New toy store just in time for Santa

Getting lost will be a concern at Figpickles. Not because of the size of the place, but because of its contents and atmosphere.

Figpickles Toy Emporium should open by Saturday at 312 Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene. The store is in the completely renovated 100-year-old building next to Everson’s Jewelry. Although the bare interior bricks are a nostalgic treat, the high copper-paneled- and-beamed ceiling is the architectural delight. The place formerly housed Ramblin’ Rose women’s clothing store.

Now it’s a place where children will absolutely go crazy and adults will delight both in watching them and by imagining their former (and future) play days.

This place’s inventory is simply astounding. It has traditional and storybook toys, characters, animals and activities. And it has stuff that makes your eyes bug wide open. Stuffed creatures include a 6-foot bear, a full-size flying eagle, a moose and horses. It has toy houses, building toys, rolling and flying toys, learning items, real bugs and butterflies enclosed in clear plastic, and a real kid-size carousel.

“High quality” is a key phrase here, although “expensive” is not necessary. Plenty of toys are under $15.

Coming from metropolitan New York, owners Susan and Brett Sommer discovered Coeur d’Alene when they drove through a year ago. “We moved here within six weeks,” Susan said.

They and their sons, Devin, 18, and Austin, 15, will live in the apartment on the second floor.

Some of the store’s proceeds will go toward a foundation Susan is creating to provide assistance to children with financial problems. The foundation originated through an inheritance from Susan’s mother and through her love for children. “It’s nice to see your vision come to life,” Susan said. Store hours through Christmas will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Its under-construction Web site is www.figpickles.com. Phone 667-2800.

Piano dinner theater in Wallace

An audience-interactive piano dinner theater called Gigs will open in Wallace the weekend after Christmas.

Gigs will open Dec. 29 and 30 at the renovated Liberty Theatre at 515 Cedar St. Although closed for several years, the 1920s theater most recently housed the Wallace Eagles’ Club.

Dinner and hors d’oeuvres will be catered by Albi’s Restaurant of Wallace. Entertainment will come from several musicians and actors, many from the Sixth Street Theatre. Regular shows will be Friday and Saturday nights.

“We’ll be able to pick from the wonderful talent of our area,” said Lija (pronounced Leah) Pittman, who owns the business with her husband, Doug. They’ve been in Wallace since 2002, coming from Coeur d’Alene and Seattle. “We fell into Wallace,” she said. “The show is softly nostalgic, yet crisply modern and very audience-interactive.”

The semi-formal dinners will be $35 for the show, dinner, dessert, coffee and one drink. The door opens at 6:30 with dinner at 7, the show at 8. A New Year’s Eve party ($20) starts at 8 p.m. Dec. 31. Overnight packages are available. Phone (208) 512-1865.

New Medical Supply store opens

Mountain States Medical Supply has opened its full-service retail store at 1801 Lincoln Way, Coeur d’Alene. The business has access to more than 100,000 products that it can have within 24 hours.

Special-needs products include mobility aids and diabetic footwear. Services include free delivery and set-up of equipment. They honor all types of insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare.

Owners Gevorg and Ruzanna Martirosyan came to Coeur d’Alene from Phoenix. They also are opening a store in Spokane. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 11 to 3 Saturdays. Phone 664-5551.

Serenity Salon opens Monday

The grand opening for Serenity Salon & Spa will be from 2:30 to 7 p.m. Monday at the shop at 503 E. Seltice Way (next to the Bargain Barn), Post Falls.

The seven employees of owner Tiffany Hatch offer complete hair services, artificial nails, a massage therapist and an esthetician (skin-care specialist). Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 9 to 3 Saturdays. Phone 773-7676.