Business Bites: downtown Hardee’s sold; Mrs. Wrights Pastys closing; Honey Hippo has new owners; Hi-Line Climbing offering free climbing; Miss Linda’s, Montana Youth Symphony have upcoming events; Cascade 66 Race; Special Olympics Montana numbers; Korean War online exhibit; Safety Town; and more
Updated May 22
Hardee’s
The downtown Hardee’s property has been purchased by Clearwater Credit Union.
Jack Lawson, Clearwater’s CEO, told The Electric that they’ve been focused in the Missoula market since they were established in 1956 by eight police officers, but have been looking to expand.
He said they are currently standing up a location in Butte, and purchased land in Great Falls and Bozeman.
The downtown Great Falls location, across from Gibson Park, is a “dynamite location,” Lawson said. “We like supporting downtown redevelopment whenever possible.”
Clearwater’s preliminary plan is to establish a retail branch location that would house 8-12 employees.
They currently have five employees in Great Falls, some working remotely and some working out of a location in partnership with Opportunities Inc.
The downtown site is one that Lawson said they want to make a “fantastic contribution” to and will work with city officials and the community to design something that suits the area’s needs.
Their plans are preliminary, but Lawson said they’ll likely have to demolish the existing restaurant building and build a new space. He said they’ll salvage as much restaurant equipment as possible and look to gift it to a local nonprofit that can make use of it.
He said the fastest timeline is the project would be done in 18-24 months, which he said isn’t impossible, but has a lot of factors.
“We don’t intend to sit,” he said.
Mrs. Wrights Pastys
Mrs Wrights Pastys is closing.
The shop opened their permanent location five years ago to sell pasties and moved into the Hi-Ho Tavern last year.
“It is a bittersweet moment as I plan my next chapter. The economy has just not been the same as when we took this step and I am going back to public service,” owner Paulette Wright wrote on Facebook.
Order by phone at 406-750-8852 or message the Facebook page.
Wendy’s
Construction has begun on the second Wendy’s location at 139 N.W. Bypass, near the existing Domino’s.
According to Jonna Jones of the Montana Wendy’s franchise, it will be a full restaurant location and they’re hoping to open in September.
A King’s Kravings
A King’s Kravings is closing it’s bakery location at 1008 20th St. S.
Due to “overhead and the rising cost of supplies,” the owner of A King’s Kravings posted that the bakery’s last day will be June 22.
Gift certificates through StarRadio should be redeemed by May 22, according to the post.
The bakery opened in that location in September 2023.
Honey Hippo.
The Honey Hippo. Play Cafe has new owners.
Traci Christian and Shelby Barnes, a mother daughter duo, have purchased the downtown business and are hosting a meet and greet event on June 2.
Mattress Firm
Mattress Firm is moving into the Westwood Plaza, next to the Staples, on the Northwest Bypass.
The former location on 10th Ave. S. is for lease.
The entire Westwood Plaza is for sale for $11.5 million.
The city issued a sign permit for the Mattress Firm at 207 N.W. Bypass, between Staples and T.J. Maxx in March.
The city also issued an interior permit earlier this year for a bathroom remodel in the space, according to city planning.
The city hasn’t received a safety inspection certificate application for the store yet.
Sugar Drop Pediatrics
The city planning office issued a permit in April for the renovation at 1415 N.W. Bypass to house Sugar Drop Pediatrics.
Hi-Line Climbing
The Hi-Line Climbing Center is celebrating their anniversary on May 18 with free climbing for everyone from 12-5 p.m. and a member appreciation party from 6-9 p.m., plus 25 percent off storewide.
Business in profile: Hi-Line Climbing Center [2020]
Miss Linda’s
The Studio Centre- Miss Linda’s School of Dance is hosting their 50th anniversary celebration with Dancing Through the Decades at 7 p.m. May 18 at the Mansfield Theater.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students.
Call 406-455-8514 for tickets or get them online.
Montana Youth Symphony
The Montana Youth Symphony is hosting a “delightful afternoon of music and merriment” at the University of Providence at noon May 24.
A light lunch will be provided.
The event will be in the university’s conference center, Room A.
Save your seat by emailing operations@montanayouthsymphony.org.
Touro, Malmstrom training
The Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Montana’s Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, SAMOPS is conducting a tactical combat casualty care training event for Touro students, faculty and staff.
On May 21, the morning portion of the training event will be hosted at the Touro Montana campus. It will feature classroom briefings and hands-on training covering emergency medical interventions from a tactical and civilian perspective.
Touro welcomes first class of medical students [2023]
At noon, participants will engage in a hands-on helicopter aircraft and casualty loading exercise conducted in partnership with Malmstrom Air Force Base in the field near Central Catholic High School. The training materials are being provided by Malmstrom Air Force Medical Services and the Montana-based U.S. Army Reserves.
Cascade 66 Road Race
The Cascade 66 Road Race is June 15.
The event includes a 33-mile and 66-mile option on a mostly flat to rolling course that traverses the region along a scenic recreation road.
Safety Town
Registration is open for this summer’s Safety Town at the Skyline Early Learning Family Center.
There are a limited number of spots and enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis for students entering kindergarten in the fall.
The registration fee is $100.
This summer’s sessions are June 17-28.
-
Session 1: 9 a.m. to noon.
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Session 2: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The sessions are all held at the Skyline Early Learning Family Center, 3300 3rd St. N.E.
Sessions take place under the guidance of a certified teacher and teen volunteers.
Safety Town was established in 1937 by a police officer and a kindergarten teacher after a child was hit by a car and killed walking to school. It started with traffic safety and has expanded to other areas.
Students learn, have fun at Safety Town [2023]
The Great Falls program is a partnership with Great Falls Public Schools-Community Enrichment, the National Safety Town Center and Great Falls Public Schools Foundation.
Safety Town is a fun and educational program designed to introduce a variety of safety concepts to children entering kindergarten. The program helps children develop positive attitudes and values toward safety, which benefits them throughout their lifetime.
The safety tips they learn help participants avoid dangers and develop safe practices in school and in the community. After they learn, they are empowered to take action by practicing how to prepare for emergencies and sharing their lessons and new knowledge with family and friends. This program readies our youngest neighbors to help create a better prepared community and have a lot of fun in the process, according to the local program.
The goal of Safety Town is to reduce accidental injuries and deaths of children through an on-going community-based safety education program. The main objective of the Great Falls program is to create an environment for children to practice what they have learned through constructive play.
Dominos
The new Dominos Pizza store at 2412 11th Ave. S. is open. It’s in a tenant space near the Grand Slam Casino at the same address.
The city planning office issued a remodeling permit for a pizza shop in December.
Vendor Show
Laura Wheeler and Rachel Bernhardt-Laubach are hosting a vendor show 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 18 at the Holiday Inn, 1100 5th St. S.
Special Olympics Montana
Special Olympics Montana released their 2023 year in review numbers.
Over the year:
- 3,521 athletes took part in 82 competitions statewide
- 423 coaches, alongside 5,613 volunteers, invested hours in athlete development
- 175 athletes actively engaged in health fitness initiatives
- 51 athletes successfully completed athlete leadership training
- 407 health screenings were administered by health professionals who donated their time and expertise
- 111 schools were certified as unified champion schools
Independence Bank
Tamariel Christopher was recently promoted to senior vice president of commercial lending for Independence Bank and the Great Falls branch.
The Highwood native leads all aspects of commercial lending at Independence Bank.
She has spent the last 18 years of her career in commercial lending and came to Independence Bank in 2019 as vice president of commercial lending/senior commercial loan officer and was “instrumental in the development and growth of the Great Falls market,” according to the bank.
City Commissioners approved land swap; wayfinding plan; Civic Center repair contract [2021]
Christopher is a University of Montana graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business administration finance with an emphasis in banking. She’s lived in Great Falls for the last 14 years, after moving back to her family’s ranch from Missoula.
She currently serves as the Highwood Public School Foundation treasurer and volunteers as a coach for Salvation Army youth sports.
Independence Bank is a locally owned community bank headquartered in Havre with branches in Malta, Glasgow, Poplar, Scobey, Conrad, Shelby, Great Falls, Wolf Point and Plentywood.
Montana Historical Society
A new online-only exhibit created by the Montana Historical Society explores the experiences of area residents who participated in the Korean War.
“In comparison to World War II and the Vietnam War, the Korean War is often seen as an isolated conflict with minor repercussions. However, the war had far-reaching geopolitical implications and in part shaped the Cold War,” Aaron Rau, a Montana Historical Society archivist, said in a release.
He put together the project with senior registrar Kendra Newhall.
“We wanted to create an exhibit that offers a glimpse into the experiences of Montanans who served in this relatively overlooked conflict. And, as Memorial Day approaches, the exhibit also serves to recognize and honor the sacrifices they made,” Rau said in a release.
“Voices of the Forgotten War” includes oral histories, transcripts, photographs, and artifacts related to Montanans who served in the war.
The audio, images, and artifacts in this collection offer a unique glimpse into this relatively overlooked conflict.
“The objects related to Ethel LaRock and her lengthy military service (1952-1976) are among the most interesting items on display,” Newhall said in a release. “Ethel had a dynamic and fascinating career that led to her traveling the world, from Southeast Asia to Europe. She was awarded a Bronze Star for her service in the Korean War and, by the time she retired, held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Later in her life, Ethel spent many years volunteering here at the Montana Historical Society. She told the best stories and was a pure joy to be around.”
The Korean war started on June 25, 1950, when North Korea-supported by China and the Soviet Union-invaded South Korea, which was supported by the United States and the United Nations.
Following the invasion by North Korean troops, the United Nations, which was led by the U.S., committed ground troops to the Korean Peninsula to prevent the collapse of South Korea. What today is known as the Korean Conflict lasted for three long years, and as no formal peace treaty was signed, the conflict remains unresolved in a “frozen” state of hostilities.
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