60 years strong, Runge Furniture puts feet up in new, big digs in CdA

Next year will be the 60th for Runge Furniture in Coeur d’Alene. And despite continual pressure by the Big Box Boys, this is a case in which the local fellas make good.

Last week the Runge family, now in its third generation in the business, expanded into the building that formerly housed Black Sheep Sporting Goods at 2424 N. Fourth St. The two-level, 8,100-square-foot building (across from the Long Ear) is a combination of clearance store and a place for the larger, hard-to-place items such as children’s furniture and futons.

“We’ll have more room for our promotional lines such as sofas and upholstery,” said Jeff Runge, company president and 40-year veteran of the store. “We’re using the new space for clearance items, and we’re buying items specifically for up there.”

The gambrel-style high roof allows for a homey setting as well as larger items. The showier, trendier items will have more room for display in the main, 24,000-square-foot store at Fourth and Harrison. Runge’s now has more than 20 employees.

The store started downtown at Second and Indiana in 1946 and moved in 1980 to its present location from 12th and Sherman Avenue. The family also had a store in Wallace for 10 years in the 1950s.

Greg Skore manages the new location, which is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Hours at the main store are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 to 5 Sundays. Phone 664-2131.

Home Gallery to open Monday

Windows, doors and other pre-finishing touches are the specialty of Coeur d’Alene Home Gallery, which is scheduled to open Monday just west of Home Depot (and beside Home on the Range) between Highway 95 and Government Way.

Owned and operated by Coeur d’Alene Builders Supply, the 2,000-square-foot showroom also has factory millwork, cabinets and moldings on display for contractors. It will have two employees.

Mike Uemoto is manager of Coeur d’Alene Builders Supply, 655 W. Clayton Ave. Phone 667-6481.

Dentists begin new building

Two Coeur d’Alene dentists have started construction of a 20,000-square-foot office building at 509 W. Hanley Ave. The two-story, brick fascia facility should be open around Jan. 1.

Drs. Daniel Davidson and Tim Penberthy will move their offices and 12 employees to the building. They’re offering leased spaces of 600 to 4,000 square feet through Jim Koon of Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty.

Originally from Bend, Ore., Davidson graduated from the University of Idaho (where he also played football) and Oregon Health Science Center. He did his residency at the University of Washington and came to Coeur d’Alene in 1983.

Penberthy was from Great Falls and graduated from Montana State University and the University of Minnesota. He practiced in Post Falls from 1987 to 1992 and later earned a degree in endodontics (root canals) from Boston University. He came to Coeur d’Alene in 1995.

Briefly

•Rental Property Management and HOA Administration are moving to Sunset Village (formerly Sunset Mall) Sunday. The businesses will be in Suite 11 at 296 W. Sunset Blvd. just east of Highway 95. They are closed this Friday for moving.

•Graphic designer and fine artist Tamara Graves paints original portraits of houses. Firms such as Tomlinson-Black give the paintings as gifts to new home owners. Phone 660-8695.

•West Coast transplants and urban visitors wonder why North Idaho doesn’t have Trader Joe markets. The head offices in California said their supply trucks would need a minimum of four stores nestled in a reasonable geographical area. Our suggestions are Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, Missoula and Bozeman. Jan Lanahan, of Coeur d’Alene, is gathering petition signatures. Phone 765-1056. We’ll sign it to get “two-buck chuck” (decent wines for $2.95) here!