A setting for success

Twenty-four-year-old Sandpoint resident Jessica Lippi knows what it takes to succeed in the restaurant business. After all, her lifelong memories include spending hours helping her parents at their restaurant, Ivano’s Ristorante, in downtown Sandpoint.

“When we (she and her sister) were kids, we were always there at the restaurant alphabetizing invoices and filling water glasses,” said Lippi. “There was never an empty glass.”

A recent graduate of Georgia Southern with a degree in sociology, Lippi moved back to Sandpoint last summer. After starting a job in a separate field, she quickly realized the restaurant business is where she belongs. Lippi’s parents opened the restaurant in 1984 to fulfill a dream of Jessica’s grandfather that was cut short when he died of cancer. She hopes to carry on that dream for yet another generation.

“I’ve taken a lot of breaks from it (the restaurant), but have always gone back,” said Lippi.

Soon after returning to Ivano’s, she opened a martini bar in a space adjacent to the restaurant. So far it has proved to be a big attraction among area residents.

About the same time Lippi was holding her martini bar’s grand opening, 25-year-old Jennings Waterhouse was busy across the street managing the Sand Creek Grill and renovating an addition that includes a lounge, Dulce, which opened in November.

Waterhouse’s mother, a psychologist with no previous restaurant experience, purchased the Sand Creek Grill and Inn approximately six years ago. When Waterhouse moved to Sandpoint in 2003 she jumped right in, working at the restaurant. Now the younger Waterhouse has control of both the restaurant and lounge, overseeing employees, purchasing the wine and food as well as cooking.

“I am always trying to keep it fresh and changing the menu to keep it interesting,” said Waterhouse. “I’ve worked in a lot of nice restaurants and my family has always liked to cook and throw parties. I’ve also been inspired by other places I’ve visited.”

Shortly after these two young women debuted their projects, Michele Kelly came along and purchased a partnership interest in Spud’s Rotisserie and Grill just down the street. Also 24, Kelly had worked at Spud’s in high school, as well as during the summers while pursing a degree in engineering. Last fall, she was on the brink of a new adventure — moving to the Virgin Islands. The day she left, she was approached by the owners of Spud’s, Peter and Gail Mico, with the business opportunity. For three months, she traveled and hiked, before returning in early December.

While it may appear that these young women are fierce competitors, they instead have formed a friendship and have found support in one another. In their experiences living in other parts of the country, they have not seen a business community that works the way this group does, whether it is borrowing ingredients, seeking advice or just being able to turn to someone for support in a demanding business.

“We are competitive in that we push each other to do better,” said Waterhouse. “But we complement each other as well.”

Kelly agrees. “Even if we do not have to ask each other for help, it is really nice to know they are there.”

The three restaurants, along with Café Trinity just a block away, form what is referred to as the Old Lantern District in downtown Sandpoint.

The area of town in which the restaurants are located is rich in history. One hundred years ago, lumberjacks traveled from their logging camps to First Avenue in search of a much-needed break from their hard labor. They found their entertainment in the cigar shops, barber shops, saloons, cafes and brothels, locations which are now home to these restaurants. After researching its history, the business owners decided to revamp their historic block and designate it the Old Lantern District.

“The name Old Lantern District evolved from the ladies of the evening who would hang out lanterns (outside their places of business),” said Jennings’s mother, Gloria Waterhouse.

The young women are now meeting to discuss ways to bring more people to the area to enjoy all the restaurants while still honoring the historic place in which they do business.

“We are looking at having nights where we play off each other, bringing more people and energy to the area,” said Lippi. “We want to create something people look forward to on a monthly basis.”

They are excited about the opportunity to work with not only one another but also with the older generations who have been in the business for many years. Together they know they can help the historic area succeed.

“They (the older generation) have experience,” said Kelly. “And we come with a lot of new ideas.”