SPOKANE, Wash. — Zona Blanca Ceviche Bar, a fixture in Spokane’s culinary scene for eight years, will close its doors, owner Chad White announced.
White cited ongoing challenges in the Facebook post, including increased crime and property damage in downtown Spokane, as key factors in the decision to shut down. Despite efforts to maintain operations, these issues, combined with financial strains on his family, have made it unsustainable to continue according to White.
Zona Blanca has been recognized with several awards, such as the Innovator Award from the WHA and two James Beard Awards semi-finalist nods. White also added that the restaurant has played a role in supporting local non-profits and hosting community events.
While the restaurant will no longer operate as a full-service venue, White said he plans to use the space for special events, pop-up dinners and catering services. He is committed to supporting the local hospitality industry and has invited the community to visit the restaurant one last time before it closes.
White expressed appreciation in his Facebook post for the support from landlords and community members throughout the restaurant’s tenure and encouraged local officials to address safety concerns in downtown Spokane.
“Thank you, Spokane, for the love, the memories, and the incredible times we’ve had together. Your support has meant the world to us, and I will carry these experiences with me always. In the meantime, I have one last request—let’s end this chapter with a big bang. Please come out and visit us one more time. Let us see your friendly faces, share some laughs, and create a few more memories before we close. We’ll keep our doors open until we run out of ingredients, and I hope to see you all before then,” White said in Facebook.
