Hills’ Restaurant in downtown Spokane closes

Hills’ Restaurant and Lounge, a longtime fixture in downtown Spokane, announced it has closed for good.

The family owned-and-operated restaurant was founded in 1993 by brothers Steven and Dave Hill as Hills’ Someplace Else on Sprague Avenue across from the the Ridpath Hotel. The restaurant relocated to 401 W. Main Ave. in 2007.

Co-owner Steven Hill said there were “many reasons for the closure,” but a primary factor was they found a buyer for the building.

The building was purchased by 405 Main LLC on March 1 for more than $850,000, according to Spokane County assessor’s office records.

The restaurant was featured on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” in 2011. Chef Dave Hill’s pulled pork sandwich was sampled by Guy Fieri in the program.

The restaurant’s last day of operation was Feb. 28.

“Thank you for supporting us for many years,” Steven Hill said, referencing customers of the restaurant.

Auntie’s Bookstore owner John Waite said the restaurant was “a great neighbor” over the years and hosted many of the company’s holiday parties.

“It was just the best, most welcoming atmosphere,” Waite said. “It was a little old school, but that’s part of the reason I really liked it. It was very authentic.”