Business Bites: Symphony leadership changes; Peres Food Basket closing; Belles and Lace returning, ice cream and barcade coming to downtown; tax help; fraud prevention bingo; dance show; and more
Buffalo Blanc
Buffalo Blanc coffeehouse is opening at 6 a.m. Feb. 14 at 1925 2nd Ave.S.
Mark Tronson has renovated what was the old High School Store, and later Campfire House, into a coffeeshop, “where every cup tells a story.”
KellerGeist is closing their restaurant location in the former Bert and Ernie’s at the corner of 1st Avenue South and 3rd Street on Feb. 18.
Owners Jolene and Matthias Schalper will be focusing instead on their original location at 111 Central Ave.
They’re renovating that original space and will keep the cocktail bar open as much as possible through renovations, Jolene Schalper told The Electric.
“We love downtown Great Falls, but have stretched ourselves too thin and want to get back to our original concept for German beer and top shelf cocktails and mocktails,” she said. There are “plenty of great dinner options downtown to pair with a KellerGeist cocktail.”
She said the renovations at the original location are underway and they hope to expand this fall. Until then, they’ll have the minibar and outdoor beer garden when the weather is nice.
Great Falls Symphony
Grant Harville, the current music director for the Great Falls Symphony, announced this week that he’ll be leaving the symphony at the end of the 2024-25 season, after eight years in Great Falls.
He said he’s leaving to be with his family as his wife and child live in Canada.
For a year, the two city plan, a common one for conductors, worked okay, but the best choice now is to be with them full-time, he said in an email.
City approves theater fee change to retain symphony
“I am grateful for so many things about the GFSA, including the many dedicated and intelligent leaders the organization has had. Change is always difficult, but I am confident that the transition to a new music director will be done well and result in some exciting new blood. If there’s one thing I know about conductors, it’s that they are always looking for work–a lot of fantastic candidates will be interested,” Harville said. “Thanks again for everything–this may feel abrupt, but I’ll be around through next season, to conduct a few of the concerts and assist with the transition. I look forward to seeing you all before I go: There will be plenty to talk about, and much great music to hear, until then.
The symphony performs next on Feb. 10 at the Mansfield Theater.
Magpie
Magpie has opened their new lounge side expansion into into the former Al Banco space. They’re now serving lunch, opening at 11 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Lunch includes soup, salad, sandwiches and their tacos.
Their new menu will be out soon and their grand reopening is Feb. 9 at 5 p.m.
Peres Food Basket
Peres Food Basket, Inc. is closing Jan. 31.
Owners said there’s not much merchandise left, but anything remaining is 30 percent off.
The building at 2700 2nd Ave. N. was listed for sale in September 2023.
Belles and Lace Bridal
Belles and Lace Bridal is returning to Great Falls.
The business was purchased and moved to Choteau last year, but will be returning to at 2 5th St. N., Suite 101.
They’re moving this week.
Fire Within Awards
Nominations for the Fire Within Awards are open.
The Aspire Award recognizes female entrepreneurs who have been in business 1-5 years. Nominate a woman for this award here.
The Inspire Award celebrates female entrepreneurs who have been in business 5 or more years. Nominate women for the Inspire Award here.
Winners are chosen for their business success not for civic engagement.
Winners are celebrated at the annual event held at Haute Hive.
Fire Within winners announced, including The Electric’s founder [2022]
Winter Extra-Va-Dance-A
Join the Miss Linda’s School of Dance Young Dancers Company for their annual display of new works in their Winter Extra-Va-Dance-A.
The annual fundraiser will feature 21 new dance pieces in various dance styles such as: hip hop, ballet, modern, tap, musical theatre, and more on Feb. 3.
The Young Dancers Company, also known as YDC, is a pre-professional dance training program at Miss Linda’s School of Dance. The group, which began 40 years ago, prepares students for professional work in the arts industry. Students have the opportunity to perform in multiple pieces, travel to regional competitions, and perform within the Great Falls community.
The dance studio is celebrating their 50th season.
Before the evening show, bring the whole family to enjoy a showing of “Happy Feet!” This film matinee features live dance performance, concessions, drinks and family fun during the seated event.
Doors open for the movie matinee at 1 p.m. and the movie starts at 2 p.m. Tickets to the movie are $10.
Doors open for the dance performances at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets to the show are $15.
Tickets can be purchased at The Newberry box office at 420 Central Ave. or on their website.
Malmstrom contract
Officials from the 341st Contracting Squadron at Malmstrom have awarded a requirements contract for launch facility drainage and driving surface repairs, with a ceiling amount of $6.5 million.
The contract was awarded to BRY Enterprise, LLC of Great Falls. The ordering period for this contract is Feb. 1 through Jan. 31, 2029.
Unless otherwise stated, the bidding for this contract was open to all contractors and the contract was awarded based on performance-price trade-off to provide the best value to the government.
Ice cream and barcade
The Enbar/Block team are expanding into the former guitar store with the Sidequest Barcade and into the former Colored Snow space with a new Big Dipper Ice Cream franchise.
The city issued an interior demolition permit for the project on Jan. 9 and is reviewing the renovation permit application, according to city planning staff.
Tom Micuda, outgoing deputy city planning director, said during the Jan. 31 Downtown Development Partnership meeting that he expects a tax increment financing reimbursement application from the group for facade improvements to the store front at the corner of Central and 5th Street.
Treasure State Outdoors
Treasurer State Outdoors is bringing kayak rentals at West Bank Park along the Missouri River this spring.
Downtown
The Downtown Development Partnership released their annual statistics.
The DDP is a certified member of the Montana Main Street Program and a nationally Accredited Main Street America community.
The DDP collects data and submits quarterly reinvestment reports for downtown, utilizing the Downtown Master Plan boundaries of 5th Avenue North to 5th Avenue South, west of 15th Street to the river.
“I don’t think you can fail;” Revitalization consultant visits Great Falls for downtown conference
The data collected includes several downtown indicators including volunteer hours, dollars invested in the rehabilitation/renovation of downtown buildings and the number of new businesses and associated jobs created to demonstrate how downtown is performing, according to DDP.
For 2023:
- 38,644 volunteer hours
- $16.5 million invested in renovating/rehabilitating downtown buildings,
- $710K in public investment
- 9 new businesses chose to locate downtown, creating about 100 new jobs.
The investment in renovating or rehabilitating downtown buildings during 2023 was the highest since the DDP started collecting data in 2011.
The wayfinding project continued in 2023 with the creation of 10 kiosks that will be installed this year. The project was identified as part of the 2012 Downtown Master Plan process.
Wayfinding signage installation begins this week [2022]
Volunteer hours were for a variety of activities and agencies such as the Mansfield Center for the Performing Arts, Great Falls Police Department or downtown events such as night markets of Craft Beer Week.
The volunteer hours equate to $1,201,055.50 in real dollars for 2023, based on the current federal rate of volunteer time of $31.08 hourly.
The DDP is a collective that focuses on downtown and includes the City of Great Falls, Great Falls Business Improvement District, Downtown Great Falls Association, Neighborhood Council 7, Great Falls Development Alliance, Cascade County, Great Falls Public Schools, City-County Historic Preservation, Great Falls Parking Advisory Commission and the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.
For more information on downtown, contact the downtown office at 318 Central Ave., or call 406-727-5430 or 406-453-6151.
Tax help
The Great Falls Library and Tax Help Montana are partnering to help with tax preparation.
From Jan. 26 to April 15, Tax Help Montana offers free tax preparation and filing services to seniors and low to moderate income families and individuals.
Tax Help Montana will be at the library for drop off/pickup on Wednesdays from 2-6:30 p.m. and will offer in-person filing help on Feb. 3, Feb. 24, March 16 and April 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tax Help Montana is a volunteer income tax assistance and tax counseling for the elderly program made up of community partners led by RDI.
Tax Help Montana volunteer tax preparers are trained and IRS-certified to help ensure each client is receiving this and other tax credits for which they qualify.
You must bring all W-2 and 1099 tax forms, a picture ID for all taxpayers, social security cards for everyone in the family, childcare provider’s tax ID number if necessary, charitable donation records, banking information for direct deposit, a 1095-A if you have Healthcare.gov Marketplace insurance, and last year’s tax return.
For more information, contact Rural Dynamics at 406-454-5709 or Tax Help Montana Direct at 406-564-7988.
Fraud Prevention Bingo
The Office of the Montana State Auditor is hosting two events in Great Falls on Feb. 13 to educate seniors on the importance of defending their dollars against scams.
The one-hour events start with an educational presentation and end with a Bingo game based on the information the seniors have learned.
The events are planned for Highgate Senior Living at 10 a.m. and The Iris Senior Living at 1 p.m.
Hobby Time RC
Hobby Time RC moved to 2701 Old Airport Road, the former Skyline Club.
Their former space at 901 8th Ave. N. is listed for sale.
Chamber hiring
The Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking a new president.
Shane Etzweiler, former president, left the chamber to work for NorthWestern Energy.
Details on the job are here.
Applications are due by Feb. 23 by email to applications@
Local properties for sale
Jenn noticed a post over the weekend on a local radio station that cited The Electric incorrectly and against her better judgment, read the comments, so she spent some time running down some facts.
The downtown Hardee’s closed in 2020.
The building was initially listed for sale at $1.8 million, but the price has dropped to $1.4 million.
In late 2021, Erin McLain, the broker for the property said during a Great Falls Development Alliance event that property owners were open to a new buyer who could assume the Hardee’s franchise lease, which the owners are still paying through 2032. They were also open to options for renovating or building to suit a new owner’s business plans.
The other Hardee’s location at 2625 10th Ave. S. is also listed for sale for $2.7 million, but remains open as the franchise signed a 20-year lease, according to the listing.
For comparison, the building across the street from the downtown Hardee’s was recently listed for $1.495 million, with some existing tenants.
The former B&B Rental at 201 and 207 2nd Ave. S. also remains vacant and for sale at $2.25 million. On Central Avenue, the Times Square building is listed for $3 million.
The former Dmitri’s location at 1919 3rd St. N.W. is listed for $1.7 million. Down the street, the former Best Wok is listed for $1.8 million.
The Fuddrucker’s is also listed for sale for $2.75 million, but is not closing. We checked with the real estate broker who said the current owner wants to retire so is trying to sell the building and business.
It’s common for commercial properties to change hands with little to no noticeable changes to the public.
The Electric checks property listings several times a month and there are typically multiple major commercial buildings for sale and those businesses remain in place. We also asked a commercial real estate broker
A current example is the entire Westwood Plaza, which includes TJ Maxx, Ulta, Staples and the Dollar Tree is listed for sale for $11.5 million.
The radio post also indicates that chain restaurants have snubbed Great Falls.
Here’s a list of some chains in progress or recently opened in Great Falls:
- Chipotle
- Qdoba
- Panda Express second location under construction
- Jersey Mike’s
- Five Guys
- Multiple Starbucks locations
- Pizza Ranch
- Old Chicago
- Rib and Chop House
Most of those projects were handled within the city planning department, which issues construction and building permits. City Commissioners approved an alley vacation for the Chipotle project and tax increment finance funding reimbursement for public improvements associated with the Panda Express lot in West Bank.
Pingback: Fire Within Award winners announced, including The Electric’s founder - The Electric
Pingback: Business Bites: Farmers’ Market opening; First Friday Art Walk; library events; Back 2 School Blast; Summer Trails Day; Daydream Boutique, Yarn and Honey moving; TroyStrong blood drive and more - The Electric
Pingback: Business Bites: Tony Roma’s opens Monday; Feather Your Nest, Belles and Lace closing; Sisters Cafe open; housing rules; downtown development; new exhibit at Russell Museum - The Electric
Pingback: Business Bites: Tony Roma’s opens Monday; Feather Your Nest, Belles and Lace closing; Sisters Cafe open; housing rules; downtown development; new exhibit at Russell Museum - The Electric
Pingback: Business Bites: 100-acre mixed use project proposed; Buffalo Blanc opens second location; UP athletic director resigns; Clearwater, Baazt projects progressing; Benefis building senior health center - The Electric
Pingback: Harville bids farewell to Great Falls Symphony; search for new conductor is underway - The Electric
Pingback: Second Performance Project part of Harville’s symphony legacy - The Electric