Firehouse Steamers

Firehouse Steamers is listed for sale as “a turnkey food operation with premium location,” at 900 9th St. S.

For more inquiries on a purchase, call Dean at 406-770-9743.

Fresh Rescue Community Kitchen

Fresh Rescue Community Kitchen is opening soon at 513 2nd Ave. S. as part of St. Vincent de Paul’s operation to provide meals to those in need.

Joann Fabric

Construction is underway at the Holiday Village Mall for the space that Joanns will be moving into.

A spokeswoman for Joann Fabrics told The Electric earlier this summer that the existing store is liquidating and closing on June 23.

Business Bites: News and Brews; Thursday night markets at new city pool; kite festival; The Music Man; Cushing Terrell acquires engineering firm; veteran commendations; games at the library; Paris Gibson Square gift; swim lesson registration; junior rangers

She said that the company is opening a new store later this year.

City planning said Joann pulled a permit in 2022 for 1200 10th Ave. S., in the Holiday Village Mall, and has not made any changes to the location in their office.

Scheels

We saw again last week that the rumor persists that Scheels is building a new standalone store in Great Falls.

Per Wendy Lee, marketing manager at the Great Falls Scheels, told The Electric, “nope, nope, nope – we are staying put.”

Business Bites: JBs closed; Craft Beer Week; Lewis and Clark Festival; Chase Your Dreams closing; Big Sky Big Dreams for sale; Prairie Mountain River Adventures; Pizza Ranch, Joann updates; Juneteenth; Giant Springs activities; Arts on Fire; Big Dipper, arcade open; Yarn and Honey moving

Saddles and Spurs

The C.M. Russell Museum is hosting its annual Saddles and Spurs family event at the museum 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 20.

The event includes crafts, music and hands-on demonstrations from artists and artisans.

Museum admission is free all day.

Aisling Hotels

Aisling Hotels has remodeled and reopened the former Midtown Motel at 526 2nd Ave. N and also the neighboring Maryland Apartments at 512 2nd Ave. N.

Old Chicago

Old Chicago is moving into the former Boston’s.

The opening is still a ways off, according to company spokesman, likely winter.

Business Bites: second locations for Wendy’s, Coffee Republic; Old Chicago planning summer opening; traffic signal box art; housing; MSU nursing school; MT41 casino opens; new diner; and more

Mall food court

Montana Julius is opening at the old Orange Julius location in Holiday Village Mall with mac and cheese, pizza, pretzels and hot dogs.

Winco

Yes we’ve also heard the rumors about Winco, but at this point have nothing official to report. We’ve heard the same rumor since 2021, which we’ve checked on regularly, according to our email history. When we have something reportable, and we’re talking permits, a property sale, or confirmation by the company, we’ll report it.

Business Bites: Spirit Halloween open; new downtown tire shop; Ginger Day; free haircuts at the Man Cave

We also got a flyer from Winco recently advertising deals and that the company is hiring. A check of their career section on their website shows no jobs for the Great Falls area.

Winco’s corporate communications director hasn’t responded to The Electric’s messages yet.

Alberstons

Yes, we’ve also seen the list of Albertsons stores, including the one on 3rd Street Northwest, if the Albertsons-Kroger merger goes through.

The store has not been sold yet and is dependent on whether the merge is allowed to proceed.

The merger was announced in October 2022 and the Federal Trade Commission sued in February to stop the merger.

In a statement earlier this year, Kroger said, “no store closures or frontline associates laid off as a result of the merger. In addition, Kroger will invest an incremental $1 billion to raise wages and comprehensive benefits for all associates post-close. As the identified divestiture buyer, C&S Wholesale Grocers has also committed to recognize the union workforce and maintain all collective bargaining agreements, and is committed to retaining frontline employees and further investing for growth.”

Several states have also filed lawsuits to block the merger.

We are tracking the case and will provide updates as applicable.

Daydream Boutique

Daydream Boutique is reopening July 25 at their new location at 611 Central Ave.

Development Rumors: What’s real, what’s not [2022]

Rise N’ Dine

Rise N’ Dine is temporarily closed as they’re renovating a different space in the building and plan to reopen at the end of the summer with a different name.

JL’s Diecast, Hobbies and More

JL’s Diecast, Hobbies and More is closing at the end of July.

The shop is located in the Times Square building.

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

YWCA

The YWCA is temporary halting donation acceptance until July 29 due to an influx of donations, but a lack of space and volunteers.

They’re looking for volunteers to help sort through the donations and are still accepting monetary donations.

Crystal Casino

Crystal Casino opened at 906 14th St. S on July 16.

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

Stuff the Bus

United Way is collecting school supplies and living essentials as part of its annual Stuff the Bus drive on Aug. 8.

More than 100 volunteers will be at one of three buses donated by Big Sky Bus Lines that are parked at Target and both Walmarts.

Supplies collected through community drives and from shoppers that day will be given to local kids through the public schools and area nonprofits.

This year’s Stuff the Bus will also provide supplies for the Back 2 School Blast on Aug. 16.

The Back 2 School Blast will have free food, free haircuts, free backpacks and more from noon to 4 p.m. at the Civic Center. Kids who haven’t pre-registered for backpacks are still able to get one on a first come basis.

“Many of our kids need more than crayons and calculators,” Kim Skornogoski, United Way’s marketing director, said in a release. “We know that if students don’t have shampoo to wash their hair, or have a toothache from not brushing their teeth, they can’t focus as well in the classroom.”

Many lessons involve computers and other technology, making inexpensive earbuds or headphones as important as notebooks and pencils.

Now in its 15th year, the Stuff the Bus event has grown, reaching more and more students in need.

Skornogoski said last year people donated more than 15,000 items.

“Each year, the community amazes us with their generosity,” Skornogoski said. “And as a result, we are able to help more and more kids.”

Topping the list of needed items are backpacks, composition notebooks, earbuds and dry erase markers.

People can volunteer, find a list of needed supplies and donate here.

Donations can also be mailed to P.O. Box 1343, Great Falls, MT 59403. To sponsor a student is $50.

Got a business bite? Email it to jenn@theelectricgf.com with ‘business bite’ in the subject line and the details in text form.