Prime viewing of Riverstone
Location, location, location. Those three words have topped so many business/real estate stories that they can practically make a reader nauseated. The problem is that avoiding the amenity of “location” is difficult, because it often is the bottom line to success for many businesses. This probably will be the case for the businesses in Riverstone in the previous W-I Forest Products mill site between Northwest Boulevard and the Spokane River on the western entry into Coeur d’Alene. Passers-by can’t help but notice changes every day. And if the places are noticed now, they certainly will be noticed later. Merritt Office Park is one of the major Riverstone developments in the middle of construction. The 14 buildings are located in Riverstone’s southern half. Landscaped and with buildings designed in a Northwest theme, Merritt Creek Loop will include a stream and two ponds. Four buildings will be owned by dentists Doug Pulsipher and Ben Gates, investor Dr. David Gerber and hand therapist Ginny Taft. Two others are owned by Jack Beebe and Rich McKernan, real estate agents for Merritt Bros. with Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty. They will lease one building to Pinkerton Financial Services. They will divide the second into two spaces and are the primary agents for the other buildings.
Zi Spa offers escape
Offering a physical escape from the “rigors and trials of everyday life,” Zi Spa & Salon opened Tuesday in the Riverstone II building. The 5,500-square-foot complex offers views of the Spokane River and services to sooth the body and mind. Included are Vichy Shower water treatments, a Zen lounge, an inhalation room, a variety of massage and aroma therapies and a full-service salon. “Our philosophy is living well and enhancing beauty through spa treatments combined with clinically advanced procedures,” said owner Tammy Schneider. “The spa isn’t just about pampering; it’s more a necessity about health and awareness and taking care of not only our body, but our mind and spirit.” Schneider was spa director at The Coeur d’Alene Resort since 1999. Phone 765-9400 or check the Web site at www.zispas.com.
Jazzy Computers opens
“A spot of sanity in an otherwise computer-crazed world” is the promise of Zach Mayo, who opened Jazzy Computers at 2615 N. Fourth St. (at Appleway), Coeur d’Alene. Personal knowledge of the product and fitting the right machine to the right person are what Mayo says he offers over the Big Box stores. “My background and training are in network installation and administration, building and maintaining individual machines,” Mayo said. “I teach computer users how to maximize their efficiency and reap the benefits of their powerful machines.” The business sells custom Intel-based PCs, computer desks and furniture systems, cables and accessories and custom orders. Service is at the store or on-site. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Phone 676-TECH(8324).
SunPower restores siding, logs
Special processes to restore vinyl siding and the exterior of log houses are offered by SunPower Services at 721 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden. Sunlight and acid rain discolor and can make vinyl siding brittle, said SunPower owner Steve Rehberg, and his new process restores life into the siding. The polymers bring back color and strength and have a 10-year guarantee. His company also offers a corn-blasting process that restores cedar siding and log buildings. Using natural ground corn cobs, the process removes grayness and old sealants and, unlike pressure-water blasting, opens the pores for resealing, Rehberg said. Originally from Escondido, Calif., Rehberg graduated from the University of Idaho. Phone 660-7668 or e-mail at sunpowerservices@aol.com.
Coffee stands a NW phenomenon
For various reasons, none of them being a vacation, I have traveled to Florida, Illinois, Missouri and New Jersey in the past month. For a man addicted to caffeine, the morning portion of these trips was tough. None of these places have drive-through latte/coffee stands. None. I had to park and go into convenience stores or restaurants to get a coffee to go. And then they’d look at me as though I was nuts when I didn’t take cream or sugar. Evidently, the drive-throughs exist only in the Northwest. I wonder if getting in the ground floor on these stands elsewhere could be a potential goldmine. Meanwhile, our region’s gas was the highest priced. It was $1.85 in New Jersey, $1.75 in Florida, $1.68 in Illinois and $1.59 in Missouri. Sigh.