Rathdrum seeing boom in business
While last summer’s building projects included additions and renovation of area churches, schools and libraries, Rathdrum’s building projects this year have focused on retail spaces. Some buildings are replacing structures lost to fire or last winter’s heavy snow, while others are being enlarged to accommodate increased business. There are also a couple of new kids on the block.
On Main Street, Anthony Papetti has expanded A & J Automotive with the renovation of his old building and the addition of a two-story building, now the most prominent building at the east end of downtown. Designed with a Western look, complete with a front balcony and board-and-batten siding by local architect Paul Matthews, the building was built to accommodate automotive bays on the ground floor and office space above. The new structure rises high above Papetti’s former building, an adjacent Quonset hut, which was also given a facelift with a Western-style false front.
Rathdrum’s Taco Bell is also undergoing a growth spurt. Employees of the Taco Bell, currently inside the Exxon convenience store, say they will be moving their operation into a new building a couple of blocks down Highway 53, near Dairy Queen. Move-in day is expected to be sometime around mid- September.
One of Rathdrum’s newest businesses, Pleasant Land Books & Espresso, has felt the need to expand as well. They recently opened a back room, giving them additional space for larger groups to gather.
Although delayed by insurance and building issues, two Rathdrum buildings are slowly coming back. The Shady, a favorite local bar, burned on the Fourth of July 2007. For the past year, a sign with a positive message “We will rise from the ashes,” was all that could be seen. Within the last couple of weeks, however, it appears the problems that plagued rebuilding have been resolved. Walls now stand where the old building once stood – walls that promise the longtime watering hole will, indeed, return.
At the other end of town, a myriad of problems have hampered Lakeland True Value Hardware from being rebuilt, according to business owner Mike Fritz. His business was destroyed in late January after heavy snow caused the roof of his business to collapse. Fritz says he has spent the months since “working on inventory issues, insurance claims and trying to make plans for the future.” At this time, he figures he can be back in business by Nov. 1.
Fritz says despite the loss of nearly a year of business, there are things to be thankful for. He is thankful nobody was hurt when the roof collapsed and that he had insurance to cover his employees during the time his business has been down. All will be returning once the doors to Lakeland Hardware open.
“I wouldn’t be able to open without them … that’s a big plus,” said Fritz.
Rathdrum also has some new businesses in the works. The Breakfast Nook, serving breakfast and lunch, opened to a full house a couple of months ago. The new restaurant, in the former Route 53 Diner which closed in early June, is owned and operated by Paul and Robin Wiles. It seems their reputation for good food, great service and reasonable prices followed them from their Breakfast Nook restaurant on Fourth Street in Coeur d’Alene, and the minute they opened for business, the parking lot filled up with hungry customers.
A tire store and furniture refinishing business are also moving to town. Final plans are being reviewed for a Les Schwab Tire store to be built at the corner of Highway 41 and Highway 53, and final touches are being added to a renovated building by The Furniture Doctors, specialists in the repair, refinishing and restoration of wood furniture and flooring. Owners Paul and Jackie Malinauskas have operated The Furniture Doctors out of their home in Coeur d’Alene for more than 30 years. Deciding to move to a commercial location, the couple purchased and renovated a former automobile sales building on Highway 41. According to Paul Malinauskas, they plan on opening in their new space in early fall.
While news of these new businesses means Rathdrum is growing, recent closures have also left a few holes in the business community. Rosanne Hosek announced she was closing the doors of Wild Bill’s Steak House at about the same time Route 53 Diner closed its doors. They will both be missed.
And then there’s the loss of the Log Cabin Bakery. The bakery, a neighbor to Lakeland Hardware, was another casualty of last winter’s heavy snows. Sadly, owner John Gruele has decided not to reopen. This loss is staggering to some of us – life without ever having another of his chocolate-dipped raspberry almond bars seems unbearable to me … I’m hoping he’ll reconsider.