Milltown Revisits The Past

Bits of local history fit into several of the business moves in North Idaho this week. Some involve places; some involve people.

The name Milltown Grill reflects the history of Post Falls. The new eatery, located in Milltown Center at 306 S. Spokane St., is named for Post Falls’ first lumber mill, which was established by town founder Frederick Post in 1880.

The cafe’s decor includes several historical photos that were moved from the former Templin’s Resort (now WestCoast) that was renovated this summer as the former Cavanaughs purchased the WestCoast Hospitality business and transformed to the new name.

Taking the 1,200-square-foot space that formerly housed Waffles & More, the Milltown Grill is open for breakfast and lunch daily. The cafe fills the last open space in the 13,000-square-foot Milltown Center, owned by Bob and Mary Templin.

Among the specialties: Craven’s Coffee, buckwheat hotcakes and waffles, and, for lunch, chicken schnitzel. Manager Robert Jacobs will have up to six employees. Hours are 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The new foundation just south of Chili’s Restaurant, off Highway 95 in Coeur d’Alene, will become the home of Numerica Credit Union. The 4,000-square-foot building should open in December.

Numerica changed names from Spokane Railway Credit Union in May to reflect the focus of its membership base, which now includes any residents employed in the Kootenai or Spokane county areas. The company began in 1937, serving employees of railroad companies operating in Spokane. It now has six branches.

Coeur d’Alene’s new facility, which will move its employees from across the street in the Sunset Mall, will be a full-service credit union with Saturday hours, safe deposit boxes and a drive-up window. April Smith will manage the office, which will increase from six to nine employees.

“We no longer emphasize service to certain employment groups,” said Numerica spokeswoman Cathy Hansen. “We’re making an investment in Kootenai County’s booming economy.” The credit union has been in Coeur d’Alene since 1995.

Recreational boards became the focus of Tom Brown’s life when he joined West Coast surfers several years ago. Those boards have expanded to center on snowboards, skateboards and now wakeboards in his Shred Shed business in downtown Coeur d’Alene.

Earlier this month Brown moved the 15-year-old business from Silver Lake Mall to 415 Sherman Ave. The large store (across from Crickets) formerly housed Sherman Antiques. The new space allows for an expanded inventory of boards and their accessories and a base grinder, which brings new life to old boards.

A native of Sandpoint, Brown bought the business seven years ago. Both his father, Lester Brown, and grandfather, H.E. Brown, were mayors of Sandpoint. His grandfather started Brown Lumber Co. and the Schweitzer Mountain ski area.

“I really enjoy being involved with the kids,” Brown said. “We’re very busy with them and the downtown skate park.”

With four employees, Shred Shed hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 to 7 Sundays. Phone 765-8781.

Tidbits:

The unemployment rate in Coeur d’Alene is 4.6 percent, less than it’s been in many years, according to the Job Service office. The unemployment rate in Kootenai County is 6.0 percent.

The purchase of the former Wilma Theatre vacant lot gives Hagadone Hospitality all four corners of downtown Coeur d’Alene’s most visible corner at Second and Sherman. Any thoughts or suggestions on changes for the location?

Gottschalks, a major California clothing retailer, is expected to open in the former Lamonts space in Silver Lake Mall in September. Evidently many of Lamonts’ former employees will join the new anchor tenant.

Many Kootenai County residents who normally avoid downtown Coeur d’Alene are finding themselves back on Sherman Avenue taking part in the special activities such as Car d’Alene and the wooden boat show. These events, along with the beaches, music in City Park and the super weather, definitely have made this one of the busiest summers the area has seen in recent years.