Building use offered to businesses hit by fire

SANDPOINT — The owners of the building at 317 North First Ave. are offering up their space free of charge to businesses displaced by the destructive fire that claimed two downtown buildings early Monday morning.

The building formerly housed Zany Zebra and Great Stuff, both of which ended their runs as retailers on First. Hair Unlimited, which remains in business, bisects the building.

“I have both of those spots open,” Lauren Adair, a local real estate agent who represents the building’s owners, said of the former locations of Zany Zebra and Great Stuff.

The building lacks commercial kitchen spaces that would be needed by The Hound restaurant, the China Kitchen restaurant and Sandpoint Chocolate Bear. However, those businesses could use the spaces to meet with contractors or conduct other business, Adair said. They could also serve as pop-up shops for businesses such as Sandpoint Tattoo & Body Piercing or Headlines Salon. Smoke and water damage also forced the closure of Grace Sandpoint and Grace Sandpoint Bible College.

The building is up for sale and is getting offers, which means long-term tenancy is unlikely, Adair said.

Adair said she was moved to help after navigating a similar experience in the aughts, when her downtown Internet café and media company was destroyed when a neighboring business caught fire.

“It burnt two weeks before I could open so I know what it’s like have a dream and then lose it,” Adair said.

The building at 317 North First was memorably occupied by Jennestad’s Good Clothing in the early 1900s.

Ole Jennestad would travel to logging camps to outfit workers and take their suit measurements so their attire would be ready for them when they emerged from the woods.

“He was like this granddad of Sandpoint. I loved, loved, loved his story,” Adair said.

Ole Jennestad later partnered with employee Chris Larson to open Jennestad & Larson Clothiers at 327 North First, according to the Sandpoint Historic Preservation Commission.

Adair, who operates Lauren Adair Group Real Estate, is also holding a fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 23, to help affected employees, particularly those who rely on gratuity.

“The employees of those businesses might have unemployment available to them, but they were all tipped employees so they’re not going to see that on their paycheck,” said Adair, who is working to arrange live music, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction.

The event is slated to be held in the Zany Zebra side of the Jennestad building.

“I have a building. They have a need. I can throw a big huge party and everybody wins,” Adair said.

Adair can be reached at 208-610-6960 or lauren@laurenadairgroup.com

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.