Real Men Don’t Expect Valentine’s Day Gifts, But Since You Asked …

Man, oh, man. Valentine’s Day is here again.

Fortunately we men don’t have to feel amiss … because we know this “special” day is simply a ruse by all those romantic-stuff companies to make money off guilt-ridden males.

And our ladies? Heck, they know they don’t have to get us anything because we think this “holiday” is a bunch of commercial fluff. Nope, we don’t need any of that.

But, I admit, I would like a truck.

It doesn’t have to be a big honker truck with jacked-up axles and extra fog lights. It could be just a sport utility vehicle. It can even be used.

If you have similar hidden desires this Valentine’s Day, there are an array of new business in Coeur d’Alene that might have something to offer. No floral shops in this list.

If a truck is out of the question, a new Coeur d’Alene business might have the next best thing. Truck accessories - if ever a truck happens to be in the driveway.

Custom Truck occupies 8,000 square feet at 254 W. Kathleen Ave. with a wide assortment of (primarily pickup) truck accessories that have confusing names with potential dual meanings.

They have 75-150 different camper shells (not former hermit crab homes), bed liners (not mattress pads), running boards (my imagination goes crazy trying to figure out where the “running” comes from), bug shields (those gnats have to protect themselves), bumpers and 50-75 hitches.

Custom truck sells these items retail and wholesale and offers installation and service in three vehicle bays. Certification and warranties are included.

“We are the Wal-Mart of truck accessory shops,” said owner Rob Lechot (pronounced Le-Show). “We have the biggest showroom in the region. We’re open seven days a week, we’re serious and we’re big.”

Lechot came to North Idaho in January from Boise. He has another store in Ontario, Ore.

Meanwhile, Industrial Supply, which sells wholesale “hard” goods to mills and industrial users, has moved to Bracks Welding & Supply, 1823 N. Fourth, Coeur d’Alene. General Manager Stan Parks said his inventory includes bearings, sprockets, belts, chains and power transmission products.

Wow. Some more manly goods here.

The store was on Sherman Avenue in the 1930s and moved to Fourth Street in 1954. It now is associated with Valley Welders of Billings, Mont., and is owned by General Parts Inc. of Raleigh, N.C.

Want some more manly ideas? How about some real gut-rippin’ chili? Well, actually it’s no doubt fine chili that results from the products of Que Pasa? Chili Co., now open at 1124 Sherman Ave.

The business offers 130 different hot sauces, barbecue sauces, salsas and many other pepper products such as spicy fruit dessert salsas, pepper candies, dried peppers and pepper-related giftware. Included are decorated plates, artwork, t-shirts and jewelry. Services include The Chili Pepper, a hot-sauce newsletter, and a catalog of Que Pasa? products.

The store moved from above the Taco Dude restaurant to its new location for ample space and parking. It’s next to Jeff’s Shoe Repair and across from Burt’s Music and Music City.

Owners are Jannelle and Pat Travis, who came to North Idaho 15 years ago from Pacifica, Calif.

If that makes you thirsty, it’s a good time to mention Accurate Testing Lab, a new business at 7950 Meadowlark Way off Highway 95 in north Coeur d’Alene.

The company became Idaho-certified Tuesday for the testing of drinking water. Pretty good timing, considering the flooding and spring runoff. The company plans to work with individuals and businesses, well companies and wastewater systems.

Owners are Jim McMaster and Walter Mueller.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Nils Rosdahl The Spokesman-Review