Places providing food always are the most popular items to read about in this space - so this week you have two!

With the name Copa meaning "full" such as a plate or glass or "fulfilled" such as life, The Copa, named after the famous Copacabana in New York, opened last week at 9265 Government Way, Hayden. The space in the Design Center building formerly was an espresso and panini shop.

Offering appetizers, lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch and a full line of beverages, the menu includes seafoods, steaks, sandwiches, soups, several sides (Wow! Look at all the "S" alliteratives) and veggie dishes. Accented with a Tuscan decor, seating includes two lounges with sofas, love seats and a fireplace, five four-person tables, five booths (for six or four people) and outdoor seating for 24.

The Copa, owned by former State Sen. Mike Jorgenson, a Boise native, and his wife, Cindy, originally from Minneapolis, has 15 employees. Hours are 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. for Sunday brunch. Phone 635-5534 or email joinus@thecoppa.com (yes, the two P's are correct here). The grand opening is this coming Friday.

El Paisa opens on Lincoln Way

With choices of more than 50 items on the menu, El Paisa Mexican Food opened earlier this month at 1801 Lincoln Way (Highway 95), Coeur d'Alene. Every Mexican item possible is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner with seating inside or take-out. Other items include desserts, a kids' menu, drinks and grilled steak fajitas on Sundays.

Owner is Francisco Padilla. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Phone 704-7123.

Changes for CdA Hair and Beach Tanning

Two former tenants have left the same Lincoln Way building.

CdA Hair Co. has moved to 1605 Third St. Daniel Abrahamson and Debbie Hissing offer full hair services 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Phone 771-3370.

The Beach Tanning Salon has closed. However, their clients' "memberships" transferred to the Island Sun Tanning Salon across the street next to Quizno's.

Curves to Silver Lake Square

A new Curves women's fitness outlet has opened in two bays of Silver Lake Square at 6848 Government Way. With the motto of "no makeup, no men, no mirrors," this Curves opens at 5 a.m. weekdays and 7 a.m. (until noon) Saturdays. The emphasis is on 30-minute workouts, and walk-ins are welcome, according to owner Susie Munson.

With five other outlets in North Idaho, Curves is the world's largest fitness franchise with more than four million members in 10,000 locations in 85 countries. It started in 1992; its headquarters is in Waco, Texas.

The Dalton store's phone is 772-3768. Check www.curves.com.

Here's this week's tidbits:

• Borders will close its bookstores in September. The 15,000-square-foot store at 450 W. Wilbur (Highway 95) has 22 employees. With a continuous out-of-business sale, hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.

• Cheap Cars moved from 2307 N. Fourth to its original location of 6640 Government Way. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Phone 772-9977.

• After 50 years in business, Shelman's Home Furnishings in downtown Bonners Ferry is closing. The three-floor store is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Phone 267-2505.

• If you haven't been to Silverwood in a while, you gotta check it out. Fantastic! But the parking lot needs a traffic light onto Highway 95 during peak times.

• Contact Nils Rosdahl at nrosdahl@cdapress.com.