Taking A Bigger Bite

Some “starving” Spokesman-Review employees will soon have to take a healthy walk to grab a bite from their favorite eatery. The Pasty Depot, across Northwest Boulevard from Coeur d’Alene’s S-R building, is moving.

The new home, planned for a mid-January opening, will be the former Chopsticks Express location in the Lincoln Professional Building at 1801 Lincoln Way. Emma Avenue is the cross street.

David Voelker, owner of the Pasty Depot with his wife Carol, said the move is for several reasons: more space (seating will double from its current capacity of 12), the availability of a “real” kitchen with special equipment (allowing for an expanded menu), and uncertainty about the current site’s access and parking since Northwest Boulevard will be widened and revamped next summer.

The restaurant also will change its name, since the eatery’s famous pasties (pronounced pass-teez) aren’t exactly a household word in Kootenai County. Don’t panic, pasty-lovers - the restaurant will continue to offer its pasty line to those who’ve grown to love them and for others who should.

Voelker describes pasties as “a meal in one.” They’re like a chunky stew with meats, potatoes and veggies baked into a folded pastry crust. He says they’re best known in mining communities such as Michigans’ Upper Peninsula, where the Voelkers originated. Pasties, the original Cornish miners’ food, are portable and can easily be frozen and heated, Voelker said. Pasty stands are as common in mining communities as hamburger places along Appleway.

The business also will continue to offer its pizzas, sandwiches, soups and treats. However, the expanded kitchen will allow Voelker the option of adding sautes and broiled items. He plans to continue lunch as the meal of the day, with the possibility of later hours for customers picking up supplies for supper. He’ll also continue as a catering service for the 400 employees at Coldwater Creek.

The Voelkers left the Denver area for North Idaho to escape “the city” and settle in a place similar to the Upper Peninsula, but with a more progressive attitude. They have four employees. Phone 667-2789.

Last week’s column saluting businesses and business people for their contributions of items, services and time to charitable organizations drew many positive comments.

Of course, as predicted, the item had some holes; a few organizations were neglected. The most obvious was Hospice of North Idaho.

Credit needs to be given to the Country Porch, which sells the Hospice holiday wreaths, and the primary donors to Hospice’s biggest fund-raiser, its wine-tasting event. Special praise goes to Unique Printing, the Frame of Mind, Wild Flour Bakery, Tomato Street, Chilis, the Red Lobster and beverage distributors Odom Northwest, Higher Ground, Idaho Wine Merchants, Colombia Wines and Vehr’s Distributing.

A reader also praises the Patchwork Pony of Hayden, which has been a contributor to needy people in Third World countries.

Tidbits

Remodeling has begun on space that formerly was Montgomery Ward in Coeur d’Alene Town Center on Appleway. About 25,000 square feet in the east half of the 44,000-square-foot building will become Pic `N’ Save, a national store that primarily sells items from other stores that are closing out products.

Sea of Subs in Ironwood Square (near Albertson’s) on Ironwood Drive is remodeling to exclude the space formerly occupied by Figaro’s, which shared seating space. Sea of Subs’ eight employees will continue to offer its menu of sub sandwiches and soups from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Dodson Jewelers is closing shop in Coeur d’Alene Resort Plaza Shoppes. The specially built boat-shaped showcase will be moved to Dodson’s downtown Spokane store. The store has been in Coeur d’Alene for 10 years and had five employees. A new shop with upscale women’s clothing and housewares will open in the space in February.

Meanwhile, other stores that closed in the Plaza Shoppes are Alpine Silver and CJ’s, a kitchen gadget and gift store.