Handle on Business: Hampton Inn opens
Somehow the new, five-story Hampton Inn and Suites at Riverstone sneaked open. But it didn’t sneak by everyone. The place was quite busy last weekend.
The hotel is quite elegant, with a huge entry hall fireplace and dramatic ceilings. Amenities include an indoor pool and Jacuzzi, a well-equipped exercise room, a business center with several computers, a guest laundry, a small convenience store and three meeting rooms. The free breakfasts offer much more than continental fare.
Each of the 124 guest rooms has a microwave, refrigerator, wireless Internet, coffeemaker and iron and board. Most have views of the Spokane River or the Riverstone pond. The winter costs are $99 for the basic room up to $129 for the suites. This Hampton has 15 to 40 seasonal employees.
Affiliated with Hilton hotels, this Hampton is administered by Ameritel Inns of Boise, which also has the Ameritel Inn in Coeur d’Alene. General manager is Lindsey Stratford. Call 769-7900.
Book & Bean for families
Positive family experiences are the emphasis of the Book & Bean, which opened two weeks ago at 3115 Government Way (next to Hands-On Art), Coeur d’Alene.
The store offers a special selection of new books for children, young adult, classics and Christian. It features a kids’ play area, a reading area with cozy chairs around a fireplace and a meeting room. Oh, we can’t forget the “Bean” part of the title with special coffees and espressos, baked goods and healthy shacks.
Originally from Leavenworth, Wash., owners Hunter and Deborah Bried came from San Dimas, Calif., after visiting family in North Idaho.
Hours at the Book & Bean are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Call 769-9700. (Wow! Notice how close these first two phone numbers are to each other).
New owners at Little Seattle
Mother-daughter partners Barbara Cole and Kimberley Mullen have purchased and operate the Little Seattle Coffee Bar & Cafe at 2310 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene.
A variety of coffees, other beverages, panini sandwiches, salads and baked goods are offered for eat-in or take-out. The place seats about 40 people in three semiprivate comfort zones with leather couches and chairs, a fireplace, three bar tables with stools and regular tables. A small meeting room is available.
The menu will change to reflect healthy choices, and the women hope to add beer and wine for cozy evening relaxing with appetizers and music. Winter hours of 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. will extend to 7 p.m. in the spring.
Cole “retired” to North Idaho from Grand Coulee, and Mullen is from Post Falls. Call 665-5996.
This week’s tidbits
“Petal Pushers Nursery and Garden Center at 1842 Government Way replaced its “moving soon” sign with one that says they’re staying and adding vendors. Watch for more on this next week.
“However, businesses that have closed recently include Rex Appliance on Hanley Avenue, the Blue Bay restaurant (the former Dugout) on Seltice Way and Scott-Ja-Mama’s BBQ on Fourth Street.
“Oh, back to signs. A “Bijou Boutique Coming Soon” sign is on the west windows of the Painter’s Chair Gallery at 223 E. Sherman Ave.
Stephanie Boettcher, daughter of gallery owners Stephen and Cathy Shortridge, will open her fine jewelry store in late March.