Rei Sales Help To Increase Visibility For Hayden Lake Manufacturer

A letter from a Kootenai County reader said:

“I bought one of these little grills at REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.) and noticed they are made in Hayden Lake. Maybe you can do an article on the company.”

Included was a product tag for a Travelers Grill, “crafted in the interior Pacific Northwest” by the Purcell Trench company of Hayden Lake.

A phone call later, company owner Don Tryon explained that Seattle-based REI is his “most substantial” outlet, marketing about 2,000 of his grills a year. His stainless steel tube grills include the 5.5 x 17-inch Travelers Grill (retailing for about $35), a Packers Grill and the larger Guides Grill. They come in nylon storage bags that are made in the Spokane Valley.

Tryon said he expects a positive reaction to the Boy Scouts’ catalog marketing the grills this year. He is very proud of his grills.

“Products should give you good utility,” he said. “Some other companies make them (grills) to make money rather than work for the consumer.”

An avid outdoorsman and backpacker, Tryon came to North Idaho from Deschutes County, Ore., five years ago. His grills are sold in North Idaho by Cast & Blast of Hayden Lake. Tryon is available at 772-3217.

Silver Lake Square can’t be described as a run-of-the-mill mini-mall.

The 20-unit, 20,000-square-foot L-shaped facility under construction at 6848 Government Way features a colorful variety of ornate facades above each unit and unique wood and plaster work. The interior apex of the L is accented by clock tower and flagpole.

The development, planned for an April 15 completion, includes 20 1,000-square-foot units (that can be configured in different arrangements) and a 2,450-square-foot unit at the apex. Leases will be for about $95 a square foot per month. Owners are Tony Copeland of Lewiston, where he has Copeland Ford, and Dave Wall of Sandpoint. Architect is Mark Young of Hayden.

The Brush & Pallet has signed for the three units closest to Government Way. Leasing agent Craig Nelson of Beebe, McKernan & McCarty Realty said the development is open to retail and office space.

Silver Mountain’s new Jackass Grille & Pub opens Friday at the base of the gondola in Kellogg. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant features an outdoor-sports theme and a “variety” menu with prime rib, steaks, burgers, pastas, fajitas and salads.

To celebrate the opening, every thirteenth meal will be free over the weekend and a band will play Saturday night. The place is a reflection of the original name of Silver Mountain, Jackass Ski Bowl. This came from the story that the donkey of miner Noah Kellogg somehow first discovered the precious metal in the Silver Valley.

Meanwhile, the Alpenrose restaurant also changed courses on the mountain top. Open for lunch on weekends and holidays, the restaurant offers meals for $6 to $10 with an ambiance including intimate dining, a fireplace and super views of Kellogg Peak.

Featuring gymnastics and seven other sports for children of all ages, Funtastics has opened a new facility at 620 W. Dalton (across from Skate Plaza), Coeur d’Alene.

The move from its former 1,000 square feet in Dalton Court to 7,200 square feet gives Funtastics plenty of room for its gymnastics equipment and sports activities. The facility also offers seasonal baseball, tennis, basketball, soccer, football, track and volleyball.

Classes and activities are offered for different age groups at different hours. Eight coaches now work with 200 youths every week.

Owners are Barbara Pierce and Lisa Turrell, both Coeur d’Alene High School graduates who won national awards in their college gymnastic competition. Pierce earned a master’s degree in sports psychology from the University of Idaho, and Turrell transferred from the University of Alaska to UI’s elementary education program at North Idaho College.

For Funtastics information, phone 667-7312.

Although the seasonal plight of downtown Coeur d’Alene continues with The Great Escape sporting goods store and Purple Dragon toy store having “quitting business” sales, rumors are ripe about new merchants filling the empty spaces. Tune in next week.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Nils Rosdahl The Spokesman-Review