Handle on Business: With an expanded Pilgrim’s Market, who needs Trader Joe’s?

Hey, his name is Joe. Isn’t that close enough? It seems as though the store certainly is.

One of the most common whines (including from me) in the Inland Northwest is “Why isn’t Trader Joe’s here?” The affordable, natural foods store, one of the most popular chains on the West Coast, has hinted it’ll come to Spokane, but it gives no clues about farther east.

So who’s our Joe? He’s Joe Hamilton, and he and his wife, Sarah, have had Pilgrim’s Natural Foods in Coeur d’Alene since 1999. And their place has grown along with the natural foods market. In fact, with the third upcoming expansion, they’re calling it Pilgrim’s Market.

It started with Trip to Bountiful in what is now the Syringa Restaurant building on Fourth Street. In 2000 it moved across the street to 1316 Fourth St. It added the space to the south in 2005, and now it’s adding the space to the north, giving the place 8,000 square feet.

The expansion will include a fresh meat market and wider deli options, including a you-pick, they-stir-fry grill and self-serve salads, soups and sandwiches. They’ll have the only certified organic, locally-produced beef between Missoula and Seattle, said Hamilton, a Liberty Lake native.

Pilgrim’s Market inventory will include organic produce, vitamins, herbs and spices, bulk foods, dairy products, wild meats, and a bakery. With Hamilton saying their wine is as good and reasonable as the “Two-buck Chuck” at Trader Joe’s, the beer and wine section includes a free wine-tasting event 3-6 p.m. Fridays, and the Fish Folks have their truck outside on Thursdays.

With 25 employees, hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Phone (208) 676-9730.

STCU doubles plans

Spokane Teachers Credit Union plans to open its first North Idaho branch in late January. The 18,000-square-foot, two-level facility behind Wendy’s near the Mullan Road-Highway 41 intersection in Post Falls will employ 16 people with two drive-throughs, an ATM, a foyer walk-up station and six teller stations.

The second Kootenai County branch, to be called Silver Lake, will open in 2007 in the southeast corner (a former nursery space) of Government Way and Canfield Avenue.

The company started “with a bell and a shoebox” at Spokane’s Lewis & Clark High School in 1934, according to spokeswoman Keely Barrett. With the Idaho additions, it will have 10 branches and the headquarters in Liberty Lake. Their state and county charters allow membership to be open to all residents.

Dragon Tails adds on

The former Burger King play area will soon become part of the Dragon Tails Childcare complex at 4208 W. Expo Parkway, Post Falls. The facility for children ages newborn to 12 is in the former Subway building northwest of the I-90 and Pleasantview Exit.

Including meals and snacks and separate areas for babies and learning ages, the facility is open 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. With three employees and spaces for 21 children, Dragon Tails has room to expand to 42 children. Sheri Poindexter is the owner. Phone (208) 777-9400.

Tidbits

“What a thrill to take a 3-year-old granddaughter into a place like Figpickles! It’s hard to believe the downtown Coeur d’Alene toy store is celebrating its first anniversary.

And it’s just as heartwarming to take her next door into Everson’s Jewelry and have grand-old-guy Clair Everson tell her about riding a horse to school. (I sort of wish he hadn’t mentioned a pony would be a great gift from Santa.)

“The Eclectic Artisans Gallery and Bullfrog’s Deli moved from Coeur d’Alene Avenue to 1521 Lakeside Ave., Coeur d’Alene.

With the option of dining by a nice fireplace, deli hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Gallery owners Carol Eagle and Delores Alexandra offer the arts and crafts of 20 vendors in three rooms of the former Cricket on the Hearth bed and breakfast house. Phone (208) 676-1280.