A Full Menu Of Choices

Restaurant Row is rapidly rising in Post Falls. Last week brought the announcement of the new Winger’s Diner planned for a lot on Schneidmiller Avenue east of the existing Hot Rod Cafe and the Denny’s Restaurant now under construction.

Now a new Applebee’s is planned for the lineup. Gazing from I-90 south toward Schneidmiller, the block will look like this going east to west from Geyer Street to Vest Street: Winger’s, Applebee’s on two lots, Denny’s, open lot in escrow, Hot Rod on two lots. The Realtor for the tract is Chad Dwyer of Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty.

Hoping to start construction soon and open by October, Applebee’s will seat about 135 customers at tables and a combination bar/counter. The 4,000-square-foot restaurant will stress an All-American menu and decor with an upbeat atmosphere featuring a local/regional touch.

With about 60 employees, the Post Falls store will be about the 1,200th for Applebee’s in 49 states and eight countries. The 20-year-old company started in Atlanta and has its headquarters in Overland Park, Kan.

With local heroes, history and schools included in the restaurant’s wall and ledge decorations, people wanting to include their items can contact Kristin Karmazyn at (720) 873-2400.

Adding the Korean-made Daewoo (pronounced “day-woo”) to its inventory, Ponderosa Motors has split its Coeur d’Alene business into two divisions.

The import half, in the “old” location at 845 N. Fourth St., sports the new Daewoo and Suzuki brands. The larger spread, at 1902 N. Fourth, has the American contingent of Chryslers, Plymouths and Jeeps. Ponderosa also sells Fords in Cheney and Nissans in Moses Lake.

Offering a three-year or 36,000-mile maintenance-free warranty, including oil, lube and filter with roadside service, Daewoo’s claim is to build just three models to provide the best cars possible for the price.

The price opens at about $9,000 for the five-speed, four-cylinder, three-door Lanos model. The in-between rig is the Nubira, in sedans and wagons, and the top model is the Leganza, which goes for about $20,000 “fully loaded” (leather interior, sunroof and CD player). Gas mileage ranges, respectively, from about 40 to 25 miles per gallon.

“We really want people to give these a hassle-free test drive,” said Manager John F. Kenney. “This is a well-established company that has been making everything from log skidders to handguns to computers for years.”

Kenney has eight employees in his division, while Ponderosa has about 200 in its four sites. Originally from Sprague, Wash., the Loy family has owned the company since starting it in 1979 with 15 employees. Brother and sister Mark and Deborah are the primary owners, while brother Les Loy also is with the company.

Hungry for pizza? Here’s a few more options.

The Hayden Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza moved from the northeast corner of Highway 95 and Hayden Avenue to a larger space (with increased parking) in the west wing of Prairie Shopping Center at Highway 95 and Prairie Avenue.

About 20 employees serve a full line of pizza, calzone, lasagna, salads, cookie dough and soft drinks at the 1,800-square-foot store.

Owners are Bill and G’Nell Delack, who bought the Hayden store nine years ago.

From Helena and San Antonio originally, the DeLacks, now of Coeur d’Alene, own 16 Papa Murphy stores. With 570 outlets, the company’s headquarters is in Vancouver, Wash.

Papa Murphy hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Phone 772-0552.

Little Italy, with take-and-bake pizza, calzone, breadsticks and soft drinks, will celebrate its grand opening next weekend in the former Papa Murphy’s location in the northeast corner of Highway 95 and Hayden Avenue.

Opening just two days ago, the store features a Sicilian garlic pizza and a stuffed double layer, Chicago-style pie. All pizzas are made of fresh ingredients with a self-rising crust, according to Manager Ken Tappen.

The store has seven employees. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Phone 762-9949.