Bi-Mart coming, bi-golly

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

RATHDRUM — Bi-Mart, a Northwest merchandise retailer, is cracking the North Idaho market and will offer residents a new shopping experience in Rathdrum.

The Eugene, Ore.-based, privately held company, which has 79 stores, plans to move into the former Stein's Family Foods grocery store at 16102 N. Highway 41. Stein’s closed last May.

"We're obviously shooting for an opening in 2019, but it could be in the fall," said Don Leber, Bi-Mart's vice president of advertising and marketing. "Our real estate and construction people are still working on all the information on the remodel.

A Bi-Mart membership for a family costs just $5 — and never expires. The retailer sells electronics, small appliances, housewares, sporting supplies, apparel, personal care products, canned food, hardware and power tools. Some stores also have a pharmacy, but Leber said he doesn't know if that will be the case for the Rathdrum location.

Most stores typically employ about 50 people. Leber said he didn't immediately have the salary ranges for the Rathdrum store on Wednesday, but he said they will be competitive with other retailers in the area.

"The majority of our employees are full time and have full benefits," he said. "It's not uncommon for our employees to have 15-plus years (with the company)."

Leber said the Rathdrum market is the perfect size and demographic for a Bi-Mart.

"We've been expanding into Idaho," he said.

The company has six stores in the Boise region. The closest stores are in Cheney and Deer Park in eastern Washington. Stores are open seven days a week.

Residents' reaction to the planned employee-owned store ranges from not being familiar with the company to already being members from previously living in areas where a store exists.

"It will be so nice to have a store that provides such a great variety of things so close for us in Rathdrum, Spirit Lake and Athol instead of going to Walmart in Hayden or (Post Falls)," Ron Coddington wrote in an online comment.

Daniel Kidwell wrote: "They have a great sporting goods selection and home goods. It's bigger than a Walgreens but smaller than Walmart. (It) will be a great addition to Rathdrum."

The planned store is welcome news to some retail shoppers in light of the closures of Kmart and Sears in Coeur d'Alene and Monday's announcement that Shopko in Coeur d'Alene will close in June.

The first Bi-Mart store opened in Yakima, Wash., in 1955.

Rathdrum City Administrator Leon Duce said Bi-Mart opened a water account with the city this week.

"(The store) will be a good addition to Rathdrum," he said. "Shopping options are great. Jobs are awesome."

A Potlatch Federal Credit Union is expected to open at Highway 41 and Montana on the south side of the city in the near future. Spokane Teachers Credit Union is planning to open a branch near Dairy Queen at Highway 41 and Vera in late summer or early fall.

"We're starting to see more businesses come to Rathdrum, which is a good step toward being self-sustaining," Duce said. "It was tough for some people seeing Stein's close, so having a new business there so soon is a positive sign."