‘No Parking Allowed’ Makes Waves Arrow Point Dispute Concerns Prized Shoreline Access

When Fred Eickstadt pulled his 28-foot “Big Dad” boat up to the dozens of docks at the Arrow Point Bar & Grill on Lake Coeur d’Alene Thursday evening, workers told him he couldn’t tie it up there. So he came back Friday evening.

All that was left was a 100-foot dock, some concrete pilings and the beach. The other docks had been moved 200 yards south. A chain link fence was being put up, and a sign was posted. It read: “No parking for bar and grill patrons.”

“I knew they had been battling over these docks,” said the Spokane truck driver, as he sat at the bar eating ribs. “But it doesn’t stop me.”

The battle, which has been ongoing since January, is between Arrow Point Resort owner Roger Stewart and former resort owners Tom Robb, Barbara Renner and Larry Schwenke over the right to the shoreline.

Robb, who also owns the Iron Horse restaurant in downtown Coeur d’Alene, sold Arrow Point to Arrow Point Development in March 1994. Arrow Point Development has built 20 condominiums and is developing a 183-acre golf course.

Robb ran the casual barbecue grill for Arrow Point during the summer of 1994.

The dispute began in January when Robb filed suit against Arrow Point Development, claiming the company had not paid them for the purchase of the restaurant.

In a letter sent to Robb, Renner and Schwenke on Dec. 18, 1996, Stewart said the restaurant was an economic burden, and he suggested giving the property back to Robb.

“We have not been able to match the food service income as represented by Tom Robb when the property was originally purchased,” the letter stated.

In March, Stewart filed a countersuit. He said the restaurant did not have the right to use water and sewer services. And he said the restaurant still owes Arrow Point Resort about $26,000.

Robb declined comment on the dispute. Neither Renner nor Schwenke returned phone calls.

Earlier this year, Stewart shut off water to the restaurant, said restaurant general manager Claire Leisenring. Normally she opens the restaurant in April or May. She had to wait until water was turned back on before opening the bar and grill on June 13.

“The only people that are losers are employees and customers on the lake,” she said. “It sounds like vindictiveness to me. I don’t know, and I don’t care. I just want my business,” she said referring to the recent movement of the docks.

But moving the dock won’t stop Eickstadt, who boats almost every weekend on Lake Coeur d’Alene. He said he still will come, even if he has to park “Big Dad” on the beach.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo