ROW Adventures moves, grows
Many changes are happening at the Plaza Shops complex in the block bordered by Sherman and Front avenues and Second and Third streets in downtown Coeur d’Alene.
The most obvious is ROW Adventures, which quadrupled in space in moving from 413 Sherman to 2,400 square feet on two levels of the former A.G. Edwards building on the Second Street side. ROW also consolidated its corporate offices from Garden Avenue into the new location, which in the early days had Hudson’s Hamburgers, the Fore ’n’ Aft Tavern, Embers Lounge and the International Garage.
The largest adventure company in Idaho (and probably one of the largest in the country), ROW offers regional whitewater rafting trips, canoeing, hiking, adventure “combos,” fly-fishing trips and River Dance Lodge, an environmental-sensitive log cabin resort on the Clearwater River.
ROW goes far beyond Idaho. The international division offers multisports trips to the Galapagos Islands and Jamaica, rafting and jungle lodges in the Amazon, barging in France, trekking in Algeria, exploring in Egypt and yachting in Croatia, Turkey, Greece, British Columbia and Alaska.
“Our mission is ‘Sharing Nature – Enriching Lives’,” said Peter Grubb, who started the company in 1979. Born in Avenal, Calif., to outdoor -oriented parents, Grubb was educated at St. John’s College in Annapolis, Md., and started as a whitewater rafting guide in West Virginia in 1978.
“Our hope is to bring people closer to nature, share our love for the rivers, canyons and trails and inspire our guests to go home with a more holistic view of their relationship with nature,” he said. “We practice the three R’s – reduce, reuse and recycle.”
Recently being named one of the “Best Outfitters on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure Magazine, ROW will have eight employees in its new location by late September and has 70 employees worldwide. Hours here are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Phone 765-0841 or check www.ROWadventures.com.
Painted Pony offers Western flair
Featuring Western attire, jewelry, décor and artwork (including painted ponies), the Painted Pony opened last week in the east central area of Plaza Shops. Owners Genny and David Scheel will gradually liquidate their tack, horse care and riding apparel before they close their 4-year-old store at 6055 Government Way. Their 8-foot painted pony Vesuvius will soon show off in the front, round window, and riding wear and Dansko shoes will have a separate area.
Coming to Idaho from Wasilla, Alaska, and Big Timber, Mont., the Scheels met and married in Coeur d’Alene seven years ago. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with later closing on weekends. Phone 765-4959.
Here are this week’s tidbits
•Other existing shops expanding or moving in the Plaza Shops are Accessories By Gosh, owned by Don and Carol Bennett, and Daisy J’s, which owner Jennifer Rea moved to the central area. Shops leaving were Story Book Gallery and The Zoo.
•When in the Plaza Shops, check out the “Mudgy & Millie” bronze sculpture, the first of five, to commemorate the children’s book series by local author Carolyn Nipp and illustrator Charles Reasoner.
The welcome and signing party will be at 11 a.m. Sept. 13. Children will follow the Mudgy Moose Trail from Independence Point through downtown to the Tubbs Hill Third Street entry. Proceeds from the $18 pre-sale books will go to the Coeur d’Alene Library Foundation. Nipp also has written the many “Wee Sing” books. Check www.mudgyandmillie.com.