Soul Shine sells sourdough

BONNERS FERRY — If you’ve got olfactory senses, and you walk into the Under the Sun store in downtown Bonners Ferry, you’ll be met with an aroma of fresh-baked bread.

Along with other types of fresh-baked bread, the folks at Soul Shine Bistro are making authentic sourdough bread, and the bistro is offering a free class on making the bread and will even sell some of the starter during the class.

Paula Rice, who also owns the Bee Haven Flower Farm, is excited to offer genuine sourdough bread.

“We started making sourdough here and we make it here every day, and it’s authentic, we don’t use yeast, we don’t use sugar, so that’s kind of a fun thing that we started,” said Rice. “We are also open for breakfast, because there’s nothing downtown, except for the Inn.”

The space where Soul Shine Bistro is located within the store is quaint, comfortable and visually stimulating.

“We bought Soul Shine a couple years ago when it was on the side street,” said Rice. “We operated it [at that location] for over a year, and had an opportunity to come here [at Under the Sun], we didn’t have seating over there, and now we have seating.”

The seating arrangements are whimsical and fun.

There are options to sit downstairs, in either a booth or a table, and patrons may even choose to sit inside of a giant bird cage. Upstairs, customers may enjoy the bistro menu items in comfortable surroundings and view the entire store and friendly activity from the loft-like area.

This past Saturday, Feb. 15, during the evening hours, the bistro and store hosted a Girls’ Night Out event, where visitors were able to win door prizes, sample the sourdough bread and sauces, and sign up for a raffle for a $50 shopping spree in the consignment area of Under the Sun.

“The Girls’ Night Out was planned because of the week-long closure [the store and bistro went through] at the beginning of the month,” explained Rice. “So, we thought we would let everybody come in and do a night where we showcased everything we offer.”

The items offered for sampling varied from the sourdough bread, complete with dipping sauces, to chocolates and homemade caramels and even a variety of wines.

“We started a little caramel company,” said Rice. “So, the Girls’ Night Out was just a good opportunity to tell everyone, we’ve changed, we’re getting better.”

Culinary aficionados may find it interesting to know that Rice has plans to include fresh, locally grown produce in the recipes offered at Soul Shine Bistro.

“I also have the flower farm, so we will try to grow most of the vegetables that we use here at Soul Shine, throughout the summer and bring them down,” said Rice.

Soul Shine Bistro is offering a sourdough bread making class on Saturday, March 19, at 10 a.m. Interested attendees may sign up at the bistro for a spot in the free class. While the class is free, there will be a cost for the sourdough starter that will be for sale for those who wish to try their hand at making the bread at home.

“It’s your chance to get a sourdough starter,” said Rice, “If nothing else, it is fun to just learn about bread, gluten, and wheat and all that.”

Soul Shine is located within the Under the Sun store at 7171 Main St., in Bonners Ferry. They can be reached at 208-597-3326 or online at soulshinebistro.com