Handle on Business: Godfather’s giving way to Mexican restaurant

The first clue that something new was coming into the old Godfather’s Pizza building was the new yellow/orange paint job. The second clue was a few nice fellows upgrading the landscaping on the Fourth Street at Appleway facility.

So a little snooping revealed that Miguel Amador, who has a Fiesta Mexicana restaurant in Spokane, is putting another here, replacing the previous Los Sanchez place. He said he plans to open the 120-seat facility in early September with about 20 employees serving lunch and dinner. They plan to add a covered patio.

“We’ll have the most authentic Mexican food possible,” said Amador, a native of the Guadalajara area. (Don’t know whether it’s a Mexican dish, but I hope they have the garlic prawns meal for $8 that Los Sanchez had).

New Del Taco opens

The new Del Taco restaurant in the southwest corner of Highway 41 at Mullan Road, Post Falls, expects to be busy. The 85-seat facility opened this week with 60 employees.

Using the standard Del Taco menu, which evidently works as it’s the world’s second-biggest Mexican fast-food chain, the place has a 24-hour drive-through and the inside seating is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The company started in 1964; its headquarters is in Lake Forest, Calif.

The operating partner in Post Falls is Tommy Page, who came to North Idaho 10 years ago from Portland. Other owners are Steve Ridenour, real estate agent with North River Development; Brett Dirks; and G.V.D. Development. Del Taco started restaurants in Spokane and at Prairie Avenue and U.S. 95. The owners plan to add five to seven more in the Inland Northwest.

Condos coming

The boulevard section of Government Way across from the cemetery will soon sprout some condominiums and townhouses.

Construction on an eight-unit townhouse complex called White Pines should start next month and be complete next spring. The two-level, 1,600-square-foot residences will have three bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms, garages and private yards. Owners are Randy and Karen Giddings, with the Giddings Group of Hayden. Contact her with Real Team Real Estate at (208) 651-4190.

A two-level four-plex at Government Way and Summit Avenue will have two 1,228-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom units on each floor. The building will be constructed after the units sell, and two similar buildings or one larger building may follow. Owner is Jim Kenny, of Stockton, Calif. Contact Daryl Gankena of Coldwell Banker Realty at (208) 665-6227.

Tidbits

“ It’s your tax money. With last week’s temperatures in the 100s, water was being wasted by running hand-set sprinklers in the midday sun at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. Most of the water evaporates, and it actually “burns” the grass. Water early or late in the day, or set automatic sprinklers for night hours.

“ The All About You salon at 205 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls, has added a new space with tanning beds. Peggy Tracy’s 5-year-old business already has hair, nail and massage services opening at 9 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday. She has seven employees. Phone (208) 777-7142.

“ These are for the “when do you say something?” department: When I was unloading stuff at a charity store pick-up location, a mother and her son were putting things in their car. I asked if they needed help. The boy said, “Oh, no. We’re taking this for our garage sale.” While at Sanders Beach last Sunday, a car with a driving school logo was parked in the emergency vehicle space. I asked students gathered if there was an emergency. They said no. As I left later, the car was still there but its magnetic logo was removed. Hmm.

“ Sometimes you wonder about the Big Boys. I rented an economy car for five days unlimited mileage in Oakland, Calif., for $134. It took five minutes with a pleasant person on a toll-free line. Then I got an enticing department store coupon for one of the big-boy companies. After 15 minutes on the Internet site, the best deal was $298. Sometimes you just gotta change companies.