Tucked into a historic home in Spokane’s Browne’s Addition, Jewel of the North is more than a neighborhood gastropub – it’s a declaration. A declaration of Black ownership, creative freedom, and staying power.
Co-owned by Brooks Thomas and A.J. Hansen, the restaurant opened in May 2025 with a mission rooted in community and vision. Even the name reflects their intent: honoring the legacy of one of Spokane’s oldest neighborhoods while signaling something rare and valuable in the Northwest – something distinctly their own.
Thomas, originally from Augusta, Georgia, moved to Spokane in 2000. His first job at D’Lish’s Hamburgers shaped his early view of entrepreneurship. Hansen, who came from Salt Lake City in 2018, met Thomas while bartending at Cascadia Public House. Years of working in kitchens and mixing drinks led the two to recognize a shared goal: to build something of their own.
Their journey wasn’t born in a boardroom but forged in the trenches – serving, cooking, mixing drinks, and watching others run businesses. But it wasn’t just about food. It was about redefining the narrative they’d both grown up with.
We reflected on the familiar message many in the Black community grew up hearing – the “good job with benefits” synopsis. While that guidance was rooted in survival and stability, and helped push the Black community to the middle class, it often leaves little space for creativity or the pursuit of ownership. Jewel of the North is their response – a new blueprint for Black ambition grounded in faith, risk, and strategic vision.
Having decision-making power and autonomy, they each say, is the best part of it all.
“The freedom to build something from the ground up has been the most rewarding part.”
“Now we get to call the shots,” Hansen says.
“It’s our music, our menu, our vibe. And when things go wrong, it’s on us. But when they go right? That’s ours too.”
Brooks adds, “People come in and say, ‘This is my first time on this side of town.’ That tells me we’re shifting something.”
“We’re not knocking stability,” Brooks says. “But we want to show there’s more than one path. And that path might lead to legacy, not just a paycheck.”
Creating a culture of exploration within the Black community empowers young people to pursue new paths, take risks, and build rather than simply participate.
“Let them dream,” Hansen urges.
This pair’s journey into entrepreneurship is about challenging that script and proving there’s another way forward. The two started their LLC in January, signed the lease for the building in February, and opened by May.
Their progress was fast, but far from easy. Navigating permits, building a team, and managing operations required long hours, flexibility, and a lot of faith. They are transparent about the challenges. From staffing to managing the logistics of business ownership – it’s a constant learning curve.
“Navigating permits, managing operations, and finding staff came with stress, sacrifice, and sleepless nights.”
“There were arguments, tears, stress – but also joy,” Hansen says.
But they emphasize resilience: “You’ve got to train your stress muscle,” says Hansen. “It’s not easy – but it’s worth it.”
Their advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is grounded in both realism and encouragement: commit to your vision. Build your community. Be willing to work through fear. This is the work of purpose and legacy.
Support from Spokane’s Black community made a critical difference. Pastor Amos Atkinson, the Small Business Resource Network (SBRN) Program Specialist at the Carl Maxey Center, helped guide them through the startup process – connecting them with resources, support, and the professionals who helped create their employee handbook. Atkinson’s work emphasizes the importance of ownership and provides foundational support for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to launch LLCs or navigate city systems. Thomas and Hansen’s experience underscores how trusted networks within Spokane’s Black community can generate ripple effects – one connection leading to another, building something sustainable.
Inside the gastropub, the atmosphere mirrors that mission. With a full-service bar, curated playlists, and cozy outdoor seating, Jewel of the North feels like a familiar front porch gathering – laid back, welcoming, and rooted in care.
“We’re not trying to reinvent the food scene,” Thomas explains. “We just want to offer good food, good energy, and a space that feels like home.”
Representation matters – and for them, visibility in Spokane’s business landscape is non-negotiable. Their presence challenges assumptions about what’s possible here. To those who think Spokane isn’t a place for Black excellence, Thomas insists: give it time.
“We’re building, and we’re not going anywhere.”
Looking ahead, the two envision growth, spin-offs, and mentorship. This isn’t a one-time venture – it’s the start of something bigger. They hope to create generational wealth not only for themselves but for others coming behind them.
“This is just our foot in the door,” says Brooks. “The sky’s the limit. We’re trying to create generational wealth – not just for us, but for the people coming behind us.”
And as Jewel of the North continues to draw customers, collaborators, and community members alike, its founders remain committed to the simple truth that started it all:
You don’t need everything to be perfect. You just need to start.