Did you know the Tri-Cities area has over 300,000 people living in it?

The growth of our area has been staggering over the last two decades. The population of the Tri-Cities region was around 200,000 in 2000. As more people move in, the region becomes more attractive to big businesses.

New developments are seeing more chain stores and local businesses popping up.

The Queensgate area of Richland has seen Five Guys, Krispy Kreme, Crumbl Cookies, Panera Bread, and Habit Burger open up in recent years. But Kennewick and Pasco continue to grow and develop as well. In the near future, we'll see a second Costco location open up on Broadmoor Boulevard in Pasco. The Southridge area of Kennewick has a ton of potential, having welcomed a new Fairchild movie theater recently.

102.7 KORD logo
Get our free mobile app

What stores should come to Tri-Cities?

There has been a lot of mutual interest between Tri-Cities and Trader Joe's and residents won't have to drive too far to score some Popeyes Fried Chicken. Even though we've been quite spoiled lately, who says Tri-Cities can't have a wishlist of restaurants and stores that we'd like to see open in town?

Trader Joe's, Chick-fil-A, and 17 Other Stores Tri-Cities is Lusting For

With the population of Tri-Cities, Washington over 308,000 (as of 2021), the area is starting to see an influx of not just people, but popular chains. In a community that rabidly supports local business, big business is seeing dollar signs on the dusty horizons. Here are some chain stores and restaurants Tri-Cities doesn't yet have, but you could see in the future.

LOOK: 38 Amazing Actors That Have Called Washington State Home

Sure, Washington is known for Amazon, coffee, wine, apples, grunge music, Microsoft, and Boeing. But you may not know how many actors and actresses have come from the Evergreen State. Yeah, our state has had an impact on the television and film industry. We've got A-listers, an Oscar winner, and faces of big franchises.

Check out our list below, I'm sure you'll find some surprises.

25 Missing Children From Washington, Do You Recognize anyone?

It's every parent's nightmare. When children go missing from home, school, anywhere, fear sets in. Who took the child, teen, or adult? What happened? Please take a look at these missing children going back to 1971. One of these kids could be your neighbor, a fellow co-worker, or parishioner. Do you have any information about any of these children?

More From 102.7 KORD