The miracles that have happened inside this building are indeed awesome. And maybe the restaurant result will be also.

What appears to be a small, oddly shaped place at 2501 Fourth St. has actually been an eatery of whatever sort for more than 40 years. And it's been a variety of places, probably mostly known several years ago as Chelsea's and most recently as Brycie's.

Now opening the first week of September, the upper-end casual Satay Bistro ("satay" meaning "fresh kabob") will feature what owner Rob Elder called "American fusion food." It primarily comprises traditional Northwest foods prepared with infused flavors and sauces. The extensive menu for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch includes tapas, cheese plates, satays, steaks, lamb, pastas, seafoods, chicken, duck, soups, sandwiches, salads, desserts, a kids menu and a special Sunday brunch. Then you add a long list of beverages, especially beers and wines.

The unusual, exotic decor is largely planned around the last word of the last sentence - wines. The main dining room is somewhat of a hexagon shape with attractive wooden tables, chairs and a few large booths. It's separated from the entry by a rectangular glass window in the floor that looks onto onyx features and fascinating lighting in the wine cellar below. It's entered by a narrow, winding staircase.

A counter with chairs for diners and a ceiling of 700 wine bottles looks onto the display kitchen. To the rear is a small VIP dining room, and outside to the rear (not hearing the road) is a dining area patio with a gas fireplace. The interior mortar walls are carved with grape designs by Judy Minter.

Elder has been in the restaurant business for 38 years, starting at age 13 at Tony's Restaurant (on Lakeshore Drive), continuing with culinary arts at North Idaho College, then downtown Crickets in 1985 and finally the Hot Rod Cafe in Post Falls. Son Robbie is among the 45 employees at Satay Bistro.

Hours are 11 a.m. until late evening Monday through Saturday and starting at 10 a.m. Sundays. The business also does catering. Phone 765-2555. Check www.sataycatering.com.

CdA Homes Auxiliary Thrift Store moves

With NIC relocating its adult ABE/GED programs to the second story of the Hedlund Building on campus, its former downtown building at 501 Lakeside Ave. (one block north of Sherman) became available.

The new occupant is the thrift store of Coeur d'Alene Homes Auxiliary. The grand opening of the thrift store, formerly called The Trading Post, will be Friday and Saturday. It's moving from East Sherman Avenue (across from Burt's Music). The thrift store and estate sales raise funds for charitable care for senior assisted living and memory care. First Presbyterian Church, owner of the new location, is one of CdA Homes' 23 corporate church sponsors.

With help from volunteers, Coki Van Orman is the store manager. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

"People love volunteering here because they can shop, help a good cause and have a great time doing both," she said.

CdA Homes has served North Idaho for more than 90 years. Phone 664-8001. Check www.cdaseniorliving.org.

Cisco's Warehouse to East Sherman

The space the CdA Homes Thrift Store left is becoming Cisco's Antiques Warehouse (store).

Owner Sam Kennedy, who has had Cisco's Antiques at 220 N. Fourth St. since 1996, said the warehouse store will have "special deals" and will open Labor Day Weekend. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Phone 769-7575. The under-construction website is www.ciscosgallery.com.

Hang on for these Tidbits

• Watch for details next week of Great Harvest Bread Co. moving to the High Nooner location.

• Paris Flea Market now has Alley Cat Coffee inside its store at 1710 Fourth St.

• Riverstone will have six new businesses on Main Street. Watch for details.

• "First annual" doesn't exist (except for advertising). An event isn't "annual" until it occurs the second straight year after the first time. Note that then it's "second annual," which is not capitalized because it's not part of the name of the event since the "annual" number changes every year. When it becomes more than one digit, it becomes a numeral such as "10th annual...."

• With daybreak and twilight changing, I notice some cars don't have their lights on. Remember, it's so other drivers can see you, not just so you can see them.

• Buses stop at bus stations. Trains stop at train stations. On my desk is a work station...

• Contact Nils Rosdahl at nrosdahl@cdapress.com.