It seems early to be gearing up for holiday shopping. However, that's sure happening at Silver Lake Mall. "Coming Soon" signs are on several locations, and most carts and kiosks will be ready for shoppers by this weekend.

The www.silverlakemall.com website lists 18 seasonal holiday tenants that probably all will be active along with all the mall's regular stores when Black Friday starts at midnight after our Thanksgiving dinners. Black Friday Elves will hand out random gift cards until 4 a.m. Santa gets there at 11 a.m. with storytime, milk and cookies.

Other area locations such as The Coeur d'Alene Resort Plaza Shoppes downtown also will have special events and sales to watch for.

Meanwhile, here are three other new places on the way to or near Silver Lake Mall:

Haute Mess moves north

Offering boutique-style women's clothing and accessories, Haute Mess (meaning fashionable mostly) has moved from Sunshine Street to 6680 Government Way.

The best way to check what owner Chelsea Piper's store has is to go there or look online at www.suchahautemess.com. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Phone 457-2455.

E.J.'s Thrift is nearby

A few blocks north, E.J.'s Thrift Store has moved from Rathdrum to Silver Lake Square at 6848 Government Way.

Offering an amazing variety of well organized new and used items, the store has kitchen and dining items, toys, recreation supplies, toiletries, tools, clothing and holiday items.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Phone 446-7013.

Saltwater Emporium now open

Moving from Silver Lake Mall, Saltwater Emporium has opened at 4025 Government Way (across from the fairgrounds).

The 3-year-old business offers an interesting variety of saltwater creatures, foods, tanks and accessories and maintenance services.

Children and grandkids will enjoy the viewing tanks, especially at feeding times that are 11 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays for the sharks (!) and 12:30 daily for the other creatures.

Store hours with owners Adam and Jessica Jensen and David Stevenson are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Check www.saltwateremporium.com. Phone 664-3474.

Now for tantalizing Tidbits

- Apple Family Care family medicine is now in the former Great Harvest building at 2106 Government Way. Details next week.

- Other new places with details here will be Coeur d'Alene Realty & Property Management at 1124 E. Sherman Ave. and Coeur d'Alene Vapor Lounge at 510-A N. Fourth St.

- Daisy J's has evidently closed in Riverstone. New construction on the west end of the development is for two apartment complexes.

- What had been New York Bagels in Ironwood Square is rumored to become a Chinese eatery.

- It'd be cool if Downtown ArtWalk the second Friday of each month could feature a different school each month ... somehow.

- The magical word "abracadabra" means "I create as I speak."

- "Sincere" means "without wax" such as a perfect sculpture which has no cracks that could be filled with wax covered by rock or metal dust.

- Contact Nils Rosdahl at nrosdahl@cdapress.com.