HAYDEN — Mekenzie Hill has always known that her calling was in the arts.  

She was “lucky enough” to attend Sorenson Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities in Coeur d’Alene, where she was exposed to “all sorts” of artistic mediums. That education put her on the path to eventually getting her associate's degree in art from North Idaho College in 2023.

Now, that education has become a business venture. Hill recently opened Art & Fire, a pottery painting studio that invites artists of all ages to paint pre-made ceramic pieces of their choice that are then dipped in a clear glaze and fired in a kiln. 

“The idea is to create and design to your heart's content,” Hill said.  

Though the ceramic pieces are currently sourced from several different suppliers, Hill plans to eventually offer pieces made in-house, or offer classes to allow people to make their own.  

Hill also envisions Art & Fire as a gathering space to host birthday parties, large groups or corporate team-building events.  

“I want it to be a place for people to come and enjoy themselves and make lasting memories with their friends and family,” she said.  

Currently, Art & Fire offers a wide selection of Christmas trinkets and ornaments for customers to create gifts from the heart that will last for seasons to come. The studio will also host a “Cookies for Santa” plate painting class in the coming weeks.  

Art & Fire is now open at 8160 N. Cornerstone Drive Suite D, Hayden. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Check artandfirepotterystudio.com for more information on events and upcoming classes.

Now the TidBits

New and Upcoming

• The Man Shop will be opening a new location in the Prairie Crossing shopping center, which is currently under construction at the intersection of Prairie Avenue and Highway 41.

• Central/South American-inspired cocktail bar La Condesa is now open at 117 N. Second St., Coeur d'Alene. Hours are 3 p.m. to midnight daily, and reservations can be made online via Toast Tab.

• Coffee Corral in Athol will be announcing a new location soon, the coffee stand posted to social media recently. 

• Denver Mattress is coming to Coeur d'Alene at 320 W. Kathleen Ave.

• A Discount Tire store is under construction at 154 S. Metts Way, Post Falls. 

• Quirkie Dough is now open at 2946 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and noon to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

• Regional chain Twigs Bistro is coming to the new Thomas George building at the corner of Third Street and Front Avenue in Coeur d'Alene. The restaurant could open as early as December and will offer Twigs’ “core” menu that includes a wide variety of entrees, handhelds, pizzas and popular sharable dishes like “Twigs Fries,” Moroccan beef and calamari. 

• A new Mexican restaurant, Coyol, is moving into the former Chili's restaurant building at 482 W. Sunset Ave., Coeur d'Alene.

• The restaurant space at 501 E. Sherman Ave., formerly occupied by Collective Kitchen, will house an Italian restaurant. More info to come.

Ongoing Projects

• 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.

• A Club Pilates studio is opening Dec. 11 at 900 N. Highway 41, Suite 8, Post Falls. In anticipation of the new studio, Club Pilates is offering 20% off the lifetime of the membership and no enrollment fee for its first 50 founding members. For more information on memberships, visit clubpilates.com/postfalls or call 208-626-2163.

• A four-story Residence Inn by Marriott is under construction on Northwest Boulevard between Emma Avenue and Davidson Avenue.

• Crews have broken ground in the southwest corner of Lake City Marketplace, where national chain Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers will eventually be opening its first location in North Idaho. 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; this one is planned for the southeast corner of Pleasant View Road and Seltice Way.

• With many options for food and beverages in an elevated space, Rooted Social House is eyeing an opening sometime this year at 310 N. Spokane St. in Post Falls. In a recent social media post showcasing interior design concepts for the building, HDG architecture said, "Rooted builds on a growing cluster of HDG-designed spaces, each contributing to a more connected, walkable, and character-rich district in Post Falls."

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

• A 7-Eleven is taking the place of the former Wells Fargo building at Government Way and Appleway Avenue.

• Work is underway on the new Local Market building at Highway 41 and Hope Road in Post Falls. Another new Local Market is planned for Best Avenue and 15th Street in Coeur d'Alene. Both markets will have an emphasis on produce, fresh flowers, coffee and products sourced from local vendors in addition to freshly made deli sandwiches, pastry bars and premium espresso coffees with drive-throughs. They will also include gas and electric car charging.  

• A Marriott Hotel is under construction on about a half-acre at 602 and 612 E. Sherman Ave. The six-story hotel will include 131 guest rooms, 130 parking stalls on the main level and three levels underground, an administration area, a bar, kitchen, lounge, dining area, meeting area, laundry, fitness room and a rooftop patio bar.

• A four-story 151-room Hyatt Place Hotel is under construction for the Millworx development on Fourth Avenue in Post Falls.  

• • •

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