Milan Ryder

WEISER – Weiser businessmen Milan Ryder and Morrie Reinhaus are working on plans for construction of two separate shopping malls in downtown Weiser.

Joseph Moore, chairman of the board of Bank of Idaho, said his bank would begin building a Weiser Branch in Ryder Square in June. The bank will be built on the corner of Court and State Streets. Moore said bank construction should be finished by late 1978.

He said the bank chose Weiser as a building site because, “We feel Weiser is a solid community with a diverse economy and we want to be a part of its growth.”

The bank will open with six employees, but Moore said it has been designed for expansion. Bank of Idaho is affiliated with Western Bancorp and will be the chain’s 37th branch.

Ryder told members of the Weiser Chamber of Commerce he wants to develop the Court & State Streets block completely and that several businesses are interested in locating in the square.

Ryder, owner of Ryder Ford in Weiser, said the square has been in the planning stages for several years.

He said construction of shops and other business offices would begin when leases are “firmed up.”

Reinhaus’ Washington Square will be located between First & State Streets and East Main & East Idaho Streets.

Reinhaus, owner of the Reinhaus Shoe Co., said his development would be more than 68,000 square feet. He has already started construction of the development.

Reinhaus said the first phase of construction calls for 25 retail shops or offices. He said a second phase could add 35 to 40 more shops, but added the second phase had not been firmly planned.

Ryder and Reinhaus both said their developments should be able to provide adequate customer and employee parking.

Weiser Mayor Seth Dunn said at the Chamber meeting. “The city should be farsighted enough to stay ahead of the growth we know is coming.”

He cited a population increase of 600 in Weiser over the last six years. He said the bank and Ryder Square and Washington Square developments would be welcome additions.