Candy Masterpiece

Candy Masterpiece is closing.

Owner Angie Bruskotter posted this week that after 25 years in business, she’s retiring from the candy business on Jan. 31.

Thrive Cycle

Thrive Cycle is moving after about a year in their current location next to Crooked Tree.

They’ll be relocating to 112 1st Ave. S., next to Hometana starting in January.

Business Bites: Boston’s closing, Old Chicago moving in; ThriveCycle opening downtown; Qdoba opens Friday; military arts day at Paris Gibson Square

Bloom and Bean

Bloom and Bean is now open at their new location, the former Real Deals, at 117 Park Drive S.

“We are currently in our soft opening phase, with a grand opening event scheduled to take place in the weeks leading up to Christmas. I appreciate your patience, Great Falls. The wait is finally over,” according to a post from Bloom and Bean.

Be Loved is also opening in the space.

Business Bites: seafood restaurant planned for former Black Bear Diner; new Panda Express opening; Black Eagle Country Club for sale; Chadwick mural dedication; Russell Museum events; Reichert celebration of life; and more

Tres65

Tres65 Celebration Studio is closing and are selling everything in the store, including all boutique items such as party supplies, celebration gifts, toddler and children’s toys, puzzles, baby and toddler clothes, and holiday party supplies.

Everything in the preschool and play cafe is also for sale, including toys, kids play furniture, shelving units, couches, chairs, stools, play kitchen sets, nugget couches, dress-up items, books, small-sized tables and chairs, rugs, school supplies, and crafts available.

Business Bites: Crooked Tree opening new location; KellerGeist reopening original location; downtown boutique opening; Tres65 has new owners; Jalisco Mexican Restaurant opening; Mighty Mo celebrating 10 years

They’ll be posting some of the items on their Instagram and Facebook stories

Their last day of operation is Dec. 20 but until then, hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays.

GYST House

The GYST House 2, a new residential treatment home for men, is accepting applications. The 30-day intensive treatment program is design to help participants overcome addiction.

The men’s home opened recently and is an addition to the The GYST House residential inpatient treatment home for women that opened last year with a 60-day program where participants learn skills to help them overcome their addictions.

For more information on the program and applying, call 406-315-2227 or email TheGYSTHouse@gmail.com.

Project Noel

The 5th annual Project Noel, hosted by Fresh Bread Productions and Speaking Socially is 2-4 p.m. Dec. 15 at Speaking Socially, 509 1st Ave. N.

The community is invited to meet Santa Claus and get free gifts.

Project Noel 2023

To prepare, Speaking Socially is hosting a toy drive through Dec. 6. The community can drop off new, unwrapped toys in their original packing at the office, 509 1st Ave. N.

Clear your stash

If you’ve got an absurd amount of yarn stashed away in bins under your bed, in closets or just in baskets, The Electric has the winter challenge for you.

If you’re a knitter or crocheter, use up old, mismatched or odds and ends of yarn to make scarves, hats, blankets and gloves or mittens.

Clear your stash craft challenge

Drop them at Speaking Socially at 509 1st Ave. N. and Jenn will distribute the items to first responders who will have them available in their vehicles for anyone in need during the winter months.

If we have enough donations, the next batch will go to the Benefis and the Great Falls Clinic for their emergency rooms.

After that, items will be distributed to Great Falls Public Schools and local nonprofits.

Jenn will accept items through the cold months, let’s say February to ensure as many items get to those in need as possible during the winter.

Business Bites: Times Square, Harlos have new owners; Station District food hall update; Hallmark closing; bubble tea coming; Vintage Sellers moving soon; Denny’s not closing; First Peoples Buffalo Jump hikes

If you don’t have a stash, but want to participate, visit our local yarn shops Yarn and Honey and The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers.

FDF will be hosting events related to the project this winter.

For questions, email jenn@theelectricgf.com.

Giving Tuesday

It’s giving Tuesday and a number of local nonprofits have organized fundraising requests to help meet their goals throughout the year. Check out your favorites to see how you can participate.

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

Former Ryan’s Cash and Carry

Since we’ve been asked dozens of times in recent weeks, yes, we know what’s happening at the former Ryan’s Cash and Carry at 833 Smelter Ave.

We reported in April that plans were back on for a car wash that had originally been proposed in 2022.

The applicant on the city permit is Kerry Parker with TCW out of Lehi, Utah.

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

Business Bites: Barges on the river; Loading Zone closing; car wash proposed for former Ryan’s Cash and Carry; Nourish kitchen moving; Signature Med Spa open; bakery opens; fitness equipment installed in Gibson Park; Jazz Night at The History Museum; Invest Downtown is Oct. 20 [2022]

Cascade Public Schools XCELL

Levi Collins, superintendent of Cascade Public Schools, said this week that their XCELL after-school program has run out of funding.

The program was initially funded by the 21st Century Grant, for which the district reapplied over the last two years, but has become more competitive and Cascade was not selected for funding, Collins said.

“Thanks to the creativity and dedication of our business manager, we were able to subsidize he program for an additional year and a half using alternative funding sources,” Collins said in an update to parents.

Business Bites: Broadway in Great Falls; food pantry donation; NWGF expands savings program; Old Chicago remodel underway; Wheat Montana expanding; Claire’s closing; medical degree, residency programs; human trafficking program

But those funds have been depleted and the district has no additional funding sources to continue the program beyond the end of December, unless alternative funding is procured or an outside organization wants to take over the program before the next school board meeting on Dec. 17.

If no additional funding is found, the district won’t have an after-school program beginning in January and families will need to make alternate arrangements.

Safety Town fundraiser

MacKenzie River Pizza is supporting Safety Town on Dec. 16.

Twenty percent of food purchases will go toward the program at Great Falls Public Schools’ Skyline Early Learning Family Center that’s open to children entering kindergarten in the fall.

Students learn, have fun at Safety Town

GFPS provides the program coordinator, instructor, location and student volunteers during the event.

GFPS students in the AutoCAD, carpentry, skills build and business classes are involved with drawing/construction of the mini village and creating the website.

Business Bites: Tony Roma’s opening in November; Kelly’s Signs for sale; GFDA working on potential $1.1 billion manufacturing project; First Peoples Buffalo Jump park seeking volunteers; and more

Pirates of Penzance

The CMR Performing Arts Department is performing the Gilbert and Sullivan comic operetta, The Pirates of Penzance in the Bill Williamson Hall Auditorium at CMR, this month.

Follow the adventures of a young man who has just completed his pirate apprenticeship, when he falls in love with a major general’s daughter and then becomes torn between his sense of duty to the pirates and his new love.

Evening performances are Dec. 5, 6, 13, 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Matinee performances are Dec. 7 , 14 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 ad the box office opens 30 minutes before showtime.

For more information call 406-268-6117.

Business Bites: New food hall opening in The Station District; Crown Room Casino new owners; The Press Club opening; Mac Attack kitchen takeover

Vintage Sellers moving

Vintage Sellers is preparing for their move to West Bank this winter and the signage on their new location is up.

Business Bites: Vintage Sellers, Yarn and Honey moving; Miss Linda’s registration open; Ranch at Milo Creek open house; optometrist opens; Evergreen Nutrition, Cozy Corner Cafe for sale; Back 2 School Blast

Stadium Sports Bar

Mi Rancho has closed in Stadium Sports Bar.

The casino is open daily 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. and the bar opens at 4 p.m.

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

Customers can bring in their own food or DoorDash for the month of December as they prepare their new menu.

Sip ‘n Dip trolley

The Sip ‘n Dip is launching a pedal trolley in April with historical city tours and pub tours.