Big R store will bring jobs to Ponderay; off-road vehicle store expected to reopen
The Ponderay area just north of Sandpoint this spring will become the home of Big R’s largest store. With the “R” standing for “ranch,” Big R has six stores in Montana and Washington. The 86,000-square-foot former Black Sheep Warehouse and original Kmart store at 477181 U.S. 95 will be Big R’s first store in Idaho.
“This is a substantial project for our company,” said Wayne Wike, owner of Big R stores. “We are relying on the teamwork of dozens of people working very hard to stay on schedule for our anticipated opening.”
Big R’s product lines started with a focus on farm and ranch needs such as agricultural and livestock equipment, feed and fencing. However, the inventory has grown to include sporting goods, automotive products, clothing, tools, paint, lawn and garden, heating, hardware, art, jewelry and pet and equine products.
Big R opened its first store and headquarters in Great Falls, in 1997. The Ponderay store will have about 70 employees. Job seekers should check through the Sandpoint Job Service office. Anticipated hours for the new store will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Check the progress at www.BigRStore.com.
Motion Sports to reopen
Using fast action since its store burned in Coeur d’Alene last month, Motion Sports hopes to open in its new location at 174 E. Neider Ave. this Wednesday. The 4,200-square-foot space formerly was the home of Kootenai Lawn & Garden, which moved to Best Avenue at 14th Street.
The 22-year-old business offers repairs, parts and accessories for off-road vehicles and snowmobiles. The new store is 1,200 square feet bigger than the previous location on Government Way. Owner Mike McAlister says hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Phone (208) 667-8515.
Seltice RV consolidates
Seltice RV & Auto Sales has combined its two Post Falls locations into one at 709 W. Seltice Way that was Blue Dog RVs. The company sells new and used RVs, parts and services and used cars and trucks.
The company began in 1970 as Ray’s RVs and also has an outlet in Yuma, Ariz. Hours in Post Falls are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Phone (208) 457-8660. Check www.selticeRV.net.
This week’s tidbits
• Hair extensions are the specialty of Erris Hair, which opened last month at 6190 N. Sunshine St., Coeur d’Alene. Owners Chelsea and Adam Piper offer three types of hair extensions, wigs, extension supplies and eyelash extensions.
• Wytychak Elder Law will celebrate its building renovation with an open house 3:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday at 314 E. Garden Ave. Owner is Michael Wytychak.
• Ah, rumors keep surfacing about the major changes with the Coeur d’Alene Resort (hotel) and its Plaza Shops. Evidently the space that is now Tito Macaroni’s in the Plaza Shops will become a barbecue restaurant similar to Yardbirds restaurants. The lounge (now Shore Lounge in the hotel) would be in the space of Candy O’Brien’s Boutique, which is moving to the southeast corner of the Plaza Shops. Oh, we’ll see what happens eventually.
• Checking the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship box on your state tax return could be a cool gift and write-off. See www.findyourpath.idaho.gov/ take-action.