Six-story building planned at Sherman, Seventh
It happens this time every year – right ahead of tourist season – that downtown Coeur d’Alene sees some major changes. And, of course, it’s happening again. Some new businesses are here now or will be soon. Another one is just an announcement, but it’s major. Here we go.
About two years ago this location held Señor Froggy’s, a popular Mexican fast-food eatery. Suddenly it was torn down to make way for investment property. It has taken a little while, but evidently the bucks are right for that to happen.
The Plaza on Sherman, a six-story office building, is planned for this southeast corner of Sherman Avenue and Seventh Street. Offering views of Lake Coeur d’Alene and downtown, the Plaza will have balconies on the top three floors and include the downtown amenities of shopping, restaurants and lakeside living. At 70,000 square feet of leasable office space, it will include underground parking and large view windows.
Based upon occupancy possibilities, construction may begin in late summer. Partners in the project are J.B. Dodge Co. of Coeur d’Alene and VIQ Development of Boise.
“Our design team created an inviting, professional environment inside with timeless architecture and appeal externally,” said Paul Pennington, CEO of VIQ Development. “This is something the community will embrace.”
For leasing information, phone Brett Terrell of Motion Realty at (208) 640-0430.
Moose Market makes May move
Opening as early as next weekend, the Moose Market Ice Cream shop will be adjacent to the existing Moose Lounge in the northeast corner of Sherman Avenue and Fourth Street. The places are flip-flopping where they were two years ago in the building that formerly was Wilson’s Pharmacy.
Moose Market will offer 16 flavors of ice cream, Moose Dogs, German Sausage and beverages. It will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily with four employees. Next door, on the busy corner, Moose Lounge offers beer, wine, appetizers, pizza and two backroom pool tables. It features open-mike night on Tuesdays and live music 8 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Hours are noon to 2 a.m. daily. The wooden base of the bar is from a Rathdrum Prairie homesteader’s cabin, and the concrete top is decorated with mooseprints.
Both places have seasonal outdoor seating. Owners are Mike Lyon and Dave and Janet Pulis.
New galleries on Fourth Street
Gilmore Collective Gallery and Steven A. Scroggins Fine Art are one block up from the Moose Lounge.
Opening early this month, the Gilmore Collective Gallery at 116 N. Fourth St., offers abstract paintings, pottery, jewelry and photography by Edward W. Gilmore. Owned by Karla Mueller, the gallery moved from Government Way in Hayden. The gallery also offers designer furniture.
Originally from Alameda, Calif., Gilmore discovered Coeur d’Alene in 1990 while on “an accidental drive.” He was self-taught, and his work is throughout the Western U.S. and in Japan. Originally from Fort Dodge, Iowa, Mueller moved here 22 years ago as a girl with her family. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and extending in the summer. Check www.isitagilmore.com.
Planning to open by the May 8 Artwalk, the Steven A. Scroggins Fine Art studio is at 110 N. Fourth St. Scroggins offers abstract paintings of oil, acrylic, watercolor and mixed media pieces of collage-assemblage, photography and kinetic sculpture of ceramic mobiles. He currently has a show of 60 pieces in the Parkside Gallery at Coeur d’Alene Library. He had a show in New York City in March, and his work is collected in Europe.
Raised in Indianapolis by a “Kentucky hillbilly grandfather and Cherokee grandmother,” both of whom greatly influenced his life, he was educated in ornamental horticulture of College of the Desert in California and graphic design at North Idaho College. He discovered North Idaho when he came here for a wedding in 1980. Phone (208) 659-8332. Check www.stevenascroggins.com.
This week’s tidbits
•This was the last weekend of business for Anthony’s Midtown Bistro at Walnut Avenue (behind Runge’s). Watch for future possibilities from these quality restauranteurs.
•Another downtown gallery change will be for what has been LeMuse. The new name will reflect recognition of its owner as Cheryl Burchell Gallery with jewelry and fashion clothing.
•For next week watch for a major changes farther north on Fourth Street, a business move from Coeur d’Alene to Post Falls that allows for a school expansion and a new deli in Post Falls.