Boundary County business year in review
Photo by TANNA YEOUMANS Battle Grounds continues to serve coffee to the community and support the military.
Photo by TANNA YEOUMANS The Barking Saddle brought a tack and novelty store to Bonners Ferry.
Photo by TANNA YEOUMANS Yoder’s Market moved and expanded over the past year.
Photo by TANNA YEOUMANS North Idaho Family Dentistry brought another choice of dentists to the area.
BONNERS FERRY — Over the past year, there have been many new businesses in town. Some businesses changed ownership, some moved, some have even closed, but they all boast entrepreneurship and community support.
Yoder’s Market moved to their new building at the top of the North Hill, and have grown to support other local businesses and entrepreneurs such as Seven Seeds Coffee, and various local farmers and small business owners.
“We are very grateful that we were able to make that move,” said Henry Yoder, owner of Yoder’s Market. “The response from the locals is overwhelmingly positive. We experienced many challenges and even more blessings.”
Going from four employees to 10, the store has continued to grow.
“Business doubled in the main store, sales in the deli tripled,” said Yoder. “Customers are so patient and understanding when we run out or don’t have what they were looking for. We expanded our inventory quite a bit and are still working on expanding. We added the Premier Storage Shed dealership, and we had a Farmers Market on the outside this summer. We cannot find words to express the big blessing the community has been to us.”
One small business that has grown over the past year is Be Free! Natural Living, who provide all natural products from lotions to shampoo and many more self-care items.
“We are now in Yoder’s Market and seeking other brick and mortar stores to carry our products,” said Amanda Fairchild, owner of Be Free! Natural Living. “This year has been great for sales as well as product development. A huge thank you to Boundary County for the support we receive.”
The former Baby Go Round changed ownership followed by the recent name change to Boundary Consignment. A few other in-store changes took place, and the community has given a positive response over the year.
A few other ownership changes over the past year were Doggy Doo pet grooming, Century 21, Soul Shine, The Woodman’s Shop, and the Kootenai Valley Motel.
Simple Simon’s Pizza is watching the close of their second year in Bonners Ferry with anticipation for the year to come.
“We are looking forward to the opportunity to continue serving the great people of Bonners Ferry,” said Joe Culp, owner of the Bonners Ferry Simple Simon’s store.
The Barking Saddle complimented the opening of Paradise Valley Stables, bringing the horse community things that were much needed: an indoor arena, and a local place to buy tack.
Some other new businesses that Bonners Ferry has welcomed are Magicians Custom Paint and Body, Vinyl Expressions, Ash Street Market, Two Tones Cafe, North Idaho Collision Repair, Battle Grounds, Koberstein Insulation, Seven Seeds Coffee, Flying Heart Pet Grooming, Kootenai River Kitchen, House of Bounce, North Idaho Family Dentistry, and the Bonners Ferry Barber Shop, to name a few.
“The community’s response has been amazing because they come in and dine in the restaurant and put reviews online, where travelers come through and read it and come to eat at our restaurant,” said Tony Fleck, owner of Two Tones Cafe. “They also give us specific feedback about what they would like to see on the menu, so I incorporated that on the new menus. It seems like I’m a go-to place for people having family visit from out of town.”
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“We’re progressing along nicely and looking forward to the upcoming year,” said Sarah Jenkins, owner of Battle Grounds. “The support from the community has been greatly appreciated. We look forward to continuing to support our community and local veterans and have enjoyed the journey immensely.”
An annual community vote put on by the Bonners Ferry Herald, called the Best of Boundary, gives members of the community the chance to vote on their favorite businesses and employees throughout the county. The businesses that were voted Best of Boundary proudly display their certificates on their walls and doors. With the implementation of new businesses, there will be more ‘bests’ to come.
The Boundary County community continues to show its support for local businesses by shopping locally, supporting new business endeavors, and celebrating triumphs and holidays together. As the 2018 year comes to a close, the community looks ahead toward the new year and the various things it may bring.