Alpaca products available in Hayden

Quality fabrics, classes to learn how to use them and gifts that are made from them are the specialties of Alpaca Direct. All this began as a 4-H project and now is a store at 1016 W. Hayden Ave. Across from Gibbs Lumber and next to the Studio Dance Co., it opened last month.

The fibers include alpaca, merino wool, pima cotton, silk-alpaca and other blends. Accessories are needles, hooks, looms and spinning wheels. Classes are knitting and crocheting, and gifts include slippers, sweaters, scarves and toys made in Peru.

Kelley and Jim Hobart began all this when an alpaca critter became a daughter's 4-H project. They started a store in California 10 years ago and came to North Idaho after attending an alpaca show in Post Falls. Their general manager is Roxanne Burkett. They have 23 alpacas near Sandpoint.

Customers can use the store's yarn winder and crafting library. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, 11 to 6 Wednesday through Friday, and 10 to 5 Saturdays (with tutorials and discounts). Phone 209-7079. Check www.alpacadirect.com.

In Control Hobbies in new store

Better visibility and parking paved the move for In Control Hobbies to 1603 E. Seltice Way (across from McDonald's and the Hot Rod Cafe), Post Falls.

The name of the place is "In Control" because that's what the driver/pilot is with the remote-control cars, trucks, planes, helicopters and more, according to owner Paul Dworshak. He and two employees also have models, rockets and paint in the 1,500-square-foot location that formerly was a Subway outlet.

Originally from Alta Loma, Calif., he came to North Idaho after visiting relatives and started the store seven years ago at 2700 E. Seltice. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 Sundays. Phone 457-8166.

Salsa shop set to open in Cd'A

More than 45 types of salsa and hot sauces and related items such as tortillas and burritos will be sold at Coeur d'Alene Salsa Co. when it opens in August in Suite 109 (next to Cafe Carambola) of Harbor Plaza on Northwest Boulevard at Hubbard Avenue.

Varieties will include cherry, mango and peach to "ghost pepper" inferno hot. Some are chunky, some mild. Other items will be chips, seasonings and dip mixes. All salsas and sauces are natural, fat-free with no preservatives or artificial flavors or colors. Gourmet breakfast burritos will be offered soon, and salsa cooking classes will start in the fall.

Originally from Spokane, owner Tony Gerimonte has many years in the grocery and real estate businesses. His salsas will be featured at local events such as Art on the Green and the North Idaho Fair. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Phone 704-9833. Check www.cdasalsaco.com.

Top This expands to Post Falls

Top This Frozen Yogurt & Treats will open its second North Idaho store in August at 740 Cecil Road in Suite 110 of the plaza across from Walmart. Owners Earl and Sonie Combs opened the first store in Ironwood Square in Coeur d'Alene this spring.

The expanded menu includes a cookie and cupcake bar, fruit cobblers and crisps (made daily), hot chocolate and whipped cream. The large facility offers three yogurt lounges (with fireplaces) for meetings and parties. The business will participate in civic and charity events.

With 12 employees, hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Here's this week's tidbits:

• Watch next week for the details of a large, new performing arts center and the new location of a furniture store.

• A new Italian restaurant will open soon on East Sherman Avenue.

• More businesses would benefit (as would the customers) if they opened for Art Walk evenings the second Friday of every month in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

• The Fourth of July Parade was terrific but too long. Entries by businesses really don't fit.

• The Hayden Concert Series, presented 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 3 in Hayden City Park, is fantastic. Watch this paper's calendar.

• The "Stop for Invasive Species Inspection" I-90 location on the east side of Fourth of July Pass is too late for boaters who have already gone to the Coeur d'Alene River or headed south down the Chain of Lakes off Highway 3.

• Contact Nils Rosdahl at nrosdahl@cdapress.com.