When Laura Owens was diagnosed with stage four cancer in early 2020, she spent much of her time at home recovering from radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
To keep busy and stay sharp, the Sandpoint woman began making jewelry. When friends saw her creations, they wanted to buy them.
Gradually, Owens found her hobby growing into a business, and she established Copper Creations by Laura.
“It has slowly morphed into bigger and bigger things,” she said.
Big enough that, Friday, Owens was setting up shop in the former home of Macy’s at The Silver Lake Mall. She has counters and display cases to showcase her craft in the middle of the store.
“This is like a dream. This is the most beautiful spot in the store,” she said.
Filling 50,000 square feet of space left vacant by the recent closure of Macy’s has been foremost in the minds of owner Dave Knoll and son and general manager Brian Knoll.
They did not despair.
“We tried to turn that negative into a positive and it has proven to be just that,” said Dave.
The store, to be called Black Sheep Sporting Goods Footwear and Clothing, enjoyed a soft opening last week and is gearing up for an official opening soon.
Brian said a third of the former Macy’s home has been turned into the largest selection of footwear in the northwest, with new brands like Clarks, Reef and Born, along with The North Face, Merrell and Skechers.
The focus is on women’s footwear.
They’ve also added men’s and women’s clothing, bedding, sleepwear, gifts and a wide selection of accessories like sunglasses, purses, wallets and belts.
Feedback so far has been what the Knolls hoped to hear.
“It’s going to be a great store. We are very excited about it,” Brian said.
His dad nodded in agreement.
“People have been very excited about what they’re seeing here,” Dave said.
He said a goal with the new store is to cater to women and meet their shopping needs.
“We wanted to make the women happy when they came to the mall,” he said.
He said they like to refer to their offerings as the 4Cs: cute, comfy, casual and current.
“That might be a good motto,” Dave said, smiling.
Kim Vedder, working Friday, was glad to join the Black Sheep team.
“I love it. They’re great people to work for,” he said.
Vedder has long been involved in shoe sales. When he was in high school, he was hired in 1968 to work in the shoe department at the JCPenney when it was in downtown Coeur d’Alene. He worked there until it closed and later worked for Penney’s when it opened at the mall in 1989 until it closed in 2021, then joined Macy’s in shoe sales, as well.
The man knows shoes.
“Pretty remarkable. You talk about footwear knowledge,” Brian said. “We’re thrilled to have him.”
The former space of Macy’s for men has been given a sporting theme with apparel by Under Armour, sunglasses and more.
They haven’t decided yet how they will utilize the space left vacant by the closure of Joann Fabric and Craft earlier this year.
The Knolls, who bought the mall in 2021, remain firm in their view that by creating an inviting atmosphere with many products at good prices, they will continue to attract a steady clientele.
They do not see the closing of Macy’s or Joann as a negative, but more of a challenge they are happy to take on.
For instance, they took the opportunity when Macy’s left to display a large selection of products that had previously been stored.
Or when JCPenney closed at the mall in 2021, the Knolls responded by making that space the home of Black Sheep Sporting Goods, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year.
“As retailers who have survived 50 years, we see the silver lining in each situation,” Dave said. “We grow into areas we weren’t as strong before. We’ll utilize this space to get stronger.”
They point out that the outside of the mall has been given a new look with a fresh coat of paint, and they are always adding selections inside the mall.
“It’s getting better,” Dave said.
“It’s better than it’s ever been,” Brian added.
Laura Owens is a believer.
The single mom works seven days a week, with side jobs cleaning houses and offices.
She hopes her new business home at the Silver Lake Mall will lead to solid sales and perhaps open a new career path.
And maybe, she can give up her cleaning career.
“When Brian offered me this opportunity, I was in,” she said. “It’s like a beacon of hope for me that I could do something of my own.’”
Customers head out after making a purchase at the new Black Sheep store in the former Macy’s site at the Silver Lake Mall on Friday.
Kim Vedder carries boxes of shoes at the new Black Sheep store at the Silver Lake Mall.
A customer checks out the offerings at the new Black Sheep store at the Silver Lake Mall.
