A business built on Impulse

Describing herself as "a person with a knack for finding quality merchandise at reasonable prices," Shirley Schoen (pronounced Shane) is opening Impulse this Saturday at 116 N. Fourth St.

Her inventory includes home decor (wall items, lamps, trunks, candleholders, mirrors, cases and clocks) and women's accessories (costume jewelry, handbags, totes, belts and scarves).

Schoen came to North Idaho a year ago after vacationing here with her family. Holiday hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Phone 665-0900. The website will be www.impulsehomedecor.com.

Triple J Grill on Fourth Street

You can't miss the sign "Triple J Grill" on Fourth Street between IHOP and the Long Ear.

Most obvious is the large food trailer out front, but somewhat hidden to the south side is an indoor eating area with several tables.

The menu warns customers that "with only quality recipes, it takes a little longer..." It also advises to "please call ahead."

Named after owner Jacky J. Jansen, Triple J Grill has a many-item menu of American (for example - burgers, Philly sandwiches, chicken strips, fries and several hot dog choices), Asian, Mexican and Italian choices.

Jansen got started in the food business by helping his family run a stand at fairs. He came to North Idaho from the San Fernando Valley in California in the 1980s to help construct the Silver Mountain gondola. And he stayed.

Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Phone 651-9882.

Slate Creek Brewing Co. 'brewing'

They probably won't be opening until January, but preparations are brewing for the Slate Creek Brewing Co.

With a small-production brewery and an on-site taproom, the company is at 1710 N. Fourth St. (next to Bistro on Spruce restaurant). Brothers Jason and Ryan Wing, both Coeur d'Alene High School graduates, will brew traditional ales with an American twist to include an oatmeal stout, a juniper pale ale, an Irish red ale, a nut-brown ale and an India pale ale.

Seating 12 customers, the tasting room will be open 2-10 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. They'll serve pints and growlers and a few free snacks and will distribute to area pubs and restaurants.

A Coeur d'Alene attorney with degrees from the University of Idaho, George Washington University and North Idaho College, Jason previously had the Otter River Sports store. Ryan is a Cd'A firefighter and previously had a construction company.

They named the brewery Slate Creek after their favorite tributary to the St. Joe River as a "secret spot for craft-beer explorers who like an outdoor adventure and lifestyle." Check www.slatecreekbrewing.com.

Hang on for these Tidbits

- Watch for the expansion of Cd'A's Lotus Family Dental into Post Falls.

- Coeur d'Alene Mini Storage along Fruitland Avenue west of Highway 95 and north of Texas Roadhouse has closed. The rumor is that a new strip mall will be built there.

- We're waiting for details on Frontier Communications moving soon into the huge building south of Wild Waters on Government Way.

- A Do-It-Best hardware store is coming to Rathdrum.

- The same letters comprise "listen" and "silent." A whole comprises its parts (active verb) or the whole is composed of its parts (inactive verb).

- Two racing silkworms ended up in a tie.

- Contact Nils Rosdahl at [email protected].