Lindebee's closes its doors, learning center to move into location

Lindebee's Diner, located at 111 S. Lefevre St., closed its doors in Medical Lake Jan. 31 but the space will not be vacant for long. Cela's Creative Learning Center, currently located on State Route 902 next to Denny's Harvest Foods, will move into the space over the next few months.

Lindebee's, a 1950s-themed diner and the city's only full service restaurant opened in 2006. Zella Drinkard bought the diner from previous owners Matt and Laura Jackson in 2009 and ran it with her husband, who recently passed away. Other than a few modifications, the Drinkards kept the restaurant the same as it was when the Jackson's opened it.

"It became a family business," Drinkard said. "Running the diner just became too hard by myself. It's just time for me to move on."

On the last day of operation, several friends and local business owners held a party to say goodbye to the diner and wish Drinkard luck in her future.

"I appreciate all of their support over the years and I want to tell everyone 'thanks for the memories,'" Drinkard said.

Drinkard added that she is excited for Cela's Creative Learning Center moving into the space.

"The timing worked out perfect for them," Drinkard said. "I hope it works out."

Cela's opened back in 2008 and serves families from the West Plains, Spokane and Reardan.

According to its owner Marcela Lindsey, the reason for the move is because the learning center has outgrown its current space.

"There is a lot of traffic in this area and a lot of people stop by and inquire about us," Lindsey said. "A lot of them sign on. It's been a good location for us."

Lindsey said the learning center will move into the new space in stages with the toddler and preschool programs moving first. She expects to be completely moved out of its current location by June.

In the new location, the learning center will be licensed for 87 children and is currently taking applications for clients.

One of the changes for the learning center will be the return of the infant program, which closed a couple of years ago. Lindsey said the program will accommodate up to eight infants when the center reopens.

The pre-kindergarten readiness program will increase from half-day up to a full-day. The learning center also plans to accommodate between 15-30 more students for its school age program as well as increase the number of activities. The new location also gives the learning center a 5,400-square-foot playground area.

Lindsey said the school-age programs will be held in the area that was the restaurant while the infant programs will be in the former buffet room.

"It will be closed off to where the school-age students have their own area and don't have to share with anyone else," Lindsey said.

For Lindsey, she is mostly excited about giving the older children a chance to have their own space. Since it began, the learning center has maintained an open classroom.

"The open concept is great, everyone sees each other, but giving the school-age children their own classroom is going to be very beneficial," Lindsey said. "I'm also excited for the playground."

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.