Work begins on plaza
Three entrepreneurs plans to corner the business market on the booming residential developments in northwest Coeur d’Alene.
Taking advantage of an empty five acres in the southwest corner at the intersection of Ramsey Road and Kathleen Avenue, construction began this week on what will be called Coeur d’Alene Car Wash Plaza. Plans include a seven-bay car wash, a two-tub dog wash, a coffee house with drive-through, a bank, restaurant, professional office building and a retail shop.
The car and dog wash business will be on the corner with access from both roads. It will include five self-service bays, two touchless bays, nine vacuum-shampoo machines and a separate room for dog cleaning.
“Our object is to make this clean, comfortable and secure,” said John Hansen, who owns the complex with Barb Chisholm of Spokane. “The idea came from a friend in Reno with a very successful similar business.”
Now with residences in Coeur d’Alene and Lake Tahoe, Hansen was raised in Spokane. His third colleague is Bob Cross, who will have Higher Ground Coffee just south of the car wash. Originally from Hot Springs, Mont., Cross has a similar business in Spokane. Both the car wash and coffee businesses should open in early fall.
A bank building yet to be revealed is planned for south of the coffee shop, and the retail, restaurant and professional buildings all will be east of the car wash on Kathleen.
It’s possible that a restaurant with a high-end national-name chain will take both the restaurant and retail spaces, Hansen said. Each business will have separate auto entries that all link and parking to the inside of the property. The buildings will be stucco with peaked roofs and extensive landscaping.
The development will have a neighborhood emphasis and offer community activities, Hansen said. If successful, he might try similar projects elsewhere. Business opportunities in the complex are being handled by Harry Robertson of Remax Results Realty.
Gramma’s BBQ on Sherman
It’s pretty easy to choose your meal at Gramma’s Backyard Style BBQ, now open at 1901 Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene. Your choices are barbecued beef, pork or chicken with sides of pasta salad and pineapple coleslaw. Added specials are pork spareribs on Wednesday nights and salmon on Fridays.
The prices are simple, too, rounded up to $5 for lunch, $8 for dinner and $4 for kids from the regular menu. Beer, wine and live blues music will be added by late August. The cutlery is plastic, the plates are paper and the glasses are canning jars. Hence, the inexpensive prices.
Don’t be unnerved that the Quonset-hut-style building was formerly the Lake City Saloon, complete with 38 bullet holes in the ceiling when someone shot spitwads stuck there and high-altitude flies. It’s clean as, well, a restaurant, and doesn’t smell like a bar. The interior is attractive paneling from floor to ceiling.
Gramma actually is owner Stan Hancock, named Gramma by his granddaughter. Her mom Erica is the major helper. They have delivery and catering services, but they’re closed Sundays.
There’s shootin’ in Post Falls, too
Bullets also will be of high interest in Post Falls as Center Target Sports begins construction at 3295 E. Mullan Ave. Aimed for an October completion, the 16,000-square-foot, $1.8 million indoor shooting range and training complex will include 15 firing lanes, two classrooms and a retail shop.
The 25-yard lanes will include five at fixed range and 10 with tactical bays, where the targets can move back and forth, side to side and rotate. The store will offer 210 pistols, some shotguns, ammunition, accessories and gun rentals. Special construction provides for air filtration and a bullet trap system.
The facility will be used for law enforcement and security personnel training and recreational use. Family-oriented activities will include leagues for men, women and children, classes and hunter safety. Fees will be for daily use and monthly memberships.
Owners are Ed and Peggy Santos, who moved to North Idaho nine years ago after discovering the area while on vacation. She originally is from Lafayette, Ind., where she graduated from Purdue University, and he is from Fall River, Mass., and retired from the Army. He and Robert Smith, founder of Security Awareness and Firearms Education, will offer S.A.F.E. classes at the facility.
Multi-roasting at Caife Cistin
Customers at Caife Cistin, 2600 E. Seltice, Post Falls, starting Friday will have their choices of products from multiple coffee-roasting companies. Three roasting companies, Thomas Hammer, Anvil of Spokane and Aviva of Sandpoint, will begin the choices, augmented by Portland Roasting Co. in September.
The cafe will have demonstrations from the companies and live music Saturday. Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 to 4 Sundays. Phone 773-9510.