The Straight Poop:
The quest for dog-friendly businesses in North Idaho
By Drake the Dog Reader Pet Columnist
Where am I taking my humans today? With Lost in the ‘50s right around the corner, I’m sniffing out an iconic Sandpoint business that is 48 years young. The original digs were located downtown at the corner of Third and Pine. The second home located on Fifth Avenue showed off the goods behind the radius windows and a little less conversation (work) occurred in the Quonset hut. The general manager started on the Schweitzer Ski patrol in 1972, achieved over 35 years of service, and still enjoys skiing with his grandson today. The owner loves to ski and is a Century boat aficionado and won “Best Preserved.” This hometown friendly place, with an awesome view of the mountain, will exceed your experience will be a doggie breath of fresh air. Three barks, three tweets and we have a winner! I’m taking the Mister and Missus to Alpine Motors, located at 47649 Hwy 95 in Ponderay. Woof! Woof! I’m welcomed with a doggie handshake by Blix, a 5-year-old German short hair pup. Her dad is General Manager Duane “Blacky” Black. This gal is well-trained, and loves to run and hunt. Blacky was on a bird hunting trip in Montana when his significant other saw a posting on Facebook that Blix needed a new home. She put everyone in touch and they all agreed that Blacky and Blix were a good fit. They love to hunt ring necks, Hungarian partridges, quail, grouse and chukars. Alpine Motors was originally known as Brown Buick. The latest model was displayed in the one car showroom. It was owned by Wade Brown’s father (Wade was the fire chief). The business was renamed to Patton and Anderson Buick GMC and moved to Fifth Avenue. The radius windows enabled folks to enjoy more vehicles in the round showroom. In 1963, Ralph Williams (Williams Motors) purchased the franchise and kept it for five years. When a local businessman brought his car in for service 22 /
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Alpine Motors and claimed it got a dent from the experience, Ralph exclaimed, “That’s it!” He sold the company to Tom Robideaux in 1969. Tom changed the name to Alpine Motors (ask him why) and it remained downtown until 1986. He relocated the business to Ponderay where it is today. Why do folks come to Alpine Motors? The entire sales team boasts over 130 years of selling experience. Wowza! The service department services all makes and models. There’s always a fresh pot of Tom’s secret coffee blend in the customer lounge. Customers tell me that “this pack of sales professionals don’t fit the plaid pants stereotype. There is no rigid sales system, neighbors take care of neighbors and when you purchase a vehicle and service it at Alpine, you can bring it in anytime for a complimentary hand wash.” Paws up! Disregard the “honk for service sign.” Blix says honking is for the geese, not for raising a service department door. The service team will greet you on the other side of the red door and get you right in. The pup-a-razzi says Buick is HOT! This nameplate is ranked #2 in the 2016 J.D. Power Customer Service Index, which is based on dealer service performance during the first three years of new vehicle ownership. Buick is raising the woof with the Encore, a small four-cylinder SUV with front and all wheel drive. This beauty gets over 30 MPG. The GMC Sierra is the #1 ranking truck on the market today. I’m going to tell the Mister to tame this one and put a leash on it! Throwback Thursday: Blacky fondly remembers his ‘69 Datsun Roadster, which took at least five minutes of strenuous exercise to get the top clamped
on. Fast forward to the ruff sketch has been completed and the new Cascada, a four-seater convertible, should debut here any day. It has a power roof that can be raised and lowered while the car is in motion. I’m droolin’ here because this pup is a four seater with front wheel drive. Yahoo, a seat for me in the back— my ears are flappin’ in the breeze! Time to find those doggie goggles on Amazon! Be sure wave to Tom during the Lost in the ‘50s parade! He’ll be driving the 1950 five-window GMC pick-up towing, the 1958 Century Coronado.
Duane “Blacky” Black takes a break from the sales floor at Alpine Motors with Blix, left, and Drake, right.
Crossword Solution
Alpine Rules: 1. Loaner vehicles are for humans only 2. Find the never ending canister of doggie treats 3. Bring good manners 4. Leashes optional
The first thing was, I learned to forgive myself. Then I told myself, “Go ahead and do whatever you want, it’s okay by me.”