Riding High It’s Not Just Big Shots Inside Those Sleek, Darkened Linousines; All Kinds Of People Are Riding Luxury Class
Behind a dented pickup and a small station wagon, a sleek white Cadillac limousine idled quietly, waiting its turn in the McDonald’s drive-through line.
A quarter-pounder for Pierce Brosnan? A pile of fries for the cast of Les Miz?
Nope. It’s your neighbors enjoying a super-sized bite of life - with a side of luxury, please.
Celebrity style is riding high in the Spokane Valley, as the not-so-rich-or-famous enjoy elegance on wheels. Nearly a dozen Spokane area limousine companies offer a collective fleet of fancy vehicles in sizes to suit every whim. “We do the whole spectrum of events,” said Sharon Allington of A AAmerican Limousine. Allington’s customers include country music stars, kids welcoming the end of the school year, corporate CEOs, and a weary band of law school students who’d finished their finals and wanted to push their luck at Two Rivers Casino.
“It’s something luxurious that most people don’t get,” said Allington. “They don’t have to worry about drinking and driving, and they like getting special attention and looks.”
Six to 10 adults fit comfortably in the “stretch” versions where the passenger compartment can be as long as 120 inches. Some have extra-wide doors to accommodate the most bouffant wedding gowns.
Understated by comparison but just as cushy are the executive class town cars, popular for corporate functions and low-key sophisticates. Rates range from $35 to $100 an hour for deluxe transport for weddings and anniversaries, birthday and bachelor parties, prom Paulson has yet to meet Ms. Kitty’s owner in person, but has cared routinely for this fluffy patient since she first pulled up to the curb three years ago.
“It’s a pretty long limo when it parks out front,” said the vet. “But to our patients it’s just another car.” He said it’s the TLC that counts, not the conveyance.
“What’s impressive is the proper care and love people give their cats,” said Paulson, “and Ms. Kitty does definitely get that.”
Said Australian’s Justin North, “Our clients, like Ms. Kitty’s owner, are ordinary people who value extraordinary fun.” North said most of his customers are two-legged, and that a lot of business comes from Valley teens and their families.
“Kids get a really bad rap for poor behavior,” said North, “but we’ve never had any trouble with them.” Whatever the occasion, Australian confirms the parents’ permission and everyone’s understanding of the rules before departure time.
“No smoking, no alcohol, no drugs, no nudity,” North recited, “and they discover they can still have fun.”
Dale Faulks’ son John worked just as hard at home doing chores as he did studying at Greenacres Junior High. He saved up his money and decided to close out the school year with a moonlight cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene.
“I helped out a little with the limo,” said dad, “but he rented a pinstriped tux on his own, and had three young ladies ride with him.” Faulk said the kids enjoyed soft drinks on the ride to the Lake City, spent a supervised evening, “and couldn’t have had a better time.”
“He was 007 for a while, and had a taste of the good life,” Dale laughed, “and now it’s back to yard work.”
MEMO: Changed in the North Side Voice