Optimism Clicks In Mullan

It’s nothing that hasn’t been tried before. But the notion of an organization to promote tiny Mullan just might be an idea whose time has come.

“We’re pretty anxious to get things going,” said Dan White, vice president of the fledgling Mullan Economic Development Association. “We’ve got a lot of good people. Everyone’s really enthusiastic.”

It all started at Sno Jam, a Feb. 7 festival with activities ranging from snowmobile races and snow sculpting to a spaghetti feed. The event was successful enough to be pronounced the “first annual.” It also got people thinking.

“I believe a lot of people started to see the potential there,” said White, owner of Mullan’s Lookout Motel.

Traditionally, according to association President Jim Polla, Mullan events have been sponsored by specific organizations - the volunteer fire department, the snowmobile club. Business owners tackled their concerns separately.

That may change. The association is open to anyone who doesn’t mind paying the dollar-a-month dues - an interim measure designed to raise a bit of cash for necessities.

“This is something I’m really excited about - the community and businesses working together,” said Darlene Venuti, in charge of publicity. A Mullan native, she returned after a 20-year absence to run the Smoke Shop Tavern.

“These festivals are really helpful to Mullan businesses, so we’d like to work on getting some more,” said Polla, proprietor of the town’s sole gas station/convenience store. “And a lot more people are interested than just business people.”

Everyone stresses that the group is still in its formative stages. But it’s certainly not short on ideas.

“We’re looking at a fun run, mountain bike races, maybe a flea market,” White said.

In addition to promoting the town’s existing festivals and coming up with new ones, the association may adopt other projects. White and a friend, Chuck Reitz, want to work with the Forest Service to improve the area’s signage and trail heads and develop a new map.

The group also plans to try to recruit business. White is particularly anxious to establish an eatery.

“My customers have no place to go for breakfast,” he said. “A lot won’t stay at the motel for that reason, and I can’t say I blame ‘em.”

Polla, a lifetime resident of Mullan, has seen merchants’ associations come and go. But he’s optimistic about this group. “For a long time we had people moving here just because housing was cheap; it was the cheapest place they could find. But Dan worked as an engineer for twenty-some years before he bought the motel. Jennifer Dow, our treasurer, sells dome houses. It’s kind of refreshing to see people like that move in.”

Polla sees it as a sign that the area’s economic prospects may be brightening.

“I really think the district hit bottom a few years back,” he said, referring to the mine closures of the ‘80s, which devastated the entire Silver Valley. “Now I kind of think we’ve turned the corner.”

The May opening of the nearby Taft Tunnel Trail, a spectacular mountain bike route studded with 11 tunnels and nine trestles, shouldn’t hurt Mullan either. Already, biking enthusiasts are calling.

“It’s been a long time since we had the the economic base to form something like this,” Venuti said. “I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish.”

“Now’s the time,” White agreed. “If everyone pitches in to help and share information, everyone benefits.”

Bekka Rauve is a freelance writer who lives in the Silver Valley. Panhandle Pieces appears every Saturday. The column is shared among several North Idaho writers.

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