Business Bites: Buffalo Noir opening; Panera opening date set; Spark! Children’s Museum master plan; Pepsi move; winter activities with Bighorn; possible buyer for Ivy; Civil Air Patrol open house; wrestling scholarships
Jeremiah Johnson
During their Jan. 27 meeting, the Great Falls International Airport board will consider a lease and option to purchase agreement with Jeremiah Johnson Brewing Company.
Jeremiah Johnson’s proposed plan includes developing five industrial condo units that the airport is planning to build in its next phase of light industrial development.
The project would move brewing operations from their current downtown location and include the addition of a tasting room.
Johnson told The Electric that the project depends on whether costs stay within initial projections.
“We want to make it happen, but it’s not a done deal,” Johnson said. “We’re working to make it a reality. It would be incredible if we can make it work out. We’re really excited about it and working to make it happen.”
In December, the airport board approved a letter of intent and lease terms and in the board report for the Jan. 27 meeting, John Faulkner, airport director, wrote that they’ll enter a marketing alliance with the brewery to include product placements in the terminal and signage to direct travelers to the tasting room.
Buffalo Noir
Buffalo Noir, Great Falls’ newest gathering place, is set to open in early February next to Vintage Sellers in West Bank, across the parking lot from the Peak, Five on Black and Jersey Mike’s.
An extension of 5th and Wine, Buffalo Noir will feature a curated selection of wines, beers and small bites.
“We’ve created a warm, cozy, and welcoming space—perfect for meeting friends, unwinding after work, or even opening a laptop and catching up on a little work. Add in our vinyl record collection and turntable, and you can expect fun music and a relaxed, intimate vibe where ambiance is always front and center,” according to owner Tara Strunk.
Panera
Panera Bread’s Great Falls location is scheduled to open Feb. 16, according to a spokesperson for the company.
Annie’s Tap House
Annie’s Tap House is adding Homestead 1909, a new collaboration restaurant, inside the tap house with upscale pub food.
Homestead 1909 is part of the Tracy’s Family Diner and Electric City Catering group.
Little Light Coffee Co. and Mini Donuts
Little Light Coffee Co. and Mini Donuts has a soft opening Jan. 29 from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a limited menu.
Mini donuts will be served until they run out for the day.
Xóchitl
Xóchitl Montana, a Mexican restaurant, opened on Jan. 23 in the former Bert and Ernie’s space at 300 1st Ave. S.
Winter activities
Come along as Wild Montana partners with Bighorn Outdoor Specialists for hands-on winter sampler of all things outdoors.
On Jan. 23 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Bighorn Outdoor Specialists, learn about cross country skiing, snowshoeing, backcountry travel, winter layering and more. Get 20 percent off regular priced outerwear, base layers, mid layers and accessories during this event.
On Jan. 24, put your skills to the test at Silver Crest recreation area for a day of cross country skiing and snowshoeing with the Island Range chapter of Wild Montana.
Sign up for Jan. 23 here and Jan. 24 here.
Hardee’s
The former Hardee’s on 10th Avenue South is listed for sale as a vacant “former quick service restaurant.”
It’s listed for $2.9 million.
The Hardee’s closed in December and at the time a Hardee’s spokesperson told The Electric:
“We can confirm that ARC Burger, a franchisee that independently owns and operates Hardee’s locations in several markets, has closed its location at 2625 10th Avenue South in Great Falls, MT. This and other closures are the result of ARC Burger’s failure to cure its defaults under its franchise agreements, despite solid sales and our continued attempts over the course of many months to reach a resolution that would keep these restaurants open. We understand the impact of these closures on restaurant employees and local communities, and we are working hard to find a path forward to reopen the closed locations. We remain focused on ensuring long-term stability and growth for the Hardee’s brand.”
The Hardee’s spokesperson has not responded to a follow up question about the sale listing.
Maria’s Mexican Restaurant
A social media post circulated last week that Maria’s Mexican Restaurant was closing in the near future.
The Electric contacted the restaurant to check the validity of that claim, but did not receive a response.
The following day, Maria’s posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page, verbatim: “Hi everyone I’m thinking of closing, but not yet I will let everyone know when. This is mine decision thank you so much for your support God blessed.
Children’s Museum master plan
Spark! Children’s Museum of Montana has released its master plan for its new home at 201 2nd Ave. S.
With the new location selected and a new director hired, the organization “embarked on a comprehensive reimagining of the museum’s experience,” according to a release.
The redesigned museum experience begins with a light-filled entryway featuring a custom translucent wall designed by Tony Houtz of Cushing Terrell.
Spark! museum receives two funding awards for new exhibits, programs [2025]
From there, families will explore Little Falls, a playful homage to the local community, featuring interactive amenities, including a bank experience with a dynamic learning floor sponsored by Bravera Bank. A bridge then leads young explorers into Montana’s iconic landscapes, including The Great Indoors exhibit sponsored by Scheels, a hands-on dinosaur dig celebrating the state’s rich paleontological history, and a Learning Lodge honoring Native American heritage.
The development of the new master plan also presented an opportunity to thoughtfully retire older exhibits and invest in a fresh, unified design aligned with the museum’s mission and future.
City approves two CDBG projects [2025]
Construction is underway to achieve ADA compliance.
The museum concluded operations at its former location in November 2024 and has set a tentative reopening date in the new location for late spring.
For more information or sponsorship opportunities, contact hello@sparkmt.org or call Executive Director Jackie Worstell at 406-836-1436.
Dairy Queen
The 10th Avenue South Dairy Queen, owned by Dave and Nicholette Stelling, is undergoing an interior remodel by MRR-Maintenance.Repair.
The drive through reopened Jan. 17 but the lobby remains closed until the renovation is complete, according to contractor.
Pepsi
The Pepsi distribution operation, under Admiral Beverage, in Great Falls has not closed but is relocating to a currently under construction facility in AgriTech industrial park on the east side of town.
Brett Doney of Great Falls Development Alliance said Admiral Beverage purchased a 22 acre lot on the park and the facility construction is expected to be completed this year.
Their current location at 1212 15th St. N. is for sale and Doney said it’s a great spot for another light manufacturing operation.
Former Ivy
Several readers have asked about what’s going on at the former Ivy nursing home, seeing lights on and people about the site at 1130 17th Ave. S.
According to the Great Falls city planning office, a potential buyer, which owns and operates similar facilities in other states, contacted city planners for due diligence information, such as what would be needed to bring the building up to code.
Ivy files lawsuit seeking to stop closure by federal, state agencies [2024]
The interested buyer is not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, according to the city.
Recent social media comments indicated the facility was planned as a VA clinic, which is not the case, a VA spokesperson told The Electric.
Civil Air Patrol
The Civil Air Patrol invites the community to its open house at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at 401 63rd St. S. The event is open to the public and will introduce attendees to the many opportunities available through Civil Air Patrol’s cadet and adult programs.
CAP is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and provides aerospace education, leadership training, and emergency services to communities nationwide.
Youth ages 12–18 can learn about hands-on activities such as flying, leadership development, summer encampments, rocketry, team building, radio communications, search and rescue, and military-style drill and ceremonies. The cadet program focuses on building confidence, character, and leadership skills while encouraging an interest in aviation, science, and public service.
Adults ages 18 and older are also encouraged to attend. Adult members support CAP missions in a wide variety of roles, including emergency services, disaster relief, aviation operations, advanced radio communications, logistics, planning, transportation, aircraft maintenance and youth mentorship. No military or aviation background is required—training is provided, and there is a role for nearly every interest and skill set.
Pilots with appropriate flight time may have opportunities to support search and rescue missions or provide orientation flights for cadets.
Amateur (ham) radio operators can expand their skills by working with new radio systems and emergency communications networks.
CAP meets every Monday at the same time and location, and all interested community members are welcome to attend the open house to learn more.
Wrestling scholarship
For the 20th consecutive year, Alexander (Zander) Blewett, III, a trial lawyer from the personal injury law firm of Hoyt & Blewett PLLC in Great Falls is offering three $1,000 scholarships to the top student/wrestlers around the state of Montana for Classes “AA,” “A,” and “B/C.”
The scholarships are awarded to the top wrestler from each school classification who has displayed the best combined qualities of wrestling and academic achievement.
Both boys and girls wrestlers are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
The award will go to one senior high school wrestler in each class around Montana who best qualifies.
Applicants do not have to win the state championship to qualify for this scholarship; if they do win, they must still exhibit strong academic achievement.
The winner of each class must attend a college somewhere in the U.S. and a check in the amount of $1,000 will be sent to that college to help defray the cost of tuition.
Applications for the Blewett Wrestling Scholarship are due April 2 and are available here.
Fly Fishing
The Ursuline Retreat and Conference Centre is once again offering a two-day women’s fly fishing clinic led by guide and instructor, Stephanie Witham.
Participants will gain basic knowledge, skills and essentials of fly fishing through both a classroom and outside setting at the Ursuline Centre and on nearby fisheries in northcentral Montana.
The clinic overview includes:
- intro to equipment and gear used
- knot tying
- casting instruction
- entomology and bug identification
- rig setups: dry, dry-hopper, nymph, streamer
- line management in moving water
- on-the-water instruction and fishing
- meals and transportation
Spring and fall clinic dates are April 18-19 and Oct. 17-18.
Register or get more information here or email information@ursulinecentre.com or call 406-452-8585.
Crime scene equipment
The U.S. Senate approved legislation on Jan. 15 providing $128,686 to the Great Falls Police Department for the purchase of a crime scene laser scanner and crime scene processing equipment that will allow detectives to more efficiently and accurately document crime scenes.
The legislation previously passed the U.S. House and awaits President Trump’s signature.
“Great Falls is safer when law enforcement has the right tools,” GFPD Capt. Brian Black said in a release. “Thanks to appropriations funding through the U.S. Department of Justice, we now have this advanced equipment to help investigators bring clarity to complex cases, protect victims, and keep our community safe and strong.”
Black told The Electric earlier this month that no funding had yet been distributed.
Black said GFPD didn’t otherwise have the funding to purchase the equipment and he applied through the Community Project Funding request form in April 2025.
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.
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