Idaho Falls City Council approves site plan for new Costco store

Costco plans to open a store in Idaho Falls in summer 2020
at the northwest corner of Lincoln and Hitt roads.

Costco plans to open a store in Idaho Falls the summer of 2020, as plans were unveiled Thursday night at the Idaho Falls City Council meeting. The council voted unanimously to approve the retail giant's plan to build in the city as part of Idaho Falls’ Economic Development Incentive Program.

Along with their application, a preliminary site plan was previewed for the northwest corner of Lincoln Road and 25th East (Hitt Road) in Idaho Falls.  The site plan includes a 150,000-square-foot retail facility as well as a 15 to 30 position fueling station.

According to a city press release, the Idaho Falls Costco is expected to bring more than 100 jobs to the city with full medical and dental benefits and salaries in excess of $15 per hour.  Construction is expected to begin in September of 2019 with an anticipated opening date of August 2020.

“Costco’s decision to locate in Idaho Falls was based on several factors, including the city’s ability to offer the Economic Development Incentive Program. Companies can qualify for this incentive primarily through creating a large quantity of new jobs in the community. Costco will do so, generating a substantial overall economic impact and spurring additional economic development in the northeast area of the city,” said Dana Briggs, economic development coordinator. “It has been a pleasure working with Costco Wholesale Corporation. The integrity of the company is evident in all coordination and communication. We look forward to continually working together as the Idaho Falls facility becomes a reality.”

The city’s Economic Development Incentive Program is designed to provide incentives to existing business expansion or new business location within Idaho Falls.

“Tonight’s announcement is terrific news for our community. 'When is Costco coming?' has been one of the most frequently asked economic development questions we’ve heard for years,” said Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper.  “I am very confident that Costco executives will find a very professional and competent group of city planning, building, inspection and permitting officials to help them through this process, as well as a more than enthusiastic customer base when they arrive.”

Casper praised city staff for their hard work and efforts to help bring Costco to the city.  “I am very pleased with the behind-the-scenes preparation that Dana Briggs, our city’s Economic Development Coordinator, and her City colleagues have been able to make with this project so far. The best is yet to come."

Idaho Falls Auditorium District hires Rob Spear as new executive director

Rob Spear

The Idaho Falls Auditorium District has hired a new executive director, Rob Spear.

"After a three-month search, the board agreed that Rob is the right person for this position and we are excited to see him onboard with this project,” said Terri Gazdik, the board's chairwoman. Spear replaces Chip Scott who resigned earlier this year.

Spear comes from University of Idaho, where he served as the director of athletics. He holds a doctorate from the University of Idaho, an MBA from the University of Montana and undergraduate degree in business from the College of Great Falls (now the University of Providence).

According to the IFAD press release: "(Spear) is a proven fund-raiser who was responsible for several multi-million-dollar gifts to the University of Idaho; managed over $50 million in construction projects, ranging from athletic facilities to bio-engineering buildings; and has a history of developing and establishing positive relationships with community, state, federal and corporate organizations. Spear and his wife, Sandy, have always immersed themselves into community activities."

Spear was deeply involved in the plan to bring an events center to the UI campus and other facilities improvements, but was fired by the Idaho State Board of Education in August 2018 after a months-long probe into his handling  in 2013 of a sexual-assault complaint against a football player. The Idaho Statesman reported that two female students had spoken to police about the same player previously. According to the Statesman story, the student senate requested Spear resign his position, and several other former female student-athletes criticized Spear’s leadership. He was fired for convenience, so he is due a $181,958-per-year salary through Feb. 17, 2020. That amount will be offset by any income he receives from the auditorium district. The IFAD job pays $100,000 per year, according to reporting in the Post Register.

“I want to commend the IFAD Board for doing its due diligence and thoroughly understanding the facts surrounding my departure from the University of Idaho,” Spear said in the IFAD press release.

Brynne Hansen named AmeriTitle state title manager

Brynne Hansen

Brynne Hansen has been promoted to the position of assistant vice president and state title manager for AmeriTitle Idaho.

A longtime St. Anthony resident and proud member of a ‘potato family,’ Hansen started in the title industry in 1997.  Over the past 22 years she has held various positions, giving her a wealth of knowledge and insight.  She joined the AmeriTitle team 10 years ago, and most recently held the position of East Idaho Title Production Manager.

"(My) favorite part of my job is the relationships I’ve developed with my team and with customers, and I am excited to work more with the AmeriTitle teams across the great State of Idaho,” Hansen said. "Each transaction tells a different story and can present a different challenge."

AmeriTitle Vice President and Idaho State Manager Richard Hajek said, “Brynne is one of a kind; not often do you find someone so committed, energetic, competitive, and enthusiastic about Title Insurance and service.  I have no doubt that when Brynne or her team are involved in a file, they will provide the best product and service available in our industry.”

Brynne and her husband Jarrod have two children, Colter, 12, and Carson, 18, who is living in Boise attending Boise State University. She loves hunting, fishing, snow-machining, cooking, canning, and is an extremely involved baseball mom, spending a lot of time traveling and supporting her kids passion for baseball.  She can be reached by contacting the AmeriTitle Idaho Falls operation at 208-524-6600 or via email at Brynne.Hansen@AmeriTitle.com.

Lucy's New York Style Pizzeria moving to downtown location today

After close to 10 years on East Anderson Street, Lucy’s New York Style Pizzeria is moving to a brand new location today in The Broadway, at 560 West Broadway.

The move has been on for close to a year, as Lucy’s was announced as one of the contracted tenants in September 2017, when the permit applications were filed. The previous year, owner Geoff Padigimus told BizMojo Idaho that he was looking for a new location.

The new location on Broadway will be able to seat 114 people, twice as many as the East Anderson location. Hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. It will close at 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Padigimus opened the Anderson location (previously a Pizza Hut) in late 2009, but Lucy’s started in Roberts. They now have four restaurants — three in eastern Idaho, one in Utah. He said his original idea was to do hot-and-ready pizza part-time and keep working construction, but the slowdown in the industry made him think again. This coincided with his introduction to Rich Franco, who showed him how to make New York style pizza. In fact, Lucy's was  named after Franco's bulldog, Lucy, and the pizza ovens and equipment came from Franco's kitchen on First Street.

New York-style pizza is made with a large hand-tossed thin crust, often sold in wide slices to go. The crust is thick and crisp only along its edge, yet soft, thin, and pliable enough beneath its toppings to be folded in half to eat.

Lucy’s does indeed offer pizza by the slice. The menu at the new restaurant will include several new items, including Nutella Pie, a dessert option. Padigimus told East Idaho News they are also looking to add new sauces like Alfredo or pesto.

Crmbl Cookies set to open at Sandcreek Commons

Crumbl Cookies will be opening this week at Sandcreek Commons, 2656 East Sunnyside Road, a multi-tenant retail building in Ammon. A soft opening is planned for  6 p.m. Thursday. Free cookie day is Friday, and the grand opening will be Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to midnight.

The menu offers chocolate chip and sugar cookies, with a rotating menu of cookie selections that change weekly. The shop’s customer-friendly location offers convenient access and ample parking, but cookie fans will also be thrilled to know Crumbl is a cookie bakery with late-night delivery options. More info on cookie specials and delivery can be found at www.crumblcookies.com.