Handle on Business: Caruso’s opening store in CdA
Coeur d’Alene will be the headquarters for two sandwich companies. We’ve had Pita Pit for a few years, and in September we’ll be adding Caruso’s Sandwich Co.
Vince and Chelle Caruso started Caruso’s Deli in Prairie Shopping Center in Hayden in 1997 after owning two similar stores in Salt Lake City. They came to North Idaho after searching in their motor home for the best possible place to live. Then came stores in Post Falls and Spokane Valley.
The fourth store since starting the franchise rights will be in the former Mongolian Barbeque space on the Government Way side of Ironwood Square. The company headquarters and training facility also will be there when it opens at the end of September with 11 employees.
Offering its own bread baked fresh daily, Caruso’s sells sandwiches, soups, espressos, breakfasts, pastries and salads, including pasta salads. The Carusos have sold their Hayden and Post Falls stores, and Eli Weston will manage the Coeur d’Alene store. The Web site is www.carusosandco.com.
Jamba Juice expanding
Next door to the new Caruso’s on Government Way is Jamba Juice, which is expanding to its second North Idaho location in River City Plaza in the northeast corner of the intersection of Highway 41 and Mullan Road. The store will open with 15 to 20 employees in a 1,800-square-foot space next to Paddy’s II sports bar.
Jamba Juice offers five flavors of all-fruit smoothies and will open in mid-August with hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays. Owners are Tia Crawford and Kirk Chaffin.
Tia grew up in Post Falls, and Kirk came to North Idaho from Auburn, Calif., with his family in 2004.
With its headquarters in Emeryville, Calif., and starting in 1990, Jamba Juice has 641 stores in 20 states. Check www.jambajuice.com.
Great Floors Granite to open
Fabricating and selling countertops and floors to builders, the Great Floors Granite and Stone facility will open in mid-July at 3293 W. Seltice Way, Post Falls.
Great Floors, another growing company with its headquarters in Coeur d’Alene, entered the stone fabrication business in 2006 with the purchase of Harrison Granite and Tile in Coeur d’Alene. The new plant will offer a full range of granite and marble products.
With 20 employees, the plant will include a builder showroom to showcase stocking slabs and exotic stone from around the world. The showroom will be the 18th Great Floors location. A 48,000-square-foot store opened in June in Lacey, Wash. Check www.greatfloors.com.
This week’s tidbits
“Border’s Books off U.S. Highway 95 will host the grand opening of its Seattle’s Best Coffee Shop and Cafe next Saturday. With remodeling and new products of the former Border’s Caf, Seattle’s Best will employ eight people and offer blended drinks, ice cream, sandwiches, desserts and organic coffee. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays.
“The Third Street portion of the Breakfast Nook in Coeur d’Alene will become a real estate office for Paul Wiles, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Robin. He will be affiliated with Dan Davis Realty. The restaurant now offers a quieter meeting room on the north side.
“Jackrabbit Massage will open its second location Monday next to JD’s Resort on Main Street in Bayview. To celebrate, free massages are offered today at Ralph’s Coffee House during the Bayview Days Celebration. Owner A. Jacquelin Hair (the source of the business name) opened her first store in June in the Salon Bella Dona at 211 Lakeside Ave., Coeur d’Alene.