Calling all foodies: City Beach Organics opens doors
Janice Kile Contributing Writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 1 month AGO
SANDPOINT — Calling all foodies! There’s a new and tasty reason to make your way down to First Avenue in downtown Sandpoint. City Beach Organics opened its doors on May 26.
It was, said owner Mandy Edmondson, the first day for the eatery was a success. “We were so busy and the customers weren’t tourists yet. The locals came in and everyone was so nice. We really had a lot of fun.”
Edmondson and her husband, Bob, as well as their seven children, Rylie, Will, Ella, Lily, Grant, Mari and Malachi (ranging in age from 2 1/2 years to 18 years), moved to the Priest River area a little over a year ago from Shasta County, Calif., where they owned and operated Country Organics, an organic foods home delivery business there for 11 years.
“We wanted a slower pace,” said Mandy Edmondson of the move.
During their years in the business, while Rylie, Will and Ella helped bag, box and deliver, the organic groceries crept into the kitchen at home. Edmondson attended nutrition talks, did research, experimented and learned new and delicious ways to feed the family. It wasn’t long, she said, that the benefits became clear, resuling in better health and a decrease in allergy symptoms. When she removed refined sugar from the family’s diet, other health problems diminished and the truth about the importance of quality food for the family became apparent. It made her, Edmondson added, a hardcore believer in healthy eating.
“I am teaching my kids that healthy eating is fun and it is important,” she said.
The community — and its collective taste buds — are the beneficiaries of the Edmondsons’ years of experience with Country Organics. The resulting menu at City Beach Organics features tasty, wholesome and delicious (can you say ripened on the vine — not sprayed in a warehouse?) organic foods for everyone. For the carnivores — it means organic, humanely raised meats — and a huge selection for vegetarians and vegans. Not only is the food organic, everything is prepared from scratch — fresh, right in the eatery, from their one-of-a-kind, gluten-free wraps to the coconut milk to the tasty, savoury sauces and sides.
Whether you stop for breakfast and get the original or vegan Pesto Breakfast Wrap and a cappuccino, or drop by a little later in the day for a Reuben melt or Mex salad, orders are accompanied by warm smiles and friendly faces.
The eatery offers a variety of breakfast and lunch options as well as afternoon snack items, from gooey gluten-free brownies to vegan-dairy free cheesecake and lattes made with Evans Brothers coffee.
And then, there’s the view. From any table in City Beach Organics, true to its name, you can look east right down Bridge Street and see Sandpoint’s City Beach. This time of year, it’s a scenic view, full of warmth, fun activities and smiling faces that makes City Beach Organics a prime spot for grabbing a bite to eat or lingering over one of the fresh juices, shots, smoothies, teas or hot drinks with a friend while you watch the world go on by.
The open, casual interior is designed to be inviting. As you enter, the walkway is bordered by planters above the rail and a variety of fresh wild flowers adorn the table tops.
“We just put in a table with books and activities for children,” said Mandy Edmondson as her smaller children demonstrate. A cozy seating area for parents is nearby.
The family operated business — as showcased on its walls and sidetables — also features hand-crafted goods available for purchase. Among the items are “Holey Lids” made by Will, and the “Cute Patoot” napkin sets, aprons and quilts are made by Rylie, Ella and Lily. Muzzie, Maisie n’ Me — hand-stitched custom “Unique Quilts for Unique Babies” adorn one area, while Beach Bum burlap totes by Kiersten Patterson hang in another. Also, Lonestar handmade pendant necklaces mingle among the neatly pressed linens made by the Edmondson children.
The family also has plans to add to the eatery’s attractions. “We hope, once we’re established, to have Friday night music nights,” Mandy said.
City Beach Organics is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The eatery is closed on Saturday. For to-go orders, call 208-265-9919. Take a sneak peak by viewing and liking City Beach Organics on Facebook and Instagram @citybeachorganics.
MORE IMPORTED STORIES
ARTICLES BY JANICE KILE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Ready, set, code: Pair teaches you how
SANDPOINT — Chris Nicolls and Isaiah Grey grew up in North Idaho, have known each other since their teens, and have worked on a few projects together in the past. Ultimately, the partnership stuck and now they’ve joined forces to start a new business, Devtree Academy, in Sandpoint.

Calling all foodies: City Beach Organics opens doors
SANDPOINT — Calling all foodies! There’s a new and tasty reason to make your way down to First Avenue in downtown Sandpoint. City Beach Organics opened its doors on May 26.