Station District

The Station District is gearing up for initial move-ins in early October.

The new construction residential project added on to the historic Milwaukee Station includes 121 apartment units.

The development also includes new drinking and dining options that are looking to open this winter.

Tyson Holzheimer, a Great Falls native, is heading up the culinary side of the project in the new commercial hub that connects the historic depot to the new residential construction.

The new space includes four concepts:

• Italian deli: with pizza, charcuterie boards, salads, muffaletta sandwiches
• Mexican: barbacoa, pork carnitas and more, similar to the booth he had at the fair the last two summers
• Pan-Asian: build your own bowl, pick base and protein, plus small plates like pan fried veggie dumplings, chicken skewers and pork belly bao buns
• American: burgers, brats, chicken sandwiches, fries

Inside the Station District food hall, there will be two areas with screens for ordering from all four concepts, Holzheimer said. Customers can walk up, order from any or all of the four concepts, swipe their card, enter their phone number and get a text when their order is ready.

The food hall, bar and coffee shop will be open to the public.

Business Bites: Apartments proposed for Dick’s RV Park; Crooked Tree opening second location; Mise en Place open; Great Falls Clinic optical center closing; Gibson, Milwaukee Station, Alluvion construction underway; Malmstrom contract; Prewett Creek RV Park winterized

The food hall concept is inspired in part by a food hall he frequented in Las Vegas, but is a unique concept for Great Falls and Montana, he said.

Holzheimer said he came on board to the project late in the game and said, let’s do something different, which delayed the opening, but they’ll be up and running this winter.

The food hall is using locally sourced beef from Willo Ranch in Cascade, which is owned by the Leach family, who are also partners in the Station District project with the Lindseth brothers.

A local company out of Superior is making the hot dogs, salami and brats out of the Wagyu beef, he said.

Easements approved for Milwaukee Station project [2020]

The space includes a games area with old school arcade games, shuffleboard, ski ball and televisions throughout, he said.

The main dining area opens to a patio space overlooking city parkland and the Missouri River with seating for about 70, including a smaller area with overhead cover and space heaters for an extended patior season, he said.

The Station District group is working with the city to use some of the green space to develop pickleball courts, bocce ball and other yard games, Holzheimer said.

A coffee shop is being built into the space with about 30 seats and display case for grab and go foods, but also a small kitchen for inhouse dining. Holzheimer said he’s still working to find a local contractor to operate the space.

The development includes a fifth floor lounge and patio area for residents.

Nestled within the food hall area is a 24-seat bar with 24 taps and seasonal cocktails that will be reflective of the four food concepts.

Milwaukee Station zone change approved [2020]

Half the taps will be Montana beers and the other half imports, plus wine, with a lounge area off the bar.

Overflow seating will be available on the mezzanine level that spills onto a deck with river views, plus an event space that can house about 20 to 70 people, Holzheimer said.

Future plans include golf simulators on the ground floor, a lounge area and a space that’s too be determined that opens on to the existing patio and water feature area outside what was formerly the Chicago Title office.

Holzheimer said eventually, they plan to host bands, weddings and other events in the outdoor space.

Holzheimer has been selling meat for the last decade and is working to add a meat vending machine in space between the food hall and residential building. He’s still on the hunt for the right machine, but once he finds it, intends to stock it with locally sourced meats.

Planning board approves rezone for Milwaukee Station [2020]

Holzheimer is from Great Falls, moved away to Alaska for college, later working at the Yellowstone Club, then moving to Denver where he was a corporate chef for Snooze: an A.M. Eatery where he met Scott Bauer and the two opened Butcher’s Bistro in Denver. He created Colorado Craft Butchers in 2017. He spent the last seven years as the culinary director Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Art.

As the food hall at Milwaukee Station prepares to open, Holzheimer said he’s cooking for private dinners and doing popups around town to give the community and tenants an idea of what’s coming.

One of those chances to preview Holzheimer’s food is during the Oct. 3 fundraiser shopping event when GRAE + CO is collaborating with The Blue Rose from 4-7 p.m. with 15 percent off storewide and 15 percent of all sales from both shops going to Oliver, a local teen with beta-mannosidosis in support of the Lost Enzyme Project.

Crown Room Casino 

Crown Room Casino has new owners.

Nate Hoines, a local lawyer, and Seth Swingley, owner of Mighty Mo Brew Pub, have purchased the casino at the corner of 10th Avenue South and 6th Street.

Business Bites: Rocky Mountain building for sale; gymnastics academy closed; Cup Bop, Cambridge Court for sale; Malmstrom contract; Front Agency opens in Fairfield; Eagle Scout paints Memorial Stadium; permits issued and more

The Press Club