Handle on business: Riverstone Red Robin to take applications

Riverstone’s Red Robin Restaurant won’t open until April 21, but the long-anticipated gourmet-burgers-and-more eatery will start accepting applications for its 146 employees on March 11. Potential employees can visit the eatery from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to Mike Green, general manager.

Green said the 269-seat business will have six managers and will open at 11 a.m. daily with meals until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The new building is across the intersection from the new Hampton Inn at Riverstone Drive and Beebe Boulevard.

Red Robin’s menu features 22 burgers, several entrees, salads, soups, never-ending fries, desserts, beverages and children’s meals in a lively atmosphere. With more than 250 restaurants throughout the nation, the first Red Robin was in Seattle and its headquarters is in Greenwood Village, Colo. Check www.redrobin.com.

Oil Can Henry’s opens today

A greatly renovated and expanded former Coeur d’Alene Lube Center building at 1830 N. Third St., Coeur d’Alene, opens today as a new Oil Can Henry’s.

The Portland-based company offers many auto maintenance services, including its 20-point oil change, air filter replacements, gearbox service and flushes of the automatic transmission, engine, power steering and cooling systems.

Here’s the unique aspect of Oil Can Henry’s: There’s no waiting room.

Instead the customer can relax in his/her own vehicle with a free newspaper and watch, listen and even participate as the technicians work on the car and offer suggestions for service.

“A video monitor is positioned next to the driver’s side window to provide live views under the hood and in the pit so customers can watch the technicians at work,” explained spokesman Stuart Samuelson. “To ensure each step in each service is completed correctly, technicians use a verbal double-check system Command-Echo system. The top man calls out the step, and the pit man answers that it’s complete.”

Featuring Castrol oils, the company was founded in Portland in 1978 and has 72 outlets in Western states and Minnesota. They plan more centers for North Idaho. The “Henry’s” part of the name salutes automotive pioneer Henry Ford.

With eight employees, the Third Street business is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Call 765-2550.

Fred Meyer remodel is customer, energy friendly

It’s costing $10 million, but the Fred Meyer company says its major Coeur d’Alene store remodel is worthwhile because it’s creating a store more convenient to customers (so they’ll return and buy more) and it will save energy (and costs).

The entire 170,000-square-foot store is being renovated section by section until it’s completed in July.

“This is what we call a ‘within the walls’ remodel, meaning that we aren’t adding square footage but are instead focused on creating an improved shopping experience for the customer,” said spokeswoman Melinda Merrill.

“The store will have new lighting called Fbays that reduce energy use by 33 percent. The store will have polished concrete floors, which eliminate the need for chemicals when cleaning the floors; they can be cleaned with soap and water. The store will have skylights, which will help reduce energy use by taking advantage of natural lighting.”

The store will have an expanded frozen-food section, a new sushi bar, a drive-through pharmacy, a greenhouse cover in the outdoor garden area, an updated electronics department, all new fixtures and cases and all new décor. With 230 employees, the store opened in April 1997.

This week’s tidbits

“The flier is out for the 2008 season for Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre. The shows are “All Shook Up,” “La Cage aux Folles,” “Once Upon A Mattress” and “Les Miserables.” Wow! Check www.cdasummertheatre.org or phone 769-7780.

“After losing its shop roof to the heavy snow, Coeur d’Alene Tractor is using the neighboring former granite works building west on Appleway.

“It’s good to see the Education Corridor plan is still alive, thanks to the cooperation of businessman Marshall Chesrown, governing concerns and North Idaho College, Lewis-Clark State College and the University of Idaho. This riverfront land use would much better serve residents as public rather than private. Sure, private (commercial) use brings in tax money, but the reason many people live here and tourists come here is because of the public-use waterfront.