Bridge Troubles Coldwater Creek Expansion Forces Tenants Out
Business owners inside the Cedar Street Bridge got an unexpected gift on New Year’s Eve. Eviction notices.
The 10 or so shops in the log building that spans Sand Creek were ordered out by the end of this month.
The move will make room for Coldwater Creek, a mail-order catalog company that has leased all 28,000-square-feet of the downtown landmark.
Coldwater Creek, listed as one of the fastest growing companies in the United States, already has two retail stores in the bridge. Those will be expanded and the Bridge will essentially be turned into a Coldwater Creek retail outlet store.
The company focuses on environmental and wildlife themes and has a line of clothes, jewelry, Native American crafts and music.
“Asking them (the other businesses) to vacate was not a happy experience, and I was a little hesitant,” said Bridge owner Scott Glickenhaus. “But I think the entire downtown could benefit from this. The downtown needs an anchor tenant.”
Coldwater Creek President Dennis Pence did not return telephone calls Wednesday.
Glickenhaus hopes the company, which sends out millions of catalogs each year, will draw more tourists to Sandpoint. In turn, that will provide more business for other downtown merchants, he said.
Some evicted tenants admit the Coldwater Creek takeover could stimulate the downtown. Still, some aren’t happy about the months of uncertainty they endured before getting eviction notices on New Year’s Eve. Most of the businesses had month-to-month rental agreements.
“It’s hard to be positive about it and hope they (Coldwater Creek) don’t choke on it when you just lost your space,” said artist Ward Tollbom. He operated the Hen’s Tooth Gallery in the Bridge for two years.
Rumors of Coldwater Creek taking over the Bridge surfaced this summer. Tollbom said tenants were never informed about the negotiations. Most didn’t know whether to start searching for new space or take their chances that the deal wouldn’t materialize.
“If the Bridge turns into what Coldwater Creek envisions, it will be wonderful, but I can’t see that,” said B.J. Biddle. She operated BJ’s Games and Books in the Bridge for 10 years.
“I don’t wish them any ill will at all, but I do have some annoyance at the way the whole thing was handled.”
Biddle will move into another downtown store on First Avenue, formerly occupied by the Crystal Butterfly. Tollbom has reserved space in the Pine Street Annex. The Silver Lady, Candy Cottage and Delightful Diversions have also made other arrangements since their leases were terminated.
The Festival at Sandpoint has its office in the Bridge, but has yet to find another location. It may have to move into temporary quarters until June, when another office opens up downtown, said Executive Director Connie Berghan.
“The Festival is extremely supportive of Coldwater Creek taking over, even if we are inconvenienced,” she said. “We think it’s a positive thing for downtown.”
Coldwater Creek employs about 200 people and is in the process of expanding its office and warehouse.
MEMO: Changed in the Spokane edition