Sandpoint Voice Stilled Death Of Businessman Allen Cox A Big Loss To Bonner County Tourism Industry

The death of prominent businessman Allen Cox this week was not only a personal tragedy for many people, but a huge loss for Bonner County’s tourism and resort industry.

Cox, who died in a car accident Tuesday, was a major player in promoting Sandpoint as a resort town, contributing money, time and leadership.

“Clearly, he was one of the primary players in the tourism industry here,” said Jonathan Coe, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.

“He didn’t flaunt being a big man in town. He was pretty low-key, but his loss will definitely be felt.”

The loss is even greater when coupled with the death of Bill Bowman, another high-profile businessman who died after an illness last year. Bowman owned and operated Connie’s Motor Inn and Connie’s Cafe with his wife Lorraine.

“The loss of Bill Bowman and Allen Cox is significant, not just because of their holdings, but because of their involvement as local leaders in business, tourism and marketing this area,” Coe said.

Cox, 47, along with his mother, Jacquita, and other family members own Sand-Ida Services Inc. The corporation has more than $4 million worth of holdings here, and at the peak of tourist season employ 250 people.

The Cox family owns the Edgewater Resort on Lake Pend Oreille and a prime stretch of nearby waterfront property that’s been considered for a convention center site.

They also own the Quality Inn, Pastime Cafe and Whiskey Jack Condominiums.

Cox was building a new gas station and convenience store off U.S. Highway 95 at the north end of Sandpoint. The store is slated to open this weekend.

“Allen certainly believed Sandpoint as a community should be marketed. He was always concerned about business, not for the money, but because of how it affected his employees and this town,” said John Fields, marketing director for Sand-Ida.

“We have lost one big advocate for Sandpoint, but we plan to continue his efforts as a corporation.”

Cox regularly donated hotel rooms to the Pend Oreille Arts Council. It was the only way the group could afford to bring in and house performers, such as the San Francisco Opera and Nutcracker Ballet.

For his generosity, Cox was named Member of Year by the Pend Oreille Arts Council.

He was also twice president of the Chamber of Commerce, served seven years as vice-president for the North Idaho Chamber of Commerce and by governor’s appointment, sat on the Private Industry Council.

“He had his fingers in a lot of different pies,” said Lorraine Bowman, former chairman of the Idaho Travel Council. “He has contributed immensely to Sandpoint and I don’t know how you can fill a void like that.”

Understandably, Fields said many people have questioned what will happen to Cox’s hotels, restaurants and other holdings.

“We want to assure everyone that operations will continue with the family and Sand-Ida management team,” he said. “That would be the wishes of Allen and that is what we are going to do.”

Cox’s mother helped start the family businesses and has continued to help run them. Cox also has a brother, sister and seven children - and one of them could step in as chief executive officer and president of Sand-Ida, said Gary Finney, Cox’s friend and attorney.

“It’s been a family business for years and it will still be the same way,” he said. “But Allen was the person people saw everyday.”

Cox’s three restaurants, the Pastime Cafe, Mitzy’s and the Beachhouse, will close Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon for his funeral.

Services will be at 10 a.m. in the First Lutheran Church.

“Allen was an astute businessman and always very caring about the people who worked for him,” Fields said. “We will miss him.”

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