Cartridge refill franchise to open in Coeur d'Alene

COEUR d'ALENE - Partners who own three Cartridge World franchise outlets in the Spokane area are putting the final touches on one in Coeur d'Alene.

Ben Irwin and Pat McCord, of Spokane, plan to have the store open by the end of next week, providing refills and remanufactures of inkjet and toner printer cartridges.

"Everyone has a printer," said McCord. "We're still in the growth mode."

Irwin said their outlets were not hurt by the recession and weak recovery from it.

"That's what has allowed us to expand," Irwin said.

The store will employ two people initially, and twice that or more once business ramps up, Irwin said.

They are planning for a fifth outlet on the Spokane South Hill.

The partners are leasing 1,600 square feet of floor space at 3524 N. Government Way in front of the Costco Wholesale store at 355 E. Neider Ave.

The store will have a drive-through window.

They said they chose the location because of the traffic in the area generated by the presence of Costco and other nearby businesses.

Customers will be able to drop off empty cartridges and get refilled ones, costing about 40 percent less than the price of a new cartridge, they said.

The owners said refilling cartridges is more environmentally friendly because it will keep used cartridges out of the landfill.

The partners said each of their outlets will specialize in refilling and servicing specific cartridges, and then will be re-distributed to their locations.

Having outlets focus on specific cartridges will ensure quality and cut down on costs, they said.

The Coeur d'Alene outlet will focus on refilling and servicing Epson, Canon and Brother cartridges.

Irwin opened his first outlet in 2006, and McCord, who had been working in construction, joined him later.

Cartridge World has more than 1,600 franchised retail locations in 51 countries.

Information: www.cartridgeworld.com