Handle on business: Sourdough Eatery adding new stores

Nearly everybody knows that the headquarters for the Pita Pit Corp. in the United States is in Coeur d’Alene and that its training facility is at its original outlet at 320 Sherman Ave. But not many people know that right next door, at 322 Sherman Ave., is the world headquarters and training facility of San Francisco Sourdough Eatery Inc.

And, like Pita Pit, this chain of specialty sandwich restaurants is growing like … dough. Using fresh sourdough bread and warm sandwiches with a “San Francisco taste” as its trademark, the store also sells soups, salads and beverages.

Papers have been signed for 14 new stores. Adding to Coeur d’Alene’s second store, located in the Riverstone complex, in the upcoming months will be stores on Spokane’s South Hill and near Gonzaga University, one near Cabela’s at Post Falls and one in El Dorado Hills, Calif.

“During 2008 we hope to open one store a month,” said Robert Lenhart, who started the company with his wife Maricela. They are the trainers and own the building in downtown Coeur d’Alene. Coming from Fremont, Calif., Robert came through Coeur d’Alene with his father in 1976 and said he always planned to come back. They did and opened the Coeur d’Alene store in 1999. Other stores planned for 2008 include one in Missoula and three more in Spokane.

“We are negotiating our first international deal for Japan,” he said. “And in 2008 we will advertise our franchise opportunities for the first time. We will do it by selling territories to master developers. Later the stores will be on a select basis.”

Contact Robert Lenhart at 640-3066. The Web site is www.sfsourdougheatery.com.

New owner at Rockin’ Robin

Speaking of a trademark, a ‘50s-‘60s Mom-and- Pop theme is obvious with the sounds of the jukebox in the Rockin’ Robin Cafe at 3650 Government Way. Ed O’Brien, who takes over the business Wednesday, plans no major changes to the successful business.

“We’ll be opening an hour earlier (at 5 a.m.), said O’Brien, who is a Coeur d’Alene native. The breakfast-lunch eatery closes at 2 p.m. daily. It offers lunch specials with nine employees with service for up to 96 customers seated at tables and a counter.

Diane Horn, who owned the business for almost 10 years, plans “to take it easy” for a few months and then work in Twin Lakes. Phone the Rockin’ Robin at 664-7911.

NIC grad buys New York Express

Kip Schlinker, a product of the culinary arts program at North Idaho College, will be using his skills to expand and change the menu at the New York Express eatery in Suite 2 at 1801 Lincoln Way, Coeur d’Alene. Schlinker worked at the Express when it first opened in 2004 and bought it early this month.

Serving lunch and dinner, the menu includes 10 sandwiches (with its special New York sausage), five salads, four pastas and three major hot dog options. He and his parents, Keenan and Tara Schlinker, also offer take-out and delivery. They came to North Idaho from Eagle River, Alaska, in 1997.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Phone 667-6414.

This week’s tidbits

“A FedEx Office and Print Center has opened in Suite C of Highland Crossing Shopping Center at 775 N. Highway 41, Post Falls. Owner Nina McDermitt and four employees offer shipping and mailing services and supplies, copy and printing services, computer rental and Wi-Fi Internet access. Hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 6 Sundays. Phone 773-3420.

“The Holiday Gas Station and Convenience Store at 311 W. Haycraft Ave. (at Highway 85) has purchased the neighboring house, which will be removed to expand the store parking lot.

“At her “State of the City” address early this month, Coeur d’Alene Mayor Sandi Bloem bragged how city streets don’t have potholes. Too bad she can’t say the same thing about Interstate 90, where tire ruts are growing in addition to potholes, especially east of town. Officials blame studded tires. But we don’t notice the problem in Montana, where studs are even more plentiful. (Heh heh). The I-90 problem here and in Spokane seems to be more rutted with either an inferior product or process.

“Ah, the new year is upon us. A summary of 2007 was that our commercial growth boomed while the housing market stagnated. Too bad more of the new businesses did not locate in existing empty spaces rather than build new ones.

“It’s surprising that no namebrand pizza outfit has moved to downtown Coeur d’Alene. You’d think the take-out option to the lake and parks would really work with pizza.

“Because of the lakeside location, downtown Coeur d’Alene businesses thrive only as far as Eighth Street. Perhaps more businesses, especially eateries, could fit in if they expanded to a second story. Many cities do this by having the kitchen, take-out and handicap seating on the main floor and the dining area on the second floor. Possibly here the second floor could even have views of the lake and/or park.

“Speaking of a second-story eating area, a demolish permit was approved for the former Senor Froggy’s at Sherman and Seventh. It’s a real head-scratcher of why this second-level dining area was built “backward” when it could have seen the park and lake.