Handle on Business: Panda Express to open restaurant at Fourth and Best
High-traffic intersections convenient for businesses banking on attracting customers on their way to and from work and home are in high demand. Therefore the mini mall under construction at Best Avenue and Fourth Street in Coeur d’Alene should be a worthwhile venture.
Panda Express thinks so. The quick-serve Chinese restaurant will put its second CdA outlet in the west end of the Fourth and Best Center being built where the former 7-Eleven mini mall burned two years ago.
The restaurant will be similar to the U.S. Highway 95/Wilbur Avenue outlet with a drive-through, seating for about 50 customers and take-out. It will have about 20 employees when in opens in late October.
Started in 1983 in Pasadena, Calif., Panda Express now has about 840 stores in 38 states, Puerto Rico and Japan. Its headquarters is in Rosemead, Calif. It offers many entrees with choices of side dishes. Check www.pandaexpress.com.
The Fourth and Best Center will comprise four occupants in 6,900 square feet. Leasing agent Kelly Stravens said he’s in final negotiations for a nationally recognized tenant for 2,000 square feet, and spaces of 1,100 and 1,500 square feet are available.
“Miller Stauffer Architects created a design featuring brick and expansive glass that has great exposure,” Stravens said. Completion is scheduled for August. Contact Stravens of Century 21 Beutler & Associates at 818-3637.
Le Piastre to open Wednesday
Foods with French and Italian influence and primarily Northwest ingredients will be featured at Le Piastre Restaurant when it opens Wednesday in the former Doma Coffee space at Fifth Street and Sherman Avenue in downtown Coeur d’Alene.
“Casual, warm and cozy” is how owner Adam Hegsted describes the atmosphere. With 15 employees, Le Piastre will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu will vary from buttermilk pancakes to seared salmon with sweet-and-sour sweetbreads.
The restaurant will seat about 50 customers inside and 20 outside. A Spokane native, Hegsted will remain in his job at Brix Restaurant, while Jill Sheffler will be Piastre’s general manager and Ryan Stoy will run the kitchen. Hours will be from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Phone 665-0585.
“I hope to make a difference in the community of food,” Hegsted said. “I love doing this in North Idaho.”
Harley-Davidson store opens
“Your Hog Has Arrived” is printed on the crates of 31 Harley-Davidson motorcycles that arrived at the new Lone Wolf Harley-Davidson dealership which opened this week at 722 W. Appleway Ave., Coeur d’Alene. The 26,000-square-foot facility was formerly the Adventures in Fun building.
More than 100 bikes will be in stock by July. The store’s 20 employees offer sales, service and parts from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Accessories include custom Coeur d’Alene T-shirts, caps, shot glasses and mugs. The grand opening will be July 4-6.
Owners Greg and Beth Ernst and twin sons Bill and Chris all work in the store. They came from St. Louis. Phone 667-7433 or check www.lonewolfharleydavidson.com
This week’s tidbits
“Petal Pushers Nursery and Garden Center at 1842 Government Way will close at the end of the month. All merchandise and fixtures are being liquidated after four years on the site and 14 years in the business. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.
“Plenty of plants, produce, hand-made items and foods are offered at the Farmers’ Market that opens this Saturday at U.S. Highway 95 and Prairie Avenue.
“A “bright” woman best describes Louise Shadduck. For Louise, this “bright” refers to her intelligence and the way her presence enlightened wherever she was. She was a presswoman, author and a native and advocate of Idaho and some of its lucky politicians. Louise died Sunday at age 92. She’ll be missed greatly.