Gumbo, jambalaya kitchen heats up in downtown Kennewick + $1M Walmart makeover
Jasmine Gay left Oklahoma City for a government job in Eastern Washington.
But her longing for the Cajun fare she grew up with prompted the 20-something newcomer to consider opening a small restaurant to serve the savory dishes inspired by her family’s Southern roots.
She asked All About Tri-Cities, the Facebook page dedicated to the Mid-Columbia: Would members support the restaurant?
Gay was stunned when 400 people responded, with 94% promising to patronize it.
“I just had this little idea,” she said.
Emboldened, she and boyfriend Kris Ermey scouted for a spot to open a business. They chose Red Mountain Kitchen, the commercial kitchen in downtown Kennewick where startups share kitchen space and can serve the public.
The restaurant, Abair’s Kitchen, opened in January. Hours are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, with the possibility of adding Thursday and Friday hours as business grows.
In just seven months, Abair’s Kitchen has won fans with its authentic chicken and sausage gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp etouffee, crawfish etouffee, poboys greens, dirty rice, its occasional fried chicken and a dessert lineup that features fried pecan and sweet potato pies, banana pudding and 7 Up pound cake.
It is adding vegan gumbo and vegan etouffee this weekend.
Gay said she was shocked earlier this summer, when her young business was invited to participate in the Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s July 15 CrawFest.
Her food inspired a Tri-City Herald reader to suggest this feature.
“They did amazing and the food is BOMB. They need more business and need to be put on the map,” the admirer wrote.
CrawFest introduced Abair’s to more customers. She’s been invited to the Benton City Chamber of Commerce’s Benton City Daze (Sept. 8-10) and RiverFest (Columbia Park, Oct. 7).
Gay said she enjoys running the business and is eager to see it spread its wings. But her primary job is with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
She’d previously worked for the Small Business Administration in Oklahoma City until COVID-19 relief funds were exhausted and the agency laid off employees. She liked the stability of government work so she cast about for another federal job.
That led to an offer to work as a loan specialist in the rural development office of the Department of Agriculture in Yakima. Gay and her boyfriend packed their bags and headed to the Northwest. They initially chose the Tri-Cities for housing.
If you’re going: Abair’s Kitchen: 212 W. Kennewick Ave. Hours are updated regularly at abairskitchen.com and on its Facebook page. It partners with TC Food Force for deliveries. Pre order dishes online for pick up.
Contact Abair’s at abairskitchen@gmail.com.
Walmart update wraps
The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate renovations to the Kennewick Walmart at 9 a.m., Friday, at the store, 2720 S. Quillan St.
The $1 million project updates the photo lab and grocery area, new paint, signage and a refresh of its online grocery pickup service, according to a building permit issued by the city of Kennewick.
SGA Design Group of Tulsa, Okla. is the designer.
Horseshoe champions coming
Are horseshoe competitors called “horseshoers”?
Tri-Citians have a year to figure it out before the National Horseshoe Pitching Association brings its championships to town.
Visit Tri-Cities reports Kennewick will host the championship competitions in 2024 and 2027. Each will bring about 1,000 participants to town for two weeks in late July and early August. The impact is estimated at $1 million per event.
“Horseshoe pitchers are some of the most friendly people you will ever meet, and we are excited to be selected to host the sport’s most celebrated event in the Tri-Cities,” said Kevin Lewis, president of Visit Tri-Cities.
The Three Rivers Convention Center will host the events. FWIW, people who play horseshoes are generally referred to as players.
Chukar marks 35th anniversary
Chukar Cherries is celebrating its 35th year in the Port of Benton Business Park in Prosser, where it was the first tenant in 1988.
Chukar Cherries was founded by Pam Montgomery, who realized cherries from the family orchard were delicious when dried naturally without sugar.
The young company needed a place to develop its products and chose the port’s new incubator for manufacturers on Wine Country Road.
Today, Chukar employs more than 60 and processes 500,000 pounds of Northwest cherries into various treats. It occupies the original building as well as a new warehouse built in 2007 and a fulfillment center built in 2018.
Mid-Columbia wineries sweep state awards
Mid-Columbia wineries, and winemakers, dominated the 2023 Washington State Wine Awards/Seattle Wine Awards, announced Aug. 1.
Heritage Award
Gordon Estate Winery, the Pasco-based winery led by Vicki and Jeff Gordon, was named the 2023 Heritage award winner. The citation noted the winery’s red blend, cabernet sauvignon and temranillo were gold award winning wines.
The winery has a tasting room in Kennewick’s Columbia Gardens Urban Winery & Artisan Village.
Wine MVP
Jones of Washington, based in Quincy, is the 2023 Washington State Wine Most Valuable Producer.
The citation notes its award winning rose of syrah, viognier, albarino, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, pinot gris and riesling. Its winemaker, Victor Palencia, operates his own winery and tasting room at the Port of Kennewick’s Columbia Gardens Urban Wine Village.
Fabulous Four
Alexandria Nicole Cellars of Prosser is one of the Fabulous Four Wineries of the Year.
Ali and Jarros Boyle lead Alexandria, which was established in 1998. The citation noted the wineries award winning Crawford viognier, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, syrah, rose and white wines.
The other Fabulous Four were Bayernmoor Cellars of Woodinville, Liberty Lake Wine Cellars of Liberty Lake, and Quiddity Wines of Woodinville.
Apartment complex with big pool sold
The Crossings at Chapel Hill, which claims to have the largest outdoor swimming pool of any Tri-Cities complex, has sold for a reported $66 million.
The buyer is Glencrest Group, based in San Francisco.
The sale price carries a reported 6.5% capitalization rate, referring to the anticipated return on the investment. A cap rate is akin to the interest rate on a savings account.
The Crossings was built in 2012 and 2016, and includes 13 three-story buildings offering one-, two- and three-bedroom units.
CBRE Group Inc. brokered the deal.
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