Low-profile Ednetics seeing growth, building first-class headquarters
Technology for education is the focus of Ednetics, a little-known business with its national headquarters in Post Falls. It’s mission is somewhat complicated, especially for technologically handicapped people; the company builds infrastructures and finds data networking and security solutions for schools. Hence the name Ednetics.
And they’re obviously successful. They’ve poured the footings for a 32,000-square-foot corporate headquarters at 971 S. Clearwater Loop near the University of Idaho Research Park in Post Falls. They also have a facility in Bellevue, Wash., and they’re planning one for Portland.
All this in 13 years.
Shawn Swanby started the company alone in Moscow in 1997 and came to Post Falls in 1998. He now has 31 employees with headquarters in two buildings in the UI Park and the outlet mall. The new facility will be completely state of the art, he says, with a fitness center, racquetball court and theater.
“We will showcase the technology we can bring to our customers,” Swanby said. They plan to be in the new building by December.
Check www.ednetics.com; phone (208) 777-4707.
Pastry and More has more
Making their part-time home bakery specialty into a full-scale business, Andy Renfrew and sister-in-law Becky Renfrew bought and reopened Pastry and More in Northern Lights Mall at 411 W. Haycraft Ave. (west of Highway 95).
They offer a large variety of baked treats, breads, cheesecakes and cakes for special occasions. For lunch they have soups, sandwiches and quiche.
Andy and Becky are from Moscow and North Dakota originally and joined family in Kootenai County. Although the bakers start at 4 a.m., the doors open at 7 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The grand opening is Feb. 27.
Phone (208) 667-3808. Check www.pastryandmore.com.
Abbotswood Design comes downtown
Site-specific landscape features such as parks, trails, streetscapes and incorporating artworks are the specialty of Abbotswood Design Group, which has moved to 211 E. Coeur d’Alene Ave. from 1420 Lincoln Way. They also have offices in California and Hawaii and will be opening one in Spokane.
Recent projects include the Fallen Heroes Plaza Memorial at Cherry Hill Park in Coeur d’Alene and the INB Performing Arts Center and Convention Center in Spokane. They won the 2009 Best of Business Award in Landscape Architecture from the Small Business Commerce Association recognizing the top 5 percent of small businesses nationally.
Coming to North Idaho from Laguna Beach, Calif., and with 25 years a professional experience, William A. “Fred” Ogram IV started the company in 2002. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Phone (208) 765-5775; check www.abbotswooddg.com.
Parkside Bistro changing emphasis
Stressing its push to involve the community and college students, Parkside Bistro & Pub has stretched its hours to open at 7 a.m.
Aiming at North Idaho College students on their way to and from morning classes as well as evening, Parkside now offers espressos and wakeup drinks in the morning. Pizza, nachos and pulled-pork specialties through the day and evening complement the beer, wine and soft drinks. Customers under age 21 may stay until 9 p.m. And they’ll be adding Wii games.
The business is hoping the changes will attract more City Park and beach visitors as well as the passing students who get special deals with their college ID. This could influence the city’s plans in receiving the encompassing property from the outgoing railroad company.
Owner Kevin Eskelin has had Parkside for 13 years. Morning manager is Dionne Quinlivan. Phone (208) 765-8220.
This week’s tidbits
•Watch for a new Gamer’s Haven store at 1600 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls.
•New businesses on East Sherman Avenue include Kung Fu San Soo at 2004 E. Sherman and Jojo’s Tatoos at 1520.
•The new access road into Fred Meyer from Kathleen Avenue has just one exit lane, which can make it tough to leave if a vehicle in front of you is turning west on busy Kathleen.