‘Tea House’ Restaurant Offers Light Menu In Relaxing Atmosphere

The changes at 612 Sherman Ave. in Coeur d’Alene are astonishing.

The new Magnolia House, to open June 10 in a small building that has housed several “hometown eateries” over the years on the edge of downtown, is now a “tea house” restaurant. It will cater to customers who simply want to relax and enjoy light bites with friendly people in a warm atmosphere. “Fast food” is not an option.

The work that has transformed this place is remarkable. Owner Atsuko Schlesinger, formerly co-owner of the Street of Dreams stores in Coeur d’Alene Resort Plaza and Northtown Shopping Center, has made Magnolia House her teahouse of dreams.

It’s like moving a portion of the fabled tea room of Victoria, British Columbia’s Empress Hotel to North Idaho. Each table is uniquely situated with antique chairs, lamp and decor. The ambiance is enhanced with special wallcoverings, carpeting, hand-painted dividers and leaded glass windows that Atsuko fashioned herself. A small gift room and cappucino bar separate the dining area from the kitchen.

“I want people to come into a place that is soothing so they can enjoy themselves and forget stress,” she says. “I love to be surrounded with nice people.”

The menu includes a variety of teas, coffees, scones, appetizers, soups, salads, finger sandwiches, desserts, wines, beers and champagne. The chefs will be Atsuko and her son Nathan.

“Oh, I couldn’t serve people something that I hadn’t made myself!” she exclaimed.

Atsuko was born in Manchuria in China to Japanese parents who moved to Japan after World War II. She came to California in 1974, then to North Idaho in 1991.

The restaurant seats 47 at separate tables with special nooks. A patio and party room are available. Patrick Warren will provide easy-listening piano music. Hours will be 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone 665-2066.

Another complete renovation greets customers at 1520 Northwest Blvd. in Coeur d’Alene, where Len and Rita Bulow are opening Pedals & Petals, a combination full-service bicycle and flower shop.

Located in 3,000 square feet next to By-the-Lake Travel, the stores combine the Bulows’ special interests that they brought to North Idaho after retiring in Kennewick, Wash. Len and Rita originally are from Brea, Calif., and Grand Forks, N.D., respectively. He was a Unocal Oil manager; she was an emergency room nurse. They chose North Idaho “after traveling around a lot,” Len said.

His side of the space includes the sale of Diamondback and Torelli road bikes, mountainbikes, racing bikes and beach cruisers as well as clothing, footgear and accessories. He services most brands of bikes.

European-style flowers are Rita’s specialty, and they can be delivered in the Bulows’ 1967 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow. She also offers distinctive gifts, including hand-made Victorian lampshades.

The store is scheduled to open Monday, with hours 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Phone 769-4882.

To provide for the expansion and efficiency of its Skills Connections vocational center, TESH Inc. plans to add a 3,300-square-foot building to its existing 20,000-square-foot facility in Coeur d’Alene. Construction should begin in July and be completed in about six months.

The Skills Connections program provides individualized clerical, retail and rehabilitation aide instruction and job placement for people wanting to enhance their current skills or change careers, according to Krystie Robbins, director of marketing, placement and human resources.

TESH will add new computer stations and expand its evening sessions to accommodate more trainees. TESH’s vocational evaluation and testing program also will be in the new building, which will be adjacent to the existing building to allow room for future growth. Miller-Stauffer Architects designed the building, which is being financed by Washington Trust Bank.

With satellite facilities in Sandpoint and Wallace, TESH has been in Coeur d’Alene Industrial Park since 1987. The facility has 55 employees and 250 clients. Phone 765-5105.

Last week’s news about the connection of Neider Avenue to Lunceford Lane in Coeur d’Alene drew many comments from people pleased to have an alternate east-west route from the city’s northeast residential areas to businesses and highways to the west.

No doubt the families along the current heavily traveled streets will be relieved to lose some traffic. Watch for the extension of Ironwood Drive from Government Way to Third Street in a few years.