Blacker's opens HGTV Home Design Studio by Bassett in I.F., Blackfoot stores

Connie Wood

Blacker’s Complete Home Furnishings has become Idaho's first and only affiliate of HGTV Home Design Studio by Bassett, in both its Idaho Falls and Blackfoot showrooms.

To commemorate the new galleries housing the design studios, Blacker’s is hosting a ribbon cutting with the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday at 1 p.m., at their 1530 E. Lincoln Road location.

“We are thrilled to add the HGTV Home Design Studio by Basset to our stores,” said Blacker’s upholstery buyer, Connie Wood. “This design studio will allow our customers to be inspired by the freshest home interior looks in the country, and gives them the ability to customize their own comfort and look, in sought-after HGTV color and style.”

HGTV Home Design Studio by Bassett allows customers to create custom furniture or a room makeover plan unique to their own style and preferences.

Collin Cook

“Working with Blacker’s to bring the exclusive HGTV Home Design Studio by Bassett to Idaho was a natural”, said Bassett area representative Greg Johnson. “They have spacious showrooms and a deep customer base that covers from Jackson Hole, and surrounding Wyoming areas, to all the way up and down this valley. Besides having the space, Blacker’s has the vision, and the 40-plus years of experience necessary to showcase such a unique and high-quality line.”

“Adding this new line with the design studio galleries is very exciting for our stores and our communities. We were able to reconfigure our showrooms, making the Design Studio for HGTV by Bassett the centerpiece,” said Collin Cook, Blacker’s General Manager. “And we can’t wait to hear what our customers have to say of the results, and the fact that they no longer have to drive to another state to find it.”

Stephens joins Bank of Idaho board

Denise Stephens

Denise Stephens, retired chief information officer and director of information management for Idaho National Laboratory, has joined the board of directors for Bank of Idaho and the Bank of Idaho Holding Co.

Stephens also is a former member of the Department of Energy Cyber Council.

“Denise brings to the table over 20 years of experience as an information technology and cyber security leader,” said Jeff Newgard, CEO and president of Bank of Idaho, in a news release. “In this day of advanced technology and increased cyber threats, it is a great benefit to the Bank of Idaho to have Denise on the board to lend her expertise.”

Stephens is a graduate of the University of Missouri with a Master of Business Administration. In 2017 she was named one of the Idaho Business Review’s Women of the Year for her efforts and dedication to INL.

Meal prep service opens in Ammon, Rexburg

Citrus Pear, a a meal preparation company based in Smithfield, Utah, has opened in the Ammon and Rexburg Broulim’s stores, offering weekly classes to help people make  10 to 40 simple crock pot and pressure cooker meals in two hours.

Around 10 to 15 people participate in each class, which are guided by a registered dietitian who monitors issues such as food allergies. Private classes also are available.

To sign up for a class or to create a private class, visit citruspeardinners.com. First classes in Ammon begin Feb. 6. The following dishes will be: 3 Bean Turkey Chili, Balsamic Chicken, Beef with Broccoli, Breakfast for Dinner, Cashew Chicken, Chicken Fajitas, Fresh Mexican Soup, Penne & Turkey Sausage, Sweet Pork, and Vegetable Beef Stew.

Registration is first-come-first-served. Each location offers approximately two to three classes per week. Prices: $185 for 10 meals feeding six to eight people; $195 for 20 meals feeding three to four people; $320 for 20 meals that feed six to eight people; and $332 for 40 meals that feed three to four people.

Participants need to bring a large container, such as a laundry basked or cooler with wheels (recommended), in which to place their dinners once they’re prepared. They are also advised to wear their hair back (the website makes no mention of hairnets, but there is a non-fashion reason they are used in institutional food service settings.)

Work spaces at the classes are equipped with cooking utensils, but participants are welcome to bring their own. Meal prep and clean-up are taken care of by the staff.

Felton promoted to Melaleuca's president of international operations

Jerry Felton

Melaleuca Senior Vice President of International Jerry Felton has been promoted to president of Melaleuca International. In this role, he will oversee all of Melaleuca’s international operations in the 16 countries where the company does business.


Felton has been with Melaleuca for nine years, starting as senior vice president of sales for three-and-a-half years before becoming senior vice president of international. In the last five years under Felton’s leadership Melaleuca’s international operations have tripled in size, and in the last three years international operations have grown by over $800 million in annual sales.


“Jerry has been a skillful administrator in leading Melaleuca’s operations both domestically and internationally,” said Melaleuca President and CEO Frank VanderSloot. “He is extremely well prepared to take on this role. Our 16 international companies are in good hands.”

Prior to Melaleuca, Felton spent 17 years at United Parcel Service, where he was the company’s Vice President of Global Accounts.

Based in Idaho Falls, Melaleuca manufactures and markets more than 450 natural health and wellness products, which are marketed through a unique systems of personal representatives. Started in 1985, the company recently announced it reached $2 billion in sales.

Idaho Falls's first building permit of '18: Shoe Dept. store remodel planned

This is Bizmojo Idaho's "first baby" story: The city of Idaho Falls has its first commercial permit application of 2018. I wish it was something more exciting, e.g. Dutch Bros. Coffee, it is instead a humble remodel of the Shoe Dept. Encore store in Grand Teton Mall.

According to the permit application, the space is 10,157 square feet and the project valuation (based on square footage) is $267,315. The store is located on the mall’s south side, directly across from The Buckle.

The store is owned by Shoe Show, Inc., a company founded in 1960 in Kannapolis, N.C. According to the company’s web site, it has 1,137 locations in 45 states, doing business as Shoe Show, Shoe Dept. and Burlington Shoes.

The permit application was filed Thursday with the Idaho Falls Building Department.