COEUR d'ALENE - It has become one of the most popular spots in downtown Coeur d'Alene, in spite of being a block off busy Sherman Avenue, but at the end of September the Coeur d'Alene Brewing Co. will be gone until the owners can find a new home.

"It does take a unique location," said Gage Stromberg, president of the company. "It is a logistical challenge the average restaurant or manufacturer wouldn't face. None of the spaces available will work with an attached brewery."

Tom Fisher opened the brew pub at 209 Lakeside Ave. in 1987, shortly after brewing became legal in the state for the first time since Prohibition. The Wells-Stromberg family took over ownership in 1999 and have operated there for the past 11 years.

"Despite the 23 year history at this location, we were officially notified by our landlord, Don "Pepper" Smock... on July 30 that we must vacate the premises by Sept. 30, 2010," the company said in a notice to members of its Mug Club that went out on Wednesday.

After waiting since April 1998, Smock was recently issued an Idaho liquor license. In recent months he told The Press he was weighing options on several properties he owns downtown, including the brew pub. He recently opened Bloom, a small patio bar in the former Blackwater building at Third Street and Coeur d'Alene Avenue that operates noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

"We hoped he would pick some space other than mine," Stromberg said.

Smock, in an e-mail to The Press, said he purchased the property in 1986 and has continued to struggle to get it paid for.

"... my goal is to eventually create something of greater value and service than the present owners are offering," he said. "My intention when I borrowed the down payment money to purchase this building and my intention today is the same; I want to improve the property and add value to downtown.

"I have contracted with Momentum Architecture in Coeur d'Alene to work with me on this vision, and at best it would be May or June of next year before we could hope to open an interesting cafe or bistro. Because of the reality of the local marketplace and current economy, my efforts at this location will be an affair of the heart rather than any thought of financial success."

Stromberg estimates it will take six to nine months to find a suitable spot, plan and put into operation a new operation.

"No matter what happens, we're going to be closed," he said.

The preference is a spot downtown, but midtown and other parts of the city are being looked at. But remaining in Coeur d'Alene is a top priority, considering the name of the company, Stromberg said.

It will be a major operation to relocate, said Shawn Murphy, director of operations.

"There will be street closures, and the equipment will have to come out through the roof," he said.

Stromberg said splitting the brewery from the pub and restaurant will be a last resort.

"The restaurant likes having a brewery next door, and the brewery likes having a restaurant," he said.

He admits to erring in believing there was still a year remaining on the lease.

"We thought we would be there another 10 or 20 years," he said.

But the timing could have been worse, too, since the move must come after the end of the busy tourist season.

"I think at one time the landlord was talking about kicking us out before the end of summer," he said.

And at least at this point, real estate prices are lower than they had been a few years ago. Stromberg said moving is a complicated process with the need for installation of heavy equipment that requires extensive plumbing, electrical, hot water and chemical handling capability.

"I can't put a price tag on it right now, he said. "It is expensive."

Coeur d'Alene Brewing Co. employs three full-time brewers and a staff of 15 to 17 other employees.

"When it first came up, everybody was concerned we would just close the doors," Stromberg said. "We are doing everything we can not to do that."