Empire Airlines Plans To Move Its Corporate Headquarters This Month
Aach! OK, I admit I didn’t get most of my Christmas cards out on time. You’re right! I haven’t arranged for judges for the writing contest that I agreed months ago to help organize.
And, miserably, I have several business bits that I haven’t had time or room to add to my columns of late because the opening brilliant themes have taken up too much room.
Yes, today I give you the items I’ve neglected. And since I collected the information over the past weeks, all I’ve had to do is update, which took minimal time. So, today I’m on the slopes (or possibly working on the living room valances that I promised to accomplish over the holidays two years ago). Do you realize that if I keep jabbering on, I’ll have less room for the undone items and I’ll have more left over for next week?
Empire Airlines will move its corporate
headquarters this month from the Coeur d’Alene Airport to the front half of the former GTE building at 2115 Government Way in Coeur d’Alene.
Reasons for the move of about 50 employees are consolidation of offices, more usable space and an expiring lease (with owner Pack River Co.) at the airport. Empire will retain its airport terminal staff.
Offering passenger service (to Lewiston and Boise) and contract services, Empire flies 46 aircraft from Alaska to Mexico and east to Louisiana. Operating since 1977, Empire occupies 14,000 square feet in the former GTE building.
Pete’s Automotive is a new business offering foreign and domestic car and truck service and repair at 1704 Government Way in Coeur d’Alene. The two-building business, which replaces former tenant Steve’s Auto Sales, is across Spruce Avenue from the Army-Navy Store.
Owner Peter Danforth Jr. has 14 years’ experience in auto repair. A California native, he moved to Spokane in the 1970s and to Coeur d’Alene in 1982. He formerly was with Cook’s Automotive. His assistant is Ron Blaski.
Donuts N’ More and Fantastic Sam’s hair salon are two new tenants in Hillstead Center, E, 1602 Seltice Way, Post Falls.
The donut and deli shop opens this week, offering bakery items, bagels, deli sandwiches, hot dogs and burritos. The 1,500-square-foot business has three employees, is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and offers a delivery service.
Owner Balwinder Riat came to the United States from India 12 years ago. A manufacturing engineer, he came to North Idaho with All-American Aviation when it moved from Glendale, Calif., to Post Falls.
Seven stylists offer full salon services at Fantastic Sam’s, which is owned by Dennis and Carol Holloway of Spokane. They plan to add tanning beds.
Headquartered in Tennessee, the company has three franchises in Spokane.
Assuming that all government entities offer green lights, Panhandle Pizza should open next week at 105 Indiana in downtown Coeur d’Alene. Owners Ron and Bente Riley purchased the 4,500-square-foot former Senior Citizen Center and converted it into a restaurant. The remodeling included adding a fireplace.
With table seating for 100 people, a teen room and a game room, the business will offer pizza, sandwiches, soups, pasta and a salad bar as well as beer (bottled, tap and micro-brewed) and wine. With 22 employees, the business will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
The Rileys came to North Idaho from Sacramento. Dale Fitch is general manager, and John Riley is assistant manager.
Talk about credentials. Floral designer Patty McFarland, with the new Fleur d’Alene floral and gift shop in Sunshine Garden Outlet in Post Falls, designed arrangements for the first Ladies Gala at the Smithsonian Institution, the Friends of the First Ladies Gala Reception at the Reagan Library, the World Cup sailing competition and the San Diego Museum of Art.
Owners Bill and Gay Henry, also from the San Diego area, opened the shop in midwinter and specialize in Victorian themes. Managed by Curtis Gregory, the Sunshine Garden Outlet is at 3051 Seltice Way next to the Holiday Inn Express motel.
Open house for Lewis-Clark State College’s new Coeur d’Alene facility will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at 623 E. Wallace. Visitors may tour the building and meet the faculty and staff.
The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Nils Rosdahl The Spokesman-Review