More than just bagels

The name of the new eatery is New York Bagel Cafe & Deli so naturally it will offer New York-style bagels with a variety of spreads and sandwiches. Opening soon at 226 Ironwood Drive (the west side of the Albertson's Ironwood Center off Lincoln Way/Highway 95), it also will have deli sandwiches, espressos, smoothies, soups, salads and fountain drinks.

"For eight years we've heard people (including ourselves) complain that there's no bagel shop in Coeur d'Alene," said Laura Little, store owner with her husband, Brent. "So one day instead of complaining about it, we just decided to make it happen. So here we are!"

With seating for about 25 customers, the place's decor has New York murals with gold and burgundy colors. With seven employees, hours will be 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

The Littles came to North Idaho from San Diego to escape the crowds "and we fell in love with the beauty of the area," Laura said. Brent worked with engineering and marketing for the electronics industry and taught physics and math at Coeur d'Alene High School. Laura is on the executive side of major theater projects, currently "Peter and the Starcatcher" on Broadway and up for nine Tony nominations.

For New York Bagels phone 664-0444 and check www.nybagelcafe.com.

Tricksters Brewing for quality beer

Using several years of experience and many medals for his work, Matt Morrow is opening Tricksters Brewing Co. this month at 3850 N. Schreiber Way.

Creating a domestic beer with a special body and flavor, Tricksters will brew up to 1,400 barrels (around 44,000 gallons) of beer a year in bottles and kegs for the stores and bars in the area. They'll also have draft beers for patrons of their tavern that will have a bar and tables.

"I have been looking for the right town to open a brewery for a number of years, and Coeur d'Alene seems like a thirsty town, especially in the summer," Morrow said. "My beers hold a distinctive Northwest quality that so many craft drinkers have come to love. I will create mostly ales, but a few lagers will be thrown into the mix."

Morrow comes from Durango, Colo., with several years in the brewing business and a philosophy degree from Fort Lewis College.

Tricksters is part of an American Cancer Society raffle with the drawing about 7:30 p.m. June 20 at Make Wine, Make Beer on Fourth Street.

Tricksters' place probably will have a food truck outside and a 10-foot shuffle board table inside. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 to 9 Fridays and Saturdays. Check www.trickstersbrewing.com.

What 'tour'ists could see

Responses varied to the question of what visitors could see in this area if small tour buses were available.

We really enjoyed this option last fall in Savannah, Ga., and Charleston, S.C. Customers could start the tour near downtown Cd'A and get off to explore different places, have a meal or drink, and get back on. Our Southern tour guides were very knowledgeable and entertaining. Options could also include souvenirs and photos.

Suggestions of things and places to see around here include the beaches, Tubbs Hill, the North Idaho Museum, the Fort Sherman building (it's near the dorm) and chapel at/near North Idaho College, area artwork, St. Thomas Church, historical houses, the grandest trees, Post Falls dam and Indian attractions, such as Treaty Rock, the Cataldo Mission and casinos, and the special bike trails.

Any more ideas?

Now for some Tidbits

• A new RV park may happen on Northwest Boulevard.

• Whine of the week: People not removing their yard/garage/estate sale signs. And the same places having sales week after week.

• Several people commented on last week's whine about obnoxious music in eateries. You'd think some of these places would learn they're chasing many customers away. I look for a table away from a speaker.

• Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut and think they're sexy.

• Website is not capitalized, but Internet is. It probably won't be for long. We don't cap television or radio.

• Contact Nils Rosdahl at [email protected].