Wiggett’s Marketplace on the move

The history to this story easily is as interesting as the history of the antiques involved.

After 18 years in downtown Coeur d’Alene’s Wiggett Building at Fourth and Lakeside, Wiggett’s Marketplace antique store is moving next week. But not really by choice. The place, built to house a grand Montgomery Ward store in 1928, was sold to developers who have plans other than leasing the place to Wiggett Marketplace owner Williene Gagnon.

She’s not happy. From her office on the mezzanine she has been able to overlook every activity and listen to every sound in the 28,000-square-foot building. And she remembers being a 5-year-old and visiting her dad, Bill PuFahl, who worked there. (We didn’t get into what year that was.)

But as of next week, she and her 70-ish antique dealers and seven employees are outta there, moving to a place of other old memories, the building that long ago was the Roxy Theatre – two blocks south at Fourth and Front.

“I remember the nuns from school taking us to ‘The Ten Commandments’ there,” Gagnon said. Ironically, another “old-timer” remembered how the screen blew over when “The Ten Commandments” played at the old Coeur d’Alene drive-in theater. Must’a been when the Red Sea parted. And the last movie at the Roxy was “The Long, Long Trailer” with Lucille Ball in 1954.

Well, Wiggett Marketplace will be open in both locations on Memorial Day and closed in the Ward’s building the next day. Items that aren’t moved will be auctioned there June 10. Using three levels, the new location will have more than 12,000 square feet and will be decorated like an old-time theater, even with the old marquee. Gagnon also will have her second store, Paris Flea Market, farther north on Fourth. Her son Jeff will manage the main store.

The old Ward’s building? Rumors are that it will become a French restaurant on the main floor and offices on the floors above. The sale hasn’t closed yet. We’ll see.

Artisan Portrait bought

With 11 years in the professional photography business, Kibbee Walton has purchased Artisan Portrait & Design in Suite B of River City Plaza at 2600 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls. He will specialize in portraits of youths (such as high school senior shots), families, children, teams and businesses either in the studio or at a location of the client’s choice.

Originally from Tacoma, Walton came to North Idaho College where he was a photographer and managing editor of the Sentinel newspaper. He worked for a studio in London, Ohio, for four years and with Quicksilver in Coeur d’Alene for seven years. He bought Artisan Portrait from Brady Campbell, who is moving to San Diego.

Walton’s hours are by appointment Tuesday through Saturday. Phone (208) 773-9712.

Mystery mall by Costco

“What’s going in by Costco?” is the common question for the business writer who’s supposed to know everything.

I dunno. A few clues, however, are that it’s 11,740 square feet and divided into seven or eight units, one of which will have a drive-through on the east side.

Set between the corner pad at Government Way and Neider Avenue and a sign advancing the future Sportsman’s Warehouse to the north, the building will have access to Government Way. The owner is an investment company in Edmonds, Wash.

Wingstop coming

The first Wingstop restaurant in the Northwest will open in Coeur d’Alene in early fall. The Texas-based eatery features nine flavors of, yes, chicken wings, along with several side dishes, salads, and beer and wine among the beverages. And banking (aerial pun intended) on the wings is a unique decor of aviation nostalgia from the 1930s and ‘40s.

The restaurant will be in the under-renovation west wing (heh heh) of what once was Coeur d’Alene’s second location of Montgomery Ward (can’t get away from that today) in the Town Centre Mall at Government Way and Appleway.

Owners are Ray and Johnsye Doyle, Texas natives who discovered North Idaho on a church outing 11 years ago. They plan future Wingstops in Post Falls, Spokane and more and will have about 10 employees here.

With Dallas Cowboy Troy Aiken as a spokesman, Wingstop has 250 restaurants, mostly in the South. Check www.wingstop.com.