COEUR d’ALENE — Stepping into newly opened Big Flipper is like stepping back into a simpler time — some might say a better time.

Pinball machines flash, and a vintage letter board advertises hot dogs, nachos and other arcade favorites for sale behind the bar. The windows and walls are decorated with posters and neon signs that invoke a nostalgic feeling for decades past.

Co-owner Ronnie Vanwormer describes the vibe as “Dad’s garage.” 

“This is more classic than anything,” co-owner Isis Rich added.

Big Flipper boasts a collection of around 20 ready-for-action pinball machines that span across five decades in age, in addition to Skee-Ball and other arcade classics.

Gameplay prices range from 25 cents to a dollar. Unlike some modern arcades, Big Flipper does not charge an entry fee, Vanwormer said.

“We want to keep it approachable,” he explained.

Having grown up in Coeur d’Alene — and now raising children of her own — Rich saw a need for a place that offered both family-friendly fun and a new kind of after-hours space for adults.

“It’s important to bring something accessible and close by,” Rich said.

The family friends both grew up around arcade games; Vanwormer even learned how to fix and maintain pinball machines at a young age.

Games for Big Flipper have been collected over time and are meticulously maintained by Vanwormer. Pinball tables will be rotated with new options as Vanwormer and Rich learn what is most popular with patrons.

Big Flipper will also host pinball tournaments, including a women’s league, and is available for hosting private parties.

The priority, Rich explained, is to be community focused.

“Having the opportunity to make this into our family’s business has been really important (to me), especially since it’s local,” she said.

Though the fun is already underway at Big Flipper, the grand opening celebration is slated for Oct. 11. All ages are welcome from noon to 6 p.m., and the 21+ festivities will commence from 6 to 11 p.m.

Big Flipper is located at 312 E. Annie Ave. For the enthusiasts: A list of pinball machines is available on Pinball Map at pinballmap.com. 

Now the TidBits

New and Upcoming

• Offering "authentic Indian cuisine," Tandoori Grill is now open 118 E. Lakeside Ave., Coeur d’Alene. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday noon to 10 p.m.

• National optical retailer Eyemart Express is set to open its first North Idaho location Oct. 6 at 7307 N. Culture Way, Coeur d'Alene. Eyemart Express is the second retailer to open in the new Heritage Square retail center at the corner of U.S. 95 and Wilbur Avenue.

• The grand opening of Cultura CDA's flagship location at 155 W. Neider Ave., Coeur d'Alene will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 25. Check out Cultura CDA on Facebook for more information on opening-day deals. 

• 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.

• The Chicken Shanty location at 1423 W. Appleway Ave., Coeur d'Alene has closed permanently. The owners cited ongoing personal matters and rising costs in a post to social media.

• Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers is now open at 498 S. Beck Road, Post Falls.

• Jersey Mike's is projected to open Oct. 22 at 9627 N. Government Way, Suite 1 in Hayden. The location will be a first for North Idaho.

• O'Reilly Auto Parts store at 3921 W. Seltice Way, Post Falls is now open. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Crews have broken ground on the future home of a new McDonald's restaurant within the North Point Plaza at Highway 41 and Poleline Avenue. The restaurant is expected to open sometime in the first half of 2026.

• Offering barefoot myofascial massage, Syringa Bodywork is now open at 8182 N. Wayne Drive Suite A, Hayden. Visit syringabodywork.com.

Ongoing Projects

• The Habit Burger Grill is coming to North Idaho. The chain, known for its "Charburgers," is eyeing an opening sometime in late spring or early summer of 2026. An exact location for the restaurant has not been disclosed, but a spokesperson confirmed it will be "in the 83814 ZIP code area." This location will be a first for the region.

• 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.  

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

    Isis Rich and Ronnie Vanwormer recently opened Big Flipper at 312 East Annie Avenue in Coeur d'Alene.
  

    In addition to an expansive selection of pinball machines, Big Flipper also offers Skee-Ball and other arcade classics.
  

    Firepower, made in 1980, is among the oldest ready-to-play machines at Big Flipper.