

Seattle-based WaFd took over the former TeaHaus bubble tea shop near the intersection of West Canal Drive and Edison Street.

WaFd, aka Washington Federal, offers retail banking, business services, a drive-thu and an ATM.

Sign Up: Boom Town Tri-Cities

Stay up to date on Tri-Cities growth and development with our weekly business newsletter. Get the latest on restaurant and business openings and closings, plus the region’s top housing and employment news. Click here to sign up. In your inbox every Wednesday.