New grill will feature a taste of local history

A new chapter will open next week in the history of an old building in Coeur d’Alene.

A combination of the old and the new will greet customers when the Fort Ground Grill opens at 705 River Ave. The “new” is what’s offered for breakfast, lunch and dinner along with snacks and beverages. The “old” is the historical atmosphere of a 99-year-old building renovated with new conveniences in the original shell. The basic brick walls will be adorned with many pictures going back to old Fort Sherman and further back to the Fort Coeur d’Alene days.

Although details of the menu will be secret until the opening, expect traditional big breakfasts similar to those at Michael D’s Eatery on Lake Coeur d’Alene Drive and lunches and dinners with burgers, sandwiches, pastas and seafood. Emphasizing a family atmosphere with oversize booths, the facility will be divided into restaurant and bar areas with a variety of beers and wines available. Hours will be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Owners Michael DePasquale and Steve Widmyer expect to have about 25 employees. They’ve had Michael D’s for eight years.

Originally from Rhode Island and a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, DePasquale came to Coeur d’Alene 21 years ago after being attracted to Idaho’s ski country. He opened Hagadone Hospitality’s Dockside, Beachhouse and Kootenai River Inn restaurants.

Widmyer is a Coeur d’Alene original, graduating from the University of Idaho and working with Hagadone Corp. for 17 years. He and his wife, Marie, have the Cougar Bay Trading Co. and Marie’s Boutique stores in the Coeur d’Alene Resort.

Now, back to the historical connection. Built when the bridge over the Spokane River joined River Avenue, the building first was Springs Confectionary & Drugs, and the Fort Grounds and Park Inn bars were across the street. The Coeur d’Alene Brewing Co. was where the North Idaho College tennis courts are now.

Wyatt and Ruth Gray bought the place, then the Red & White Grocery, in 1943. The building was doubled in size in 1959, and the store moved to the west side, and Red’s Tavern, named after the Gray’s redheaded son Wyatt, was on the east side.

Later a second Gray brother, Jack, and his wife, Mary (both still living here), ran the tavern, and the restaurant replaced the store. Mike, the youngest of the nine Gray children, took over in 1996.

The place had loyal customers from the neighborhood and NIC, and Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre actors and workers filled the place after their shows at NIC.

Perhaps that can happen again.

Major remodel on Seltice

What has been Hillstead Plaza in the 1600 block of East Seltice Way is being renovated and will become Harbor Ridge Mall. Businesses already in the facility are open during the change, and others – including a restaurant and mattress store – are probable new tenants. Space is available for lease.

Owners are Michael and Debra Avilla, Californians who discovered the area while visiting relatives and invested in properties here. For information phone (530) 277-7288.

Tidbits

“Fourteen houses from 11 builders are featured in the Parade of Homes the next two weekends in Kootenai County. The houses feature the craftsmanship of the builders and design of the architects as well as the work of landscapers and furnishings and decor. Houses range from 2,000 to 7,500 square feet and are priced from $280,000 to $2 million. The $5 show tickets and maps are available at the houses and at the North Idaho Building Contractors Association office at 1928 N. Fourth St. Maps also are on www.nibca.com. Hours are 1-7 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Sunday and 4 p.m. Aug. 27.

“Check out the Centennial Trail segment from NIC to the west side of Riverstone. It’s quiet, sunny and has views of the Spokane River, Blackwell Island and all the changes occurring in the stretch. The historical markers are especially interesting. It runs beside the old lumber mill railroad track. It would sure be great if somehow trains could still connect Coeur d’Alene to Spokane. Maybe when the DeArmond Mill site becomes the Educational Corridor the trail could be moved to the river side of the property.

“We explored the San Francisco Bay Area two weeks ago, enjoying all the stuff tourists are supposed to do. A special treat was the tiny town of Bodega Bay where Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” was filmed. A newspaper article said Sonoma County was having its lowest residential building growth in 10 years. Maybe that’s because they’re all headed up here.