Beware Of Columnists Bearing News Too Good To Be True On April 1

Nordstrom is coming to Coeur d’Alene!

Sorry - April Fool. (I always wanted to do that.)

Seriously, several North Idaho businesses do have positive news about expansions and new locations. But not everything has been positive.

In Coeur d’Alene, recent closures include The Bagel Basket in Ironwood Square, the Blue Moon Bakery on Lakeside Avenue, The Bread Shop on Northwest Boulevard and the Hungry Horseman restaurant on Government Way. Cy’s Butcherie in Post Falls also closed.

An incoming panic call claimed that Benetton (women’s apparel) in Coeur d’Alene Plaza was closing. Not true, said an employee at the store. The “liquidation” sign simply refers to a major change in old merchandise making way for new, the employee said.

Orlando has lost his “wheels,” but his eatery is still Orlando’s Mexican Drive-Up at 9900 Government Way, in Hayden. Owner Orlando Duran now has an enclosure and stand-up food bar at his place, which has developed almost a cult following for his take-out burritos.

He offers breakfast burritos and lunch from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and will be open Saturdays as summer approaches. His specialties include Arizona-style burritos, carnitas, asaladas and tacos.

Originally from Arizona, Duran came to North Idaho from California in 1992 and opened the eatery in 1995. His wife Jacqui is a horse trainer in Hayden. Phone 772-3387.

With its building to be replaced by the new Home Depot store, Country TV & VCR has moved from 315 W. Sunset Ave., in Coeur d’Alene, to the Commerce Center, 3655 Government Way. The 12-year-old business offers repairs of television sets, stereos and video cassette recorders.

Owners Dave and Chris Carlson came to North Idaho 16 years ago from Sidney, Mont. Their move includes an expansion from 900 to 1,600 square feet. Phone 667-2173.

Grand opening for the simulcasting center at Coeur d’Alene Greyhound Park in Post Falls, is Friday, with 50-cent hot dogs and beer.

Featuring races from up to 12 horse and greyhound parks at once, the 500-seat complex includes 30 TVs (with two 52-inch sets) in special sections and 100 tables with individual monitors. The business employs 70 people. Hours daily are 9 a.m. until the last race (about 9 p.m.). Phone 773-0545.

Nearly doubling in space, Gateway Gardens is moving April 15 in Silver Lake Mall. The change to the space next to Radio Shack will allow inventory expansion to fill 1,700 square feet and three dressing rooms, rather than its previous one.

The store features a variety of hemp products, from Woody Harrelson boots and clogs to incense, cookies and clothing. The expanded inventory (much from recycled materials) includes books, candles, multicultural music, imported clothing, handmade masks and fountains.

Originally from Missoula, owner Lynne Hutton came to North Idaho in 1983 from Colorado with husband Rick, a veterinarian. She employs 14 people. Phone 772-3807.

With a theme emphasis on motorized racing, the Riverbank Family Restaurant & Speedway Lounge now occupies what for 34 years had been Fay’s Lounge & Steakhouse in Oldtown.

Situated on the Pend Oreille River, the 150-seat restaurant (plus a 120-seat banquet room) offers three meals daily starting at 6 a.m. Specialties include home-made food from handed-down recipes, fresh meats and fish and a salad bar.

Owner Joe Braswell, a Spokane Valley native who previously had the Red Rooster Restaurant in Reardan, Wash., is developing a racing theme for his place with photos and souvenir items. He employs 18-22 people and plans to expand outdoor seating and add a dock. Phone 437-3926.

A 12,600-square-foot building to house four or five retail or office-space businesses will be built this summer on an acre-plus just north of Tri-State Outfitters on Highway 95.

Called Sunshine Retail Plaza (with access from Sunshine Street), the building will have spaces ranging from 1,200 to 5,000 square feet. Construction should start in May. Owner Shawn McMahon of Prudential Acuff Northwest Realty, said the site has a traffic count of 30,000 vehicles a day. It will offer cross-marketing with Tri-State and specially designed individual spaces. Phone 664-7249.

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