Vertical Earth expands horizontally with move

Bigger spaces and better parking are the primary reasons that Vertical Earth is moving around the corner in downtown Coeur d’Alene. Leaving 206 N. Third St., the bicycle and “outdoor winter exercise” store should be in its new location at 308 Coeur d’Alene Ave. on Friday.

Originally an auto repair garage and most recently an antique store, the new location is 4,000 square feet with parking in front compared to the old store with 2,500 square feet and almost no parking.

“We were cramped,” said Mike Gaertner, who owns Vertical Earth with his wife Jenni. “This will give us a big shop and more retail space.”

Sales, rentals and repair of anything to do with bicycles, triathalon gear, cross-country skis, snowshoes and accessories for all of the above are the focus of Vertical Earth. Owners for four years, the Gaertners have four employees, and the combined experience of everyone in the store totals almost 70 years.

“We definitely have a knowledgeable staff,” Gaertner said.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Phone 667-5503.

Wild Birds shop bought

Love of the outdoors is why they’re in North Idaho and also why Rachel and Herb Pawlik are buying the Wild Birds Unlimited store in Sunset Mall. Previous owners Helen and Irving Stephenson are retiring and will help with the transition.

Now in its 12th year, the store offers quality bird feeding and bird watching products and nature-related gifts and literature. It includes bird food mixes, birdhouses and baths. The staff is knowledgeable and experienced with native and migratory birds. Originally from Southern California and Germany, respectively, Rachel and Herb Pawlik came to this area in spring 2004.

Located east of Highway 95 across from Fred Meyer, Wild Birds Unlimited has about 300 stores in North America. It began in 1981, and its headquarters is in Carmel, Ind. The Web site is wildbirdsunlimited.com.

Coeur d’Alene hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Phone 765-8787.

PT eases paperwork

Finding that too many people were not being treated and she herself wasn’t getting enough “real” work done because of paperwork complications, Cathy Gephart has a fresh concept for her new 2 Hands Physical Therapy office in Coeur d’Alene.

Side-stepping what she calls the “traditional medical model,” she uses a cash-only payment system to offer affordable rates for clients who are uninsured or underinsured, or whose insurance has high deductibles.

“Treatment helps people return to a normal lifestyle,” she said. “Physical therapists can treat people without medical referrals. It is rewarding to see people out in the community and know that my hands and education helped them.”

Originally from Phoenixville, Pa., she was educated at the University of Delaware and worked in Third World countries. She came to North Idaho 12 years ago “for the outdoors” and has worked 10 years at Kootenai Medical Center. Hours at her 2005 Ironwood Parkway office are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and by appointment. Phone 661-7167 or 665-2468.

Tidbits

“ With the new location offering a gift section with bath salts and lotion bars, Floral Design moved to Suite E in Seltice Center at 205 E. Seltice Way in downtown Post Falls. The store has fresh holiday wreaths with its flower selection and offers delivery and Bloom Net services. Phone 773-3555.

“ A Job Fair for Veterans will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Commerce and Labor Office, 1221 W. Ironwood Drive. Veterans reentering the work force or seeking a new job can meet with potential employers, a claims officer, counselors and a G.I. Bill representative. Phone 769-1558.

“ Some travel advice: I saved a few bucks (I thought) by buying a plane ticket through a discount travel service on the Internet. However, the counter line at LAX airport in Los Angeles was so long I missed my plane and couldn’t go standby on my airline’s subsequent flights that Sunday because they were full. If I hadn’t had what the airline called a “bulk” ticket, I could have gotten a seat on a partner airline that had room. So I ended up paying for a hotel and meals and missing a day’s work. Some savings.