Cedar Street Bridge grows as a creative, family-centered space

The Cedar Street Bridge holds such a special place in my heart. It feels like a gem within a gem. The larger gem, of course, is the city of Sandpoint, with the Bridge nestled right at its center.

Twelve years ago, when our first child was born, my husband and I would drive all the way to Sandpoint in the winter just to enjoy a meal on the Bridge while watching our daughter play in the kids area. It was one of the few places in the Northwest where adults could sit, relax and share a meal while their child played nearby during those long, cold winter months. There was something quietly magical about the bridge for us.

As our children grew, so did the opportunities for them to explore and enjoy the Bridge. The playground, the toy store and the Creations Community art space have always been staples, but over the years we have watched it evolve. Restaurants have come and gone. Shops have opened, each offering something charming and unique, from hats to specialty local foods like pickles, olive oil and goat cheese. Even with the changes, the spirit of the Bridge has always remained.

For years, we made monthly trips from Spokane. We would enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich with a free scoop of gelato, buy a small toy, create some art and spend time chatting with the kindest people, those lucky enough to call Sandpoint home. Then we would drive back home wishing we lived there too.

After COVID, I remember feeling concerned seeing so many empty spaces on the Cedar Street Bridge. It felt uncertain for a place that had given us so much. I could not be more grateful to the new owners and manager for the way they have brought it back to life. In all our years of visiting, I can honestly say this is my favorite version of the Bridge yet.

As a high school art teacher, I find myself especially drawn to the creative spaces on the top floor. From pottery to painting to building with Legos, along with music and tutoring spaces, it feels alive with imagination. This Bridge speaks to my soul.

And every time I walk through its doors, I feel it, a flood of memories rushing back. The laughter of little kids, the warmth of winter afternoons, the rhythm of years passing in the most beautiful way. There is a deep sense of nostalgia here, layered with new life and possibility.

Now, we are in a new season of parenting. My husband and I can sit together, sharing a meal at Paneah's with a French-pressed cacao, enjoying a quiet conversation while our 9 and 12-year-old build and create nearby. It feels full circle in the most beautiful way.

We look forward to continuing our visits to the Bridge, watching it grow and change over time, just like we have.