Some Castoff Coeur D’Alene Buildings Aren’t Staying Empty For Long

Sometimes in our professions and lives we have to completely change our tunes, minds, opinions, intentions, what-have you.

In this case I am delighted to do so.

I had planned to write about the unsightly empty buildings that would result in the Coeur d’Alene area once several businesses build and move into new facilities on the booming north end of town. In teasing this possibility last week, I called it a Musical Chairs game in reserve - that we end up with extra empty spaces instead of not enough.

Wrong! Maybe. I hope so.

In weeks past, topics in the column have included several businesses that are building such new facilities, including Duncan’s Garden Center & Nursery, Priano’s Pools & Spas, Black Sheep Sporting Goods and Safeway.

I made the mistake of assuming that the “old” buildings that these businesses were leaving would become empty eyesores. Evidently this isn’t true - yet - for several of them anyway.

Duncan’s is the biggest question mark. Owners Steve and Linda Badraun gradually are moving everything out to their gigantic facility on Kathleen Avenue. Their “old” place on an acre and a half on Fourth Street is for sale with “lots of lookers but no takers” so far, Linda said. Meanwhile, a small garden and floral shop will operate in the Fourth Street store until the new store is completely ready for occupancy.

Priano’s plans to build a 9,700-square-foot store across from the new Duncan’s, but owners David and Connie Priano are so busy in their “old” store at 116 Lakeside in downtown Coeur d’Alene that the project has been delayed.

“We’ve put a hold on it until the right time so we won’t mess up this (summer) season,” Connie said. “We wish we could have started it last fall.” Meanwhile the Prianos have had several inquiries about the availability of their downtown building.

The best news regards “old” buildings that aren’t being abandoned at all. The best example is Safeway and its plans to retain business in its Fourth Street store and building the new store just east of K Mart.

The other good news in this direction comes from the old Black Sheep store, which has become Tom’s SportCo Warehouse since Dave Knoll built the new Black Sheep on Highway 95.

Another Knoll brother, Tom, and his wife Charlie bought and completely renovated the “old” building at 2424 N. Fourth. Their new business offers “everything from golf to guns,” Charlie said.

They offer complete supplies and services for sport and outdoor activities - camping, hunting, fishing, boating, rock climbing - in the 8,000-square-foot store, which has been repainted inside and outside and carpeted.

The store is independent from the Black Sheep. Both brothers learned their trade in Spokane while working for their uncle and his White Elephant store on Division. Charlie originally is from Arizona.

Another business planning to move to Kathleen Avenue is Specialty Sales & Service, which will greatly expand its motorized water and snow sports inventory.

The Bonasera family will expand from their current 6,000-square-foot facility on Harrison Avenue to 24,500 square feet in three buildings at their new 4.5-acre facility. Included will be a 12,500-square-foot showroom and office and two 6,000-squarefoot buildings for a shop and storage. Located between the new Fred Meyer property (just east of Parker Toyota) and the planned Priano’s building, the new Specialty Sales & Service facility should open around September.

The Bonseras plan to add the full line of Kawasaki recreational motorcycles and allterrain vehicles and Fountain powerboats to their current lines of Polaris and Arctic Cat snowmobiles, Rinker boats and Kawasaki jet skis.

The Bonaseras, Thomas (Skip) and Dave, came to North Idaho from San Jose 12 years ago. They plan to expand from six employees to 10 or 12. Their “old” building is for sale or lease.

A new kitchen and home accessories store should open Thursday evening in downtown Coeur d’Alene. Called Red Rooster Trading, the business will open in the 2,600-squarefoot space vacated by Expressions Custom Furniture at 308 Sherman Ave.

The Arnot family will offer gourmet kitchen accessories, including small appliances and cutlery, and special home provisions, including fine bed linens and pine and iron furniture.

Justin and Nicole Arnot moved from Bozeman, Mont., to manage the store for owners Kevin and Kim Arnot, who have a similar store in Missoula. The Arnot brothers originally are from Conrad, Mont. The building is owned by Paul Daugharty.