'A cool opportunity'

BAYVIEW — Dave Adlard likes a challenge. 

He’s completed a five-day day race across the Mojave Desert. Twenty-four hour mountain bike rides. Ironmans. And he even created an adventure race, "Expedition Idaho."

“All the crazy stuff,” he said.

His next challenge in Bayview might be his biggest yet, but the Kootenai County man is confident in his course. 

“We’re looking at where the town is going, the growth in the area, all the projects, more people living here year-round. It was just kind of a cool opportunity,” the Kootenai County man said Wednesday morning as he walked near the waterfront. 

The Candle Group, owners of the Candle in the Woods in Athol, plan to open three restaurants in Bayview, with hopes for two to be ready for Memorial Day weekend.

Adlard and business partner Jason Macek have signed long-term leases on the Lake House, the old Buttonhook Inn and JD’s. 

The Buttonhook has been closed for years, JD’s since early last year, and the Lake House since late last year.

They expect to invest more than $250,000 renovating the three sites and employ about 60 people.

Adlard, who is a chef, believes it will be a wonderful, year-round addition to the town on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille of about 1,000 residents.

“We had been looking at various locations and venues to expand our vision, including opportunities in Coeur d’Alene, Spokane area and even as far afield as Las Vegas, but when we drove through and saw the possibilities in Bayview, something just clicked, and to top it off, it’s only a few miles from our home,” Adlard said.

Word is spreading.

As Adlard stood inside the Lake House on Wednesday, three kids ran up.

“Are you that guy that’s buying the restaurants down here, all three of them?” a girl said. 

Later, outside JD’s, Sean Averna approached and the men chatted for a minute. He, too, has heard about the plans for the three restaurants.

“We’re all looking forward to it,” Averna said.

Norma Jean Knowles, president of the Bayview Chamber of Commerce board, said the renovation and opening of three restaurants could be a big boost for the town that has limited options for dining out.

"It's going to be good for our community," she said. "I wish them the best of success."

Dave and Lisa Adlard and daughter Delany have lived in the Bunco area since 1999. The Adlards also own and operate Avant Coeur Gymnastics and Great West Gymfest, which just celebrated its 23rd year as one of the largest sporting events in Coeur d’Alene. 

Last year, they expanded into the old Tri-State Outfitters building on U.S. 95 and opened a ninja warriors training center that has more than 1,000 students.

“We don’t do being bored very well,” Dave Adlard said.

He said Candle in the Woods in Athol, which creates and serves unique dinners four nights a week for about 20 people each night, hasn’t had an empty seat in 46 months and is sold out nearly a year in advance.

“We’ve got a good system in place, we’ve got great people," he said.

Macek and his wife, Janell, grew up in Sandpoint before moving to Hayden. They are the owners and founders of Dollar Fulfillment.

“Some of our fondest summer memories, as we know many of you have, revolve around Bayview Daze, as well as spending many happy afternoons by the water, and even having mojitos on the deck of the old Buttonhook,” Adlard said. “Part of our excitement and joy in this project is bringing that summertime vibe back, but more than that, having some really cool dining choices year-round, for the folks who have come to realize that this is a great area, 12 months a year.”

Adlard outlined their visions for the restaurants.

The Lake House will become “The Dock at the Bay.” The goal is to keep the same boat-in charm, in an affordable, fun atmosphere. Fresh soups, salads, burgers, fish and chips, a new cocktail program and more will be on the menu. 

New paint and decor, live music on weekends, outside docks, a boat-up store offering fuel and food and private spaces are part of the plan. The goal is to have it open Memorial Day weekend through September.

The old Buttonhook will undergo a complete facelift, inside and out, and will become “Candle on the Bay” and open year-round.

“This one is pretty close to my heart,” Adlard said. “This is going to give us a chance to do some truly world-class food.”

It will be a classy-casual alternative, with upscale and original creations. There will be a full bar with craft cocktails, an extensive wine list and expanding to brunch on weekends during the summer season. French doors will lead to the 60-foot deck with lake views.

“It’s going to be as nice a restaurant as you can find,” Adlard said. 

The third venue will be “Taverna Dolce” in the old JD’s. It will be transformed to a pizza and contemporary Italian theme and also open year-round. It will have a fully covered deck, outside bar, fenced all-grass yard for families and events center.

Plans calls for a live pasta rolling/pizza making station, outside dining and an Italian feel, with a Mediterranean-centric wine list, and some modern twists on Italian dishes in an affordable setting.

“This is the most extensive renovation project,” Adlard said. I’ve got a really cool vision for this.”

He said finding the right employees will be a key to their success, which is why attitude and desire are important.

“We completely hire for culture. We don’t hire for skill anymore,” he said.

Adlard said they are “truly humbled and honored" by the success they have had at Candle in the Woods as they approach their fifth anniversary.

He said that last year, they donated dining experiences that were auctioned off for more than $137,000 to help local organizations.

“We feel like much of our success is our attention to detail, and to making the guest experience something special," he said. "We want to bring that same local, caring, small-town emphasis to these new endeavors as well.”

    The old Buttonhook Inn is targeted for renovation and opening this year.
  

    The Lake House will undergo renovations before opening this year under new ownership in Bayview.
  

    Dave Adlard on Wednesday looks out the window of the closed Buttonhook Inn that he plans to renovated and open this year in Bayview.
  

    The front door to JD's restaurant.
  

    Signs of the old days remain inside the Buttonhook Inn.
  

    The interior of the Buttonhook Inn is filled with furniture and the town's Christmas decorations.