Following a change of ownership in 2022, an extensive three-and-a-half-year restoration of Watson's Lakefront Resort, nestled in the trees near Rose Lake in Cataldo, is nearly back in full swing.  

The project also saw the bar, once known as Evel Knievel's favorite Idaho watering hole, renamed Red's Tavern at Watson's Resort, and the hiring of a chef to cook lunch and dinner. 

"We bought this place on Feb. 22. It was platted for six homes," said Billy Rice. "It was in escrow with a developer. I called and asked if they were going to restore the place, and they were adamant that they couldn't mow it down fast enough." 

So, he called his real estate broker inquiring about the property. 

"I was told the developer had an issue with financing and that we had about three hours to buy it out from under him if we wanted it," Billy said. "I hesitated initially, thinking that it might not be such a great idea. But I wanted to save it from being turned into a housing development, so I said go ahead. I didn't ask my wife Louise, or tell her about it at the time, though." 

He did, however, end up telling her about the purchase a few months later. 

The resort is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year, and that may have played a part in Billy's decision. 

"I have a soft spot for history — always loved small towns and old local eateries and museums," he said. "The resort was built by a family named Edelstone. It was the place where all the locals would congregate when the homesteaders were coming to this area back in the early 1900s." 

Although the bar area was completely renovated, some of its original character remains. 

"The coins that are embedded in the walls, ceilings and bar, where each individual etched their name next to the coin, are still here," Billy said. "It was a tradition that started in the late '40s. The Rose Lake Cemetery is about 500 yards behind this building. I just stumbled onto it and started recognizing some of the surnames in the headstones that I would see etched next to these coins." 

Billy's other partner in the venture is a longtime friend, Red Barris, whom the bar was named after. 

"We had a mutual friend who was not well — actually met at his house and reconnected," Red said. 

Billy said Louise wasn't interested in helping restore the resort and bar, nor managing them or a restaurant, and told him he needed to find someone willing to do so. 

"After her friend passed, Red was really down in the dumps, so I said to myself, 'she needs a project,'" Billy said. "I thought it was a great opportunity for her — she has a great sense of design and taste."  

Billy said he begged Red to help, and she finally agreed. Louise eventually got involved as well. 

"She did, in a lot of ways, not least of which was building a garden in the back of the resort," Billy said. "She loves fruit and vegetable gardens. Everything she grows is used in the restaurant." 

Red, who hails from The Palisades in California, said she was glad she decided to get involved in the venture. 

"I found it a bit challenging creativity-wise because it all had to be done pretty much on the internet," Red said. "I've felt a real sense of joy since we've opened. Seeing people enjoying themselves makes me smile." 

Nick Ryan is the resort's executive chef. 

"We're a rustic country kitchen. The most talked about items on the menu are definitely fish and chips, and our burgers," Nick said. "We try to mimic the In-N-Out burger, and I want the fish and chips to be better than everybody else's. So, I use pollock and beef tallow in my fryer." 

Kailey Carr is the resort's Front House Manager. 

"I'm in charge of the servers and also the events coordinator. We currently have live music and a monthly open mic night, and we'll soon be hosting weddings, reunions and barbecues, and do an Oktoberfest kind of thing," Kailey said. "I also do a bit of baking — make a really great cheesecake. But gourmet specialty cupcakes are like my thing. Some are filled with homemade buttercream; others are filled with mousse." 

Another part of the resort's restoration is a couple of outdoor sleeping quarters: the Safari Tent and the Dome. Booking for them, along with the two cabins and the Taven Lodge, will soon be available. 

Lunch at Red's Tavern is served Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dinner is Wednesday through Sunday, from 5 to 8 p.m. The bar is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Watson's Lakefront Resort is at 13057 S. Main Drive in Cataldo. 

Visit watsonslakefrontresort.com, or call 208-582-8939 for more information. 

    A view of the dining area and bar at the resort.
  

    Visitors to the resort will soon be able to book these cabins.
  

    A look inside the Dome, which was a part of the recently completed renovation.
  

    This space in the newly added Safari Tent will soon be available for lodging.
  

Now the TidBits  

New and Upcoming 

• Golden Rule Brake at 3637 N. Government Way is open for business.

• The Flying Pickle, a state-of-the-art pickleball facility, is now open at The Pointe in Post Falls on 140 N. Beck Road.  

 • Jefe's Tacos and Tequila at 761 N. Idaho St. in Post Falls is now open.  

• Les Schwab Tire Center is now open at 1656 N. Nicholson Center in Post Falls.

• The Crescent Moon Bakery at 315 E. Walnut in Coeur d'Alene is now open.

• Dragon Fly Support Services, a mental health and substance use counseling facility, is now open at 601 E. Seltice Way in Post Falls.  

• Sierra Ranch Chili in the Silver Lake Mall is now open.

• The Coral Cafe is open at 1524 E. Sherman Ave. in Coeur d'Alene.

• The Mad Baby Thrift and Consign is open at 5380 E. Seltice Way in Post Falls.

• Vintage Antique Mall is now open at 7352 N. Government Way in Dalton Gardens. 

• People’s Waffle, 400 N. Fourth St. in Coeur d’Alene, is open. 

• The Spill the Tea and Benzo Box at Greensferry Road and Seltice Way in Post Falls is open. 

• Hyatt Place, a 151-room hotel, 1213 E. Fourth Ave. in Post Falls, is now open. 

Ongoing Projects    

• Mor Furniture for Less, one of the West Coast’s largest furniture retailers, is opening a showroom this summer at the Prairie Shopping Center in Hayden.  

• American Universal Storage is planned for Spirit Lake along Highway 41, across from the Jiffi Stop.    

• The Ross Point Gas Station is under construction at 310 N. Ross Point Road in Post Falls.   

• Coeur Dance Arts is a new dance studio under development at 4131 Early Dawn Ave. Suite 105B, Post Falls. Classes are expected to begin mid-summer; check coeurdancearts.com.   

• A new commercial building is planned for the Riverstone development at 1570 W. Tilford Lane and will bring at least one new dining option to the area. The 7,500-square-foot mixed-use building's targeted finish date is this summer.    

• The 33-unit, mixed-use "Nonna" building across from Post Falls City Hall on Spokane Street is anticipated to be completed by October of 2026. 

• A five-story, 173-room Hilton Dual Brand Hotel is planned for a 2.71-acre parcel of land off Lee Court and Appleway Avenue in Coeur d'Alene. The project's start and completion dates haven't been determined     

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