Get ready for Fire in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

It's capitalized because that's the name of it. Fire will be a pizzeria at 517 Sherman Ave. (between Camera Corral and Christmas At The Lake).

"Specializing in hand-formed, Neapolitan-style pizzas, we feature an open kitchen with a custom-built wood-fired oven that is truly one of a kind in Coeur d'Alene," said owner Doug Johnson. "We'll use house-made dough and the highest quality ingredients, many from local farms. With oven temperatures ranging from 750 to 800 degrees, we'll create pizzas with a unique look and flavor."

Fire also will offer rotating seasonal salads with local products, craft beers and wines and other specialty items cooked in the oven. The dining room will seat about 70 customers including at the chef's bar positioned around the open kitchen and oven.

A resident of Coeur d'Alene for 25 years, Johnson previously was with Hagadone Hospitality, Fugazzi and Hotel Lusso in Spokane and Nighthawk Radiology. He says he's where he wants to be.

"When the perfect location on Sherman became available, I knew it was time to build something that I've been dreaming about for years," he said.

Planning to open in late June with 10 to 15 employees, hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight Fridays and Saturdays.

The phone (with take-out available) will be 676-1743 (1PIE).

A new Orlando's opens in June

After being in Hayden for 14 years, Orlando's Mexican Driveup will open in June at 451 W. Dalton Ave. (in front of Skate Plaza on Highway 95).

Owners Orlando and Jacqui Duran will offer traditional Mexican fast food with a walk-up service and a planned drive-through. They'll have three employees and open hours of 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.

Alpaca Direct has 'soft' opening

Luxury yarn, gifts and apparel are available at Alpaca Direct, which opened last week on Hayden Avenue one half mile west of Highway 95.

Specializing in alpaca fiber, the store also has a wide variety of other natural fibers for the knit and crochet enthusiasts, said owner Roxanne Burkett. Products include cozy slippers, soft pima cotton nightwear and cuddly teddy bears.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

Here's this week's tidbits:

n Judging by the many responses to last week's mention of the topic, music in restaurants is a major issue. Several people said they will never return to some area eateries because of the loud music. Sometimes it's simply the volume; other times it's the type of music.

The question, then, is why. Who's the music for - the customers or the employees? One writer wrote that a hearing aid to hear the people you're with just makes the music "noise" worse. One server admitted in his workplace the music is for the employees - that the owner has the radio dial marked where the maximum should be, but that the volume is always above that when she's not there. Employees at some other local places say the volume and type of music are to create excitement and give the place a "busy" feel and to attract a young, fun crowd. Some readers say vocal music makes table conversation really difficult.

Another person wrote, "We'll never go back. I hope the employees enjoy it as they'll have plenty of time as the customers dwindle."

• Evidently Kootenai Cafe at Fourth and Lakeside has closed.

• A reader wrote that department stores are too cold. Another wrote that some restaurants are too cold as the temperature is set lower for the hustling servers and kitchen employees.

• We noticed in Seattle this week one downtown restaurant with patio tables. Of course, Seattle also has several fish-seafood places. You'd think that would work in downtown Coeur d'Alene with the major water theme provided by the lake.

• Contact Nils Rosdahl at [email protected].