The name, product, process and people make this place pretty fascinating - especially since Aebleskivers isn't why I stopped in Silver Lake Mall in the first place.

I heard rumors that the SLM JCPenney store was one of 300-some closing nationwide. As I meandered the hall, I fortunately discovered the rumor isn't true. And, looking on signs on shop fronts, I found Regis Hair Salon had closed and Merle Norman cosmetics had moved from in front of Penney's to in front of Macy's. Both of these items normally would be Tidbits at the end of this piece.

Then I see the sign "Aebleskivers" and start talking to the friendly dude preparing the place. He's Ron Nelson, who owns it with his wife Tracey, kids Lauren and Ryan and helpers Courtney Gonzales and Marcos Coronado.

Although in the restaurant business since 1977, Ron learned about aebleskivers from his parents, who made them after they experienced them in Solvang, a Danish community in California.

They're a tasty pancake ball with toppings and dipping sauces such as berries and cheese and often served with ham or sausage. The mall place also will sell soups, chili, hot dogs, smoothies, drinks and desserts. Nelson earlier sold them at the Farmer's Market and in Green Bluff. He also has Point of Sales (POS Systems), a restaurant computer systems company, and they cater events.

Opening next week, hours will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Phone 449-6325. Check www.aebleskivers.com.

CdA Olive Oil to Riverstone

A mainstay at 117 S. Fourth St. (by Wiggetts Antique Mall) for 10 years, Coeur d'Alene Olive Oil has moved to the Culinary Stone store at 2129 N. Main St. in Riverstone.

Good reason. Owners Sandra and Brad Gunn have both places. CdA Olive Oil offers an olive oil and vinegar tasting bar, gourmet stuffed olives and artisan tapenades. The olive oils are used in the Culinary Stone deli and cooking classes.

Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 Sundays. Phone 765-0188. Check www.cdaoliveoil.com.

Vertical Vapor in Post Falls

The E-liquids for electronic cigarettes and related products are made and sold at Vertical Vapor in Suite C of River City Plaza at 2600 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls.

Carrying 50 flavors, the E-liquids create vapor and come in six levels of nicotine. They're sold in several stores in North Idaho. Owners are Brandi Rodriguez and James Dawley.

"Electronic cigarettes are not approved by the FDA as a cessation device," Rodriguez said. "In our opinion, it is a much better alternative to smoking as the carcinogens from traditional cigarettes are absent."

Opening in November, hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 10 to 5 Saturdays and 11 to 4 Sundays. Phone 215-2151. Check www.vertical-vapor.com.

Hogfish Bar remodels, reopens

A new one-level floor, bar, bar-back and walls make the Hogfish Bar a new place at 1920 E. Sherman Ave.

The full-service bar also has the Guppy food wagon with burgers, chicken strips, chili and more, and the owners offer a small bus service to downtown Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Hours are 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

Hang on for these Tidbits

- These items will soon be far more than Tidbits, but the openings are several weeks away. Watch for Schmidty's Burgers at 206 N. Fourth St., The Fork at Lakeside (downtown next to the Olympia) and Ironstone Mountain Comfort at 262 W. Hanley. Golden Corral won't open until late March.

- A will is a dead giveaway.

- From a church bulletin: "For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs."

- Ah, today is the Super Bowl. Three notes: Grandnephew Finn Dufresne, 6, in Missoula (where both the Seahawks and Broncos are the "home" teams) is really into sports and at the beginning of the season predicted both teams would be in the Super Bowl and that the Seahawks would win. I dreamed that they win by a field goal. My only Rosdahl cousin, Harrison (Hatch) Rosdahl, was a lineman with the Kansas City Chiefs in losing to Green Bay in Super Bowl I.

Contact Nils Rosdahl at nrosdahl@cdapress.com.