Handle on business: Get your hot dog at Chicago Joe’s
“These dogs have snap!”
That’s the positive summation a caller made of the hot dogs at Chicago Joe’s, a glorified former espresso stand at 611 W. Appleway, just west of the Carpet Warehouse. She said previously Coeur d’Alene didn’t have a good hot dog, but these include optional (with no additional cost) mustard, relish, onions, a pickle spear, tomato wedges, sport peppers (really hot) and celery salt on a poppy seed bun.
Owner Tom Hayes, who came from Chicago last fall, said his dogs are Vienna beef with a natural casing. They’re $3.75.
“There’s 1,800 of these hot dog stands in the Chicago area,” he said.
He also offers four breakfast options, Polish and German sausages, BLT burritos, Italian beef sandwiches, chili, clam chowder, a soup of the day and many beverages. He’ll be adding meatball and sausage sandwiches.
The drive-up stand is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays (later in the summer). Hayes will be adding picnic tables and lights.
Chicken Basket to open soon
If everything goes smoothly, The Chicken Basket will open next week at 601 Northwest Boulevard. Located across from The Spokesman-Review Building, the small facility formerly housed a skate shop. The location is the key as it’s handy to the lake, city park, Memorial Field, North Idaho College and downtown.
Offering lunch and dinner, the menu will include chicken, fish, jo-jos, cheesesticks and beverages. Customers may eat inside (seating for 15), outside or use take-out. The expanded parking area will allow a turn-around and will accommodate eight cars.
Owners are Darron and Jill Cole.
Treasure Towne off Pleasantview
A May 30 opening is planned for Treasure Towne, an indoor-outdoor specialty shop and flea market next to McDonald’s off the Pleasantview exit from I-90 west of Post Falls. The official address is 3930 W. Fifth St. near the Flying J truckstop.
Shoppers will find items ranging from fine art to antiques to flea market finds and food, according to Maureen Moss, who owns the place with Frank Seth and Jo Bennett. The 6,000-square-foot facility will have 32 indoor vendor spaces (currently all taken) and 24 outdoor (space is available).
Hours will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. A grand opening is planned for June 7. For more information, call 777-8080.
Frame shop opens in Hayden
A large variety of ready-made frames and accessories with expert aid from a person with 20 years in the business are available at Leslie’s Picture Framing, now open at 9422 Government Way (just south of Toro Viejo).
Frames of every size, shape, color and style are available – from barnwood with barbed wire to ornate frames with painted matting and bubble glass. The store also has silver, previous-stone jewelry, furniture, antiques and gift items.
“My goal is to provide beautiful framing at a reasonable cost,” said owner Leslie Curran. I am very experienced at designing and I know the technical aspects. I also cater very much to artists.”
She and her mother, Irene Curran, had a frame shop in Hayden in 1987 and the Greenwich Workshop dealership in Sandpoint for 10 years. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Call 772-8600.
This week’s tidbits
“MJ’s Fresh Market offers fruit, produce and flowering plants under a canvas shelter at 2416 Government Way. Owner Mary Jo Poteet, whose parents George and Betty have a similar set-up a few miles north, will also have honey, jam and Christmas trees. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
“The new Capone’s Pub and Grill has opened at 315 N. Ross Point Road, Post Falls. Replacing the building that burned last summer, the new place features sports memorabilia, 11 high-definition TVs, a full bar, 41 beers on tap and plenty of food options. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Call 457-8020.
“Offering clothing for men and kids, Brody Mack opened Friday at 513 Sherman Ave. More on this next week.
“The naysayers who say the DeArmond mill property ought to be private to pad the tax coffers rather than public as the educational corridor are ignoring that people and their businesses are attracted to and move to Coeur d’Alene because the waterfront is so public.