COEUR d'ALENE - Phones, laptops, hearing aids and automobiles all have one thing in common - they need batteries.

A new store is proving a popular place to find them, while recycling the used items. Batteries Plus opened at 217 W. Canfield Ave. in December, and is already one of the top performing stores in the regional franchise.

"Of all of our stores, Coeur d'Alene started better than any other," said John Keegan, president and majority owner of the store near Target. Keegan opened his first store in 2002 in Spokane, and has since branched to Kennewick, Wash., and the newest shop in Coeur d'Alene.

Batteries Plus, the nation's first and largest all-battery retail franchise chain, offers a wide selection of batteries, battery-related products and technical support.

In addition to thousands of batteries, stores also feature a tech center that is equipped to design, assemble, rebuild and test custom battery packs. Among the services offered is rebuilding power tool batteries.

"We recycle everything," Keegan said. That includes lithium ion and nickel cadmium batteries and the chemicals from lead acid batteries used primarily in cars and trucks.

Last year alone, Batteries Plus recycled more than 191 tons of batteries of all different shapes and sizes.

"In an age of increased portability, our society is dependent on batteries. Batteries Plus provides unmatched service and expertise, along with batteries of virtually every shape and size," said Doug Lanyon, partner in the Coeur d'Alene store. "I look forward to meeting the ongoing battery needs of the Coeur d'Alene community, from the consumer seeking simple batteries for common items or automotive needs, to the business owner or large entity needing ongoing, more complex battery services."

The company also responds to rapid changes in technology and market requirements, Keegan said.

"It changes all the time," he said. "When we first started we didn't sell batteries for iPods."

It is a $24 million annual industry with retail and commercial customers. Public agencies such as law enforcement and fire departments, along with schools make up a large part of the company's business, Keegan said.

Batteries Plus has developed a stronghold in communities nationwide with a distinctive niche that offers a comprehensive selection of batteries, battery-related products and technical support. The new Coeur d'Alene location provides the equipment and expertise on-site to assemble, test, condition and design custom battery packs for rechargeable household and commercial products.

Products include thousands of batteries for thousands of items, ranging from common items such as watches, cameras and cell phones to replacement batteries for iRobot Roomba vacuums, solar landscape lights, talking books for children and keyless entry door locks at major hotels.

Batteries Plus will check to see if your battery is ready for winter, and test the charging and starting systems. Batteries Plus also sells automotive accessories like jumper cables, terminals and cleaners.

Keegan said the stores offer a good alternative to the Internet, where many people had to go to find batteries for high-tech items such as laptop computers.

"We basically can get any battery," Keegan said.

Batteries Plus has nearly 400 stores open nationwide.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Information: 772-8400