Cheesesteaks may join list of food options at former Arby’s

You’d think people had to eat to survive since nearly all the business news this week has to do with food.

In fact, three fast-food options at once are happening in the former Arby’s building at 1500 E. Seltice Way (across from the Trading Co. store), Post Falls. What had been Arby’s and Taco John’s is now the combination of Taco Time and Samurai Sam’s. And it probably also will have a Great Steak menu. Taco Time, of course, has its traditional Mexican menu. The company began in 1960 in Eugene, Ore., and now has 350 locations in four countries.

Samurai Sam’s offers Japanese favorites, including teriyaki wraps, rice and noodle bowls, egg rolls and salads. It started in 1994 and has 87 stores in 16 states.

Great Steak specializes in cheesesteaks with options of baked potatoes, fries, salads and other sandwiches. The company started in 1982 and has 200 outlets. Both Great Steak and Taco Time will add breakfast items.

All three companies are owned by Kahala Corp. of Scottsdale, Ariz. Kahala has 13 fast-food companies (they prefer to say “quick-serve”), which also include Cold Stone Creamery and Blimpie.

With signs still in progress, store hours start at 10 a.m. daily with breakfast hours coming soon. The place has seats for 74 customers and a drive-through. Owners Randy and Mary Knight came to Coeur d’Alene in 1974 from Missoula. They have 23 employees.

KC’s Breakfast Club moving

Bigger spaces in a new location opening Feb. 1 will expand seating from 50 to 86 customers as KC’s Breakfast Club moves from mid-Post Falls to The Plaza at 740 N. Cecil Road. The new digs across from Wal-Mart formerly housed Toro Viejo Express.

The restaurant offers breakfast and lunch 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday and opens at 7 a.m. Sundays. Coming from Anchorage, Alaska, with the intent to retire in North Idaho, owners Ken and Carolyn Jackson opened KC’s Breakfast Club in 2005. They have eight employees. Phone (208) 773-3794.

Lil Polpetta reopens on Kathleen

Italian foods are the specialty of Lil Polpetta sandwich shop at 1735 W. Kathleen Ave. (just west of Ramsey Road). The menu includes meatball dishes, pasta salads, soups and the Lil Polpetta, a sandwich loaded with mozzarella and provolone cheeses, four meatballs and marinara sauce for $2.50.

New owners Bill and Claudette Bedford have hours of 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays with hours expanding with the season. Phone (208) 664-8788.

Tiffany Blue relocates downtown

Offering women’s designer clothing and accessories, Tiffany Blue opened last week at 404 Sherman Ave. (between Johannes Jewelers and the Sports Cellar).

New owners Kareen Link and Rachel Dupin renovated the space to offer trendy options and personalized service. They’re originally from North Bend, Ore., and Clarkston, Wash. High-end consignments will be added.

Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and are expanding with the season. Phone (208) 765-2583.

This week’s tidbits

•A carryout-delivery branch of Pizza Hut opened last week next to Super 1 Foods at 6613 W. Commercial Park, Rathdrum. Hours are 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and until 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Phone (208) 687-3680.

•Speaking of pizza, King Pizza has closed at 1606 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. And watch for an upcoming Mexican-style pizza store.

•Watch for Northwest Artists Co-op to go in where Tiffany Blue left at 509 Sherman Ave.

•Watch for a new thrift store on Third Street and an auto parts store on Fourth Street.