Planet Earth

Planet Earth is closing.

After 32 years, owner Beth Evenson has decided to close the downtown shop.

“It’s time for the next chapter of my life,” she said. “It’s been a good long run.”

She hasn’t set a final date for closing but starting Sept. 9. merchandise and jewelry will be 25 percent off.

Business Bites: Pomodoro opening; new owner for The Living Room; Three Moons opening downtown; Nosh owner selected for national program; Great Falls Clinic foundation needs sheets, towels; events in city, state parks and more

Roadhouse Diner

Roadhouse Diner has new owners.

Tara and Jason Beam opened the restaurant in 2015 and recently sold it to longtime employee Danica Gliko and her husband Dillon.

Elevation 3330

Elevation 3330 is holding a grand opening Sept. 19 and in the meantime, are open beginning Sept. 9.

They’ll open at 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturday and close at 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 11:59 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

Building owner Jason Madill said they plan to expand hours of operation as they gain momentum.

The bar is under new ownership and management with a new kitchen area, new menu and drink specials, Madill said.

Business Bites: Pizza Ranch hiring; Touch-A-Truck; Skate Jam; Windsor Plywood closing;

Little Red Truck Cottage Market

The Little Red Truck Cottage Market is Sept. 12-13 in Great Falls.

Their autumn market will be in the Trades and Industries building at Expo Park with more than 60 vendors.

VIP/early bird shopping is Friday from 5-8 p.m. with complimentary hard or regular cider. The fee is $10, which also gets you in free on Saturday.

On Saturday, the market is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a $5 entrance free, but kids 12 and under are free.

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

Pizza Ranch

Pizza Ranch is opening Sept. 22 in the former Joann store at 2515 10th Ave. S.

Broadway in Great Falls

The 2025-2026 Broadway in Great Falls season includes Mannheim Steamroller Christmas on Dec. 3 and Tina, the Tina Turner Musical, on Feb. 10.

More information is available here.

Business Bites: “Does anybody know what’s being built…”

Downtown historical walking tours

The History Museum and Research Center is hosting a series of guided walking tours showcasing the Lower Northside Residential Historic District.

The district is the original Great Falls townsite, located on the north side of the central business district and features 257 buildings that contribute to the city’s history.

Queen Annes, Colonial Revivals, Tudor, and Arts and Crafts are just some of the architectural designs featured in this stately district.

Business Bites: Best Wok reopen; Ramble Inn for sale; Peres Food Basket; summer sidewalk sale and more

Join expert tour guides Carol Bradley and Mike McCleary on one of three weekend tours, each offering a unique perspective on the district’s rich history and stately homes.

Tour Dates and Times:

• Sept. 14 at 2 p.m. with Carol Bradley
• Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. with Carol Bradley
• Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. with Mike McCleary

Register for tours by calling 406-452-3462 or by visiting the museum during regular hours Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and during Second Saturdays noon to 5 p.m.

The fee is $8 for museum members and $10 for non-members. Tour groups are limited to 15 people.

Business Bites: Great Clips, vintage shop, Pizza Ranch, wine tasting, GF Theatre Company season announcement; new L&C Foundation director; and more

Author event

Join Cassiopeia Books at the Great Falls Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 16 to hear three Montana based poets-Charles Finn, Sean Hill and Great Falls’ own Amy Rae Pearson, talking about poetry and reading from their collections.

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

New mortgage broker

With deep Montana roots and over a decade of experience in mortgage, commercial, and agricultural finance, Brooke brings unmatched insight, and dedication to every client she serves. A licensed mortgage broker and certified residential appraiser, Wheeler offers a combination of lending expertise and valuation knowledge—giving her clients a clear edge in today’s competitive market through Adaxa Mortgage Brokerage.

Adaxa is dedicated to giving buyers, owners and investors the level of professional service they deserve throughout the real estate financing process. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or seasoned investor, they focus on creating a simple, transparent, and insightful experience while connecting you with the most competitive financing options available from today’s top lenders.

Adaxa NMLS 2380533

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

Yarn shop grand opening

Mountain Colors Yarn is hosting a grand opening Sept. 20-21, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days at 610 Central Ave. with giveaways, trunk shows and more.

Sweet Junes

Sweet Junes has opened in the Times Square building at 525 Central Ave. selling a variety of freeze dried candies.

Business Bites: Bird Scooters leaving; Beacon for sale; new owners for Montana Home Journal; Cassiopeia Books holding pint night; library hosting multiple events; reptile shop coming; brownie kitchen open; new Touro dean and more

Alcove Baking Co.

The owners of Alcove Baking Co. are moving and closing their operation in Great Falls.

No Limit’s new location

No Limit Auto and Tire has a new location at 545 Vaughan S. Frontage Rd.

Putt Putt for a Cause

United Way of Cascade County is hosting a fundraiser with 12 mini putt putt holes at their pacesetter businesses.

Grab a putt putt passport at any participating location for $10.

Visit the locations, play the holes and get your passport stamped.

Complete three across to be entered to win level one prizes, four down to be entered to win level two prizes and blackout to be entered to win grand prizes.

Complete you passport by Sept. 14 to be eligible.

Participating locations:

• Bravera Bank: 1019 7th St. S.
• City Motor Company: 3900 10th Ave. S.
• Columbia Grain: 120 1st Ave. N.
• Great Falls College: 2100 16th Ave. S.
• Hub International: 400 Park Drive S.
• Independence Bank: 901 River Drive N.
• JCCS: 501 Park Drive S.
• Montana Credit Union: 15 14 St. S.
• Neighborwork Great Falls: 509 1st Ave. S.
• Pinion: 21 10th St. S.

*NW Energy and United Way of Cascade County had their holes at the kickoff. They are considered free spaces.

Baatz Block Apartments opening

NeighborWorks Great Falls and Homeward have completed the renovations to the Baatz Block Apartments at 400 2nd Ave. S. and are hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. Sept. 15.

“The Baatz Block Apartments are more than a building restored—they are a promise fulfilled,” Sherrie Arey, NWGF director, said in a release. “By transforming a once-blighted property into permanent supportive housing, we are providing dignity, stability and hope to neighbors who need it most. This project demonstrates what is possible when community partners come together to invest in both housing and people.”

Built in 1913, this once blighted property has been renovated into 25 permanent supportive housing apartments. Construction began in the fall of 2023, and the building has been restored to preserve much of its original appearance, including the storefront windows and original flooring.

Baatz project nearing completion, leasing to start this summer

“This is a critical step in addressing housing insecurity across Montana,” Karissa Trujillo, Homeword director, said in a release. “We’re creating stability for people who need it most, while also reducing long-term public costs in healthcare, emergency services, and the criminal justice system. We are eager to see these residents succeed and continue
creating more homes with state-level support and economic investment in housing solutions that are proven to work.”

Low-income housing tax credits from the Montana Board of Housing, as well as funding from the City of Great Falls and Cascade County, make this project possible. Funding includes historic tax credits and funds from HOME, ARPA, HTF and HOME ARP. Baatz Block Apartments is the first permanent supportive housing model in Great Falls and only
the second in Montana using tax credits.

Tours will be available starting at 2:30 p.m. and again after the program. RSVPs are encouraged here.

Mother-son neon bash

The Rec Center Great Falls is hosting a Mother-Son Neon Dance for boys to bring their mom, aunt or grandmother for a fun-filled night of music, dancing and games from  6-9 p.m. Sept. 26.

Participants are encouraged to wear their brightest neon, glow-in-the-dark or white outfits to light up the dance floor under blacklights.

All family members are welcome and concessions are available for purchase.

The cost is $5 per person and the Rec Center is at 801 2nd Ave. N.

Call 771-9299 with questions.

Malmstrom contract

The 341st Contracting Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base has awarded a sole source small business contract for the Launch Facility Sump Pumps Requirement project to WOI-BRY JV, LLC., of Great Falls. The period of performance for this award is August 2025 through August 2030.

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.