Kelly Chambers, a former Washington state representative and current U.S. Small Business Administration official, offered a positive review of downtown Coeur d’Alene.

“It’s just exciting to see a really vibrant downtown and the business community working together and that they feel supported by their city and the association,” she said.

Joined by Emily Boyd, executive director of the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association, the Seattle-based Pacific Northwest Regional administrator toured five Sherman Avenue businesses Thursday. This included Lantern Donuts, Clark's Diamond Jewelers, Mix It Up Gift, T-Blue Boutique and Christmas at the Lake. 

Chambers' mission was to see what makes these establishments tick; What’s working? What are some challenges? What sets Coeur d’Alene apart? She had many of these conversations with the owners and operators. 

T-Blue Boutique owner Kareen Link spoke about the symbiotic relationship downtown businesses have with one another, saying, “There’s not a bad person in the bunch.”

“With that, we have created a culture here,” she told Chambers. “It allows you to be successful.”

Beth Brown, owner of Mix It Up in downtown Coeur d'Alene, highlighted the business accolades her company has earned. In 2024, Mix It Up was honored among more than 32 outstanding home and houseware retailers worldwide as the world’s most innovative and creative home and houseware retailer.

Brown also spoke about the small wins she gets every day at her stores.

“The highest compliment for us is when a customer comes in and buys something,” she said.

A nice spread of fresh, artisanal doughnuts greeted Chambers when she walked into Lantern Donuts. Chef Paul Shields spoke about his journey from working with famous Chef Francisco Machado to making these savory, well-balanced pastries in North Idaho.

Shields also noted that Lantern Donuts, which is working on its new dining area, uses in-season ingredients.

“I know what we’re buying, I know what we’re serving,” he said. “No one else in town is serving these ingredients.”

Over at Clark's Diamond Jewelers, a three-generation staple in downtown Coeur d’Alene, operator Jane Clark said the business continues to grow and hire new people.

“It’s been work hiring new staff and just trying to keep up and grow and stay relevant,” she said. “When you’re in a generational business, I don’t do things exactly the same as my dad. It’s good to have longevity, but we still need to be able to stay relevant and do new things.”

With custom-designed jewelry, as well as many fashions that caught Chambers’ eye, Clark said, “It’s not just luxury. It’s self-expression.”

Chambers also visited Christmas at the Lake, which opened about six months ago. Owners Rebekah and Cyrus Zamani run a Christmas tree lot in Portland while operating their brick-and-mortar spot in Coeur d’Alene.

With just about every Christmas ornament and gadget imaginable, Rebekah spoke about all the energy that went into making the business happen.

“Christmas is kind of our thing for our family,” she said. “My husband and I have put all of our sweat and tears into here.”

At the end of the tour, Chambers stressed what SBA can do for downtown Coeur d’Alene commerce.  

“Main street doesn't have a bookstore; it doesn't have a grocery. Those are some of the things that we can help with,” she said. "If someone has an inclination to do that, we have the coaching and counseling to help someone put together a plan. And then on the financing side, we can provide access to capital.”

    U.S. Small Business Administration official Kelly Chambers, left, speaks with T-Blue Boutique owner Kareen Link on Thursday.
  

    From left, Katherine Morgan, Deputy Associate Administrator for the Office of Field Operations at the U.S. Small Business Administration, Christmas at the Lake owner Rebekah Zamani, and U.S. Small Business Administration official Kelly Chambers have fun during a demonstration of a Christmas gadget on Thursday.