The Dirt: Natural Grocers to open Coeur d’Alene store

Health-food chain plans CdA store

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, a Colorado-based chain of health food stores, will open an outlet in Coeur d’Alene in March.

The 15,000-square-foot store will be at 300 W. Neider Ave. near U.S. Highway 95, in a spot formerly occupied by an Elmer’s restaurant. Elmer’s moved to 290 W. Appleway Ave.

Natural Grocers, which will operate with about 25 employees in Coeur d’Alene, offers customers free nutritional health coaching, including meal planning and cooking demonstrations. The family-managed, publicly traded company says it sells “only carefully approved natural and organic groceries on its shelves, and only sells USDA-certified organic produce.” Meats are from animals raised naturally without the use of antibiotics or hormones.

Natural Grocers was established in 1955 in Golden, Colo. There are stores in 13 states, with locations in Boise, Idaho Falls and Missoula. A store in Vancouver, Wash., also will open this year.

The construction project is valued at $2.1 million, a city building permit shows. Arizona-based Hayward Builders is the general contractor.

Wireless store opens on Francis

Jerry and Carol Carter, who operate two Boost Mobile-Virgin Wireless phone-service stores in the area, will open their third Spokane location at 3125 E. Francis Ave.

The couple is leasing 1,400 square feet, doing business as KEK Communications. Their other stores are in the Shadle Center and in Spokane Valley.

Carl Guenzel and Colin Conway, both of Kiemle & Hagood, brokered the lease.

Janitorial firm moves to Valley

Clean Pros Inc., a janitorial company, has moved to 10807 E. Montgomery Ave.

The company is leasing 2,475 square feet in the building.

Darren Slackman, of NAI Black, arranged the lease.