Gifts, Collectibles Store Plans To Open Second Outlet In Coeur D’Alene

Planning to take advantage of a very visible and accessible location and the clientele that the neighborhood attracts, Gwen’s Gifts will open a new store next month.

The second outlet for the fine gifts and collectibles store will be in a 1,750-square-foot site next to Northwest Outfitters in the new Orvis Building. The Northwest-style log structure is in the southwest corner of Highway 95 and Canfield Avenue in Coeur d’Alene.

“We’re looking for a new look and increased exposure,” said Mark Kelley, who owns the store with his wife Gwen. Originally from Maine and Yorba Linda, Calif., respectively, the Kelleys bought the business from Gwen’s parents, Danny and Gwen Mather, who started the store here 20 years ago.

Gwen’s Gifts began downtown in the Sherman Arms Building and moved to what is now the Penny Candy Store space. A few years ago it leased space in Silver Lake Mall, where it will maintain a store for a while. The stores’ combined staff is eight.

Gwen’s Gifts offers Swarovski crystal, Hummel figurines, Bradford Exchange plates and sculptures by Armani, Mill Creek and Rick Cain. Phone 772-2900.

The Seventh Street crossing of Sherman Avenue in Coeur d’Alene will gain activity when a long-vacant building is occupied this winter.

Inland Northwest Bank will open its second North Idaho office with eight employees in the rock building that began as an Equitable Savings & Loan about 20 years ago.

The 10,000-square-foot building was purchased by Ben Franklin Savings & Loan and was briefly an outlet for First Federal Bank of Idaho. It was purchased, but never occupied, by Farmers & Merchants Bank and is now owned by Spokane investor Jim Schindler.

Inland Northwest Bank opened its first outlet’s doors eight years ago in Spokane, where it now has seven offices. It opened a Post Falls branch at 805 Polston Ave., in 1995. John MacPhee, vice-president in the Post Falls branch, will manage the Sherman Avenue office.

“It’s a very visible location for us, and it will be cost-effective,” MacPhee said.

Medical research for individuals and medical offices is the specialty of Michelle Martin, who has opened Executive Information Services.

Martin researches and disseminates information that includes medicinal facts, government mandates, health care legislation, patient care standards, current research, trends in health care delivery, Medicare updates and alternative practices.

“What separates me from hospital library services are budget constraints and time availability,” Martin said. “I’m accessible.”

A native of Colorado, Martin came to North Idaho in 1971. She earned a master’s degree in biology from the University of Idaho and is a licensed registered nurse in Idaho and Washington. Phone 667-2347.

A variety of freshly baked bagels, sandwiches and soups will be featured by The Bagel Basket, which is scheduled to open in Ironwood Square in mid-October.

The 2,100-square-foot store with a centerpiece tile fountain will seat 40-50 people. Owner is Shawna Clark. Contractor is Shelter Associates, with project manager Michael Cramer of Cramer Construction Control.

Tidbits:

Judging by recent news concerning several North Idaho businesses and educational institutions, this set of seminars could be helpful. Employment litigation, disabilities awareness and team-building are the major topics of an Employers’ Conference offered Friday by the Job Service Employers Committee. Phone 769-1558.

Using a specially equipped van filled with exercise equipment, Kevin Csatlos brings his Premier Mobile Gyms to his customers.

The goals are to provide weight loss programs, muscle development and/or physical conditioning through in-home training. Moving from Scottsdale, Ariz., Csatlos runs his business from Hayden. Phone 762-3600.

The Monarch Fisheries Building in front of Tidyman’s on Highway 95 in Coeur d’Alene was purchased by investor Marshall Clark of Spokane. The restaurant and store business, owned by Floyd and Cindy Hutchins, are still on the market.

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