New businesses to open in Spirit Lake, Rathdrum
Looking for a great cup of coffee? A place to meet a friend? A good book? You’re in luck. Spirit Lake Books and Coffee recently opened in Spirit Lake, and Pleasant Land Books and Espresso is planning an Oct. 1 opening in Rathdrum. Both will offer a family friendly atmosphere, the latest in technology, reasonably priced books, and of course, great coffee.
Spirit Lake Books and Coffee
Walking into Spirit Lake Books and Coffee is a delight. Spirit Lake owners Jon and Terri Zucker have designed an upscale, yet inviting and cozy atmosphere for customers whether interested in looking at books, dawdling over an espresso, or chomping down one of their large cookies.
According to Jon, the first-time business owners chose to live in Spirit Lake because it was in a good location, and they chose to open a bookstore because “my wife is a book lover, and we wanted a family friendly business.”
The couple buy and sell new and used books, (mostly paperback), and offer wireless internet and faxing service. They are currently buying books to add to their eclectic collection that includes most every genre, from sci-fi and outdoor to romance and true crime.
The spacious building they designed themselves, includes a kitchen area where Terri bakes the plate-sized cookies they sell, and they offer a full espresso bar that includes coffee, lattes, and tea. The couple uses “Bumper Crop Coffee” for their brewed coffee, which, according to Jon, “is one of the best coffees around.”
The Zuckers foresee their business growing as they discover what their customer’s want. They also plan on offering weekly specials, opening a drive-in window, and developing a book club in the near future.
Pleasant Land Books and Espresso
Jan and Sam Conner’s dream of opening a book store and coffee shop is also about to come true. On Oct. 1, the couple will open Pleasant Land Books and Espresso in Paul Matthew’s new building on Rathdrum’s Main Street.
Jan wanted to open a business tying books and coffee because, “Coffee and espresso are our two passions, and I’ve collected books forever. So, putting the two together seemed a good fit.” The couple began an online book store, while they waited to find the right place to open a store.
That “place” turned out to be the newest building on Rathdrum’s Main Street. “I love the small town, and think Rathdrum has so much potential,” said Jan. “I’m just so excited to be on Main Street.” She says the store will feature antique and collectible furnishings that will give a comfortable atmosphere with old-fashioned, turn-of-the-century ambiance that fits in with the new building. “We’ll also have some new and used collectibles for sale,” she said.
The business will offer new and used books at affordable prices and will be “teckie” friendly with wireless internet service. An eclectic selection of paperback and hardbound books will include classic novels, westerns, children’s books, contemporary fiction, Christian literature, and home school curriculum. A few rare books will be on hand, and Jan plans on developing a selection of local and regional history books.
Pleasant Land customers will enjoy a full line of coffee products, including regular coffee, tea, espressos, blended coffee drinks and the currently popular jet tea smoothies. Jan says they are developing their personal Pleasant Land blend of coffee and plans to tempt customers with pastries from a local bakery.