Amazon

In May, The Electric reported that the city issued a permit to remodel the existing building at 4000 North Star Boulevard for a distribution warehouse. The property owner is listed on the application as GFA, LLC.

Earlier this month, readers noticed a sign at the property indicating it was an Amazon facility.

The Electric contacted the property owner who said it wasn’t yet at liberty to disclose tenant details.

Nissa LaPoint, a field communications specialist for the mountain west states for Amazon, told The Electric this week that “significant work is underway to prepare this new last-mile delivery facility for operations so we can better serve our customers around Great Falls. We look forward to sharing more details about hiring initiatives and opening plans as they become available.”

City planning staff issued a temporary certificate of occupancy last week.

Business Bites: Planet Earth closing; new owners for Roadhouse Diner; Elevation reopening; cottage market; Pizza Ranch opening; downtown historical walking tours and more

Holman barrel building

The vacant brick barrel building across from the federal courthouse is under new ownership.

Derek Stebner of Langstan Management said that his company purchased the property, to include the entire Buffalo Crossing, which is a 2.2 acre parcel along the Missouri River and they’re “noodling along.”

Changes in the interest rate slowed down their development plans and they’re monitoring the local rental market, particularly the recently completed Station apartments just across the bridge.

Stebner said the plan is to build to mirror image tower type apartment buildings with underground parking and another more traditional, three-story apartment building, all as higher end units.

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

Stebner said he’s been working with the Great Falls Development Alliance and Cushing Terrell on what he said is a “big project.”

As for the barrel building, he said they’ve had some interested parties approach them about it, but in a holding pattern on that piece of the property for now. He said after running basic numbers, it’s a wash cost wise to rehabilitate the existing building into useable space or demolish it and build new.

Stebner said they had one proposal that might work for the barrel building, but the parking requirement was too large for the space considering their future plans for apartment units.

Langstan Management also purchased the former Starlit Motel, which they’ve rehabilitated into an extended stay and are actively renting units, Stebner said, but they’re not fully done with the rehab.

Commissioners approve TIF request for Buffalo Crossing development in 3-2 vote [2019]

Dahl House moving

Dahl House Aesthetics is moving from their current location at 500 Country Club Boulevard this fall to 1420 Market Place Drive, the space between Chili’s and Ocean Star Seafood.

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

Pizzaz

Pizazz is transitioning to a new owner, effective Jan. 1.

Sera Jupka is purchasing the downtown shop from Veronica Ronnau, who has owned it since 2002, after purchasing it from a founding owner. The shop opened downtown in 1985 in the Times Square building and has been in the current location since the early 1990s.

Jupka has worked at Pizazz for the last six years and is currently the corner market manager and buyer.

For now, she’s keeping the same shop footprint and while she anticipates some changes, they’ll be gradual.

Business Bites: Alluvion hosting pop-up lunch party; Pizazz corner market opens; Scheels expanding; construction underway on Five on Black [2019]

“Pizazz has been here for 40 years,” Jupka said. “It’s an iconic part of downtown.”

The wine club will remain and the existing liquor license is staying in place, she said.

“Veronica has built a really beautiful thing. I want Pizazz to remain,” Jupka said. “We have such a loyal clientele. People are thrilled it’s staying open and staying local.”

Oktoberfest

Several downtown businesses are partnering to host the second annual Oktoberfest on the 100 block of Central Avenue from 5-10 p.m. Sept. 26.

There will be food, drink, music and games.

Food and drink will be available for purchase from Annie’s Tap House, Tracy’s Family Diner, KellerGeist Pub Theater, All The Things Charcuterie, The Celtic Cowboy, and Highlander Taste LLC food truck.

Food options include brats, pretzels and cheese, jägerschnitzel and rahmschnitzel platters, apfelstrudel for dessert with whipped cream, charcuterie cups, and more. Check with each eatery for their Oktoberfest menus.

The games include a stein host challenge, keg rolling contest, marionette beer drinking game and hammer-schlagen.

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

Farmer’s Daughter Fibers Anniversary 

The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers is hosting their annual anniversary party from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 27 at 320 Central Ave.

Enjoy 15 percent off all Farmers Daughter Fibers yarns (in-store only) and join them for Craft Collective social time, including drinks.