Couple opens medical supply business here
Yvonne and Keith Knittle, of Coeur d'Alene, have launched a company here named Copper Creek Medical Inc. that sells and rents medical equipment used to treat sleep disorders.

The couple opened two locations, one on Spokane's North Side, at 33 E. Lincoln Road, and another in Coeur d'Alene, at 2005 Ironwood Parkway, Yvonne Knittle says. The company currently employs three people, including the Knittles, she says.

Copper Creek fits clients for masks for the continuous positive air pressure machines and bi-level positive air pressure machines that it sells and rents for the treatment of sleep apnea. It provides instruction for individuals and a desensitization program for people who have difficulty wearing the masks. It also stocks related equipment, such as oxygen concentrators, which reduce the amount of nitrogen in the air.

Knittle says her husband designed the sleep lab at Holy Family Hospital, and has 15 years experience in the sleep disorders industry. She also owns and operates Lake City Medical Billing in Coeur d'Alene.

NEW BUSINESS



Medical supplier plans to open third retail location on South Hill
Spokane-based Inspired Solutions Inc., which sells medical equipment for home use, will open its second Spokane-area retail store Dec. 1 in a 5,000-square-foot leased space, at 2727 S. Mount Vernon, on Spokane's South Hill, says Jay Griffiths, the company's business-development coordinator.

The business, which also operates a store here at 12307 E. Maxwell, and a store in Kennewick, Wash., will move its billing operations and company offices to that location as well, says Griffiths. Those operations previously were housed in a 1,000-square-foot space at 1506 N. Pines. Griffiths says Inspired Solutions plans to open a store in that space sometime in the future, but hasn't firmed up any dates for that opening yet.

The products that Inspired Solutions sells include breathing machines, nebulizers, walkers, beds, and wheelchairs.

Griffiths says the company made minor upgrades to its new space.

In addition to housing a retail store and its business operations, the new location will have a space where the company will offer classes about products and ailments that are of interest to its customers, says Griffiths.

Six of Inspired Solution's nine full-time employees will move to the South Hill location, including Griffiths.

Tax, financial services companies here merge
Two one-person financial services companies here have merged to form Kuvera Financial LLC, and have hired six staff members, with plans to hire two more employees within the next year.

In September, Meyer Business Solutions, a tax and accounting company operated by Heather Meyer, merged with Larsen Financial LLC, an investment and insurance company operated by Steve Larsen. The two businesses already were sharing leased office space at 101 W. Cataldo, Larsen says.

Kuvera Financial targets young professionals as clients, a group that Larsen asserts is underserved here. In addition to selling insurance and investment products, it offers bookkeeping, payroll, and tax-preparation services, he says.

Individually, both companies grew about 25 percent over the last year, Larsen says. He expects Kuvera Financial to grow about 25 percent in its first 12 months.

Wine-focused eatery to open on South Hill
Tana Rekofke plans to open Vintages at 611, a wine-focused restaurant, in the Manito shopping district on the South Hill on Dec. 8.

The restaurant will be located at 611 E. 30th, the former location of Renaissance Fitness.

Rekofke says the restaurant, in addition to food, will specialize in serving Washington and Oregon wines, including a few Spokane-area vintages, and will have an emphasis on Walla Walla-area wines.

The restaurant will serve steaks, seafood, salads, soups, and some specialty dishes. It will offer lunch and dinner and will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Rekofke, former owner of a Spokane business called A Catered Affair, which she sold in 1998, says Vintages at 611 will be her first full-service restaurant.

"I've wanted to do this for 20 years," she says.

Vintages at 611 will employ about 15 people, Rekofke says. The restaurant will have a seating capacity of 99 people and 3,600 square feet of floor space.

Wells Construction Inc., of Spokane, is doing tenant improvements, and Spokane Restaurant Equipment Inc. designed the kitchen, she says.

Chuck the Barber
42 E. Wellesley

443-4789

Chuck and Jean Whitcraft, owners

1950s-style barber shop featuring straight razor shaves and precision haircuts performed by a husband and wife team with numerous years of experience.

Jantz Records
220 E. Wellesley, Ste. 204

489-0935 (Call for appointments)

Jeff and Tom Stoddard, owners

Recording studio and record label that utilizes digital equipment for recording music, spoken word, commercial jingles, comedy skits, etc. www.jantzrecords.com