Business Bites: Old Chicago opening; McDonald’s, Homegrown Dental building new locations; wellness event; belly dancing class; disc golf tournament; Sunday Sampler; Fastsigns moves
Asian Mix
Asian Mix is opening April 17 in the food court in Holiday Village Mall.
Old Chicago
Old Chicago Pizza and Taproom, in the former Boston’s location that’s been renovated, opens April 14 at 11 a.m.
Soda Station
Soda Station opened April 12 in the former Starbucks at 1000 10th Ave. S., drive-through only.
McDonald’s has submitted permit applications to the city for a new location in the east end Walmart complex at 5300 10th Ave. s.
Homegrown Dental
Homegrown Dental submitted a permit to build a new building at 911 7th Ave. S.
Wellness event
Wellsprings Health in Motion, Blue Feather Chiropractic, Grace and Grind Fitness, Healthy Renewal Spa, Harmony in the Falls Yoga Studio, 2Js Fresh Market, Hello Gorgeous, and more are hosting a wellness event from 1-7 p.m. April 10.
The event includes raffles and giveaways, live demonstrations, free consultations and complementary services, food, goodies and more.
The event marks the grand opening and a 10th anniversary of businesses in the complex at 105 Smelter Ave. N.E.
12 Angry Jurors
The C.M. Russell High School drama department presents 12 Angry Jurors in the CMR Commons April 25-26.
The performance looks at a jury deliberation for a case involving a 19-year-old boy who has been accused of fatally stabbing his father. “The juror’s final verdict and how they reach it will keep you on the edge of your seats. It is a masterpiece of dramatic literature,” according to the school’s drama department.
Showtimes are:
- April 25: 7:30 p.m.
- April 26: 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Seating is limited to 100 seats per show.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for students and seniors. Payment must be cash or checks made out to CMR Drama, no debit or credit cards are accepted.
The box office opens 30 minutes before showtime. Reserved tickets not picked up 15 minutes before showtime will be released.
To reserve tickets or for more information call 406-268-6117.
Teen night
The Great Falls Rec Center is hosting a teen night April 25 from 5:45-10:30 p.m.
This month’s night features a life-sized battleship tournament that students can participate in or just spend time with friends.
Concessions will be available for purchase in the cafe and the game room will be open with various activities.
Drop off is allowed after registering students here.
There’s a $5 fee per student and the event is open to grades 5-12.
Benefis senior facility
Benefis Health System is moving forward on a 15,000-square-foot outpatient senior health facility near their existing campus on 10th Avenue South this spring. A rendering of the new facility, provided by Benefis, is below, as well as a location map.
Benefis implementing new records management system [2024]
The Healthy Aging Center will be next door to the Women’s and Children’s Center on 10th Avenue South.
Benefis recently submitted permit applications to the city for the project.
The purpose of the center is to bring together geriatric specialist and services focused on supporting healthy maintenance through aging, promoting patients’ continued independence. The center will address issues of nutrition, medication, cognitive health, and mobility with dedicated specialists focused on care gaps in prevention and adaptation to issues that come with aging, according to Benefis.
Benefis’ project to remodel a building at the corner of 2900 10th Ave. S. into the urgent care clinic has stopped.
Kaci Husted, a Benefis senior vice president, told The Electric that they started construction but ran into structural issues with the building so it was demolished and they’re forgoing the project.
Urgent care will remain in its current location.
The demolished property will remain as is for now.
Belly dancing class
This spring, Kat Houseman is teaching a belly dancing workshop at the Scheels Aim High Big Sky Aquatic and Recreation Center.
The workshop began April 2 and there are remaining classes on April 9, 16 and 23 at 6:30 p.m. The class is $40.
This series of classes will focus on essential belly dance techniques, including hip work, shimmies, and undulations, as well as proper dance posture and body isolations. Each class begins with a full-body warm-up, so be sure to wear comfortable clothing and enough water to stay refreshed.
Throughout the workshop, participants will learn four foundations moves commonly used in improvisational delly dance formats. Classes will also place an emphasis on fluid and expressive arm and hand movements.
To register, call the facility at 406-727-6099, or visit in person at 900 29th St. S. or you can register online.
Disc golf tournament
The Electric City Disc Golf Club is hosting its second annual Maiden Montana Women’s Disc Golf Tournament on May 17.
The tournament is open to female players ages 6 years and older and is welcoming to players of all skill levels.
The goal of this tournament is to create a fun and comfortable environment for women competing in disc golf. New players are encouraged to join.
The tournament includes two rounds, one at Warden Park at 9 a.m. and the second at SilverThorn disc golf course at about 2 p.m. Lunch is provided between rounds.
The Electric City Disc Golf Club can provide introductory training clinics to anyone wishing to learn the sport prior to
the event.
Text Maggie at 406-239-1469 to schedule a training event for yourself or your group, have any questions or want to donate raffle items or monetary support.
Register for the tournament here.
Malmstrom contract
The 341st Contracting Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base awarded a task order off of the contract for the Helo Trainer Fire Alarm Panel project to Geranios Enterprises Inc. of Great Falls for $25,000. The period of performance for this award is April 16-25.
Children’s Museum
The Children’s Museum of Montana is continuing its search for a new building and its rebrand.
In the meantime, they’re hosting popups around town. Watch their page for updates.
They’ve also got a fundraiser with Crumbl Cookie from 5-7 p.m. April 9 when 15 percent of your purchase goes toward the museum.
The museum is also participating in the Sunday Sampler on April 13 and will be at the Great Falls Public Library from 1-4 p.m. with an interactive kids activity.
The museum hired Josey Koke Designs for their rebranding.
Children’s Museum closing current location while continuing search for new home [2024]
Joelle Owen, of the museum, told The Electric that they’re seriously looking at a location, but are in talks with the seller and the bank.
She said they’re still looking for donors to help with the purchase of the building and once the location is identified, they’ll announce it publicly.
Light the Night vigil
The University of Providence and Healthy Colleges Montana is holding the first Light the Night candlelight vigil to honor sexual assault victims and survivors on April 10, beginning at 8 p.m. at Providence Plaza in front of the student center. University faculty, staff, students and families are welcome to attend.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and HCM student leaders will provide information and resources to those in attendance. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, more than 90-percent of sexual assaults go unreported. Among college women, nine out of 10 victims of rape and sexual assault know their offender.
“Our goal is to empower survivors as well as foster prevention efforts. UP promotes a culture of respect and consent as we create a safer campus and community. We want survivors to know that they are not alone and that their experiences are valid. By educating students about consent, healthy relationships, and bystander intervention, we can create a culture where sexual violence is less likely to occur,” Nikki Lewis-Clark, UP campus advocate counselor, said in a release.
Sunday Sampler
The Great Falls Museums Consortium is hosting the Sunday Sampler on April 13 with 12 locations to visit for free.
The locations include The History Museum, C.M. Russell Museum, Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art, Great Falls Public Library, Children’s Museum of Montana (at the library), Montana Museum of Railroad History, University of Providence, Ursuline Center, Sun River Valley Historical Society, Malmstrom Air Force Base Museum, First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.
Families and friends who would like to visit three or more museums are encouraged to join the Consortium Scavenger Hunt and become eligible to win prizes.
Sunday Sampler flyers and scavenger hunt questions are included in this week’s Great Falls Public School’s Wednesday Envelope. To play, participants need to visit at least three museums and, at each museum, have their flyer stamped and correctly answer the scavenger hunt questions on the back of the flyer. Completed flyers can be turned in at
the last museum visited to be entered in a series of drawings; winners will be contacted the following week.
Artfull Motion pilates
Artfull Motion Pilates is opening at 18 5th St. S.
Owner Maya Babish is hosting an open house 3-6 p.m. April 12 to learn more about pilates and the studio.
Club Cigar
The Club Cigar at 208 Central Ave. is doing façade work and renovating some of the front interior space with a permit issued in January. They are working with the city planning on TIF funding through the building program, which is administered by staff.
Toilet for Wadsworth Park
On April 11 at 10:30 a.m., the Great Falls Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited of Montana will receive and install the first double vaulted toilet at Wadsworth Park.
The chapter has been involved in improving Wadsworth Park for more than 30 years and was involved in the purchase and physical installation of the current handicapped accessible dock as well as receptacles for used fishing line around the pond.
The chapter also participates in kids’ fishing days at the park.
Brenda Hanson, chapter president, identified the need for a permanent toilet at Wadsworth Park several years ago and has worked to get it approved by Great Falls Park and Recreation, funded and installed.
United Way of Cascade County, United Way of Hill County merge
United Way of Cascade County and United Way of Hill County have merged to expand their reach and ability to serve even more individuals and families.
“We are very excited of the potential the merger gives our community,” United Way of Hill County Board Chair Megan Obrecht said in a release. “Joining together allows us access to many new resources and the ability to really focus on the needs of our community.
“We really believe that together we can make a bigger impact in both our communities.”
The merger will allow both United Ways to:
- maximize resources: By combining efforts, the organizations can increase funding and operational efficiency, ensuring more support is directed to local programs and initiatives
- expand community impact: The unified organization will now have a larger footprint, enabling more outreach and service across both counties, with an expanded network of partners and volunteers
- local control: Local programs and initiatives remain the priority of both United Ways
- local board members and volunteers determine goals, direction and how to invest local donations
“We’ve always believed in the power of community and collaboration,” United Way of Cascade County Past Board Chair Tom Hering said in a release. “This merger strengthens our ability to be a catalyst for positive change in our region. It also ensures that donations raised in our communities will directly benefit our neighbors, making a difference where it matters most.”
While United Way of Hill County is just starting its community impact work, United Way of Cascade County began bringing resources and stakeholders together to address local challenges in 2008.
In the years since, United Way of Cascade County has grown initiatives that address academic success, homelessness, child abuse and more. United Way of Cascade County President Gary Owen has led the organization for 25 years, growing its annual fundraising campaign to $1.2 million, which is the largest United Way campaign in the state.
“Together, we can create a more powerful, unified organization that can better serve our neighbors in Cascade and Hill counties,” Owen said in a release. “By combining our resources and expertise, we can amplify our efforts, reach more individuals and families in need and create lasting change.”
United Way of Hill County Regional Director Danielle Golie will continue her work to unite people and resources in greater Hill County to improve the lives of people who live there and deliver measurable impact in the areas of healthy communities, youth opportunities, financial success and community resilience.
Three current United Way of Hill County board members, Obrecht, Kim Cripps and Joe LaPlante, will join the United Way of Cascade County board. United Way of Hill County will also form an advisory board that will help guide and advance its impact work.
To support this work, people can send gifts directly to United Way at P.O. Box 1343, Great Falls, MT 59403 or donate online via their secure website.
High school baseball
The Great Falls Advocates for High School Baseball are fundraising to bring high school baseball to Great Falls Public Schools.
The district set funding thresholds that must be met to start baseball in 2026, which are:
- July 1: startup costs: $101,000
- Nov. 30: first year program costs: $95,050
As of April 9, the group had raised $22,500, according to their Facebook page.
Individuals and businesses can donate here by selecting “restricted” from the drop-down menu and note “high school baseball initiative” in the comment box.
Fastsigns
Fastsigns of Great Falls has moved a few doors down from their old location.
They’ve moved to 2600 16th St. N.E. in Black Eagle, doubling their square footage to 10,000 square feet.
Got a business bite? Email it to jenn@theelectricgf.com with “business bite” in the subject line and the details in text form in the body of the email.
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