OUR HISTORY

The Garland District began in 1910 with the building of the street railway system, particularly the Post Street Line. By the late 1920s, the district started to take shape with the building of the Masonic Temple on the corner of Garland and Wall in 1920. In the 1930s, the Milk Bottle was built as part of the Benewah Creamery Chain. Fergusons Café opened as well and has been featured in movies such as "Why Would I Lie?", "Vision Quest", and "Benny & Joon". Most recently "Boon" was filmed in the district. The Garland Theater opened its doors in November 1945 and was the premier movie house in the West, rivaling and surpassing theaters in Los Angeles and Hollywood. It is a premier example of Art Deco architecture in the Pacific Northwest. Many businesses along Garland Avenue still have their original neon signs dating back to the 1950s. Most businesses in the Garland District are locally owned and many of them have been family-owned for more than 30 years.

The Garland Business District

The Garland Business District was incorporated in 2007 as a 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation to foster economic development and support locally-owned businesses. There are currently over 85 businesses in our District. The Garland Business District is a volunteer-driven and we strive to establish a vibrant neighborhood walking district that encourages our neighbors and visitors to feel welcome.

Businesses within our district, or those who would like to support the marketing and improvement of our district, are welcome to join our annual membership. Please contact us for more details. Monthly meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 8:30-9:30 am at The Gathering House, 733 W. Garland Avenue.

The Garland Business District encourages inclusivity for all who visit our neighborhood. Its members do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.

We seek to encourage diversity in our district and welcome all those who visit us to feel safe and accepted.

Thank you for supporting the strengthening of The Garland Business District!

In The News

Pure joy and love and innocence’: Students’ Garland mural celebrates belonging, The Spokesman-Review, June 16, 2023
Street Music Week’s Garland showcase goes on despite gloomy weather, The Spokesman-Review, June 14, 2023
Building a business in Spokane brick by Lego brick, The Spokesman-Review, June 1, 2023
Campaign to ‘Save the Garland’ once again seeks to reimagine Spokane’s historic movie theater, The Spokesman-Review, April 3, 2023
Improv can improve your life: Blue Door and the School of Improv take craft beyond the performance space, The Spokesman-Review, March 12, 2023
Mixed-use project envisioned in Garland District, Journal of Business, July 14, 2022