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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Fill ‘er up, Freddy

Rick Bonino

Fred Meyer is getting into the growler game in Spokane.

The Portland-based retail chain has filed a state liquor license application for a growler station at its Spokane Valley store at Sprague and Sullivan. That’s part of a major remodel scheduled for completion in October.

“We’re using Spokane as a test market for a whole new look and feel for Fred Meyer,” said Melinda Merrill, the chain’s community affairs manager. That will involve more food-related offerings, including growler stations, and less general merchandise, she said.

Future stations are planned at the other Spokane stores on North Division and South Thor, which will undergo less extensive renovations, Merrill said.

There already are growler stations at 32 of the 132 Fred Meyer stores in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska, according to the company’s website, including one that opened in the Coeur d’Alene location last fall. They tend to have 10 to 12 taps of local and regional beers, plus a cider or two.