New Idaho state building may save enough to pay for itself

The Idaho Department of Labor will break ground Thursday on new offices.

The 17,000-square-foot masonry building will be constructed in the Post Falls Business Park by Boise-based Guho Corp.

Insight Architects, also of Boise, is the designer.

The department leases its current space at 1221 W. Ironwood Drive in Coeur d’Alene.

Manager Jo Ann Edmiston said the new location on Thornton Street will improve access for a Kootenai County population that has shifted westward, and upgrade the services available to businesses and job seekers.

She said ownership of the new building will save the state $250,000 in operating costs a year. That money, invested in compliance, as well as fraud and overpayment prevention should save enough money to recover the $4 million cost of the new structure in five years.

Funding will be provided by the Reed Act, which in 2002 carved money out of the federal unemployment compensation program for modernizations.

The groundbreaking with department Director Roger Madsen and other officials begins at 1 p.m.

Gourmet culinary shop

Jessica and Michael Winn are turning a foodie passion into their first retail business. The Post Falls couple will open Spokane’s new Oil & Vinegar gourmet culinary shop in River Park Square in May.

The shop will take about 1,200 square feet on the second level near Nordstrom.

Oil & Vinegar is a global franchise, with six stores at present across the U.S. The closest locations are in Bellevue and Missoula.

The Winns, both grads of the University of Montana, first encountered O&V in Missoula and quickly became regular customers.

After moving to North Idaho recently, they decided to dive into the retail culinary market.

They expect to hire a handful of employees to help keep the store open seven days a week.

The O&V appeal is offering a wide variety of products on tap or in bulk containers or bottles. The store will carry more than 40 varieties of oils and vinegars, along with cooking sauces and dips.

The Winns will also serve up cooking tips and recipe advice for customers.

Metal fabricator now open

River City Fabrication, a new Post Falls metal fab shop, opened its doors recently at 6000 E. Commerce Loop. Luke Greenside, the company manager, said company owner Shannon Horn has invested in new computer numerical control equipment to help customers with exacting metal jobs.

The company also offers 24-hour mobile metal repair, Greenside said.