Nightspots serve up big changes
Nightspots in downtown Coeur d’Alene have two major changes within half a block of each other. One change is very noticeable; the other isn’t.
The Beacon opened last week in the 3,200-square-foot space that formerly was the home of The Penny Candy Store at Sherman Avenue and Fourth Street.
The pub, a sister-store to the adjoining Brix Restaurant, primarily is decorated comparatively to the building’s early 1900s origin. The major, modern difference is five television sets that keep track of major sporting events.
The full-service bar includes a pub menu with pizza, barbecue rib tips and fries. Seating is around a four-sided bar, bar-height tables and outdoors in nice weather.
With the building originally being the Old National Bank, the men’s and women’s rooms include the original bank vaults.
Owners are Jerry and Sandi Goggin, who also have Brix. The Beacon is smoke-free and welcomes children until 9 p.m. Hours are 11 a.m. to 1 or 1:30 a.m. Phone (208) 665-7407.
New owners for Wine Cellar
Although “everything will remain the same,” according to spokesman Jim Duncan, The Wine Cellar in the basement at 313 Sherman Ave. has new owners in a group of investors from Vancouver, B.C.
“They’re retaining the menu and the wine list, and I’ll have six months to put a management staff into place,” Duncan said. “The 17 employees will remain the same. The new owners have been coming here for 10 years as customers.”
The Wine Cellar’s menu starts next week with a Mediterranean/Bistro /Northwest selection of 14 full dinners, appetizers, pizzas, salads and extensive wine and beer options.
The place seats 72 customers with hours of 4:30-10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and until midnight Fridays and Saturdays, with easy-listening live music five nights.
Originally from Douglas, Wyo., Duncan has 35 years of restaurant experience around the nation. He came to Coeur d’Alene in 1973 for a summer job in the Silver Valley. He had Jimmy D’s Restaurant across the street (where the Pita Pit is now) from 1988 to 1994 and started the Wine Cellar in 1992.
Duncan plans to stay in North Idaho and retain a Wine Cellar connection.
Commercial complex replaces nightclub
Two three-story combination retail/office buildings are planned for the 1422 Northwest Boulevard frontage that was the former home of the I Dunno nightclub. Residential buildings up to eight stories are planned for the uphill rear of the 4.1-acre property where The Pines Motel was located.
Owners John Beutler (of Beutler & Associates Century 21 Realty) and Marshall Chesrown (of Black Rock Development) plan buildings of 22,000 and 37,000 square feet with retail businesses in the ground floors and offices above.
Construction should start in late summer and take about a year.
North Idaho Title probably will combine its 52 employees from its two current offices from 700 Northwest Boulevard and The Spokesman-Review building into one space of about 15,000 square feet, according to spokesman Rick Brown. The upper reaches of the property will have views of the river and lake, Beutler said.
Courtesy becomes Aaron’s Sales & Lease
Furniture and appliances are the primary items available at Aaron’s Sales & Lease, which formerly was Courtesy Rent-to-Own at 3210 Government Way, Coeur d’Alene. The large store also offers computers, televisions and even lawn tractors.
Items are offered on a lease-to-own basis with shorter terms that allow faster ownership and less cost in the long run, according to manager Gary Smith. He works for the owners of franchises in Montana and North Idaho and came from Kalispell on April 1. He has six employees.
With nearly 1,200 stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, Aaron’s began in 1955 and has its headquarters in Atlanta.
Hours in Coeur d’Alene are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Phone (208) 765-1660.