Cda Undergoes Changes

Silver Lake Mall in Coeur d’Alene will become the first location in the nation for a Christopher & Banks women’s apparel store.

Billing its products as “fashionable, quality lifestyle clothing at moderate prices,” the store should open April 1 in 3,325 square feet formerly occupied by Kinney Shoes.

Christopher & Banks is the major product name of a chain of Midwest stores called Braun’s Fashions, which has 190 stores in 22 northern states. The company, based in Plymouth, Minn., was started in 1956 and is a well-known Midwest fund-raiser for charities which fight multiple sclerosis.

Christopher & Banks targets working women ages 30 to 55, emphasizing business and casual clothes and sportswear. One specialty is distinctively designed sweaters.

Nearly doubling in space, Ramblin’ Rose, a women’s ethnic clothing and imported jewelry and gift shop, moved last week to 312 Sherman Ave. in Coeur d’Alene.

The 1,500-square-foot space formerly housed Talkin’ T’s. Ramblin’ Rose began at 416 Sherman three years ago.

Sami Kirk, formerly of Spokane, joined Carolyn Joslin, a Montana native, as partners in the business, which employs three. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The store may expand to include men’s clothing and metaphysical books and tapes.

Grand opening will be Feb. 4 as part of the downtown’s First Thursday activities. Phone 667-1378.

Uninterrupted power supply is the focus of Liberty Systems Inc., a new business at 6606 E. Seltice Way, in the former Benchmark Graphics building near Seltice and Seeley Ave.

With most of its products between 600 and 1,400 pounds, Liberty designs, sells and installs generators and standby power supply systems using diesel, natural gas and propane fuels and batteries.

Shrugging off the interest in alternative power supply sources with the year 2000 computer failure concerns, owner Al Beckary said Y2K is a factor for people who want to get generators anyway.

“We’re not here to make a big buck and bail (leave),” he said. “Our objective is to be long-term power quality experts.” This includes large-scale surge suppression for commercial applications.

Beckary was raised in upstate New York, graduating in corporate communications technology from Ithaca College. With a stint in the Air Force, he has more than 20 years’ experience in electrical and security systems. He and his wife, Dayna, a Coeur d’Alene native, came to North Idaho from Denver.

The company soon will have a Web site at www.liberty76.com. Phone 676-1776.

Last week’s smoothly run workshop regarding Coeur d’Alene’s downtown public places plan merits positive feedback. With nearly 500 people filling the commons at Lake City High School, facilitators were organized, prepared and in control.

Participants, divided into roundtable groups of eight, used comment sheets and table-sized aerial photos of the downtown to record proposals and outline what to keep and what to change.

Preserving and enhancing the existing green spaces easily was the most-expressed desire. Some, however, suggested better uses than fenced ballfields for this type of space.

A second priority involved moving or burying parking lots that use up too much potential lakeside green or activity space. Several table groups suggested that the existing Third Street lot be put underground with a public-use center or plaza above.

Public spaces could contain an ice rink, carrousel, amphitheater and a square for activities, festivals and outdoor markets. Part of the north slope of Tubbs Hill could be a sledding area.

Some people thought the Third Street boat ramp should be moved, possibly to the city’s Spokane River public works property (the former Osprey Restaurant area), while others thought the existing public launch area should be expanded.

One group suggested moving the boat trailer parking area from the base of Tubbs Hill to undeveloped property south of city hall.

Several groups said the current city hall location should be changed to a community center, performing and cultural arts center, a museum or library.

With this input and responses to a newsletter survey, planners will develop at least three scenarios for a downtown plan. Another workshop is planned in late February.