Coldwater Creek earns BCEDC honors

Company announced as '2005 Business of the Year'

SANDPOINT — Coldwater Creek was awarded the annual "Business of the Year" award from the Bonner County Economic Development Corporation (BCEDC) as a result of its tremendous job growth during the past year. In the past 12 months, Coldwater Creek has created 80 jobs in Bonner County, making it the fastest growing company in the county over this period.

"We are extremely fortunate to have Coldwater Creek located in Bonner County," said Mark Williams, BCEDC executive director. "It is not only the fastest growing company in the county, it has been recognized as the 70th fastest growing company in the entire nation by Business Week magazine. Coldwater Creek's job growth has contributed to an increase in jobs county-wide of almost 10 percent, three times the national average. Coldwater Creek's jobs are particularly significant in that most are above the median wage."

Over the years, Williams said Coldwater Creek has remained committed to its philanthropic goals and as a result, has given so much to the community.

"The company has been instrumental in improving our schools, arts and culture and overall quality of life," he said. "As Coldwater Creek grows, it is able to impact national initiatives such as cancer research and hurricane relief."

The award is especially gratifying since the company was founded here and its roots run deep in Sandpoint and Bonner County, said Dennis Pence, chairman and chief executive officer of Coldwater Creek.

"We are extremely proud to be a large and growing part of the local economy and look forward to playing a continued role in supporting education, public safety, the arts and economic development in our community," he said.

Coldwater Creek was founded as a small mail-order business in a condo at the base of Schweitzer in 1984 by Dennis and Ann Pence. The first catalog included 18 items — mostly nature-related gifts and hard goods. For the first two years, one of the founders was always home to answer the phone — 24 hours a day, seven days a week — laying the groundwork for Coldwater Creek's legacy of excellent customer service. Although this company has evolved its sales channels, it has built a national following by remaining true to its core commitment to providing an exceptionally high level of service.

Coldwater Creek has grown to more than 7,000 employees nationwide — most of whom now work in retail stores across the country — and currently has more than 170 retail locations. The company continues to grow at home as well. Coldwater Creek has enlarged its 20-acre campus in Ponderay, adding additional offices, meeting space and a state-of-the-art training facility.

Earlier this week, Coldwater Creek was awarded a prestigious National Retail Federation award for excellence in service at its retail stores. The local employer was named No. 1 for customer service in the specialty apparel sector and No. 2 for customer service for all retail companies combined, based on national survey results from more than 8,500 consumers.