Spains build a better life in Ritzville

RITZVILLE – Accustomed to the warmer weather of Palmdale, Calif., Diane Spain didn't expect the single-digit winter temperatures of rural Eastern Washington.

On their arrival here in December 2014, she asked her husband Pete Spain, "Why didn't you tell me it was so cold?"

But the couple adapted.

Pete and his wife hoped to give their kids a better life. "We ended up in Ritzville because Pete's mother lived here and we wanted the kids to be near their grandparents," Diane said.

"We also wanted a safe environment for our kids. In California, gangs had infiltrated the area where we lived," Pete added. "Our kids couldn't even ride a bike around the area. It was getting too dangerous."

Pete had spent time in Ritzville during the summer months, but didn't anticipate the colder winter temperatures. In December 2014, the couple and their two kids moved into a small house on Adams Street and for the first few days their heater wouldn't work.

"It was freezing," he said.

That winter, he worked for Dennis Bergquist, who owned a trailer park near the edge of town. Meanwhile, Spain applied for a state contracting license, then started his own contracting business: Pete Construction.

In California, Pete was a contractor for about 13 years. He operated two businesses – a chimney sweep company and an asphalt business that specialized in highway and parking lot maintenance. His wife worked in real estate and insurance.

But in 2010 the California economy crashed.

"When we rolled into town, we didn't even have a truck," Diane said. "We had two cars, a little savings, our kids and each other."

But she added, "Ritzville's been great to us. We've been able to build our business and provide for our family."

The Spains are proud of their two children: Diamond, 21, and Pete Jr., 14.

In high school, Diamond took part in cheerleading, homecoming royalty, softball and the "running start" program. She also worked at McDonalds and started building credit.

"At 20 years old, Diamond Spain bought her own car without a cosigner," her father said.

"We raised both our kids with a good work ethic. Diamond watched us struggle through hard times during the California recession," Diane said. "She's seen us at our lows and our highs. She knows the value of a dollar."

Diamond graduated from Ritzville High School in 2020, but didn't get to graduate with her class because of mandated COVID restrictions.

"It was sad for her, but she finished school and attended the Paul Mitchell cosmetology school in Spokane," Diane said.

Now, she's making a good income at a Spokane salon, Pete added.

As an eighth-grader, their 14-year-old son lettered in high school wrestling.

"In junior high, he finished with six wins and one loss. In all six wins, he pinned his opponent," Pete said proudly. "He started wrestling in second-grade and never gave up."

(In Washington state, eighth-graders are allowed to wrestle in B high schools if the students are needed to field a team.)

"He's also one of my best helpers with the business," Pete Sr. said of his son, noting building that business has been tough.

"I needed to find a niche here, a type of service that others weren't already providing," he said.

He eventually found that the greatest need was for concrete and gravel work, projects that require his backhoe, dump trailer and other machinery.

The Spains also bought a commercial building on First Avenue.

"Pete's always wanted to hold swap meets," Diane said.

"We ran three swap meets last year that weren't very successful," Pete Sr. noted. "But we see a lot of potential.

Our weekend swap meet has been great for travelers passing through the area because it's not overwhelmingly large and buyers don't have to park far away."

Overhead costs aren't significant because the Spains own the property where the meets take place. He said sellers can leave unsold inventory overnight because he's hired an onsite swap-meet director.

Ritzville police also keep a close eye on the property.

During the week, Pete Construction will continue managing a variety of projects, including renovation of the Ritzville Car Wash, wood furniture construction, installation of an RV storage lot and residential deck construction.

"We're getting booked up for the season," Diane said.