Under the Sun

By Patty Hutchens.

Walk into Under the Sun in downtown Bonners Ferry, and you may not leave for quite awhile. With the unique home décor, gifts, jewelry, and local crafts, this whimsical, charming and fun store certainly does carry just about everything under the sun!

Shelly and Jack Yount opened the store in May 2006, and operate it with the help of two of their three daughters, Kendall Cady and Kynsie Pauls.

“We are a very family oriented business, and we treat all of our employees as if they are family,” said Shelly, who has called Bonners Ferry home since she was six years old. “In turn the customers always comment how they love how it feels like home here.”

And just like home, customers can enjoy a wonderful meal in the store’s organic bistro that includes a full organic espresso bar, smoothies and gelato.

They have a full lunch menu where the soup, sandwiches, salads, pies and cake are all made from scratch. “We always use organic and natural ingredients and, whenever possible, local products,” said Shelly.

Jack, who has lived in Bonners Ferry his whole life and who has worked as a self-employed logger, does the roasting of the coffee at Under the Sun.

“Jack is our in-house roaster with Red Rooster Coffee Co.,” said Shelly. “It is quickly becoming more of a business than a hobby though,” she adds referencing the popularity of the coffee.

Perhaps just as unique as the gifts and home décor at Under the Sun is the building in which it is housed.

“This building holds a lot of good memories for a lot of Bonners Ferry locals who remember it as the Lindsay-Helmer Hardware Store,” said Shelly. “We received a lot of support for having kept all the original character of the building. The store really wouldn’t be what it is without this building.”

The couple has three daughters and three grandchildren. In addition to working at the store, something that Shelly said is more like a hobby than a job, they both enjoy fishing, hunting and hiking.

Shelly, Jack and their entire staff are committed to the community of Bonners Ferry beyond the walls of Under the Sun. “We donate our time to the Domestic Violence & Crisis Hotline Fashion Show every year and also donate to as many local charitable functions as possible,” said Shelly.

The couple credits their success to many factors, including hard work and a true passion for what they do. “We love our job and we have such great support from our loyal customers,” said Shelly.

Whether it is looking for great gift ideas, shopping for some new home décor or just a tasty and healthy homemade lunch out, Under the Sun will provide you with all that and more!

#business #dining