Developers Show Interest In Possible Projects Near Silver Lake Mall

Most of the growth rumors lately involve the Silver Lake Mall area north of Coeur d’Alene. Included are a multiscreen cinema between the Target and Ernst stores, fast-food eateries on the east side of U.S. Highway 95 and Canfield Avenue and a large light-industry building on the north end of the Hecla property west of that intersection.

So far, no one will confirm any of these projects. But no one will deny them either.

“We’re definitely getting interest from entertainment groups (for the property between Target and Ernst),” said real estate agent Tom Maher in Spokane.

Regarding the pads near the mall: “We’re not ready for an announcement,” said mall spokesman Dennis Curtis.

And about the industrial employer, Bob Potter of Jobs Plus said, “I think we’ve removed the competition (other cities courting the company from Kent, Wash.), but we’ve got a lot of work to do.”

So, plenty is in the works. Seeing what actually comes to fruition will be interesting - unless you’re not into growth, of course.

Actually, two new stores are opening in the main halls of Silver Lake Mall. The additions will put occupancy at 58 of the 60 spaces. Here’s a glimpse:

Cartoon Classics will attract kids of all ages. The store will be crammed with gifts, animation art, clothing, classic figurines, collectibles and memorabilia from animation companies including Disney, Warner Brothers, Hanna-Barbera, Betty Boop and Coca-Cola.

“We’ll have a huge variety, something for everyone,” said Cheryl Sieveke (pronounced “civic,”) who owns the business with her husband, Bill. “It’s all licensed, fun merchandise for big people as well as children.”

Cheryl is a graduate of IHM Academy, Coeur d’Alene, and Bill originally is from Tekoa, Wash. The couple left the restaurant business to start the “less stressful” Cartoon Classics venture four years ago. They also have stores at NorthTown Mall and University City shopping center in Spokane and in a Tri-Cities mall.

With a May 1 opening planned, the Silver Lake Mall store will have about 1,100 square feet in the space formerly occupied by Sees Candy. The Sievekes will have four or five employees.

Contemporary and “very wearable” juniors and women’s clothing is the specialty of de Rika, which may open this weekend in the 1,772-square-foot space formerly occupied by Classic Kingdom.

Urban Outfitters and Z. Cavaricci are featured brand names, according to owner Michele Dirks, who also has a store in Crescent Court in downtown Spokane. She coined the store name, de Rika, from the names of her children Derek and Erika. Dirks previously worked for the Bon Marche and women’s specialty shops.

Men’s clothing should be added by back-to-school time, Dirks said. She will have three employees.

Four lines of European motorcycles with full-service repair, parts and accessories will become part of the new Beaudry Motor Sports at 1701 N. Fourth, Coeur d’Alene, this weekend.

The grand opening is Saturday, Sunday and Monday as Beaudry, one of North Idaho’s most established import auto dealers, fills its Third and Poplar showroom with motorcycles priced at up to $17,000.

With other European lines to be added, the bikes ready for sale are Ducati from Italy, KTM from Austria and Husaberg and Husqkarna from Sweden.

“This is something I’ve wanted to do all my life,” said Steve Beaudry, principal motorcycle dealer of the Beaudry family.

Items for ranchers, animals and pets will be offered at Highway 41 Ranch & Feed, which is slated to open March 30 at N. 2605 Highway 41, Post Falls. The 7,500-square-foot facility formerly was the home of Coeur d’Alene Hardwoods.

The inventory will include ranch supplies and clothing, quality saddles and tack, pet and ranch animal accessories and all types of feed. Services include pet grooming and leather care.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Nils Rosdahl The Spokesman-Review