Business Bites: Howard’s delivery; Buffalo Blanc car show; Wholesome Hal’s for sale; Big Sky Sips going mobile; Second Saturday; MDSB parking lot sale; Movie in the Park
Howard’s dropping delivery drivers
Howard’s Pizza is transitioning to DoorDash for deliveries beginning Aug. 18 and all delivery orders will have to be made online.
In a post, Howard’s said that insurance, fuel and maintenance costs are driving the decision.
Howard’s said that they’ll be able to use DoorDash’s infrastructure and reduce their overhead costs for running a fleet of vehicles.
“We acknowledge that this change may require an adjustment period for both our team and our customers. However, we are committed to maintaining the high standards of service that our customers expect. By partnering with DoorDash, we are poised to deliver a seamless experience while navigating the challenges of rising operational costs,” Howard’s said in a post. “As we move forward, we appreciate your understanding and support in this transition. Our goal remains to provide exceptional service, and quality products.”
Business Bites: “Does anybody know what’s being built…”
Car show at Buffalo Blanc
Buffalo Blanc is hosting a car show 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 9 at 1925 2nd Ave. S., in the old gym parking lot next door.
Check-in starts at 8 a.m. and awards will be presented at 2 p.m.
Award categories are: Great Falls High student choice, Buffalo Blanc owner’s choice and people’s choice.
Want to show your car? Contact Tara at 406-671-4078 or email tarajtronson@gmail.com to enter.
Apex Accelerator
Great Falls Regional APEX is hosting Montana APEX GovMatch 2025 Aug. 13.
The free, one-day in person event is open to businesses of all sizes and industries.
It’s the largest APEX matchmaking event in Montana, providing a unique opportunity to meet face-to-face with government buyers (at local, state and federal levels) and prime contractors, according to the Great Falls Development Alliance.
Forty government agencies and large contractors including the Forest Service, Army, Northrop Grumman and NASA are coming to connect with local businesses. More than 125 businesses have registered so far with more than 350 matchmaking meetings have already been scheduled, according to GFDA.
MDSB parking lot sale
The Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind’s Class of 2026 is hosting a parking lot sale to raise funds for their senior trip and they’re inviting the community to come shop, support and say hello.
The sale is Aug. 15-16, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days, at 3911 Central Ave.
Proceeds from the event will help students explore historical and cultural landmarks in the Black Hills of South Dakota, including Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial and other memorable destinations.
The class plans to stay together in a cabin during their trip and are working hard to make their travel dreams a reality, according to the school.
Thanks to generous donations, shoppers can expect to find a wide variety of items including toys, games, puzzles, clothing, household goods, books, baby items and more.
Wholesome Hal’s
Hallie Thompson created Wholesome Hal’s at 16 and over the last seven years, has graduated high school and college.
“The idea was to offer an inclusive space where anyone could come together to eat delicious and nutritious food. While my business and I have grown in the last seven years, I am proud to say that this core mission has always remained. The brand I built is simple–it’s just me, food and community,” she wrote in a post.
Now, she’s selling the business.
“It is time for me to pursue other things. I have applied to the Peace Corps and will be out of the country for two years if I get in,” she wrote.
She’ll be operating throughout August.
“I love this community and it has been an honor to serve and feed you all. I am excited to see what the future holds for Wholesome Hal (me) and Wholesome Hal’s (my business),” she wrote.
Anyone interested should email halliemthompson@outlook.com and pass it on to help her find a new owner.
Big Sky Sips
Big Sky Sips has closed in Pizazz with plans to go fully mobile.
She’ll be at the Great Falls Farmer’s Market starting Aug. 9.
Watch her Facebook page for updates.
Malmstrom contract
The 341st Contracting Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base has awarded contract for the repair of drainage and outfalls project to Shumaker Trucking & Excavating Contractors, Inc. for $3,510,640.
The period of performance for this award is 180 calendar days after receipt of notice to proceed for each phase.
Second Sunday
On Second Saturday, Aug. 9, The History Museum is hosting “Remains to be Seen: Relics of Great Falls Demolitions.”
With photos, video, and even building components held in the museum’s collection, Ashleigh McCann, collections curator, will discuss the history of a few noteworthy structures, including the Carnegie Library, the school annex building (exploded for the film Telefon), the 1st Avenue North bridge, YMCA building and others.
The free event will be in the Ozark Club in the museum at 1 p.m.
Following the presentation, McCann will lead a workshop on using the museum’s research center resources to research commercial properties. Workshop attendees will become familiar with using city and county records, Sanborn Insurance maps, and more to learn the history of commercial buildings and businesses.
The workshop is 2:30-4:30 p.m. Aug. 9 with 15 spots available. The fee is $20 for non-members and free for members.
Advance registration is required at 406-452-3462.
Lion’s FunFest
The annual Lion’s Family FunFest is Aug. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lions Park, at the corner of 10th Avenue South and 27th Street, hosted by the Great Falls Lions Club and Great Falls Park and Recreation.
The event is free thanks to the Lions and Sunrise Lions, plus local donors.
“It is the perfect event for families, neighbors, and friends to gather for a day filled with fun, food, entertainment, and celebration, with a special appearance by Louie the Lion, the Lions Club mascot,” according to organizers.
There’s a nominal fee for food.
The Great Falls Lions Club has worked for many years to raise funds for improvements to Lions Park, including:
- providing $10,000, along with a matching grant of $10,000 from the Park Trust Fund, to build a paved parking lot leading to the Lions Park shelter facility in 1999
- purchasing nearly 30 memorial trees for Lions members planted by Park and Rec
- doing general clean up in Lions Park
- raising $42,000 to purchase and install a new play structure at Lions Park in 2007 with the club and members donating more than $10,000
- raising more than $30,000 for the climbing boulder
- raising $3,200 for the new lion drinking fountain
Sign up to volunteer here.
Movies in the Park
The Gibson Park Snack Shack will be hosting Movie in the Park, Featuring “How to Train Your Dragon” on Aug. 15, weather permitting, in Gibson Park.
The movie will start around 9 p.m., as soon as it’s dark enough, near the bandshell.
The movie is free, so grab the lawn chairs or a blanket and take the family to the park for an evening under the stars.
The family friendly event will also include fun kids’ activities like face painting, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
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.
Pingback: Business Bites: Pizza Ranch hiring; Touch-A-Truck; Skate Jam; Windsor Plywood closing; - The Electric
Pingback: Business Bites: Amazon facility; barrel building; Dahl House moving; Pizazz’s new owner; Farmer’s Daughter Fibers anniversary party; Oktoberfest downtown; former Access Fitness plans - The Electric
Pingback: Business Bites: new downtown donut shop, Mexican restaurant in Classic 50’s; downtown U.S. Bank building for sale, consolidating with drive-through; Stadium Sports Bar for sale; holiday events and more - The Electric
Pingback: Business Bites: Texas Roadhouse hiring; catalyst redevelopment project; new United Way director; library foundation funding; Lego family build; U to You; Rogue gunshop; and more - The Electric