Handle on Business: Fitness, style at Hayden Creek Plaza

Occupants are filling spaces in Hayden Creek Plaza.

Located northeast of the Government Way and Prairie Avenue intersection in Hayden, Hayden Creek Plaza comprises two buildings of about 25,000 square feet each that meet in an L-shape with a plaza and fountain at its apex. Designed by Miller Stauffer Architects of Coeur d’Alene, the structures boast a Northwest style with rock, wood and glass walls with cathedral ceilings over massive beams.

The first occupant was Just Because, an upscale women’s clothing store in the north building (which runs east-west). A few weeks ago, Storybook Bridal Boutique moved next door, and a second outlet of Exercise Institute (the first is in Riverstone off Northwest Boulevard) will be to the east.

Storybook Bridal Boutique sells bridal gowns from seven manufacturers, offering choices to match the bride’s personal style – from traditional, glamorous and romantic to sexy, modern and sophisticated. (Of course, your writer is too ignorant to declare that information, so it comes from shop owner Rosalie Alexander.) She also sells clothing, accessories and gifts for other women and girls in the bridal party as well as for other special occasions. Alexander was raised in Sandpoint.

With a display area and a large fitting room, store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Friday by appointment and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Phone (208) 762-4576. The Web site is www.storybookbridalboutique .com.

Exercise Institute plans to open in February with exercise equipment in 1,300 square feet. The business offers programs to improve clients’ quality of life through weight loss and fitness with two 15-minute sessions a week. The Web site is www.exerciseinstitute.com.

Businesses to the south

The north-south building at Hayden Creek Plaza is being prepared for three new occupants – Hayden Creek Coffee in the south end (probably in February) and Club Tan and North Country Traders to the north.

Opening in mid-January, Club Tan will offer 10 tanning beds and a supply and gift shop (with women’s swimwear and toe rings) in 1,800 square feet. Five to eight employees will help with full tanning services 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 9 to 6 Saturdays and 11 to 5 Sundays. Owners are Kirk and Stephanie Payne, who came to Kootenai County from Fargo, N.D., and Troy, Idaho, respectively, about 20 years ago. She also has the Tips and Toes nail salon on Government Way.

Anything for home decor with a Northwest flair will be offered at North Country Traders, which should open in March. “We’ll have vases, baskets, a wide variety of wall art, rugs,” said Jan Whiteacre, who owns the business with her husband, Kirk.

They had a similar store in Placerville, Calif. They came here last year, but he discovered North Idaho after seeing it profiled on TV in 1990 and came to buy property. They chose Hayden Creek Plaza because the architecture matched their inventory. Store hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Josh Beebe of Beebe McKernan & Daboll real estate said negotiations are almost complete for a 3,500-square-foot, family-style restaurant in the south building. This leaves 2,800 square feet available. The north building has 8,000 square feet available. Phone Beebe at (208) 667-0485.