As the weather warms up, Girl Scout cookie sales are coming soon to booths around the Tri-Cities, and this year will be the last season for one of the cookie flavors.

Officials with the Simon Property Group, which owns Columbia Center, announced the renovation project Thursday via social media, saying that it will give the mall a “fresh, modern look.”

Joann is going out of business following its acquisition at auction by a private financial services company, referred to as a liquidation firm in some reports. The winning bid still requires court approval, but the potential buyer is expected to gain ownership of all the craft chain’s assets.

Washington state will see 21 of Joann stores close as the company prepares for a sale after recently filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. 

A Pasco high schooler operates P-Town Calls, which sells handmade wood and acrylic duck calls, as well as hats, beanies, sweatshirts and T-shirts in assorted colors repping the P-Town logo.

REI Co-op president and CEO Eric Artz, announced Jan. 23 that he will retire in March and the outdoor specialty retailer co-op’s board has named a former board member and executive with other active lifestyle brands as his successor. 

Joann, the sewing and crafts retailer, blamed “unexpected” and “acute” inventory issues, which took a big bite out of sales and put its $615 million debt in an “untenable position,” according to court documents. The retailer recently moved into a large new space at the Columbia Center mall in Kennewick. 

A King County and federal judge recently blocked the $24.6 billion merger of grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons in separate cases, leading Albertsons to abandon the deal and sue  Kroger for failing to do what was necessary to secure it.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving and the entire holiday season is the perfect time to drop by unique retail shops, scrumptious eateries and businesses offering memorable experiences.

Community Thrift is opening a store in Kennewick. The hope is to open in November or December at the latest, after some renovations.