Jennifer Temple and Kris Larcher have been operating their fair booth, That Burger Place, since 2021.

They were offered the spot after impressing fairgrounds staff while catering a previous event. Neither had experience running a restaurant. 

“We took a huge, long shot and put it together,” Larcher said. 

Five years later, the duo is serving more fresh burgers than ever. Larcher said the encouragement has been great and community support has been “incredible."

In July 2025, Jennifer Temple and Kris Larcher showed up at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds to set up That Burger Place for the fair. They saw a vacant booth. They wanted it.

“We had no idea what we wanted to do. None,” said Larcher.

Thirty days is not a lot of time to build a business from the ground. That's a month to find suppliers, hire workers, buy machinery, remodel and pass inspections.

But Larcher and Temple went for it.

In less than a month, they opened That Ice Cream Shop. The result is a '60s inspired space that serves “traditional” treats” from banana splits to sundaes. This is its second fair season. 

“I'm trying to bring back that old, traditional hometown feeling,” said Temple.

The duo worked early mornings and late nights to get the booth opened. They said that this year's set-up “seemed like a breeze” compared to last year's.

“You give a 5-year-old ice cream with sprinkles on it and their face lights up like it's Christmas morning, it’s amazing,” Larcher said. 

Opportunities continue to show themselves to Larcher and Temple, who also own That Local Bar on Highway 53 in Rathdrum. Larcher and Temple also operate a That Burger Place food trailer to cater events.

The duo sells dry rub and a sauce line that includes a dill ranch, a chili ranch and more out of their food truck. Later this year they will focus on getting that business more established.

When asked why they chose to serve burgers and ice cream, the duo responded: “Who doesn’t love burgers and ice cream?” 

    Britteny Schaffer delivers an order to a customer at the fairgrounds on Friday.
  

    Jacob and Kayla Johnson smile through one of the many photo frames placed around the grounds for photos on Friday.
  

    Forrest R. smiles while riding one of the rides at the North Idaho State Fair on Friday.
  

    Kaliyah Blank screams and waves to her mom while riding a roller coaster at the North Idaho State Fair on Friday.