Sweet Peaks Ice Cream coming to Coeur d' Alene

Sweet Peaks Ice Cream, has built itself in a small chain of gourmet ice cream shops across Western Montana. And, now it looks like Sweet Peaks has set it eyes on a space in Downtown Coeur d' Alene for their first new location opening outside of Montana.

The new Coeur d' Alene Sweet Peaks Ice Cream location doesn't have a set opening date as of yet, but will be opening sometime in the Spring. Hiring for management and all open positions for their new shop is open now, however.

The new Coeur d' Alene location, couldn't be more centrally located, right in heart of Downtown. The business will open in the former ArtCo Lab art gallery space on N. 4th Ave. right next door to the Moose Lounge.

Sweet Peaks Ice Cream is a small batch, family run ice cream business, making and selling their own ice creams. And, since their ice cream is made is small batches flavors can be created that are more unique that the big chain ice cream shops. The business has been going strong since being founded in 2010 in Whitefish,MT. Today Sweet Peaks Ice Cream operates 4 locations around Western Montana and even a ice cream food truck based out of a modified horse trailer.

Keep watching for more information on this new business opening. And, check out their website at-

http://www.sweetpeaksicecream.com

Yoke's Fresh Market now open in Liberty Lake

While the official grand opening celebration won't be until March 2nd. Yesterday, Feb. 24th marked the first day open for business at Yoke's Fresh Markets newest location. That location is in the former Safeway ( and Haggen, for a short time ) at 1233 N. Liberty Lake Rd. We we're able to check out this newly remodeled grocery store, and to say we're impressed is an understatement....

We realize it's only their first day, but the store is clean, well stocked and with friendly faces to show you where to go to get what you need. And, you can find most anything with the store being a full grocery store with meat, bakery , produce and even a new in store pharmacy.

But, the new Liberty Lake Yoke's takes it one step further then being a standard grocery store. This new Yoke's store also has a large healthy options / gluten free food department, near the front of the store called Nature's Corner.

Also, towards the front of the store is a full deli, that even includes hot foods like hamburgers and sandwiches . Adjacent to the deli is a new espresso stand, with plenty of coffee drink options to get you thru your day. And, if your wanting to get your drink or prepared meal and eat it in the store, you can ! The Liberty Lake Yoke's store also has a full seating area with fireplace and TV, seen here...

And, if you follow along with the posts of this site, you'll surely know I love my locally brewed craft beers. And, just like other Yoke's stores the selection at the new Liberty Lake location is wonderful. Many single craft beers and hard ciders, an entire department of six pack craft beers, pretty much a beer option for every occasion. The wine selections is also great, well stocked and easy to find, here is a look at the wine department and the front end of the store...

A department of liquors are also available in a secure area, nearby the customer service desk.

And, a look at the back end of the new Liberty Lake Yoke's Fresh Market-

The opening of this new location likely did create some new jobs for the City of Liberty Lake. Although those totals are not completely accurate as some employees, simply came over from the Haggen grocery store that had been in the same building. That store closed, along with numerous others after Haggen attempted to purchase far too many of Safeway's former grocery store locations.

The new Liberty Lake Yoke's will be open for business daily from 5am - midnight , with shorter hours for the pharmacy ( contact the store for more info... ) .

This new location will be the chain's 13th grocery store location. Those not familiar with Yoke's Fresh Market will want to make note that they are a locally owned and operated company, that is owned by it's employees. The Yoke's chain has seen some growth lately, also adding a location in the Tri-Cities not long ago, and wrapping up a full remodel of their store at 210 N. Foothills Dr. in Spokane recently.

For more information on Yoke's Fresh Market, visit their website at-

http://www.yokesfreshmarkets.com

New strip mall planned on the 3700 blk. of E. Sprague

A new multi-tenant shopping center may soon rise from a vacant lot on Spokane's East side. The center will be kitty corner from the former Pepsi warehouse, next to The Tire Store at 3907 E. Sprague Ave.

Construction will likely start sometime this year, although no exact time line is set. The building will face E. Sprague Ave with a surface parking lot and about 12,000 square feet of space that is dividable for multiple retail / restaurant type businesses. In the marketing materials, as many as 9 different storefronts are shown.

Spaces are for lease, with leasing being done locally by Cantu Commercial Properties, LLC . Currently the building is being leased at $15 to $20 per square foot , plus NNN . The shopping center will have 300 feet of frontage on E. Sprague, and nearby many other large stores and large employers.

For more information on this new shopping center, visit Cantu's website at-

http://www.cantucommercial.com

Keep watching Inland Northwest Business Watch for more news on construction and tenants coming to this project.

Ace Hardware opens in Rathdrum

After several months of construction, Ace Hardware is now open for business in Rathdrum. The store, while part of the national Ace Hardware chain, is still locally owned and part Seright's Ace Hardware which also has locations on 4th in Coeur d Alene & on Seltice in Post Falls.

The new Rathdrum Ace Hardware is located on the South side of town, directly on Hwy. 41. The store's address is 14236 N. Hwy 41, with an entry off of Boekel Rd. . The location is about 18,000 square feet with roughly a dozen newly created jobs. Here is a look at the new store, which is a new construction, free standing building-

The new Seright's Ace Hardware location is a full service hardware store. In addition to hardware, electrical, plumbing and other common hardware store departments, this new store will feature a full garden center. Many well known brands are sold at the store, including STIHL, Craftsman, Valspar and more.

Seright's Ace Hardware - Rathdrum is open Mon - Sat 7:30am - 7 pm and Sat. 9am - 5pm .

For more information, visit their website at-

http://www.serightsace.com

Or, find them on Facebook at-

http://www.facebook.com/rathdrumacehardware

Construction to start on new Division St. Denny's

It was announced sometime ago, but lately people have been wondering exactly what happened to the plan to build a new Denny's Restaurant on the Division St. Hill. Now, we're happy to report building permits have been filed and construction will begin in the Spring for the new Denny's, which will be the 3rd location for the chain in the Spokane area.

This new will be at the corner of N. Division and W. Gordon , in between two small shopping centers, their address will be 3525 N. Division . The site can be seen in this Google Street View image-

https://www.google.com/maps/@47.6907381,-117.4112787,3a,75y,245.84h,80.6t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTxv9jOwqxqSZhFnNd4AAjQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

This new Denny's will be a 4,400 square foot restaurant, able to seat 150 +/- customers. We've seen no official renderings of this new location, it will be based upon Denny's newer " Heritage Prototype " . This look is a bit updated, while still keeping to much of the same experience.

Like other Denny's this location will be a franchise and open 24 hours. This location will be owned by Feast Properties,LLC from California. Radix Construction of Nampa,Idaho will do the construction work on the new building and will likely be opened quickly although today there is no set opening date.

For more information on Denny's, visit their website at-

http://www.dennys.com

Cole's Fine Foods expanding, becoming a full gluten free restaurant

Cole's Fine Foods has been a great source of gluten free food items since it opened in 2014. The business, while still new, has provided many with food allergies , a place to get fresh foods. But, now the locally owned and operated establishment is taking the next big step for their business.

Cole's Fine Foods is in the process of expanding into a full restaurant, as opposed to the carry out / retail food business they had been . They'll still carry the same freshly made gluten free pizzas, baked goods , granola, cheese balls , but now they will also extend the menu into hot food items. The business will introduce hamburgers, gourmet grilled cheese, fries, onion rings, salads and more.

Also, the upgrades will allow Cole's Fine Foods to start offering brunch entrees on the weekends. During weekend brunch hours waffles, pancakes, omelets and more will be served. They also will have a license for beer & wine and a slightly larger staff. They plan to have all the new features and menu items ready by the end of February.

Cole's Fine Foods is location in North Spokane at 521 E. Holland Ave. , Suite 20 .  As of now they are open 10am - 7pm Mon. - Fri. & 10am - 5pm on Sat. .

For more information on Cole's Fine Foods, visit their website at-

http://www.colesfinefoods.com

Or, look them up on Facebook at-

http://www.facebook.com/colesfinefoods

Beer & Wine program coming to a North Spokane Starbucks location

First launched last Summer, the Starbucks " Evenings " program features the normal Starbucks menu but something extra also. The Starbucks Evenings program also highlights craft beers, fine wines and small plates, to attract a new crowd to the chain.

The chain has slowly brought this new program to several major cities around the US. But, now it looks like the beer & wine program may be coming to Spokane. This week the chain, filed for a liquor license for a location in North Spokane. There is no word about when this program may start in Spokane but here is a look at the license information from the Washington State Liquor Control Board-

Notification Date:	2/17/2016
Business Name:	STARBUCKS COFFEE #14719
Business Location:	4727 N DIVISION ST,  SPOKANE, WA 99207-6011
Applicant(s):	COFFEE HOUSE HOLDINGS, INC.; HUME, SOPHIE HAGER; MALANGA, MICHAEL E; PERROTT, DALE JAMES; TRILLING, SARA; TURNER, CLARICE JANINE; WOLFF, ANDREW DONALD
License Type:	BEER/WINE REST - BEER/WINE
Application Type:	NEW APPLICATION
License Number:	422074
Contact Phone:	5094835070

Jacob's Java adding location on N. Monroe

The Spokane based, Jacob's Java coffee stand chain is growing. Adding a new location on N. Monroe. And, this new location will be a big step forward for Jacob's Java.

The new location will be in the former Caffe Delicio coffee shop at 2301 N. Monroe St, nearby the CCS Institute for Extended Learning. The location has been a bit of neighborhood landmark and will give Jacob's Java, something they've never had before, an inside seating area. However just like all the other Jacob's Java locations, this new café will still have a drive up window option.

The transition into the Jacob's Java chain has already started, with their coffee's already being served at the café. They plan to keep the impact of the transition minimal allowing the location stay open for business the whole time.

Jacob's Java has been open for business since opening their first location in Spokane at 6th & Washington in the early 90's . Today they have five locations, making the new N. Monroe store the sixth. All locations feature multiple coffee and specialty coffee drink options, in addition to smoothies, pastries and more.

For more information on Jacob's Java, visit their website at-

http://www.jacobsjava.com

Or, on Facebook at-

http://www.facebook.com/jacobsjava

Spokane locations on list of Hancock Fabrics closures

Hancock Fabrics, a " mid box " fabrics & crafts chain retailer has struggled for sometime. The company has experimented with smaller store footprints and streamlining inventory which it even tried with it's Spokane Valley store which moved to smaller strip mall location back in 2014.

But now, the company has moved on to filing for bankruptcy. They plan to stay in business, for the time being at least. However, they have announced a list of stores they plan to close down, due to underperformance. Two of the three Inland Northwest Hancock Fabrics locations are on that list of locations to close, here are the local locations to be closed down-

1020 W. Francis Ave.  - North Spokane  - 13,000 square foot

15735 E. Broadway  - Spokane Valley  -  8,000+ square foot

There appears to be no set closing date as today. The chain hopes to keep about 185 locations open, but it seeking bids to purchase the remaining company which employs thousands and is all around the nation. Hancock Fabrics says it owes $110 million in debts and failed to get a bid to purchase the company in a pre-bankruptcy offering.

The company is based in Baldwyn,Ms. and has between $100 and $500 million in total assets. Currently one Hancock Fabrics location in the Inland Northwest is not scheduled to close, that being the store in Hayden's Prairie Shopping Center ( US 95 & Prairie Ave. ).

For more information on Hancock Fabrics, visit their website at-

http://www.hancockfabrics.com

Tortilla Union , a new dining option coming to River Park Square

The owners of the Spokane based Twigs Bistro & Martini Bar chain have been expanding rapidly and investing heavily . Twigs itself has new locations in the works in Portland, and some other locations around the Northwest. They also, only a few weeks ago wrapped up a full remodel of their flagship location in Downtown Spokane at River Park Square. But now, it looks like the Twigs ownership is already investing again at River Park Square.

The same owner as Twigs has leased the space where the Loft clothing store once was. They plan a new restaurant concept for that location, which is on the first floor next door to Nordstrom and Williams Sonoma.

That new concept will be a Southwestern grill style restaurant to be called Tortilla Union . Remodeling will start soon for a planned Summertime opening. The menu is still be worked out but the restaurant will " celebrate the spirit of the Southwest " . A drink menu will also be included with a full bar and beer / wine planned for the new restaurant.

Tortilla Union will be relatively small with just 4,200 square feet of space. But, despite the size the planned restaurant, it will still create about 40 new jobs.

For more information on Tortilla Union, visit their website, which includes pictures of example dishes, at-

http://www.tortillaunion.com

Or, find them on Facebook at-

http://www.facebook.com/tortillaunion

National Furniture to move, building to be replaced by Carl's Jr.

National Furniture, with it's large sign and highly visible location in the University District at 1230 N. Division is on the move to allow their current building to be demolished. The building, which has acted as the furniture store's retail home for many years will be demolished to make way for a fast food restaurant, further marking the neighborhoods transition from empty buildings and furniture stores to a more up to date area with college students clearly in mind.

Locally owned and operated, National Furniture will leave the site but will not be going out of business. The retail side of the furniture store will move into excess space at it's current warehouse. That new location is 213 E. Ermina Ave. , a block west of Ruby and just South of Camp Chevrolet. The new location, while less visible, will allow National Furniture to stay in much of the same area.

Sales are going on now in preparation of National Furniture's move, which will likely happen within the next couple of months. Upon moving out the building, demolition will likely begin promptly with a new, much smaller building for Carl's Jr. to be constructed on the same site.

The new Carl's Jr. will be a franchise location owned by CJ Star, LLC of Boise . No opening date is scheduled as of yet but the new fast food restaurant should be open for business by the end of the year. Like most other Carl's Jr. locations the restaurant will feature both a indoor dining area and a drive through lane. Plans call for the new Carl's Jr. to be approximately 2,800 square feet with a surface parking lot on the same piece of land.

There is no news about how many new job might be created by the opening of a Carl's Jr. on the site, but the National Furniture move will result in no lost jobs as all employees will be able to move along with the store. 

XCraft relocates HQ to Coeur d' Alene

XCraft has already been a popular topic of discussion lately, after appearing on a recent episode of the hit ABC TV show, Shark Tank. The company, was so successful on Shark Tank, that they we're able to get all of the " sharks " to invest in their unique and cutting edge drone business.

But, it's not just the sharks on Shark Tank who have taken notice of XCraft. The company, which had been in a small space up in Sandpoint has been developing exciting new drone technology for sometime now, and with the drone market white hot right now, XCraft is poised to succeed. The company manufactures drones that can hover, fly faster and turn more easily then the conventional models. They also have a very exiting new concept that is currently in development, the Phone drone which would allow your smartphone to be flown around on a compact base. XCraft's drones truly are the future of the drone industry, being made today.

But, with all the recent consumer interest , and perhaps some newly found investments, XCraft needed more space. Which they now have, as they recently relocated their corporate headquarters from Sandpoint to a new, larger location in the heart of Downtown Coeur d' Alene.

XCraft's new HQ is located inside the former Wine Cellar / Kyle Rutley Fitness space in the 300 block of E. Sherman Ave. . The new HQ space is now open and has space for all of the company's employees, as admin, research & development and even product manufacturing are all done from the same location. Currently XCraft employ's 9 and is also actively looking to bring on interns to teach about them about the their industry and entrepreneurship.

XCraft's drone's are available for purchase / pre-order ( in the case of the Phone Drone ) on their web site, which can be found at-

http://xcraft.io

Or, find them on Facebook at-

http://www.facebook.com/xcraftuav