Stylin’ Businesses
If opening one new store doesn’t provide enough stress and excitement, try opening two.
That’s the accomplishment of Jeff and Patti Niswonger, who opened Accents & Dreams home decor and gift stores in downtown Coeur d’Alene and in Spokane’s Flour Mill.
The Lake City store opened in late May, in the front spaces of Sherman Mall at 412 Sherman Ave. The Spokane store opened last week. The Niswongers previously had PJ’s Variety, a variety store in Chewelah.
Variety is also a mainstay in the new stores. The inventory includes antique-replica and country furniture, collector dolls, hand-dipped and carved candles, picture frames, throw pillows and scenic tapestries, Tiffany-style lamps, clocks, silk roses and ivy and lace accessories.
Hours in the 1,200-square-foot Coeur d’Alene store are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 10 to 5 Sundays. Phone 765-8040.
Gifts and collectibles also are the emphasis of Cupid’s Corner, which is moving from 6848 Government Way to a new space next to Body Perfection in Prairie Shopping Center at Prairie Avenue at Highway 95.
Expanding from 2,000 to 3,500 square feet, Cupid’s Corner offers porcelain and artistic dolls, hand-made and hand-painted furniture and murals, teddy bears, lace table settings, bird cages, cupids, fairies and Fenton glassware.
The store is owned by Susan Batey and her daughter, Jennifer. Susan’s husband, Jerry, builds the furniture. Originally from Riverside, Calif., the family came to North Idaho 21 years ago.
Hoping to open in mid-June, store hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Phone 772-6695.
Sisters Lisa Becar and Carrie Bomar spent many hours of their early lives in the beauty salon their mother operated in Riverside, Calif.
After such a lifetime investment, how could they leave the business? They now do it all themselves, including pedicures at Hayden Lake Spa, 9751 Government Way (across from Hayden Lake Elementary School).
Their business has a few special touches, literally. One specialty is nail art with the pedicures. The other is massage by massage therapist Samantha Carston of Rathdrum.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Phone 762-8586.
Items for babies, nurseries and pregnant women will be available at Bullfrogs & Butterflies Baby Gear, across the drive from Tutti’s Restaurant in the Sunset Mall in Coeur d’Alene.
Planning to open June 15 in the 1,700-square-foot space, the store will offer new and used children’s and maternity clothing, toys and furniture. Customers may buy, sell or trade at the store.
The store name came from a record that owner Cheyene Jacobi and her mother, Nancy Braunberger (also running the store), played years ago in their Spokane home. Cheyenne’s brother, Kenny, also will work in the store.
Hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Phone 664-9057.
A combination of martial arts and self-defense skills are taught at Coeur d’Alene Vale Tudo, now open at 2504 N. Fourth St.
Vale Tudo is a martial art that combines cross training in wrestling, boxing and self-defense skills of Muay Thai and Brazilian jiujitsu.
Classes are offered for children and adults, including kick-boxing for women. The business also sponsors a competitive team. Owners/ instructors are Steve Hooks and Derek Cleveland, who came from Simi Valley and San Jose, Calif., respectively.
Hours are 4:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with an open gym Saturdays. Phone 676-9943.
North Idaho towns could borrow an idea from Bozeman, Mont., which uses historical emphasis to bring people downtown.
Included are tours of historical buildings and neighborhoods and the original cemetery. Histories of the places and people are outlined and updated. It’s volunteer, free and attracts many people.