Handle On Business: Blue Bay opens in former Dugout location
Somehow the Blue Bay Family Restaurant quietly opened a few weeks ago without any spies letting us know.
And it’s hard for this place to “sneak.” It’s in a very obvious, large building in the former Dugout Tavern location on busy Seltice Way (1910 E. Seltice), it’s open long hours, and it employs nearly 60 people.
Owners Domingo “Tony” Orozco, the managing partner, and Dwight and Renee Dirkmaat remodeled the building into a nautical theme and added large windows to bring the daylight inside. It seats 121 customers in the restaurant and 99 in the Blue Grotto Lounge, with the maximum capacity expanding to 300 on live-band nights. Retaining some of the Dugout’s sports emphasis, the place has TVs everywhere, including a 14-by-8-foot screen on one wall.
The extensive menu offers a midrange variety with a slight Mexican tinge, as Orozco has a long history of Mexican restaurant ownerships in the region, including the Burrito King (now Casey’s Place) in Spokane and Las Chevelas in Coeur d’Alene. Originally from central Mexico, he immigrated to California in 1973 and came to Spokane in 1980.
“It’s always been my dream to have a steak and seafood restaurant,” he said. “And we make it bright and pleasant with a sunny beach atmosphere.”
Breakfast is served from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., extending to noon and 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday; lunch is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., when dinner begins. Take-out also is emphasized, especially on the Web site (www.bluebaypostfalls.com) menu, with meals for four people priced from $16 to $32. Call 777-1928.
Donut House II now open
With the Donut House in Hayden a success, owners Matt and April Gross opened Donut House II in Post Falls this week.
Located in a former house behind the White House Grill at Seltice Way and Spokane Street, the five employees offer specialty doughnuts, muffins, croissants, bagels and coffee starting at 5 a.m. Monday through Saturday. The place seats 15 customers and, of course, offers take-out. Call 704-4660.
Originally from Simi Valley, Calif., and Kenosha, Wis., respectively, Matt and April Gross came to North Idaho in 2005 to start the Hayden Donut House. He has worked in the business with his father since he was 3 years old (“Oh, a while ago,” he says).
KMC’s McGrane Center expanding
Kootenai Medical Center is expanding on three fronts. The parking garage closed this week to begin the addition of three floors, and an office wing will be added to the north entry of the hospital – all this as noted in this space a few weeks ago.
Construction also has begun on a 1,100-square-foot expansion to McGrane Center for Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Care. Adding three offices and four exam rooms, the new space will accommodate Dr. Mike Meythaler, medical director of inpatient rehabilitation, and his staff, with a June completion.
The McGrane Center houses the aquatic and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation facilities and the adult day center with outpatient physical, speech, occupational and aquatic therapy. It opened in 2001.
This week’s tidbits:
“Trails Edge, an eight-unit, three-level residential condominium, is under construction at 1010 E. Mullan Ave., Coeur d’Alene. Built on three lots adjacent to the Centennial Trail, the complex offers two three-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units with offices. All are more than 1,500 square feet and include covered decks and underground parking.
“Combinations of chocolate and marzipan goodies in attractive, clever presentations are the specialty of Hermine’s Old-World Confections. Hermine Sittel, who learned the preservative-free skill in her native Germany, has added the business to her tailor shop at 2415 Government Way, Coeur d’Alene. Call 664-9580.
“Wanting businesses that will distribute tickets and fans to mark their calendars early, Bonnie Warwick of the Coeur d’Alene Garden Club writes that the 10th-anniversary garden tour will be July 8. Call 664-0987 for more information.
“The American Tourister luggage store and Welcome Home gift store have closed in the outlet mall in Post Falls.