Good times par for course at new golf venue
An outlet for the kids out of school and an activity for the evenings and weekends should open by late next week. Puttin’ Around, an 18-hole miniature golf course, is at 2902 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls.
The tiny tee features holes with a water-jump, a drop-off and a multilevel challenge. Nine of the holes are handicapped-accessible, and the place is available for party and group events. The putter, balls, beverages and snacks are at the caddy shack.
Originally from Great Falls, owner Angie McFadden came to North Idaho in 1996 after discovering the area while on vacation. She’ll have two employees with open hours from midday through evening daily. Access is from the west-side parking lot. Phone (208) 964-4304.
Window World opens
A variety of options on windows, doors and vinyl siding are offered at Window World, which opened Monday near Spokane Hardware in Commerce Place business park, 3848 N. Schreiber Way, Coeur d’Alene.
The 1,740-square-foot facility includes a showroom open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays by appointment. Founded in 1995, the Window World company has 100 outlets in 37 states. With other Northwest outlets in Boise and Portland, the company headquarters is in Wilkesboro, N.C.
Coeur d’Alene owners Allan and Lisa Gwaltney had operated the business out of their home for three years. Originally from Richmond, Va., and Orange County, Calif., respectively, they came to Coeur d’Alene from Colorado in 2003 after searching for the “best place to live and raise kids,” Lisa said. Phone (208) 664-2032; the Web site is www.windowworldinc.com.
Commerce Park starts
With his own State Farm Insurance business as one of the three or four occupants, Brian Goetz is building Commerce Park Professional Suites at 840 W. Kathleen Ave., Coeur d’Alene. The project will include two, two-story, 2,600-square-foot buildings designed in a rustic style.
Each building will house one or two occupants, with Goetz’s company expanding from three to five employees and moving from its current facility at 1701 Third Ave. An estate attorney will share his new building, which was designed by Tim Wilson of Momentum Architecture.
Also originally from Great Falls, Goetz graduated from the University of Montana in agency management and came to Coeur d’Alene from Missoula in 2001. He offers full insurance services as well as banking and investment opportunities. Phone (208) 667-6468.
Idaho Lights expanding
Construction has begun in Coeur d’Alene and another site was obtained in Sandpoint for two stores for Idaho Lights.
Offering a full line of commercial and residential products and expertise in decisions, Idaho Lights’ 8,000-square-foot facility is under construction at U.S. Highway 95 and Sunshine Avenue (between the Silver Lake Motel and Robideaux Motors), Coeur d’Alene. The lodge-style building should open in the fall. The store is now at neighboring 6235 N. Sunshine St.
Meanwhile, a second Idaho store will open in July in the former Design Ideas, a 3,000-square-foot space at 402 Cedar St. in Sandpoint. Also with Evergreen Lighting in Spokane, the company has 16 employees. With more than 40 years experience in the business, Idaho Lights’ personnel will provide site visits and help with lighting layouts.
Originally from the Seattle area, owners Gene and Dianne Ansbaugh and Lew and Darlene Smith came to Coeur d’Alene in 1995 and bought Goodman Lighting. They discovered the area while at a home-builders convention here. Phone (208) 772-0229.
Tidbits
“If and when the Coeur d’Alene Resort adds a second tower, it evidently will be above the older, lower area of the current hotel. This will keep the complex in a single location and avoid a high tower shading Sherman Avenue.
“You know you’re in Montana when instead of having names, some Interstate 90 exits say “Local Access,” “Ranch Access” and “Fishing Access.” On a trip last week, we also noticed each town as you go east has fewer or no espresso stands.
“Researching rental car options for a week in California, I found prices varied from $134 to $275 while checking seven companies for an economy car. The best deals were by phone rather than online. When I told the then-second-lowest company what the lowest-priced company offered, the second company beat it by $5. Of course, you have to have the time to do this. That helped our lawn escape its mowing.
“A pickup-truck-shopping friend was treated rudely when he hesitated after the Coeur d’Alene dealer finance expert didn’t offer a deal the friend could make. Of course, the friend told his friends about his treatment and bought a truck from another dealer who wasn’t rude.