West Richland is a hot spot for restaurant development this spring, with several established businesses planning to set up shop in the city. 

“It’s exciting to see all the commercial growth in the past few years,” Eric Mendenhall, West Richland’s community and economic development director told the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business.

Tapp’d

Tapp’d, a self-serve beer, cider and wine taproom, is moving into the building at 4390 W. Van Giesen St. that used to be home to West Richland’s Tumbleweeds and before that The Chicken Shack. 

Tapp’d is owned by Alfa Chavez, who also runs Tri City Taps in Pasco. The West Richland venue will follow a similar model, she said, with self-serve beers, ciders and wines accessible via a wristband.

Customers open a tab and can pour as much or as little as they want and are charged per ounce.

The business also will offer a full bar and kitchen, and unlike the Pasco bar, which is for those over the age of 21, Tapp’d will be family friendly. The selection of beers might vary a little between the two locations as well.

Chavez said that Tri City Taps had a lot of customers visiting from different cities, and they often commented that the business should come closer to Richland, West Richland and Benton City. So Chavez decided on West Richland. 

There’s no specific reason for the difference in branding, she said, other than to keep them separate as they expand into a different city. 

Chavez said that Tapp’d is set to open around the end of March, and a large patio out back will give the business opportunities to bring in live music in the spring and summer.

Tapp’d is hiring servers and a few bartenders, with the goal of around 20 employees, similar to Tri City Taps. Because the businesses are so similar, training will likely take place at the Pasco location, Chavez said. 

“We’re really grateful for the support, and we’ve had a lot of … people reaching out, a lot of people are excited, and we’re excited to come into West Richland,” she said. 

Aki Sushi

Kennewick’s Aki Sushi is planning a second location at 1567 Bombing Range Road. That’s in the strip mall home to Technique Lab Jiu Jitsu Academy, Papa Murphy’s Pizza and Three Rivers Urgent Care, among others, which is adjacent to Yoke’s Fresh Market.

A $50,000 building permit was filed with the city to remodel the storefront into a sushi restaurant, and a business license was issued in February.

Miss Tamale

Richland’s Miss Tamale is opening a second location in West Richland. The Mexican restaurant expects to open around May 1 at 6447 Keene Road, near Libby Middle School, according to a Miss Tamale Facebook post.

Building permits were recently filed with the city for $100,000 in tenant improvements to remodel the space.

Miss Tamale’s Richland location is at 701-B The Parkway.

La Bella Vita Kitchen & Bar 

La Bella Vita Kitchen & Bar plans on a location just off the intersection between Belmont Boulevard and Keene Road in West Richland.

Mendenhall confirmed that La Bella Vita’s owners, Parmjeet and Ayrene Thind, signed a purchase and sale agreement to buy the city property for $634,234. The expected closing date is May 15. 

La Bella Vita currently serves up Italian-American food at 1515 George Washington Way in Richland, and the Richland Chamber of Commerce frequently hosts its monthly meetings there. It’s located adjacent to The Franklin apartments, across from Jefferson Elementary School.