Business Bites: KellerGeist event space opening; pilates, boutique trunk show; Kegs and Eggs; Chik-fil-A update; Hopper and Ro switch; and more
KellerGeist
Kellergeist is opening their expanded space at 111 Central Ave. this weekend.
The bar opens at 4 p.m. June 13 and the 49th Street Blues Project takes the stage at 8 p.m.
On June 14, KellerGeist will be open for mimosas, beer and brats at 10 a.m. and the Eklegein Jam Band takes the stage at 8 p.m.
The Kellergeist building was built in 1887 as Albrecht’s Furniture, by William Albrecht, a German immigrant.
Many community groups in the space over the years and the Schalpers bought the building in 2018 with the intent of renovating.
COVID stalled their plans.
City approves TIF funds for KellerGeist remodel [2023]
“This has been a long project and we are happy to finally open the full first floor,” Matthias Schalper said.
The renovations include addition bar and seating space, new bathrooms, a new stage, fire suppression, new electric, plumbing and HVAC.
Kellergeiet will now be open seven days a week.
KellerGeist Pub Theater bringing German heritage back to historic building downtown [2018]
Trunk Show
The Blue Rose and GRAE+Co are holding a trunk show at the recently opened downtown pilates studio, Artfull Motion from 5-7 p.m. June 13.
Learn about pilates, sign up for classes and shop the newest arrivals from both boutiques.
Kegs and Eggs
5th and Wine is keeping the Feasting in the Falls fun alive through the summer with their new Kegs and Eggs brunch in honor of Father’s Day.
The event features a brunch with manly specials with some of your favorite breweries from Montana Brewfest sticking around to keep the taps flowing.
Brunch is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 15.
The regular menu is available with a $25 bottomless beer ticket for 12 beers from six breweries.
Their sister business, Vintage Sellers, will be doing giveaways throughout the week in honor of beer week.
Chik-fil-A
Chik-fil-A hasn’t submitted for a building permit yet, but due diligence work is continuing for the same site the company conducted a traffic study for, 711 10th Ave. S., according to the city planning department.
The city did not offer Chik-fil-A any land, as confirmed by the city planning department. Any sale, transfer or trade of city property requires a 4/5 affirmative commission vote through a public process.
Winco
City planning staff said they get periodic due diligence questions on the Winco project, but no formal paperwork has been submitted to the city.
Winco purchased the former Shopko property last year.
Texas Roadhouse
The former Fiesta En Jalisco at 1220 10th Ave. S. has been demolished.
Texas Roadhouse is building a new restaurant on that property in front of the Holiday Village Mall.
In April, the city planning office issued the permit for demolition and the new construction.
The civil case between Holiday Village Mall and Ross Dress for Less is ongoing.
GFFR conducting training with soon to be demolished structures; working to get new training center
Doyle stepping down at UP
Father Oliver Doyle, the 10th president of the University of Providence, is stepping down at the end of Jun after nearly six years in the position.
Doyle previously served as UP’s vice president for mission integration for three years and as the pastor of St. Ann’s Cathedral in downtown Great Falls for more than 20 years.
UP’s board of trustees has started planning for the transition by appointing an interim president and launching a national search for the next president.
Hooper and Ro closing
Hopper and Ro posted that they were closing and their last day in businesses is June 27.
Since then, they said that Flooring America and Dimensions cabinetry have partnered together to take on the daily operations of the Benjamin Moore paint store in the same location, 1209 15th St. N.
Great Falls Craft Beer Week
It’s Great Falls Craft Beer Week with tap takeovers, a golf scramble activities and culminating with Montana Brewfest on June 14.
The VIP hour is 4-5 p.m. and general admission is 5-8 p.m. on the 200 and 300 blocks of Central Avenue.
VIP tickets are $60, only 100 are available, and general admission is $40. Purchase tickets here or at the gate.
Rare Salon
Jourdyn Schmidt has opened Rare Salon at 422 9th St. S.
After seven years behind the chair, Schmidt has opened her new space.
“Rare Salon is a modern, welcoming hair-only salon designed to give you the kind of personalized, feel-good experience you deserve. From gorgeous color and lived-in cuts to hair extensions, Brazilian blowouts, and facial waxing — we’ve got you covered,” Schmidt said. “Whether you’re looking for a total transformation or a little refresh, you’ll feel right at home here. This space was built with care, creativity, and community in mind — and I can’t wait to share it with you.”
To book an appointment, call 406-836-2277.
Great Falls Hospital
Great Falls Hospital is hosting the Thoracic Oncology Mobile Experience (TOME) truck for a two-day experience June 9-10. This event includes free public tours on Monday and a private, invitation-only gathering on Tuesday.
The TOME truck is a 18-wheeler, 80,000-pound truck designed as a cutting-edge interactive mobile lab that brings state-of-the-art robotic systems and medical instruments to hospitals nationwide.
The free public tours are 5-7 p.m. June 9 at the Great Falls Clinic Specialty Center, 3000 15th Ave. S.
Visitors can explore the TOME truck, a mobile experience designed to engage, educate, and inspire with interactive exhibits and hands-on demonstrations highlighting cutting-edge technology that is revolutionizing lung cancer care through early detection.
Blewett Kicking Camp
Great Falls trial attorney Anders and Drew Blewett, from Hoyt and Blewett PLLC,are holding the 19th Blewett Kicking Camp, a free event, this month.
Anders played football at Harvard University and kicked on the Billings Outlaws 2006 National Indoor Championship Team.
Drew played for Tufts University.
They’ll be joined by former Montana State football players Trevor and Tyler Bolton and former Montana State University Northern football player Luke McKinley.
The free camp teaches the fundamentals of football’s kicking game, including field goal kicking, punting, and kickoffs and is the only camp of its kind offered in Montana.
The camps are held at the Paris Gibson Education Center football field, 2400 Central Ave. and are open to students in grades 8-12.
- June 11, 5:30-7 p.m.
- June 18, 5:30-7 p.m.
The Bolton brothers participated in the Blewett kicking camp as youths and now help run the camp each year.
“Kicking is probably the most overlooked aspect of the game of football,” Anders Blewett said in a release. “Whether they are soccer players or football players, we aim to get kids interested in the kicking game and improve their skills.”
Participants are encouraged to wear soccer cleats, or low-cut cleats and bring footballs and tees if they have them.
Please avoid high top footwear.
Participants may attend one or both sessions.
More information is here or contact the City of Great Falls Community Recreation Center at 801 2nd Ave. North or via telephone at 406-727-6099.
Author event
Cassiopeia Books and the Great Falls Public Library have partnered for an author event with Amy Grisak.
At 6 p.m. June 17, Grisak will be discussing her latest book, 100 Things to do in Bozeman before You Die, as well as her nature guide to Glacier Park and her book on found photographs of Yellowstone Park.
The event will be held in the library.
Critter Harmony
Critter Harmony is opening in the Times Square building, 525 Central Ave.
CyberMontana
CyberMontana, a program through the University of Montana, is coming to Great Falls June 20.
The event is open to the public and designed to raise cybersecurity awareness statewide.
The workshop is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a lunch break from noon to 1 p.m. at Great Falls College MSU, Room G45.
Morning topics include: password safety, multi-factor authentication, software updates and browser security.
Afternoon topics include: how to spot phishing, social media safety and remote work precautions.
New UP programs
The University of Providence has launched seven new program concentrations, beginning in the fall, designed to meet the growing demand for affordable, career-relevant education in Montana and beyond.
These include program concentrations in: AI literacy, business analytics, web design, esports and gaming administration, digital marketing, information technology and public health.
UP has partnered with Rize Education, a national partner who offers stackable concentrations in high-demand fields, to add the programs.
These program concentrations are built for traditional and non-traditional learners and as flexible programs, they’re ideal for recent high school graduates, adult learners, working professionals and career changers seeking to sharpen skills, according to UP.
Each Rize course requires about nine hours of work per week, including instructor-student interaction through video content, collaborative discussions, messaging, media review, and direct faculty engagement.
Fall enrollment is now open and more information about the concentrations through Rise is here.
Animal Shelter fundraiser
*Due to weather, this event has been moved to June 28.
Magpie is hosting Dad Bods Wash-A-Thon: Canines and Cars from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 21.
The event includes local dads donning cut-off neon tank tops, Hawaiian shirts, fanny packs, snapback hats, wraparound sport shares and others to support the Great Falls Animal Shelter.
Bring your ride, your pup, or both for a fresh summer scrub.
With a suggested donation of $10 per wash, all proceeds go to helping the animals at the shelter.
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