Cheney-Spokane Road reopens, bringing relief to Eagle Ridge neighborhood and local businesses

SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — Residents and business owners are rejoicing as Cheney-Spokane Road reopens Friday.

Since May, residents of the Eagle Ridge neighborhood had to navigate long detours to leave their homes. The road also runs by many local businesses.

Business owner Susan Shelby is one of the many excited to see the road opening.

“We’re just excited for the community as well as Cheney to be free of the road closure and for us to have business back as normal,” Shelby said.

Shelby owns four different restaurants in the Latah Creek Plaza. She and her team have worked hard to incentivize drivers to brave the detours to visit Latah Bistro, Wine and Taps, Shelby’s Burgers and Latah Latte, using ads to poke fun at the inconvenient construction.

“There was really nothing we could do but persevere and do our best to advertise and get crazy on social media and just be grateful to the people that can make it,” Shelby said.

While clever signs made light of the road closures in the area, it couldn’t make up for the traffic that used to bring in customers.

Shelby said the Eagle Ridge community made up a large portion of those customers.

“Over 80% of all of our business comes from that area and those residents,” she said. “It was very challenging. We’re just very thankful that (the road) is going to be back open now.”

Shelby said she’s now preparing for an influx of customers, similar to a grand opening.

“It’s going to be such a celebration for everyone that has been working so hard to make it through this tough time,” she said. “We’re just very grateful for everyone’s support and community and it’s been very heartwarming.”