What’s going on with Tri-Cities Sonic restaurants closing? + New virtual golf business
A sudden closure of a popular Tri-Cities fast food restaurant has diners scratching their heads.
Last week the Sonic Drive-In on Gage Boulevard abruptly closed, and the Pasco location is closed as well, with no indication as to when or if they’ll be reopening.
A sign on display says they closed on Sept. 7 as part of a transition to new ownership, but does not say when they plan to reopen.
An older sign posted at the Kennewick outlet mentions cutbacks in service due to supply chain and staffing issues.
The Herald has reached out to the ownership group Olympic Cascade Drive Ins, based out of Poulsbo, but has not received a response.
Other OCDI locations in Wenatchee, Ellensburg and Yakima also are closed.
Vine cutting and food trucks
A new food truck will be debuting at the Columbia Gardens Wine and Artisan Village’s “Vine Cutting” event this Thursday.
The event, set for 2-5 p.m., will see discounts on wines at the tasting rooms, as well as samples from food trucks.
Muret Gaston Winery, Bartholomew Winery, Gordon Estate Winery and Monarch Winery will all have specials.
Botanas Colichi, which was a pop-up vendor at the village’s food truck park earlier this summer, will now be on hand as a vendor on a regular basis, beginning with the event. They specialize in flavorful Mexican food and drinks.
Also serving up samples will be Culture Shock Bistro, Bobalastic, Swampy’s BBQ, Taste of Wok and Rollin’ Ice Cream.
Vine Cuttings are popular events at vineyards to celebrate the end of growing season, when farmers will cut the dormant vines and use the shoots to propagate new growth.
Columbia Gardens Wine and Artisan Village is at 313 Columbia Gardens Way.
For normal food truck hours, visit their Facebook page for weekly schedules.
Indoor golf
A new kind of golf is coming to the Tri-Cities. X-Golf is planning to open at the Kennewick Plaza shopping center.
X-Golf is an indoor simulator-based golfing experience. Building permits show they’re planning to have virtual golfing stations and a bar.
Golf enthusiasts can host private events, take lessons from pros and even compete in tournaments, according to the website.
Franchise owner Joe Reardon told the Herald they hope to open around Thanksgiving.
X-Golf will be at 2905 W. Kennewick Ave., next to Harbor Freight.
Commercial space
Extreme Diesel is building two commercial spaces in Pasco.
The warehouse space will come out to about 17,000 square feet each, at an estimated cost of $3.3 million.
According to permits, they’ll be bare inside, ready for commercial tenants to move in, at 2060 Commercial Ave.
