COEUR d'ALENE - Tony Gerimonte is the man behind Coeur d'Alene Salsa Co.

He's the owner, the salesman, the marketing guy and yes, the one with the recipes.

So when the doors of his new store open Wednesday, that's where you'll find him.

Let's make this clear: Tony Gerimonte knows salsa.

"These are really exciting times," he said Friday as he stood in his gourmet custom salsa shop.

The Post Falls man has high hopes for his business venture that will feature more than 45 flavors of salsas and hot sauces. There will be plenty of varieties, too, like peach, mango, pineapple and corn, chunky to fine, mild to "stupid hot."

He has been making his own salsas for two decades and has long wanted to open his own business.

When the opportunity arose, he took it.

"Everyone loves salsa," Gerimonte said.

He speaks with passion and energy as he explains that salsa is the No. 1 condiment in the United States. Everyone, it seems is buying it for parties. Gotta have it.

"It passed up ketchup last year," he said.

Gerimonte, personable and garrulous, grins as he points out he has "the hottest pepper in the world," called the "ghost pepper."

Be careful, though, before plopping it in your mouth.

Let's just say it burns.

"On a scale of 1-10 in my salsa here, it's a 15," he said, chuckling as he explained that he offers a ghost chile extract that's literally, dangerous for those with mild tastebuds.

"That baby's wicked," he said with a smile. "That's going to go in like perfume and come out like poison."

He'll be offering everything salsa lovers could want in his store described a place "for people who love flavors."

He's planning to have gourmet breakfast burritos and salsa cooking classes down the road. He'll carry seasonings, dip mixes, custom gourmet tortillas by De Leons, and a full line of Bloody Mary mixes.

"All the fixings you're going to need will be in this store," he said.

He hopes to see his salsas in more restaurants, too. It's currently on the tables at the Beacon in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

Gerimonte, raised in Spokane, has a background in marketing and sales, and a long career in the grocery business and real estate. He's a chef of sorts, too, often creating meals in the kitchen. He won't give up the secrets to his salsa, but said the recipe can be traced to an old friend who spent four years perfecting it, and shared it only with the understanding Gerimonte wouldn't divulge it to anyone.

Done deal.

"It's a friend and family favorite," Gerimonte said.

His sauces are produced by two companies from Colorado and one in Georgia. He points out proudly that his salsas are all natural, with no preservatives, fat free and low sodium.

Sixteen to 17-ounce jars of salsa will run around $5. Hot sauces, about $4.

"My goal is to give a premium, high-quality gourmet product at an affordable price," he said.

His father, John Gerimonte, will be helping out at the store, too.

Coeur d'Alene Salsa is at 610 W. Hubbard, suite 101, Harbor Plaza, on Northwest Boulevard. Hours will be 9-6 when it opens Wednesday.

Information: 292-4255