SPOKANE, Wash. — The Washington Hospitality Association says Larry Brown, the owner of The Onion in downtown Spokane, passed away.
Brown opened what would become The Onion Bar and Grill in 1975. He later revitalized Frank’s Diner, a landmark restaurant for visitors and locals alike.
“Larry was instrumental in developing the dining culture in downtown Spokane,” said Anthony Anton, president and CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association. “He believed the community deserved great places to gather, and he did the tireless work to make that vision real. In doing so, he paved the way for countless restaurateurs who followed, setting the high standard that defines the city’s dining scene today.”
In recognition of Brown’s impact on the local food scene, he was awarded the Hutton Medallion in 2025 for his support of the Hutton Settlement. He was also honored as a business icon by the Spokane Journal of Business in 2020.
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