Handle on Business: Taco Bell opens in new building with new look
Among changes on Appleway in Coeur d’Alene is the new Taco Bell restaurant. The “old” place, built in the mid-1970s, was simply outdated inside and out, according to the owners. They wanted a bold, new look and new equipment, and it came fast.
The building at 217 W. Appleway Ave. was torn down and taken away as if a tornado removed it, and the new one opened after about six weeks’ construction. The 2,900-square-foot facility is slightly larger than the old one and seats 60 customers and always has one of the most active drive-throughs in town.
The owning CLC Restaurants Inc. of Missoula has 36 outlets in the Inland Northwest. Taco Bell started about the same time and place as McDonald’s, 1956, in San Bernardino, Calif. The company has more than 6,000 stores; its headquarters is in Irvine, Calif. Check www.tacobell.com.
With 45 employees, the Coeur d’Alene store is open from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights.
Asthma & Allergy aims at Appleway
A few blocks west, at 714 W. Appleway Ave., construction has started on a two-level building for the Asthma & Allergy of Idaho clinic. The business should move in December from its current home in the Contractor’s Northwest building at 3731 N. Ramsey Road.
The clinic will occupy the 4,500-square-foot second floor, while the first floor is available for lease. Owner is Dr. Richard Henry, an allergist/immunologist who also has clinics in Twin Falls, Burley, Hailey, Sandpoint, Moscow and Elko, Nev. Eight staff members in Coeur d’Alene include Dr. Kenneth Wakefield and nurse practitioner Jennifer Watson.
About 5,300 square feet is available on the first floor of the building, which is next to the Shilo Inn. Contact Watson at 665-1552 or Trevor Young of Century 21 Beutler & Associates at 765-5554.
AT&T, smoothies new at Riverstone
A 4,300-square-foot building across Riverstone Drive from the Bardenay Restaurant will be the home of AT&T and Emerald City Smoothies stores.
The AT&T store will occupy 3,000 square feet and will sell wireless services and products. It will have 12 employees and will be open daily starting in November. With 71.4 million customers, it’s the largest provider of wireless services in the country.
Emerald City Smoothies emphasizes fresh ingredients with strawberries and bananas as the base. Kevin Stocker, who owns the business with his wife, Brooke, said one Smoothie provides the vitamins, protein and minerals a person usually gets in one well-balanced meal. A 24-ounce Smoothie has less than 400 calories and four grams of fat. Customers may add supplements to the Smoothies. The store also will offer vitamins, cleanses, snacks and energy bars.
Based in Seattle since 1996, the company has 60 locations and plans to have more than 1,000 by 2017. The Stockers also will have a store in Liberty Lake. The Stockers are from Spokane and met at the University of Washington. He played with the Philadelphia Phillies baseball organization for 10 years, retiring in 2001. The CdA store will open in April with four to six employees.
This week’s tidbits
“Shopping sure can be interesting. We replaced our snow-smashed barn with a small shed. The advantages and disadvantages of what and how they’re made, their size, their amenities (windows, bases, interiors, floors, delivery, time frames) and their costs are amazing. Chat with other customers and compare.
“Be careful when shopping for electronic items, especially if you decide to return them. A store may charge you a restocking fee and/or only allow the price of your purchase to be a store credit rather than your money returned.
“The options for smaller portions in some new area restaurants is pleasing. You don’t have to spend $30 for a tasty meal, and you actually can hear your tablemates … well, usually.
“Try visiting the National Bison Range not far over the Montana border. Last weekend we saw baby bison, deer and antelope (brand new) and mountain sheep, elk, a bear and more than 30 bird species. The nearby Mission of St. Ignatius is very beautiful and interesting.