Business Bites: Winco progress; Feasting in the Falls; Make-A-Wish miles campaign; youth art contest; Cassiopeia author event
Updated at 4:45 p.m. March 10
Winco
Winco submitted for a building permit for 301 N.W. Bypass, according to the city planning office.
The company submitted the paperwork on Feb. 25 and city staff is reviewing the application.
The property is the former Shopko.
In January 2025, The Electric first reported that Winco had purchased the property.
Magpie
Magpie owners confirmed to The Electric on March 10 that they have completed a buy-sell agreement and will be opening a new brewery and bar in the former Pit Stop.
Magpie is not moving, the new brewery and bar will be a new location.
The Magpie owners are working on the details and we’ll update as more becomes available.
Street Burgers
Street Burgers is closing its current location and their last day of operation is March 17.
Their lease is up at the end of the month and with increasing costs, they owners have decided not to renew their lease for another five-year term.
“This was not an easy decision for us. Over the past five years, we’ve had the privilege of serving this incredible community and getting to know so many amazing customers who have supported us along the way. Your loyalty, encouragement, and love for what we do has meant more to us than we can truly express,” the owners told The Electric. “We want to sincerely thank everyone who has stopped in, shared a meal with us, and supported our small business over the years. Being part of this community has truly been an honor. We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our amazing staff. Your dedication, hard work and passion have been the backbone of Street Burgers, and we couldn’t have done this without you. You’ve made every day memorable for our customers and for us and we are so grateful for everything you’ve contributed.”
Street Burgers is part of the same ownership group as Tracy’s Family Diner, Homestead 1909 and Electric City Catering.
For now, the ownership group is focusing on growing their catering business and opening Homestead 1909 in Annie’s Tap House downtown.
The ownership group’s goal is to find a new location that better suits their long-term vision.
Street Burgers gift cards can be used through March 17, or at Tracy’s, Homestead 1909 and Electric City Catering for family meal options.
Homestead 1909
Two new culinary concepts are coming to Annie’s Tap House, at 112 Central Ave.
Electric City Catering and Homestead 1909 are moving into the space, formerly occupied by All the Things Charcuterie, which has moved down the block to its own space at 122 Central Ave. and become The Boardroom.
Both Homestead 1909 and Electric City Catering are expected to open to the public in early April, pending the arrival of final equipment and completion of inspections.
Electric City Catering will not operate from its first designated physical location in Annie’s, allowing it to expand services and improve efficiency for catering across the region.
Customers will be able to order a variety of catering trays online for convenient pickup, including pasta dishes, sandwiches, charcuterie boards, wings and more. The goal is to provide flexible options for everything from last-minute meetings and family dinners to special celebrations and large events, according to the owners.
Homestead 1909 will share the kitchen space as a new restaurant concept focused on elevated taphouse cuisine made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The menu will feature items such as flatbreads, burgers, wraps, carved meat sandwiches, fresh salads and a variety of appetizers, according to the owners, who also own Tracy’s Family Diner.
“Homestead 1909 will emphasize scratch-made items, including breads and hamburger buns baked in-house. The menu will change regularly to keep offerings fresh and seasonal, and will include vegan and gluten-free options to accommodate a variety of dietary needs,” the owners told The Electric.
Both concepts will utilize modern hoodless kitchen technology, allowing food to be prepared in a healthier way without sacrificing flavor, and breads/buns to be baked daily.
Electric City Catering will provide catering for the Whispering Petals event room in the back of Annie’s, which is designed to host private events, corporate gatherings, celebrations and community functions.
Feasting in the Falls
The sixth annual Feasting in the Falls 2026, organized by The Electric, is March 9-15.
Bars/restaurants/coffeeshops, etc. who want to participate and haven’t done so already should fill out this form.
The only rule to participate this year is that you must offer a special or discount outside of your normal offerings to make the Feasting in the Falls week a more distinct and unique event every year.
Feasting in the Falls started in 2021, as a collaboration between The Electric and the Great Falls Take Down and Take Out page, as we were coming out of the pandemic and restaurants were getting back to business as normal to help celebrate all of our great local restaurants, bars, coffee shops and more.
NeighborWorks Great Falls Fund Drive
NeighborWorks Great Falls’ annual fund drive kicked off earlier this week to raise funds and spread awareness to individuals and families who may need a safe, affordable home and did not know that NWGF is here for them.
The event includes:
- March 12, 6-8 p.m. at Annie’s Taphouse when $1 per pint sold is donated to NWGF.
- March 18, 5-8 p.m. at Brush Crazy for Paint for a Cause when 50 percent of sales will be donated to NWGF.
- March 23, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Black Eagle Community Center when $1 per drink sold will be donated to NWGF.
- During the week of March 16-22, two cents from every Montana Credit Union credit card swipe in donated to NWGF.
Make-A-Wish
Make-A-Wish South Dakota and Montana is holding a two-week airline miles donation campaign encouraging travelers to donate unused airline miles to help grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
The campaign runs March 8-21 and miles can be donated here.
With more than 70 percent of wishes involving air travel, donated miles help cover airfare, which is often the single largest expense of a wish. Millions of airline miles go unused and eventually expire.
When donated, those miles never expire and are used directly to fly wish kids and their families to destinations tied to their heartfelt wish, whether that’s meeting a favorite character/celebrity or visiting a dream location/event.
This year’s campaign is fueled by a one million airline mile challenge from a generous anonymous donor, inspiring the community to help match the gift and maximize impact.
Youth Art Contest
Alliance for Youth and the Cascade County Substance Abuse Prevention Alliance is launching their first Youth Art Contest for the 2026–2027 popcorn bags.
The winning designs will be printed on white popcorn bags and distributed to schools free of charge by Alliance for Youth and SAPA to be used at school concessions throughout the county.
GFPS celebrating student art, music, theater for March
This is your chance to be part of a brand-new tradition—and see a young artist’s work featured on popcorn enjoyed by families everywhere.
The application and instructions are available here.
There are prizes for first and second place.
YWCA director
YWCA of Great Falls is welcoming a new director, Victoria Doe, as Sandi Filipowicz has stepped down after about 10 years.
YWCA is hosting an open house 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 5 to also showcase their recently completed renovations at 220 2nd St. N.
Hope Functional Medicine
Hope Functional Medicine is now open at 618 Central Ave., inside Bella Vita Wellness.
Owned and operated by Sadra Thomas, nurse practitioner, the practice offers personalized health plans, advanced diagnostic testing, holistic nutritional counseling, immune support, gut healing programs, and customized detoxification strategies to address the root cause of chronic conditions.
Complimentary 15-minute discovery calls are available. Services are by appointment.
For more information, visit www.hope-medicine.com or call/text 406-604-1137.
Top 10 for 2025: Business Bites
Harvest Foods
The IGA at 2505 6th Ave. N. is now a Harvest Foods.
The grocer has 11 locations in Montana, including the Great Falls location.
BlackedOut406
BlackedOut406 taxi/limo service is closing March 6.
Author event
Meet Great Falls author Burke Wallace at Cassiopeia Books on March 19 at 6 p.m.
Wallace will be discussing his new book, Money Matters for Educators: A Guide to Budgeting, Debt, and Retirement on a Teacher’s Salary.
Book Sale collections
The Friends of the Great Falls Public Library are collecting materials for their annual book sale to benefit the Great Falls Public Library.
They’ll be collecting gently used items each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., through April 25, in the alley entrance of the library.
The annual book sale is in May on the third floor of the library, 301 2nd Ave. N.
Sale dates and times are:
Full Price Days:
- May 7: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- May 8: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- May 9: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Half Price Days:
- May 14: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- May 15: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Last Call Sack Sale
- May 16: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All of the money raised goes to support the Great Falls Public Library.
In past years, from the Friends book sale supported:
- Library participation in Partners by paying for courier service and supplies
- continuing to pay for the complimentary parking spots on 2nd Avenue North.
- supporting purchase of book sets for Library Book Clubs
- Wowbrary subscription for weekly electronic newsletter
Mattress needed
The Great Falls Clinic Legacy Foundation is looking for a new or gently used king size mattress for one of their rooms.
At this time, only the mattress is needed (no frame or box needed).
If possible, the foundation needs help with delivery, as they do not have a vehicle large enough to pick one up.
If you can help, contact the foundation at 406-216-8057 or foundationdesk@gfclinic.com.
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center event
Duane Buchi will present the program, “John Colter, a Man? a Myth? or a Legend?” on March 10 at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, 4201 Giant Springs Road.
The reception for the free event begins at 6:30 p.m. and the program begins at 7 p.m.
Colter was a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, but his name is often recognized today in the context of being the first Anglo Saxon to come across what is known today as Yellowstone National Park.
Colter is also known for his famous flight from the Blackfeet near the Three Forks of Missouri in the early 1800s.
Although much of Colter’s life remains a mystery, Buchi will pull back the veil of history, to highlight Colter’s role with the Corps of Discovery, his follow-on exploits as a fur trapper, and the few details we understand today about his
short life following his years as a Mountain Man.
Buchi is the director of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center in Great Falls.
He was born and raised in Montana and has a passion to share the Lewis and Clark story with diverse audiences.
Buchi has served in a variety of roles over the past 11 years at the center, including ranger, education coordinator and now director.
The program is part of the Portage Route Chapter’s Ida Johnson Lecture Series.
For more information, contact the interpretive center at 406-727-8733.
Great Falls Rec Center Events
The Great Falls Rec Center is hosting two events in March.
The first is the Family Dance and Karaoke Party from 6-8:30 p.m. March 20.
Whether you love to sing, dance or just cheer from the sidelines, there’s something for everyone.
It’s a $5 per person entry fee and concessions will be available for purchase.
Teen Night-Minute to Win It Games is 6:30-9:30 p.m. March 21.
It’s a night of fast-paced, hilarious, high-energy challenges with just 60 seconds to win it.
The event is open to youth grades 4-12 for head to head competitions, one-minute challenges, music, hangout time and prizes.
Entry is $10 and concessions will be available for purchase.
Register for Teen Night here.
Once students arrive, they will not be allowed to re-enter if they leave. Student drop-off is allowed once the registration is complete.
DNRC Trust Land Survey
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has launched a public survey to gather input from Montanans about what matters most to them when they recreate on state trust lands.
The survey will help DNRC understand public priorities and identify whether there is interest or need to update Montana’s existing recreational use rules for state trust lands. DNRC will then advise the Board of Land Commissioners on any potential rule updates.
The survey is available online at: Recreational Use of Montana State Trust Lands – March 2026 Survey. Submissions will be accepted through March 31, 2026. For more information about current recreation rules on state trust lands, visit the Administrative Rules of Montana page on recreational use of state trust land.
Clock restarts on effort to preserve state trust land in Fox Farm [2024]
This initial survey does not begin a formal rulemaking process, but is designed to help DNRC define the scope of any potential future rule revisions, gauge overall interest in changes, and identify the topics, such as motorized use, camping limits, commercial or concentrated recreation, and processes for closures and restrictions, that are most important to Montanans. If a formal rulemaking process were conducted, the Land Board would have the authority to determine and approve the rules.
Group asks for fundraising extension, reduced value for DNRC land in Fox Farm [2024]
State trust lands help fund Montana’s public schools and other institutions, and are also important places for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, and other recreation. DNRC wants to hear from a wide range of people, including recreationists, nearby landowners, leaseholders, local governments, teachers, students, and anyone else who spends time on or benefits from these lands.
The survey asks simple questions about whether and how people use state trust lands, how familiar they are with the current rules, whether they think changes may be needed, and what should stay the same. There is also space for people to share their own ideas or concerns in their own words.
Childcare Resource
SPARK Learning Lab Montana has introduced a statewide resource, designed to strengthen and support Montana’s child care workforce while remaining firmly rooted in local leadership, relationships, and community knowledge.
SPARK Montana is led by Shine Early Learning, a national early childhood organization selected by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to provide technical assistance and support services to childcare providers across the state.
SPARK Montana offers free technical assistance and one-on-one coaching from Montana staff, peer networking opportunities, and curated training resources tailored to licensed child care providers. Services are designed to reduce administrative burden, strengthen quality, and support long-term program sustainability.
For providers, SPARK Montana offers practical tools and coaching. For community leaders, it strengthens the early childhood workforce. For families, it supports confidence in licensed child care programs committed to early care and education.
Learn more about SPARK Montana and their available services here.
Property Managers Summit
Riley Cahill of JK Property Management recently represented Montana property managers while attending the National Association of Residential Property Managers Capitol Summit in Washington, D.C.
The annual summit brings property management professionals from across the country to meet with federal lawmakers and discuss legislative issues impacting the rental housing industry, property owners, and residents.
During the summit, attendees received legislative briefings, participated in policy discussions, and met with congressional offices to share real-world perspectives from the housing industry. Topics included housing supply challenges, regulatory policy, and the critical role professional property managers play in protecting both housing
providers and residents.
Cahill is an active member of NARPM and the Big Sky Montana NARPM Chapter, which represents professional property managers throughout Montana.
Following the summit, Cahill provided a legislative briefing to members of the Big Sky Chapter, sharing key insights and policy developments that may affect property owners, residents, and housing providers across the state.
