Coffee and a whole lot more

There’s a new coffee shop in town.

But wait, it’s not just coffee.

Guests can also find items from pet treats and laundry detergent to earrings, college- or state-themed pillows and unusual products locally made.

“I think people will find this a unique place to come and shop for some things, but as well as a great place to come and relax and enjoy the view of the lake,” said Steve Widmyer, owner of the business along with his wife, Marie. “Hopefully it’s a gathering place.”

The Point opened on New Year’s Eve, just in time to meet the “Est. 2021” in their logo.

“We travel a lot and when our kids come back into town, going out for coffee in the mornings is kind of our family time together,” Marie said. “We definitely want families to come and feel comfortable and relaxed.”

The store serves as a coffee shop or place to grab a beer or wine and relax on the sofa, or just a quick stop to pick up some groceries or a sandwich.

Steve, who recently completed 8 years as Coeur d'Alene mayor, said the decorating and products were all Marie’s expertise.

“I like a place to be inspiring,” Marie said. “I want to go into a place and see something that I haven’t seen before.”

Marie said they’re trying to carry a lot of products made in the Northwest, different things that can’t be found in other places.

A bit of a mix between a gift shop and convenience store, The Point also sells items such as baking ingredients, olive oil, pasta, pet treats, laundry detergent, deodorant, emergency sewing kits, phone cords, tissues, ibuprofen, and more.

“We want to make sure that we accommodate,” manager Brent Reuer said.

When they first talked about opening the place, Steve said they had so many ideas and had to figure out how to make it all fit in a 1,200 square foot space.

“Anytime you open a business, it’s always evolving,” he said. “Our products are going to change according to what our customers say they would like to see and like to have.”

Marie said they also took suggestions and ideas from their four kids and their spouses and significant others.

“We always like to include our family in our decisions and in our businesses,” Marie said. “It was interesting to hear their comments of what they kind of envisioned for the space as well.”

The name for the business, The Point, came from their daughter Kaity, inspired by the business’s location across from Independence Point on the first floor of One Lakeside condominium complex. Coffee ideas came from daughter Kasey and beer ideas from sons Ben and Matt.

“So it has been a family affair of everyone contributing to what we have today and they’ll keep contributing ideas,” Steve said. “Your kids always contribute ideas.”

The Point serves coffee brewed from beans from Dawson Taylor Coffee Roasters in Boise. They also have local beers on tap along with wine.

Food staples such as eggs, milk, bread and cheese are also available, along with other goods. The menu includes breakfast items such as bagels, muffins, toast and a sandwich. Reuer said they plan to offer more sandwich options in the near future.

They also have grab and go yogurt, snack items and two salads including a Thai quinoa salad and grilled chicken salad.

Winter hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

In summer, Steve said they’re planning to add some fun items including root beer floats and soft serve ice cream.

“I’ve been told that I have the food and beverage tastes of a small child,” he said, laughing. “I love root beer floats.”

Marie said they’re also planning to have different activity nights as well, such as monthly game nights for One Lakeside condo residents, a happy hour, or wine tasting.

“When you live downtown you want to be part of a community,” Marie said. “I think this will be a great space for people to meet.”

The Point served as a host location in the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association Mac and Cheese Festival on Jan. 15.

“It went great,” Steve said. “We had a lot of people come through here.”

Bier Haus, a downtown restaurant owned by the Widmyers with their sons, supplied the mac and cheese and beer.

“The downtown has just some fantastic functions,” Steve said. “We want to participate in as many ways as we can.”

The Widmyers are no strangers to business. Their downtown holdings include Fort Ground Grill, Marmalade, and Marie’s Boutique in The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

Marie said their businesses have enabled them to give back to the community.

“We’re always giving at auctions and donations,” she said. “The community helps us so we want to give back as well.”

Steve said looking to the future, he thinks both he and Marie are people who will never retire.

“We like business. We like the challenge that business brings,” he said. “That doesn’t mean we’re not going to travel a bit outside of Coeur d’Alene, and maybe take it a little bit easier, but we’ll always work.”

“What we love to do too is we like to create new things,” he added. “It’s a little bit of a challenge.”