Hotel may go in near Riverstone complex
While the Riverstone Development on Northwest Boulevard begins preparations for its projected May 1 opening of its cinema complex, neighbors have plans of their own.
The piece north of Riverstone, owned by Parkwood Business Properties, may house a new Holiday Inn Express, Riverstone owner John Stone said. The company is known for midrange prices competing with properties normally in upscale locations.
Holiday Inn Express amenities usually include a fitness room, indoor pool, business features (such as free Internet access) and a continental breakfast. The rooms are decent-size and have coffee makers and sometimes microwaves and small refrigerators.
Kootenai County’s only current Holiday Inn Express is on the east edge of Post Falls. Another is under construction as part of the Triple Play recreation center in Hayden. The company has expanded to about 1,300 locations since starting in 1991. Its headquarters is in England.
Meanwhile, Stone, currently vacationing on a boat off the Florida coast, said he is excited about plans for the opening of the 14-screen Regal Cinema complex in Riverstone. The 59,000-square-foot building will contain theaters of various size with stadium-style seating.
Footings have been poured for connecting buildings with about 100,000 square feet for retail shops, individual restaurants and a food court. Long-range plans include a hotel nearby.
The grand opening will be a benefit fund-raiser for the North Idaho College Foundation, with Regal Cinema providing the movies, Stone said.
New owners at Athlete’s Choice
With plenty of experience in related interests, Ray and Cindy Smith have purchased the Athlete’s Choice shoe and clothing store at 102 Cedar St., Sandpoint.
The inventory includes a large variety of footwear for athletics, hiking, snow and casual wear. The rest of the store has athletic and recreational clothing, hats and accessories.
Originally from Southern California, the Smiths met as high school teachers in Anaheim, Calif. Ray has been active in soccer, coaching at the high school and college levels. He has been director of Idaho’s Olympic Development Soccer Program and the Sandpoint Soccer Association. Cindy has been active with dance education programs.
With four employees, Athlete’s Choice is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Phone (208) 263-8158.
PostNet plans April opening
PostNet will fill the final minimall space on Coeur d’Alene’s Canfield Avenue between Silverlake Mall and Michael’s Crafts.
With a late April opening planned, PostNet offers packing, shipping, copying, printing and business services with private mailboxes. The 12-year-old company has more than 1,000 locations with headquarters in Henderson, Nev.
Coeur d’Alene owners Craig and Teri Grubbs came from Oceanside, Calif., where they combined for 37 years of experience working in the U.S. Postal Service. They came to North Idaho in October after “falling in love” with the area after hearing about it from friends and then visiting while on vacation.
With about five employees, the hours in the 1,500-square-foot store will probably be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and from 10 to 2 Saturdays.