Opening Doors

North Idaho entrepreneur Rob Elder soon will be testing his third type of restaurant. “Fast Burger coming soon” reads a new sign outside the former Boston Market building in front of Big Kmart at Neider Avenue and Highway 95, Coeur d’Alene.

Elder plans to open Fast Burger in mid-September. The 50-seat eatery will offer just burgers, fries and fountain-style drinks and ice cream cones.

“We will be solely based on freshness,” said Elder, a Coeur d’Alene native. “The place doesn’t even have a freezer. The meat, bread and Idaho potatoes all will be completely fresh.”

The interior is being renovated into a ‘50s theme with checkerboard flooring, neon and chrome. About 40 employees will combine on daily hours from 11 a.m. to midnight.

Elder, 40, a product of Coeur d’Alene High School and North Idaho College, ventured into his own restaurant business in a big way with Crickets Steak House and Oyster Bar in downtown Coeur d’Alene in 1985. He sold his portion of the business to his brother Jim and built the flashy Hot Rod Cafe in Post Falls in 1998.

He wouldn’t be surprised if the Hot Rod Cafe or Fast Burger concepts grow into future restaurants.

“If it’s successful, we could certainly grow,” Elder said of Fast Burger. He said the Hot Rod Cafe could expand into the Boise market in the next year and a half.

The 2,800-square-foot Boston Market building was built four years ago and went out of business last year. Its drive-through lane is built around a historic catalpa tree that was part of the original Neider homestead.

On the opposite side of the freeway from the Hot Rod Cafe, Knudtsen Chevrolet plans to build a 45,000-square-foot, two-level building next year. The business will move from the Fourth Street home it has had in Coeur d’Alene since 1966.

That property also has been sold, according to company President Eve Knudtsen Benedict, although she wouldn’t disclose the buyer. Her father, Wayne Knudtsen, bought the business in 1939 when it was in the current Crossley Upholstery building at Fourth Street and Coeur d’Alene Avenue.

“We plan just a two-car showroom in the new building,” Benedict said. “About 700 feet on 7.5 acres on I-90 is a pretty good showroom itself.” She is thinking about color-coding different areas of the business to help customers locate what they want.

The current location has 29,000 square feet on four acres. Benedict anticipates growing from 71 employees to about 80. Gordon Longwell is architect of the new building.

A full line of all types of tools and their service and rental are offered by Tool Crazy, a new business at 9426 Government Way (the former NAPA store), in Hayden.

Bill and Chris Helsley moved the 16-year-old business from Elko, Nev., where they had two stores. They originally are from Barstow, Calif., and Toledo, Ohio, respectively.

The 6,000-square-foot business includes several grades of domestic and foreign tools, many of which the Helsleys also repair along with small engines. They rent Bobcats, tools, compressors and power washers.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call 762-7850.

Tidbits

The new Olive Garden Restaurant is under construction near the Hecla building on Highway 95 north of Coeur d’Alene.

Pelicans Restaurant and Party Time Pizza near Tidyman’s in Coeur d’Alene have both closed.

Architects West has moved into the former Neff Mall building at Lakeside Avenue and Second Street, Coeur d’Alene.

Golden Crown Corp., an Internet veterinarian and pet supply company, will expand into its new 7,000-square-foot call center and sales building off Mullan Road, Post Falls, in September. The 15-year-old business, with 30 employees, will leave its Seltice Way location, which will be occupied by the expansion of neighboring Century Publishing.

Rolfing, a system of body tissue work to help relieve chronic pain and stress, is offered by Greg Bishop at 157 W. Hayden Ave., Hayden. Call 659-7303. The Web site is www.rolf.org.