Handle on Business: ROW Adventure Center open on Sherman

One of our biggest thrills nearly every summer is white-water rafting the Clark Fork River in the Alberton Gorge not far over the Montana border. It’s exciting, beautiful, educational and affordable.

We’ve taken many guests on this one-day adventure. It’s especially a thrill for foreigners and Easterners.

This is one opportunity that River Odysseys West Adventures provides through its new Adventure Center at 413 Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene. The Clark Fork is just one of several rivers the staff navigates in Western Montana and North Idaho. They also offer guided fly-fishing trips and have information on area biking and hiking options. The store sells T-shirts, hoodies, caps, Crocs and other sandals and an assortment of summertime essentials.

Anna Osborne and Mark Beattie run the downtown Adventure Center, which opened Friday and will have several grand-opening contests over the weekend. A New Zealander, Osborne has experience in skiing, culinary arts and retail sales and management. Beattie, former owner of Vertical Earth bicycle- and-more store, has a diverse background of bicycling, skiing, hospitality and sales.

Adventure Center hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday with Sunday hours to be determined.

Mountain View Cyclery expands

Taking advantage of the location along the Centennial Trail, Mountain View Cyclery and Fitness has added a second store in Milltown Center at 306 N. Spokane St. (just south of Interstate 90), Post Falls.

The store sells all types of bicycles for children and adults. The inventory includes cruisers, recumbents, BMX, road, mountain and triathlon bikes, parts and service. The adjoining Centennial Trail is a handy test service. Clothing, accessories and fitness gear also are available.

Owners John Bowman and Beven Rich have four employees, and the first store at 9521 Government Way, Hayden. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 to 7 Fridays, and 9 to 5 Saturdays. Telephone is 457-8439 or 762-9253.

Coffeeville changes to Bistro on Spruce

Although coffee and pastries are still the mainstay, Coffeeville at 1710 Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, will be changing to a full-service restaurant in the next few months.

“The Bistro on Spruce will be an all-American, semi-eclectic, reasonably-priced, fine food, wine-bar eatery,” explained Chris Mueller, who owns the business with his wife, Sheri. He hopes to open about July 4 with 25 to 30 employees offering full-line lunches and dinners and eventually weekend breakfasts.

Chris and Sheri originally are from Spokane and Philadelphia respectively; they met at Eastern Washington University and now live in Coeur d’Alene. He was a manager at Patsy Clark’s and Luna restaurants in Spokane and for the past three years at Beverly’s in The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

Numerica building in Hayden

Numerica Credit Union is constructing a new branch at 8370 N. Cornerstone Drive (off Highway 95 across from Albertsons), Hayden.

The 4,100-square-foot facility will offer all financial-institution services and employ six people when it opens in the fall. The branch will replace the current facility on Kathleen Avenue.

With more than 700,000 members, Numerica has 14 branches in Washington and Idaho. Several Kathleen Avenue employees will transfer to the Hayden branch.

Tidbits

“Pizza Schmizza opened in the Riverstone Center off Northwest Boulevard last week. It offers New York-style (hand-tossed) pizza, salads, pastas, breadsticks and dips and beverages. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

“Susie Q’s Antiques has reopened at 901 Fourth St. after recovering from damage from a windstorm-felled tree. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Phone 765-8460.

“The antique mall at Highway 95 and Haycraft Avenue has joined its sister mall in the complex at 3650 Government Way (behind Rockin’ Robin Cafe).

“Kootenai County Farmers’ Market opens for the season today at Highway 95 and Prairie Avenue. Hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. there and 4 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Fifth and Sherman in downtown Coeur d’Alene.