COEUR d’ALENE — Inspiration can strike from anywhere.

For Megan Pelsma, it was spilled coffee on her Bible.  

She had dreamed of opening her own coffee shop for some time and as a woman of deep faith, took the spilled coffee as a sign from God. Together with longtime friend Rachel Lundberg, Pelsma was able to realize that dream this week with the opening of Better Together Coffee Co. 

“God has brought us both into this,” Lundberg said. 

Better Together brings renewed energy to the space at 1502 N. Third St., which was formerly occupied by Linden Coffee. 

Linden Coffee had to close its doors earlier this year after owner Cameron Napora sustained serious injuries at his construction job. The family-owned and operated shop was known for the Napora family’s love of community (and their house made scones).  

Pelsma and Lundberg hope to follow in their footsteps and have built a relationship with the Napora family. 

“We’re trying our best to keep it alive: their legacy, their dream,” Pelsma said. 

Though Better Together’s menu offers a selection of coffee, pastries and other beverages, the women are focused on something that can’t be found on the menu.  

“We like to say that we’re primary on connection, and secondary on coffee,” Lundberg said.  

Pelsma explained that as the owners, she and Lundberg aim to create a welcoming space for people of all faiths and walks of life to gather.  

“Come as you are,” she said.  

After all, community was what brought Better Together to life in the first place. Family and friends of the women supported the venture in every way possible, from setting up the shop to attending their soft opening.  

“This is how the shop opened,” Pelsma said.  

“It definitely was not just us,” Lundberg added.  

Better Together Coffee Co. is now open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Now the TidBits

New and Upcoming

• Work is officially underway on Rooted Social House at 310 N. Spokane St., Post Falls. Rooted has previously been described by HDG Architecture as "an elevated space" with many food and beverage options.

• Denver Mattress is now open at 520 W. Kathleen Ave., Coeur d'Alene.

• The newest Local Market will open at Highway 41 and Hope Avenue in Post Falls just after Christmas.

• Unbound OT is a new mobile occupational therapy practice "specializing in helping people of all ages regain independence, enhance daily living skills, and achieve their goals through customized therapy plans and home evaluations." Founder Rebecca Willson has both a Masters and Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy and over 10 years of experience as an OT. For more information, visit www.unboundOT.com or email Rebecca at [email protected]. 

• Club Pilates will open its newest studio at 900 N. Highway 41 Suite 8, Post Falls on Jan. 2, 2026. The studio is currently offering 20% off the first three months of membership and no enrollment fee for their new members; visit clubpilates.com/postfalls or call 208-626-2163 for more information.

• Furniture Now is anticipating an opening date of Feb. 1, 2026, at 2267 W. Appleway Ave., Coeur d'Alene in the space formerly occupied by Tuesday Morning. "Customers can expect a variety of value-oriented furniture selections carefully curated for living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms," a spokesperson told the Press.

• Regional chain Twigs Bistro is now open in the new Thomas George building at Third Street and Front Avenue in Coeur d'Alene. Hours are Sunday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Kootenai Health Pharmacy will be at 4129 E. Early Dawn Ave., Suite A106, Post Falls.

• 7-Eleven is now open at Government Way and Appleway Avenue in Coeur d'Alene.

• Giuseppe's Pasta Posto Osteria is set to open in the coming weeks in the former Collective Kitchen space at 501 Sherman Ave., Coeur d'Alene. Preview their offerings at dacheminichino.wixsite.com/my-site/menu. 

• A Jiffy Stop is under construction at Highway 41 and Lancaster Road in Rathdrum.

• Described as a "state-of-the-art" pickleball facility, The Flying Pickle is coming to Post Falls. Check theflyingpickle.com for updates.

Ongoing Projects

• An AutoZone auto parts shop is under construction at U.S. 95 and Dakota Avenue in Hayden, next to Dirty Birdy Car Wash.

• Spokane-based Golden Rule Brake is under construction at 3627 N. Government Way, Coeur d'Alene.

• A four-story 151-room Hyatt Place Hotel is opening soon in Millworx development on Fourth Avenue in Post Falls; the Hyatt Hotels and Resorts website shows bookings available as soon as mid-January of 2026.  

• The Habit Burger Grill is taking the place of the former Pizza Hut at 212 W. Appleway Ave. The chain, known for its "Charburgers," is eyeing an opening sometime in late spring or early summer 2026. This location will be a first for North Idaho.

• Post Falls Brewing Company is opening a new location in the former CDA Cider Co. space at 1327 E. Sherman Ave. "We know we have big shoes to fill in this spot," the brewery shared to social media in part.

• National chain Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers will be opening its first location in North Idaho at the corner of U.S. 95 and Neider Avenue. The restaurant will be 3,368 square feet and have a dual-lane drive-through. Other national retailers, including Jersey Mike's, Nothing Bundt Cakes and a Sleep Number store, have also applied for development at that site.

• 7-Eleven is coming to Post Falls at the southeast corner of Pleasant View Road and Seltice Way.

• Idaho Central Credit Union, or ICCU, will open a branch location in Rathdrum. More details to come once construction gets underway.

• • •

Have a tip on happenings in the local business world? Contact Hailey Hill at [email protected].

    The interior of Better Together Coffee Co. has a light and cozy ambience, with reminders of the owners' faith integrated into the decor.
  

    Better Together Coffee Co. is now open Monday through Saturday at 1502 N. 3rd Street, Coeur d'Alene.