Business Bites: 7 Brew Coffee planned for former Hardee’s; housing development under construction; Cowboy Sick grand opening; Blue Rose Revive the Revival event; AF band tour in Great Falls; Fire Pizza holding wine pairings to support CMR orchestra; GFDA data task force meeting; bagel trailer; Shakespeare in Schools; Boys and Girls Club donation and more
7 Brew Coffee
7 Brew Coffee submitted an application in September to remodel the former Hardee’s on 10th Avenue South into a coffee shop, according to the city planning office. The permit is in review.
Groundbreaking
Developers broke ground Oct. 6 on the housing development on Bay Drive.
City approves rezone for 92-unit multifamily housing off Bay Drive [2024]
The City Commission approved a rezone of the property for the project in 2024.
The first phase is a three-story 36-unit building along the western side of the property, which developer Dale Nelson said should be completed in September 2027.
The second phase is a three-story 42-unit building in the center of the property and the third phase includes 12 townhomes on the eastern portion of the site, near the river, Nelson said.
Cowboy Slick
Cowboy Slick‘s grand opening is Oct. 30 from 5-9 p.m. at 117 Central Ave. The new downtown boutique is owned and operated by the same owners of Hometana.
Revive the Revival
The Blue Rose is hosting Revive the Revival on Oct. 15 from 5-8 p.m.
The Blue Rose Revival is a “highly curated, pre-loved sustainable fashion” section of the downtown boutique and will have about 500 items that haven’t been on the floor yet.
Air Force band tour
The Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sergeants are scheduled to perform Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Mansfield Theater at the Great Falls Civic Center.
The show features world-class military precision meeting the heart of American music.
“Enjoy a magical medley alongside patriotic classics that define our history. We culminate the concert with our signature tribute to the brave men and women of our Armed Forces,” according to the tour.
The concerts are free and open to the public, but attendees need to register for tickets here.
Fire Pizza
Fire Pizza is featuring the C.M. Russell High School Chamber Orchestra Quartet for wine pairing dinners in October, November and December.
The dinners are Oct. 22, Nov. 5, Nov. 21 and Dec. 12.
The event includes a five-course wine-paired dinner with unique menu items, Italian and new world wines.
The cost is $70 per person, which includes a donation to the chamber orchestra.
Call 406-952-1007 to reserve seats, there’s a maximum of 40 guests per event.
Author events
Visit Cassiopeia Books at 6 p.m. Oct. 13 to hear local author Carol Bradley discuss her latest book, Striped Reckoning, about the exotic big cat industry in the U.S.
Meet Montana mystery author Kit Carson at Cassiopeia Books on at 6 p.m. Oct. 22.
Carson, aka Connie Hamm, will be discussing her latest mystery in the Sheriff Peter Elliott series.
Sunset and Full Moon Hike
The full moon of October is traditionally known as the Hunter’s Moon.
On Oct. 24, beginning at 6 p.m., visitors to First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park can connect with nature by enjoying a guided sunset hike followed by a full moon over the buffalo jump.
The three-mile moderately difficult hike on the park trails will be led by the park’s AmeriCorps member Alysa LaPlante, who will share the history and unique features of the park.
A $4 per person fee applies, and the hike is limited to 25 participants.
For more information or to register for a program, email firstpeoplesbuffalojump@mt.gov or call 406-866-2217
In Cahoots
In Cahoots for Tea would like you to know that they are not closing.
In a post, the owners wrote, “there is a rumor going around again that we are closing. We want to make it very clear that we are not closing! If you hear this rumor or are spreading this rumor, please stop.”
Little Loon
Little Loon bagel and coffee trailer has begun operations in Great Falls with hand-rolled bagels and handcrafted drinks.
Check their social media pages for their locations and schedules.
Shakespeare in the Schools
Montana Shakespeare in the Parks’ fall shows are only performed in schools as part of its Shakespeare in the Schools program, and in partnership with the Great Falls Public Library is hosting a free performance of The Comedy of Errors on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. in the Great Falls High School auditorium.
The 80-minute production is a fast-paced comedy of mistaken identity, in which two sets of identical twins unknowingly cross paths, leading to escalating confusion, chaos, and hilarity.
For the first time in the history of the Shakespeare in the Schools program, live music will be an integral part of the production, bringing a fresh energy to Shakespeare’s work while making it accessible, relevant, and engaging for today’s students. This production pairs Shakespeare with the likes of Led Zeppelin, Kansas, Fleetwood Mac, and others in a new classic-rock adaptation of one of his funniest plays, according to MSIP.
The program is touring 50 middle and high schools across Montana and Wyoming as part of the 34th season of the Montana Shakespeare in the Schools program and will be followed by a 20-minute talk-back with the company.
GFDA data center task force meeting
The next Great Falls Development Alliance data center task force meeting is Oct. 21 from 5-6:30 p.m. at Great Falls College MSU, 2100 16th Ave. S.
The speaker is Monica Tranel, a Montana native who has practiced law in the state since 1999 with a focus on energy, utility regulation, ratemaking, water and property law as well as civil litigation.
She served as a staff attorney on the Montana Public Service Commission as well as an attorney for the Montana Consumer Counsel.
She’ll present labor, water, electricity, noise, and community benefits with respect to potential data center development.
There will be time for community Q&A, followed by a wrap-up and next steps from Jolene Schalper of GFDA.
Notes from the sixth meeting are here.
GFDA requests RSVPs so they know how many people are planning to attend. RSVP here.
Rocktober
The Hi-Line Climbing Center is hosting its Rocktober climbing competition on Oct. 24
Registration is open.
Youth heats have limited space, so sign up early if you want a choice of spots from two heats.
The event is the first competition of the Last Best Bouldering Series, with multiple youth divisions, an adult open category and the “masters” category returning.
There’s an ice cream sundae bar after the competition and complimentary refreshments for kids and adults.
Witches Ride
The second witches ride is 6 p.m. Oct. 30.
Participants meet at the bandshell in Gibson Park for a gentle bike ride around downtown spreading Halloween cheer, dressed as witches with bicycles decorated for spooky season.
It’s open to anyone who wants to participate.
Boys and Girls Club donation
The Blewett family recently donated $225,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Cascade County to support and expand the club’s Healthy Lifestyles initiative, creating new opportunities for local youth to participate in organized sports, physical activity and skill-building experiences.
The gift will fund programming that provides club members with access to swimming lessons, golf instruction and driving range experiences, batting cage programming, and wrestling opportunities, as well as help cover staffing, transportation, equipment and other costs necessary to make these experiences accessible to youth, according to the club.
“This is an incredibly meaningful gift for our club and, most importantly, for our kids,” Sonya Smith, Boys and Girls Club of Cascade County director, said in a release. “There are children in our community who may never have the opportunity to take a swim lesson, learn to golf, step into a batting cage or participate in wrestling simply because those opportunities are not financially accessible to their families. The Blewett family is changing that.”
The Healthy Lifestyles initiative is designed to encourage young people to become more active,
develop lifelong healthy habits, discover new interests and experience the confidence that comes
from learning something new.
Pickleball league
Great Falls Park and Recreation is working to start a new 55+ pickleball daytime league at the Scheels Aim High Big Sky Aquatic and Recreation Center.
The league is Tuesdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. from Oct. 20 through Nov. 17 for $50.
The format is rotating partners, three games per session, rally scoring up to 13 and participants move up or down weekly.
To sign up, call Aim High at 406-727-6099, email parkrequests@greatfallsmt.gov or ask at the front desk.
Voorhies at Janicki
Janicki Industries, an aerospace and defense composites manufacturer, hired Dan Voorhies as senior director of operations for its new manufacturing campus in Great Falls.
Wyrick assumes command of the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom
Voorhies retired from the Air Force over the summer, last serving as commander of the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base.
Janicki groundbreaking is July 10, company launches Montana website
In the new role, Voorhies will oversee day-to-day operations at the Great Falls campus, a roughly 1.6 million-square-foot facility that Janicki expects will support more than 1,000 jobs within five years and 2,000 or more at full build-out.
Meadowview Village
The developers of Meadowview Village are hosting a ribbon-cutting and public open house on Nov. 8 at 2 p.m.
They’ll open a completed and fully furnished Meadowview Village home for tours.
Following the ribbon-cutting, the developers are hosting an open house until about 6 p.m. at 27 46th St. S., with tours of the home.
RSVP for the ribbon-cutting here.
The developers have opened homes for sale and the models and price lists are available here.
The homes range from 821 square feet at $275,900 to 2,000 square feet at $418,900.
Batty about Pollinators: Bats, Seeds and Fun
“It is that time of year to get Batty for Pollinators. We will be learning from the best about all things bats,” according to organizers.
The event includes making seed starter kits that will be ready to transplant in January.
Register by calling Tenlee at 406-866-0020.
Fashion After Hours
Scheels is hosting Fashion After Hours on Nov. 7 from 7:30-9 p.m. for a private after-hours shopping experience featuring exclusive tiered discounts, fabulous giveaways, brand vendors, a create-your-own candle bar sponsored by Birkenstock and more.
Tickets are available for $25 nd you’ll receive a $25 Scheels gift card when you check in.
All proceeds benefit the local Toys for Tots.
Montana Woman Magazine
Morgan Marks is turning the former Montana Woman Magazine into a podcast.
To start up, she’s running a giving campaign to purchase the business and associated collateral.
Check out the Montana Woman website for more details and to donate to the startup through Oct. 15.
Two Lights Montana and Make a Difference Day
The Montana Lions Club is inviting community members to join their local Lions club for a service project on Oct. 24 as part of Two Lights Montana and Montana Makes a Difference Day.
With 58 active clubs across the state, Montana Lions Clubs have been encouraged to gather and take part in Gov. Greg Gianforte’s Two Lights Montana, a state initiative launched to encourage Montanans to engage in a year of learning, civic participation, and community service. As part of the day, Lions clubs are calling on residents to help. Whether you’re a friend, neighbor, or simply looking for a way to give back, you’re invited to serve alongside Montana Lions and see what your time can do.
Throughout the day, Montana Lions will be serving in a variety of areas, including community park projects, local food initiatives, children’s activities, and more. Participants are encouraged to bring a friend and join Lions in making a difference in their local community.
To learn more about a project in your area, find your local Lions Club at montanalions.org.
The Great Falls Lions Club page is here.
“Serve” is the final pillar of the Two Lights Montana initiative, culminating in Montana Makes a Difference Day on Oct. 24.
Montanans can take part through a local Lions service project or by volunteering with a food bank, church, or other community organization.
Big Sky Biz Sim
First Interstate is continuing its support of financial and business education in Montana through its sponsorship of the Big Sky Biz Sim, a statewide business simulation administered by the Montana Council for Economic Education. This sponsorship allows high school students across Montana to participate in the program at no cost.
The Big Sky Biz Sim places students in the role of company executives responsible for managing every aspect of a business. Working in teams, students make decisions related to production, marketing, finance, and operations while competing against peers from schools throughout Montana. Since 2000, the program has helped more than 34,000 students gain practical experience in business management and economic decision-making.
First Interstate has sponsored the Big Sky Biz Sim since 2020, providing more than $120,000 in financial support toward the program.
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.
