New Beginnings, Sad Endings
Easy come. Easy go.
That phrase usually refers to pocket money. Some people sarcastically say it when they see a new business quickly disappear.
However, to those people starting a business, it’s definitely not “easy come.” It takes much planning, coordinating, financial backing and sacrifice. Hurdles pop up continuously.
And it’s usually even tougher when a business fails. Money, time and the philosophical words all are lost. Because of the financial risk, starting over often is very difficult. It’s pretty sad when someone sees a suddenly empty building and says, “Here today. Gone tomorrow.”
This week we see some beginnings and some endings in local business.
The scent of freshly sawed wood, the crisp coolness of a room waiting for heat and an eager, young man offering descriptive words of “consistency” and “friendliness” highlight the new space that soon will be The Deli Shop in Fairground Center, Coeur d’Alene.
Jason and Tracie Dixon hope to open their sandwich and soup store on Government Way in early January. They are busy with new flooring, counters, tables and appliances in the space formerly occupied by a model train business. Their store is between Centre Beauty Supply and Glass Expressions.
Their sandwiches will boast thick slices of hand-cut bread filled with choices of cheeses, meats and spreads. They’ll have a large variety of soups. Beverages will include beer and wine and self-serve soft drinks. The deli will seat 45 at tables and a long counter. Service will include take-out, fax-inorders and some delivery to area businesses. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“Consistency” was the word that Jason Dixon uses to describe the quality and prices for the business. “Keeping a smile on your face helps a lot too,” he said. He and Tracie are Coeur d’Alene natives. They’ll have two employees. Phone 667-8840.
“A passion for Irish things” led Ilene Moss to open All Things Irish, a new store at 315 Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene.
The airy, colorful shop includes dozens of products with much more than a wee bit of Ireland about them. The imports range from woolen clothing, novelties and collectibles to artistic items such as china, Royal Tara bronze sculptures, books, photos and porcelains.
Coming from Spokane to Coeur d’Alene about five years ago, Moss gained an interest in Irish items from her grandmother, who was raised in an Irish family in Eastern Washington.
The 2,200-square-foot store is in the space formerly occupied by Art Unlimited above the Wine Cellar. Holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 to 6 on Sundays. Phone 667-0131.
Nearly tripling in space, Vanguard Capital has moved to Suite 106 on the first floor of the renovated Old City Hall building in downtown Coeur d’Alene.
The move, from 350 square feet in The Depot building on Hazel Avenue to 1,100 square feet, comes from success of BondAgent.com, a new division of the company for selling bonds over the Internet.
Owner Michael Morgan said the innovation last July completely changed the focus of the company to being an online bond brokerage. The company also has an office in Houston.
Morgan was educated at Coeur d’Alene High School and the University of Idaho. He has three employees. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Phone 667-7754.
For some new businesses, changes in location and/or emphasis has not worked. Doors are closed at Mad Mary’s and Heathcliff’s/Papino’s in Coeur d’Alene.
After enjoying success in a small location on East Sherman, Mad Mary’s moved its Thai food restaurant to a large space it renovated delightfully on Northwest Boulevard. Loyal customers said the price increase was discouraging.
Location may have been the major problem for Heathcliff’s/Papino’s. The deli-style and Italian (respectively) restaurants combined in Sunset Mall after leaving their spaces in downtown and Midtown Coeur d’Alene. It just didn’t work.
They don’t call them “big box” stores for nothing.
Some have criticized the bleak, block look of the Home Depot store under construction in the southwest corner of Government Way and Kathleen Avenue, Coeur d’Alene.
The 129,000-square-foot home and garden store so far shows expansive, high cement block walls to the high traffic streets and North Idaho Fairgrounds kitty-corner to the northeast. Perhaps finish work will heighten the appeal.
The store will employ 150 to 200 when it opens in the spring.