Handle on business: Pilgrim’s expanding its space

Success results from how a business operates and the demand for its products. Pilgrim’s Natural Foods is so successful its owner is more than doubling the size of his store in Coeur d’Alene.

Taking most of the space occupied by the former and neighboring Liquidation World, Pilgrim’s is expanding from 8,000 to 19,000 square feet at 1320 N. Fourth St. The business has expanded five times since owner Joe Hamilton started it in 1999. He hopes to be in the new area in April with more than 50 employees,

Every department of the store will expand, with most of the attention going to nutrition, health and beauty, and beer and wine. The grocery and produce areas will double in size. A lecture room will be used for classes on nutrition, diet, supplements and pantry makeovers. A nutritionist will help with preparing shopping lists, recipes and individual dietary needs.

Originally from Spokane, Hamilton, 37, graduated from Eastern Washington University with a degree in recreation management and had his own outdoor adventures guide service. He helped with his father Tom Hamilton’s Pilgrim’s Nutrition stores in Spokane and started his store here in what was the Trip to Bountiful store where the Syringa Restaurant is now (across the street). The food portion of the store includes a deli, bakery and meat department. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Hoping to buy the building, Hamilton said 6,000 square feet in the south end of the building remains available for lease. He thinks a complementary business, such as a kitchen supplies retailer, would be a good fit.

Eclectic décor, furniture at Denally’s

This is a store where the customer can find furniture and décor that aren’t available anywhere else.

A life-size, bright blue man’s lower torso snags your eye as you enter. Then you can wander through a jungle of fans, lights, mirrors, clocks and other accessories. At opposite ends of the spectrum are industrial-strength mini basketball hoops and a nearly 9 foot high, 8 foot long wooden buffet.

It’s all at Denally’s, a home décor shop that opened last week in the new Wild Goose Plaza at 6040 Government Way (across from the Painted Pony). Owners Dennis and Sally (hence the name Denally’s) Spencer and salesman Tye Willis have a 2,200-square-foot showroom and 1,500-square-foot attached warehouse.

Originally from Hawaii, Dennis Spencer plans to add surfboards to the inventory.

“People tow them behind boats, and they’re cool for décor or bars,” he said. Sally Spencer grew up in Spokane, and they came here from North Carolina in 2000. They previously had the Homestyles lighting shop. Oh, they also sell hard-to-find light bulbs and do lamp repair.

Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Phone: 772-4648.

Junk removal service to the rear

Another new business behind Denally’s is 1-800-Got-Junk, a junk-removal service that opened Jan. 1. With bright trucks displaying the business name, owner Joe Seaman and an employee remove almost anything – household stuff, garden waste and renovation or demolition debris.

Originally from Smithtown, N.Y., Seaman came from Wasilla, Alaska, after visiting relatives in Spokane. He said he saw Got-Junk trucks in Anchorage and followed up on the idea by checking the Web site at www.1800gotjunk.com, which also contains the phone number. With its headquarters in Vancouver, B.C., the 19-year-old company has 314 outlets in four countries.

This week’s tidbits

“A great idea for the space next to the Pilgrim’s expansion would be a natural foods restaurant, right?

“I’m starting to explore vehicles for an all-wheel-drive convertible. Is there anything between an Audi and a Jeep? My outgoing Rabbit is 24 years old. I’ll admit the ad for a “Rabbit Coupe” caught my eye. Maybe it’s because we used to raise rabbits in coops.

“Meanwhile, watch this space for a major expansion of a local car dealer.