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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

New business update:July 25th 2012

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Voting is now open for KREM 2's Best of Spokane and this web site,Inland Northwest Business Watch is up for the award of Best Local Blogger. Please go to the web site linked below to vote for this page!
             Vote for Inland Northwest Business Watch for best local blogger at...
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New business info in the Spokane area....

2 Mental Health Orginizations in Spokane have officially merged,The 2 groups are Spokane Mental Health and Family Service Spokane.The 2 joined together will now use the business name Frontier Behavioral Health .
Info-www.fbhwa.org

Argonne Medical Clinic has opened their new walk in clinic in Spokane Valley. The new clinic is on Mullan Rd just north of Broadway and just 1 block east of Argonne Rd.

Direct POS has opened their new office in Spokane Valley.They can be found at 12926 E. Indiana Suite 5

Cherry Hill Cherries at 18207 N Sands Rd in the Greenbluff area has a new feature this year, The farm now also has a Antique gift shop on site.

Focused Fitness is also open in Spokane Valley. The new business is located at 24265 S. Dishman Mica Rd.

Northern Quest Casino's newest addition the Yogo Frozen Yogurt Shop is now open across the hallway from the Liquid Bar inside Northern Quest Casino. The space was formerly the Resort Logo Shop which some of the gift shop's products are still there just a little more to the left in the suite.

New business info in Coeur d' Alene / North Idaho area...

Work is well underway for the new Boys & Girls Club of Kootenai County's new clubhouse on Mullan Ave behind the Post Falls Library in Post Falls . The frame of the building is now up and should only be a few more months now before opening.

LoanMax Title Loans will open soon in Coeur d' Alene. LoanMax will take the former paint store building at the corner of Haycraft and Government Way.

The Coeur d' Alene Casino's newest bar and grill venture is now open,The business is called Red Tail Bar and Grill and is in the space that was The Gathering Place.
Info-www.cdacasino.com and then click on Restaurants

One of Coeur d' Alene's most talked about new businesses , Ulta Beauty opened last week at 450 W Wilbur Ave in the former Borders Books site. The new Coeur d' Alene Ulta Beauty store is part of a chain that sells various beauty products, fragrances and even offers an in store salon.

Floral Design Custom Flower Studio  is opening soon in Post Falls. The flower shop will be located in the Mullan Plaza building at the corner of Mullan Ave and Cecil Rd. less the a block east of the Post Falls Wal-Mart store.

Another new beading store is now open in Coeur d' Alene. The new store is called The Beadtender and is located next to Coin Nuts in the Sunset Shopping Center at 296 W. Sunset Ave( corner of Sunset and Hwy 95.



Lots happening with Downtown Coeur d' Alene's businesses

On a recent walk I took around Downtown Coeur d' Alene I discovered that as usual with the warmer weather and tourists in town visiting Downtown's many destinations brings many new shops, small business finding new homes and even in this case a new bank to Downtown. Here are some of the business changes in the Downtown Coeur d' Alene area in recent months, some i've reported previously here on Inland Northwest Business Watch,others are new,some even to me....

Porky G's BBQ has taken over the Memorial Field food stand along Mullan Ave. inbetween the Downtown core and North Idaho College.

Ameritques is a new 30+ vendor antique mall that has opened in the 200 block of N 4th St in Downtown Coeur d' Alene,the mall moved to the new storefront from Silver Lake Mall

A switch in toy stores is probably the most noticeable change as Figpickels Toy Emporium has moved into the Coeur d' Alene Resort's Shopping Mall on the corner of Sherman and 2nd St.  In the place that Figpickels was, a new toy and candy store has already opened.That new store is Shenanigan's Toy Emporium and is located next to Sherman Square Park directly on Sherman Ave in the heart of Downtown Coeur d' Alene.

Another Bank is opening in Downtown Coeur d' Alene. Idaho Trust Bank which had been on Northwest Blvd in the Northwest Place office building has moved into the 600 block of Sherman across the street from the Resort City Inn motel.

ROW Adventures has opened a second store directly across the intersection of Sherman and 2nd Ave from their main store. The new ROW Adventures offers local river tours as well as bike rentals for tourists and locals alike to explore Coeur d' Alene.

In all the good news about the businesses of Downtown Coeur d' Alene the French/Asian Restaurant Lemongrass on Lakeside Ave. has closed.

Cultivation Counciling  has opened in the 200 Block of West Coeur d' Alene Ave near the Coeur d' Alene   Athletic Club's Gym. And in the same building as Edward Jones.

Across Coeur d' Alene Ave from Cultivation and next to Terry Lee Art Studio / Gallery is the new location of Bombshell Salon . The salon had been on 4th St. prior to moving.

Pauli's Tattoo's has opened in the storefront where Studio 107 had been in the 100 Block of N 4th St.

Studio 107 a unique Gift / Jewelry and Wine store has moved onto Sherman Ave in the 500 Block,Taking the spot that last was Barrel Room No 6 Wine Bar.

Barrel Room No. 6 Wine Bar has left Downtown Coeur d' Alene to their parent wineries location off of Kathleen Ave in North Coeur d' Alene.

Daisy J's Trading Co. moved into a smaller space in the Coeur d' Alene Resort's Mall. But the move won't be for too long it looks as Daisy J's is opening a store in Riverstore as well.I'm unsure if the Downtown store will stay open but I can only assume they will move it.

Artist Co-op store/ gallery Northwest Artists in the 500 Block of E. Sherman has closed.

Downtown wine bar The Wine Cellar will open soon in there new location which was the former Icon Bar. The Wine Cellar had been in the basement of the building next door. The bar is in the 300 Block of E. Sherman by All things Irish.

Coeur d' Alene City Council Member Steve Adams has sold and closed his State Farm Insurance Agency nearby to Downtown on East Sherman.Mr. Adams has joined another Insurance firm elsewhere in Coeur d' Alene.

Vacation Sports Rentals has opened it's boat /jet ski ,etc.. rental location on 3rd St. just North of Downtown Coeur d' Alene.

As you can see lots is happening in Downtown Coeur d' Alene. And some things I may even have missed,I'm also watching progress with some other Downtown projects including the hot news item of McEwen Park and the owners of Salon Bella Dona who are making some changes.More on all of that,and much more coming soon....

Big changes at Riverstone

After a long stall in development at Coeur d' Alene's Riverstone development an obvious uptick in new stores and restaurants is now underway. Riverstone is located on the former mill site along Northwest Blvd only a few blocks north of Downtown Coeur d' Alene.The new projects opening or now open at Riverstone include...

LePeep 
LePeep is a new breakfast restaurant opening on the ground floor of the blue condo building along the Spokane River. The new restaurant will be open for both breakfast and lunch. LePeep is a chain operation however this will be the first LePeep location in the Coeur d' Alene/ Spokane area.

Bullman's Wood Fired Pizza
The new pizza restaurant will open along Main St in Riverstone just a couple of doors down from the Regal Movie Theater . On the south side of the street.

Grooveberries Frozen Yogurt 
The new frozen yogurt business will open at the corner across from the Regal Movie Theater also on Main and also on the south side of the street.

The Body Shop
The Body Shop is a fitness classes businesses which even offers classes for the popular Zumba workout program. The Body Shop Coeur d' Alene will be about mid-block in the first block of Riverstone's Main St. on the north side of the street.

Pick 6 Sports Cards
A new sports cards and sports memorbilia store opening next door to The Body Shop on the north side of Main St.

Daisy J's Trading Co.
Daisy J's is a recognizable name as they have been in Downtown Coeur d' Alene for a few years. The gift,etc.. store will move from the Coeur d' Alene Resort's Mall to space at on Main St in Riverstone on the north side of the street and at the end of the first block.

Keep reading Inland Northwest Business Watch as I get more info on these new businesses as well as info on at least 1 more store opening at Riverstone which leasing agents are expected to announce soon.

Business News Briefs : July 25th 2012

Coeur d' Alene Union Gospel Mission site plans Grand Opening
The new Union Gospel Mission site for homeless women and children in Coeur d' Alene will have a official Dedication and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Aug 1st 2012 at 2pm. The opening will take place at their new site which is at  196 W. Haycraft less the a block west of Government Way
Info-www.ugm-inlandnw.org

Opportunity Shopping Center now completely vacant
The Opportunity Shopping Center located at the intersection of Sprague Ave. and Pines Rd. in Spokane Valley is now completely vacant as the last tenant, Aaron's Rent to Own is moving their store to the Argonne Village Shopping Center farther north but still in Spokane Valley. The Opportunity Center is located at a high traffic corner and has previously held such busy tenants as Old Country Buffett,50% Off Card Store and Jo-Ann Fabrics.Leasing for the vacant spaces is underway.

Share your Business News...
Want to share your news,maybe a new business tip? We love tips,e-mail them anytime at inlandbusiness@yahoo.com or share them on our Facebook page at -www.facebook.com/inlandnorthwestbusinesswatch


Black Rock North finds new hope

Coeur d' Alene's Black Rock North which is was a high end golf club and estate home community located along Lake Coeur d' Alene and near US 95 has found new hope. The luxury golf resort has for some time now struggled just to survive with slow of real estate sales and the eventual bankruptcy of the original resort developer , The Coeur d' Alene based Black Rock Development.

The new hope for Black Rock also comes with a new name , Rock Creek Golf Club Idaho . The new club owner is William P. Foley II who also owns Montana's Whitefish Mountain Resort , Rock Creek Cattle Company and Foley Family Wines, in fact membership in the new resort includes a membership in The Foley Food and Wine Society another project of the Club Owner.

Rock Creek Golf Club Idaho offers a full private 18 Hole Golf Course ,1100 acres of scenic resort property with a Clubhouse and a Golf Pro Shop. Rock Creek is also home to a bar and full service restaurant as well as a separate Wine Tasting Room.

For more info on Rock Creek Golf Club find them at 24623 Loffs Bay Rd. south of Coeur d' Alene or online at www.glntv.tv/rccidaho



Coeur d' Alene's new Rock Creek Golf Club is a welcome sight for the region because it is possibly an indication that the economy of Coeur d' Alene may be returning to it's per-recession times when  many local people bought luxury homes and spent more on Luxury items such as Golfing, Is it a good thing that Coeur d' Alene's higher end lifestyle may be returning? We want to know,share your thoughts on our Facebook page -
www.facebook.com/inlandnorthwestbusinesswatch

Monday, July 23, 2012

Vote for Inland Northwest Business Watch

I interrupt this blog for a very important message...

Inland Northwest Business Watch is up for Best Local Blogger in KREM 2's Best of Spokane . My blog is rather obviously up against some big competitors like Nosey Parker and The Spovangelist but I really do think we can do it,but to be successful I'll need your votes,please vote for Inland Northwest Business Watch on the link found below...

Vote here-  http://best.krem.com/best/local-blogger/local-flavor/spokane

KREM 2's page will ask you to log in with a KREM user id but if you don't have one,Facebook on Twitter log in's work just as well. Thank you for voting!!!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Spokane Business Licence Watch:July 18th 2012

There is no "New Business Update" post for this week however today Inland Northwest Business Watch introduces a new periodic feature- Business Licence Watch. Here I will share some the recently filed business licences in the Spokane and Coeur d' Alene area. Some are just renewals but many are new businesses to watch for in the coming weeks. And please keep in mind that not all recently filed business licences are listed only the most recent and what appears to be a new store,office,etc...

From the City of Spokane business licences....

-Susie & Rachel's Salon    176 S. Howard St. Spokane
-Thai Lunch Box (licensed as a mobile food service) 3417 E. 35th Ave. Spokane
-Theresa's Salon and Spa     424 S. Freya St Spokane
-Uptic Studios 29 W. Pacific Ave. Spokane
-Barter's Closet   3117 S. Jefferson Ave. Spokane
-ICM Asset Management   601 W. Main St Spokane
-Infinity Fitness 204 N Division Spokane
-Dirty Dog Cafe   1314 S. Grand Ave. Spokane
-Spokane Auto Detail    318 E. Queen Ave. Spokane
-The Haircut Shop 1112 S. Ivory St. Spokane
-Kick'N Chicken (Mobile Food Service) 2918 E. Longfellow St. Spokane
-Daddy's Belly Deli    3818 N Nevada St. Spokane
-Donny's Place   2103 E. Diamond St Spokane
-Kenny's Fine Arts  711 W. Nora Ave Spokane
-Fleet Feet Sports   1303 N Washington  Spokane
-Smoky's Incense and Gifts    2927 E. Hoffman Spokane
-Command Center   3803 N Division

From Spokane area liquor licences....

-Hop Jacks 9265 N Nevada St. Spokane
-Viking Bar and Grill  1221 N Stevens St Spokane (formerly the popular Viking Tavern before it closed a few weeks ago)
-City Food   1527 W. 3rd Ave Spokane
-McClain's Pizzeria   10208 N Division St Suite 104 Spokane

Coming soon... Coeur d' Alene and other area's business licence records.





Raid closes 8 Spokane business

A raid by Spokane Police and several other local and nation law enforcement agencies has put 8 businesses in Spokane and Spokane Valley closed. However unlike other business closure due to the Spokane area's economy this one has a good reasoning. The raid focused on 8 Spokane area spa's that Police have reason to believe may have been a front for prostitution.

The businesses involved in the raid and now closed include...

Oriental Spa South    515 S. Maple St , Spokane
Far East Spa     213 E. Sprague Ave. Spokane
Joe Jean's Spa   2712 N Division St. Spokane
Asian Spa      3130 N Division St. Spokane
Oriental Spa North     823 E. Francis Ave. Spokane
Starlite Spa  2829 N Market St Spokane
Montana's Spa      7413 E. Trent Ave. Spokane
Absolute Spa      9315 E. Trent Ave. Spokane Valley

In the coming days and weeks local news sources will know more of invidual charges brought on by the raid.


Silverwood Theme Park featured on Travel Channel

The Silverwood Theme Park north of Coeur d' Alene in the small North Idaho town of Athol is a household name for those of us here in the Spokane and Coeur d' Alene area. Silverwood attracts well over 600,000 yearly visitors many coming from the local area but also farther off places like Seattle,Portland and parts of Western Canada. But now Silverwood has gained some new national exposure after being featured last week on a new series for the Travel Channel called Insane Coaster Wars.

The Insane Coaster Wars TV show puts popular roller coasters from around the nation head to head for Travel Channel's website visitors to vote on. Travel Channel chose to put Silverwood's newest roller coaster Aftershock on the show's "Hang em' high" episode up against 2 other popular inverted roller coasters in Florida and one in Willamsburg,VA . In the end Silverwood's Aftershock beat out the other 3 coasters winning the prize as the top inverted roller coaster.

Silverwood introduced Coeur d' Alene and the nation to Aftershock in the park's 2009 summer season and it remains the most recent large ride added to the amusement park. Silverwood Theme Park it's beginning in the late 1980's with little more then a tour train and a few scattered attractions. Today Silverwood is one of the main attractions in the Northwestern United States and Rumors of more new rides and even a hotel at Silverwood continue to get tossed around as the park continues it's highly successful run.

The Insane Coaster Wars episode will continue to replay for a while on the Travel Channel,Please check your local listings for air times.

For info on the park and the Aftershock Roller Coaster visit-
www.silverwoodthemepark.com

Business News Briefs :July 18th 2012

Ground Force Manufacturing moves and Underground Force now open.
The major Post Falls employer Ground Force Manufacturing  who produces modifications,etc.. to mining equipment is now officially open and operational at their new building on the north side of Seltice Way directly across from the former plant inbetween Post Falls and Coeur d' Alene,the former Ground Force building on the South side of Seltice Way will stay open but now as a separate company specializing in work for Underground Mining Equipment,The new company is called Underground Force. The new building is about 85,000 square feet and cost about 7.5 million to build with and additional 1 million being invested in the old factory building. The new factory brings many new jobs to Post Falls including more new jobs that will be added soon after a new contract begins soon for the Caterpillar Company.

New Brewery opens in Post Falls
After several months of work and even a few law changes Selkirk Abbey Brewing Co. is now open in Post Falls. The brewery has been the topic of many beer lovers in the area and features a line up of Belgian Beers including Selkirk Abbey White , A Pale Ale and a IPA . The brewery celebrated there grand opening in early July and is located in the Seltice Commercial Park on the South side of Seltice Way about half way in between Post Falls and Coeur d' Alene.
info-www.selkirkabbey.com

Got a business news story for Inland Northwest Business Watch? E-mail it to inlandbusiness@yahoo.com