Chad White’s Letter:

“I’ve made the heart-wrenching choice to close our doors.”

Dear Spokane Community,

It is with a heavy heart and, deep reflection that I write this letter to share the difficult decision I have to make about Zona Blanca Ceviche Bar. After eight incredible years, filled with unforgettable memories, remarkable achievements, and a deep connection with all of you, I’ve made the heart-wrenching choice to close our doors.

Zona Blanca has been more than just a restaurant; it has been a vibrant part of Spokane's culinary scene, a place where innovation thrived, and a community gathered. We've been honored to receive numerous accolades over the years—recognition that speaks not only to our team's dedication but also to the support and love we've felt from this amazing city. From the Innovator Award by the WHA to being a two-time James Beard Awards Semi-Finalist, and everything in between, these honors are a testament to what we built together.

Beyond the awards and recognition, what has meant the most to me personally is the role Zona Blanca played in supporting our local community. Together, we raised over $150,000 for local non-profits, hosted countless private dinners to support important causes, and created a space where both our team and guests could come together in a fun, unique environment. This restaurant has been a labor of love, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved.

So, why close? The hard truth is that like many businesses in downtown Spokane, we've faced a challenging and rough road. The increasing crime, visible drug use, and the damage to public and private property have made it harder and harder to maintain a safe environment for our team and partners who are like family to me, and for you, our valued guests. On top of that, despite pouring all of my time, energy, and finances into keeping our doors open, I've had to face the reality that I’ve left very little for my own family—in both time and security.

After long conversations with my Alexi my wife and deep introspection, we’ve come to the conclusion that the best path forward for our family’s health and well-being is to close Zona Blanca. This decision was not made lightly, and it comes with a deep sense of loss, but also with gratitude for the journey we’ve shared with all of you. While we are closing our full-service sit-down restaurant, my intention is to carry out the terms of my lease and continue to utilize the space in unique and creative ways to bring special events, pop-up dinners, catering and culinary experiences to Spokane. Though this chapter is ending, we remain committed to bringing you innovative, delicious gastronomic adventures in new and exciting formats.

To our elected officials, I humbly ask you to recognize the urgency of what’s happening in our downtown. If someone like me, who has been fortunate enough to gain national acclaim and enjoy immense support from this community, is struggling this hard to keep my doors open, I can’t begin to imagine what it’s like for those who don’t have the same privileges. The challenges we face are real and growing, and if we don’t take immediate action to address the safety and well-being of our downtown, many more businesses—especially the smaller ones—will face even greater struggles in the months ahead. Now is the time for us to come together and protect what makes Spokane so special.

To our landlords, we deeply appreciate the flexibility and grace you’ve shown us during this transition. Your unwavering support and friendship over the years has been invaluable, and I am grateful for the opportunity you’ve given us to continue doing what we love most—serving this incredible community.

That said, closing the restaurant doesn’t immediately ease the financial challenges we’ve faced. I’m committed to doing everything I can to make sure that everyone—our team, our partners, and our community—are taken care of as best as possible. If you’re in need of a private chef, catering services, or you're interested in group cooking or cocktail classes, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly at Chad@chef-cw.com. I’m eager to continue serving Spokane in new ways and to share my passion for food and hospitality with all of you.

To my fellow restaurant owners: If you're looking for talented and dedicated team members, I can confidently say that the Zona Blanca team is among the best I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. It would be an honor to personally introduce them to you—just reach out, and I’ll be happy to make the connection. I remain fully committed to supporting the hospitality industry as a whole, especially restaurants in our downtown core. Together, we can help each other thrive in these challenging times and continue to uplift the incredible culinary community we’ve built here in 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 Thursday thru Sunday until September 29th, 2024 and I hope to see you all before then.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Chef Chad White
Owner, Zona Blanca Ceviche Bar