High gasoline prices keeping Bonners Ferry residents in town

Record-high gas prices are hitting Aaron and Johanna Brooks in more ways than one.

With gas selling for $3.60 a gallon in Bonners Ferry, Aaron Brooks has opted to drive his motorcycle instead of his four-cylinder pickup to work. The Moyie Springs couple is also taking fewer trips to Sandpoint for things like diapers for their 9-month-old daughter; they’re instead buying them at Boundary Trading Co. in Bonners Ferry.

The high gas prices also have affected Johanna Brooks’ downtown business — Bonners Ferry Candy. That because she relies on tourists.

“Right now, it’s slow,” she said. “We’re dealing with it and hope it will get better.”

Rising food costs, soaring energy prices and falling unemployment have pushed consumer confidence to the lowest levels in five years, according to a published report.

While Anne Regehr, co-owner of the Gift Gallery in Bonners Ferry, believes high gas prices are keeping consumers closer to home, she’s not seeing them in her downtown store.

“They’re simply not shopping,” Regehr said. “I think people are staying closer to home, but I think they’re cutting back because sales and traffic have been down. I think everybody is being careful with their money.”

The high gas prices haven’t changed Pat Warkentin’s driving habits because that’s not an option. The Bonners Ferry man is, however, looking for a smaller pickup to replace his full-size 2000 Dodge, which gets 14 miles per gallon.

“I’d like to get something that gets about 10 miles more per gallon,” Warkentin said.

Ned Davis doesn’t have the option to drive less. The Sandpoint man drives 60 miles round-trip daily to Bonners Ferry, where he works as a civil engineering tech for the U.S. Forest Service. Davis’ Nissan pickup gets 22 to 24 miles per gallon. At current gas prices, he spends $42 a week for his commute.

“It’s as small (a vehicle) as I’m going to go,” he said. “I’ll be retiring in August.”

Paul Karr of Bonners Ferry has felt the effect of the record-high gas prices. Karr drives about 20 miles a week.

“I’m retired,” he said.

Matt Morgan, manager of Boundary Trading Co., said it’s hard to say whether or not business at the Bonners Ferry grocer has been affected by gas prices.

“It hasn’t changed a whole lot for us,” Morgan said. “I’m sure it’s making people think twice before heading to Sandpoint.”