From the corner hardware store to the family-run restaurant, local businesses have relied on The Press for decades to connect them with customers, build trust and drive sales. 

Two of the more successful businesses in Coeur d’ Alene, Black Sheep Sporting Goods and Clark’s Diamond Jewelers, have had long-standing relationships with The Press. 

“We’ve had a connection with the paper since it started,” said former owner Dan Clark. “To me, it has always represented the front line for locals, where people get their local information. I’ve had ad campaigns in the paper that I did 25 years ago, maybe longer, that I still hear about to this day.” 

His daughter Jane, the current owner of the family business, said there are plenty of social media platforms businesses are associated with these days, but none have been more valuable than their relationship with The Press. 

“There are multiple sources you can advertise with, but our business still really thrives on what we do with The Press and our local radio advertising,” she said. “Both have been effective in reaching people and the consistency that we’ve had in our advertising with them.” 

Dan added that people who are “so in tune with social media” like to think that if something significant is in the paper, it’s yesterday’s news. But he believes that isn’t the case. 

“I don’t think it is. I think people enjoy looking at local pictures, reading local stories and local history,” he said. “These are things you get from a local newspaper — that you can’t get from a snippet of a TV news clip.” 

He also believes the store’s advertisements in The Press have left an impression on its readers. 

“People see our ads — and we’ve heard about them,” Dan said. “And to be honest, we probably need to get back to running more of them.” 

Black Sheep Sporting Goods 

Black Sheep Sporting Goods and The Press have partnered since the store opened its doors in 1975. 

“The Coeur d’Alene Press was and is the primary voice for the community. Its mission is to support locally owned businesses,” said Brian Knoll, who oversees operations of the family-owned Black Sheep Sporting Goods and the Silver Lake Mall. “It has allowed us essentially to connect with our Black Sheep customers and grow the business for the last 50 years, and now the past five years or so since we bought the mall.” 

Brian said when they took over the mall, it was 80% vacant, but they’ve been able to fill space by adding their Black Sheep inventory and other retail shops.

“We relocated the business a couple of times before that, and The Press covered all the moves,” Brian said. 

One of the fondest memories Dave Knoll, owner of Black Sheep Sporting Goods and the Silver Lake Mall, has recalled over the past half-century was his relationship with Duane Hagadone, president, CEO and founder of the Hagadone Corp. 

“He’d call me and tell me he was coming to do his Christmas shopping at Black Sheep, and I’d tell him, 'Good, I’ll get one of my best people to help you,”' Dave said. “And he’d say, 'No, I want you to help me.' I felt honored by that.” 

According to Dean Ridings, CEO of America’s Newspapers, local newspapers help drive the economic engine of their communities. 

“They are the go-to advertising partners for small businesses looking to reach real, local customers in a trustworthy environment,” Ridings said. “In fact, 83% of American adults say newspaper advertising is important, and more than half use newspaper ads to decide where to shop, what to buy and which local services to trust. Advertising in newspapers isn’t just background noise. It’s sought out, because it’s seen as useful, reliable and relevant.” 

    Brian Knoll, operations manager of Black Sheep Sporting Goods and Silver Lake Mall.