Updated July 16

Panera

Demolition of the former JBs started this week to make way for a new Panera location at 1322 10th Ave. S.

Business Bites: Chik-fil-A files traffic study, Winco, Panera, Ocean Star Seafood, local wins Emmy Award, United Way surpasses fundraising goal, Christian bookstore opens in the mall

The property was purchased by Pan Montana, the Panera franchise in Montana that owns the other locations in Billings, Missoula, Kalispell and Helena.

City planning staff said Panera’s building permit it still in review and they’re waiting on the restaurant’s second submittal, so it’s likely at least three more weeks before construction is permitted.

Business Bites: Elevation closing; Panera files for building permit; Safety Town registration open; Clearwater planning downtown construction to start this summer

Great Clips

Cost Cutters is becoming a Great Clips sometime soon, according to the banner at the shop.

Business Bites: Hometana’s new location; basketball facility; economic development conference; summer open house; counseling office moves; Cost Cutters closing

Vintage shop

The Collective-Vintage Emporium is opening Aug. 1 at 522 Central Ave.

Take 5

Take 5 oil change is now open at 1300 10th Ave. S. seven days a week.

Business Bites: Take 5 oil change construction; Loading Zone demolition; Pizza Ranch update; Strunk selected for business program; new Honey Hippo location; Press Club move; art classes at The Square; leprechaun trap at GF Rec Center; Community Band concerts; Fire Within

Pizza Ranch

There’s no firm opening date for the new Pizza Ranch, in the former Joann space at 2515 10th Ave. S.

Tim Mazzaferro told The Electric at the end of June that they’re projecting sometime in September, but it’s dependent on construction, which is currently underway.

Business Bites: Pizza Ranch official; hot pots going into former MT Pints; Cascade Wholesale Meats rebranding and expanding; Great Falls Theatre Company summer show; Mi Rancho new location; Subaru flagpole; job fair; Fiber Forum; library programs; art exhibition opening [2024]

Glass Bucket

The owners of Magpie have opened a speakeasy section, the Glass Bucket, with specialty cocktails in the same location, open from 5 p.m. to midnight.

Business Bites: 5th and Wine going Italian; Al Banco moves; Magpie expands; Ignite; conservation district office nearing completion; antique shop closing; Sun Prairie water, sewer rate increase; exhibition closing at The Square [2024]

NorthWestern Energy customer service office move

NorthWestern Energy’s customer service office in Great Falls has moved to 1 1st Ave. S. in downtown.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and offers:

• walk-in service for in-person assistance
• drive-thru for quick and easy payments
• drop box for after-hours payment drop-offs

The new location is across the street from the city’s utilities department at the Civic Center, making it easy for customers to pay both their energy and water bills in one trip.

NorthWestern Energy offers a variety of billing and payment options.

Montana Swim Academy

Montana Swim Academy is opening a location in Great Falls starting Sept. 9.

Those interested should take the swimmers quiz to see times for classes and monthly tuition.

406 Leather and More

406 Leather and More is closing its storefront in the Times Square building.

“After much thought, prayer, and effort, we’ve made the decision to close our leather and vintage shop. Unfortunately, we simply haven’t been able to bring in enough income to pay for the fuel to get here let alone keep the doors open,’ owners Jody and Jennifer Cordell wrote in a Facebook post. “This isn’t goodbye… it’s just a shift. You’ll still be able to shop with us online, and we’ll continue to show up at local events, markets, and pop-ups with the same unique, vintage, and handmade treasures you’ve come to love. Any gift certificates will also be redeemable at these avenues.”

They’ve marked down items as they close the store and they’re open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Downtown building for sale

The property at 720 Central Ave. is for sale for $150,000.

“Get in while you can and join the busy business atmosphere that is showing great signs of the up-and-coming Great Falls downtown district. A variety of businesses are on the same block that could bring in new customers for your business. There is a beauty salon, a restaurant, a flower studio, a local watering hole, co-working space/event space, an attorney firm and others all on the 700 block. Many well attended annual parades and other local events happen right out front on Central Avenue that can bring even more attention to your business! There is an area in the back of the building for a few off street parking spots as well,” according to the listing.

Wine tasting

5th and Wine is hosting a wine tasting with Punctum Organic Family Vineyards, a family-run estate in Spain committed to sustainable, biodynamic and organic winemaking.

The tasting is July 22 at 6 p.m. for $90 per person or $80 for wine club members.

Reservations are required, call 406-761-9463.

The tasting includes six wines paired with with five summer-inspired courses prepared by 5th’s culinary team.

New director for Lewis and Clark Foundation

Kelly Paladino has been selected as the new director for the Lewis and Clark Foundation, replacing Elizabeth Moore, who is retiring July 31.

Paladino has served as the foundation’s director of sales and special events for the last four years, and previously served as development director at the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art; director of the Dr. Noble Irwin Healthcare Foundation and director of Big Brother Big Sisters, both in Canada.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead this incredible organization into its next chapter,” Paladino said in a release.

The Lewis and Clark Foundation supports the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center by securing funds for onsite and educational programming, staffing, and facility enhancements.

Moore is retiring after serving as director for the past four years.

“I have loved every minute of the nearly 13 years I’ve been with the foundation, and it will be hard to step away
from a mission for which I’ve developed such a passion. The volunteers and staff have become a second family. I know I’m leaving it in great hands and I’m excited to see where Kelly takes it,” Moore said in a release.

Season announcement

The Great Falls Theatre Company is holding their 2025-2026 season announcement party at 5 p.m. July 30 at Haute Hive, 721 Central Ave.

Book launch

Leslie Venetz, a Great Falls native, is launching her debut book, Profit Generating Pipeline, Aug. 5 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at The Station.

The launch party is free to attend with a pre-book purchase, otherwise tickets can be purchased for $35 per person.

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.