COEUR d'ALENE - A spokesman for WinCo Foods LLC, a discount grocery chain based in Boise, said its plans for a Coeur d'Alene outlet have slowed down because of the weak growth of the overall economy.

Michael Read, the WinCo spokesman, said Monday that WinCo has an interest in the community, but store plans here are "on the back burner."

"At the appropriate time in the future, we'll pursue it," Read said. "We're being a little more careful and controlled in our growth plan than in previous years."

It was reported last year that WinCo Foods LLC purchased a parcel of land at the northeast corner of Ramsey Road and Appleway Avenue. County records show WinCo owns more than 9 acres at that location.

The Press reported in April that the store in Coeur d'Alene was expected to have about 95,000 square feet of floor space.

The closest WinCo outlet in Idaho is in Moscow, at 1700 W. Pullman Road. There are outlets in Spokane Valley, at 9718 Sprague Ave.; and Spokane, at 9257 N. Nevada St.

WinCo is an employee-owned company that got its start in Boise in 1967.