Jackson Hole Junction groundbreaking set for Thursday morning

A conceptual rendering of how Jackson Hole Junction might be laid out. 

There will be a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday morning at 11 on the Jackson Hole Junction development, on Sunnyside Road between Teton Toyota and Interstate 15.

The 42-acre project was announced in June 2015. Matt Morgan of Morgan Construction is spearheading the project.

Millions of dollars in development has taken place since Sunnyside Road was connected with Interstate 15 in 2007: Teton Toyota and Teton Volkswagen, Smith Honda and Smith Chevrolet and Ron Sayer BMW, which is due to open in spring 2017.

Morgan told the Post Register in 2015 that the conceptual plan for Jackson Hole Junction calls for one big box store and a hotel, banks, a gas and convenience store, fast food restaurants and sit-down restaurants, smaller retailers and some two-story office space. He said they plan to develop the land in phases over five to seven years.

Culver's restaurant opening on Pancheri Drive, in Taylor Crossing development

Culver’s will be opening a restaurant in Idaho Falls on Pancheri Drive, in the Taylor Crossing on the River development. It will be the fourth in Idaho. The first was opened in Twin Falls in 2014, by Eugene Smith, a fourth-generation Wisconsin dairy farmer who left agriculture and moved west to open a franchise. As an alumnus of Ricks College, where he studied dairy farming, Smith had some experience with eastern Idaho.

The chain dates back to 1984, when George Culver, his wife, Ruth, son Craig, and daughter-in-law Lea, opened the first Culver’s Frozen Custard and ButterBurgers in Sauk City, Wisc. Franchising began in 1987, and after a shaky start the chain expanded into Milwaukee and Madison. By the end of 2011, there were 445 Culver’s restaurants in 19 states.

For more information, here is the link to the company’s Web site: www.culvers.com.

Comments sought on Bonneville Hotel renovation proposals

An old postcard of the Hotel Bonneville, built in 1927.

The Idaho Falls Redevelopment Agency Executive Board is seeking public comment on three proposals it has received for renovation of the historic Bonneville Hotel in at Constitution Way and Park Avenue.

The agency issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) in February, inviting developers to submit renovation plans for the structure. Three proposals were received. One was from a group consisting of The Housing Company, Myers Anderson Architects and Bateman-Hall General Contractors. The second was from  Widmyer Corp. of Coeur d'Alene. The third was from Thomas Development Co. of Boise.

Copies of each plan can be found here:

Proposal 1

Proposal 2

Proposal 3

Built in 1927 by a community-based consortium, the Bonneville was for years downtown’s prime meeting space. “(It) plays an important role in strengthening downtown Idaho Falls,” said Lee Radford, the Redevelopment Agency’s chairman. “Because this is an important decision for our downtown, the Redevelopment Agency hopes to hear from members of the public regarding which of the proposals best accomplishes the criteria and goals identified in the RFP published earlier this year.”

The agency will hold a public meeting Aug. 18 at noon in the City Council Chambers, 680 Park Avenue. Each of the three project applicants will make a presentation.

Prior to that meeting, the Redevelopment Agency invites members of the public to review the proposals and submit comments regarding which proposals would best accomplish the goals and criteria stated in the RFPs. Comments can be submitted by email to the Redevelopment Agency’s executive director Brad Cramer at bcramer@idahofallsidaho.gov. The deadline for comments is Aug. 17 at 5 p.m.

A Street Soup Market opens in downtown Idaho Falls

Anyone looking for a healthy alternative to fast food at lunch time now has another place to go in downtown Idaho Falls, A Street Soup Market, at 445 A Street.

This is right next door to Black Rock Fine Wine & Craft Beer and across the street from the Colonial Theater. Chef and owner Bryan Lloyd says he has simple goals: to provide simple and fresh soups, sandwiches, salads and artisanal bread baked daily, and fast and friendly service.

“We make everything in house. The sauces and dressing are all made from scratch with the finest ingredients,” he said. “Our meats are seasoned, roasted, and sliced in house.  We make all the soups from carefully picked and sourced ingredients.  We hope you enjoy the food and can taste the time and love put into every bite.”

For a look at the menu, go here: http://www.astreetsoupmarket.com/. To keep up with them on Facebook, here.

The restaurant does take out, and can be reached by phone at (208) 419-3483.

Footnote: A lot of you have been asking when Kneaders is opening in Idaho Falls. I called their corporate headquarters in Utah the other day and the woman I spoke to said they had no set date. I will keep you posted, but that's the news for now.

Lip sync contest to benefit local charity

Tobin Cleaning & Restoration is inviting the community to participate in Lip Sync Battle 2016 next Wednesday at 7 p.m at Civitan Plaza, at the corner of Park Avenue and B Street.

The event is to raise funds for the Idaho Falls Area Humanitarian Center, an organization that supports nearly 100 service organizations.

“Our organization saw the tremendous work of the Idaho Falls Area Humanitarian Center and were impressed by all they do to serve the community,” said Rhett Judy, owner of Tobin Cleaning & Restoration. We wanted to help assist them in their mission by creating a new fund-raising event that will bring the community together for a fun, family-friendly evening that will help others in need, while bringing a few good laughs.”

Teams will check in from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Opening remarks begin at 7:30 p.m. by emcees Brad & Tara from Z103 Morning Show. Performances can be up to 1 1/2 minutes. Props, costumes, and FUN are encouraged. There will be cash prizes for the top three performers.

Download the form at www.tobinrestoration.com and register by Monday by dropping your form off at Tobin Cleaning & Restoration, 3466 E. 20th North, or by e-mailing it to krista@tobinrestoration.com.