Chik-fil-A
Chik-fil-A has submitted a preliminary traffic impact study to the city, that will be jointly reviewed by the Montana Department of Transportation for a potential location at 711 10th Ave. S.
Chik-fil-A hasn’t yet filed any paperwork with the city for demolition of the former paint building remaining on that block or construction of a new restaurant, but city staff said the traffic study submittal is a good sign the project is moving forward.
If and when Chik-fil-A files paperwork to move the project forward, we’ll report those updates.
Winco
A special warranty deed was filed with the Cascade County Clerk and Recorder’s office in November showing that GFS Buildings LLC had sold the former Shopko property to Winco Foods.
The property ownership hasn’t yet been updated in Cadastral, the state property records website.
No permitting paperwork regarding the property had been filed with the city planning office as of Jan. 22 and the company has not confirmed their plans for a Great Falls location.
Panera
Yes, we’ve heard the rumors too.
Here’s what facts are currently available.
The former JBs at 1322 10th Ave. S. has been purchased by Pan Montana, the Panera franchise in Montana that owns the other locations in Billings, Missoula, Kalispell and Helena.
As of Jan. 22, no paperwork had yet been filed with the city planning office regarding demolition of the existing building or construction of a new restaurant. The franchise owner has not yet responded to inquiries from The Electric.
If and when that paperwork is filed, we’ll report it.
Ocean Star Seafood
Ocean Star Seafood is now open in the former Black Bear Diner at 1420 Market Place Drive.
According to the restaurant, they’re open 4-9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4-10 p.m. on Fridays, noon to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays.
The city issued a sign permit for Ocean Star in August.
The company’s registered agent is Hongyan Cai who has opened Hokkaido restaurants nationwide, including the Great Falls location.
Taco del Mar
Taco del Mar in Marketplace has closed permanently, according to the owner.
Loading Zone
A fence is up around the former Buffalo Saloon/Loading Zone building on the 2400 block of 10th Avenue South.
The Buffalo Saloon/Loading Zone closed in September 2022 and has been vacant ever since.
GFFR conducting training at former Loading Zone
The property was purchased by Discount Tire and the project has not changed, despite social media posts claiming otherwise over the weekend.
As of Jan. 21, Discount Tire has a demolition permit, according to the city planning office.
Tire shop planned for former Loading Zone property [2022]
City planners are also just about ready to issue a building permit for the new Discount Tire shop on the property, according to city staff.
Emmy Award
Local photographer Matt Ehnes and former KRTV reporter Jared Dillingham won a Rocky Mountain Emmy Award for their feature on Havasupai Falls.
In addition to his work in Montana, Ehnes runs two travel-focused websites with former Dillingham, who’s now based in Arizona.
Ehnes contributes sports and events photographs regularly to The Electric.
Havasupai Falls is a “bucket list” destination for hikers, known as an oasis deep in the Grand Canyon, according to Ehnes and Dillingham.
They documented the struggles the Havasupai Tribe encountered while reopening the site to tourists after a three-year pandemic closure.
It involved 50 miles of hiking over four days with full photography gear.
Their final product aired on television stations nationwide.
Check out more of their coverage here.
United Way fundraising
United Way of Cascade County said Jan. 29 that it had raised $1,231,010, exceeding this year’s campaign goal.
With the money raised in last year’s campaign, United Way helped 31,418 people through its grants to 30 local nonprofit programs.
During its annual campaign, United Way volunteers reach out to area employers both to invite individuals to give and donate money on behalf of their companies. Knowing the need in the community, campaign volunteers spent this fall working to grow by 2.5 percent.
This year, more than 1,300 people gave to United Way, most donating less than $100 by taking a few dollars out of each paycheck to help their neighbors, according to UWCC.
Of the total, 60 percent was donated by 30 Pacesetters, employers who have committed their support to building the community through United Way of Cascade County.
The 30 pacesetters are:
- Alliance for Youth
- BeeHive Homes
- Benefis Health System
- Bravera Bank
- Calumet Montana Refining
- Cascade County
- City of Great Falls
- City Motor Company
- Columbia Grain
- D.A. Davidson
- Energy West
- First Interstate Bank
- General Mills
- Great Falls Association of Realtors
- Great Falls College – MSU
- Great Falls Public Schools
- Hoven Equipment
- HUB International Great Falls
- Independence Bank
- JCCS
- LPW Architecture
- Marsh McLennan Agency
- Montana Credit Union
- NeighborWorks Great Falls
- NorthWestern Energy
- Opportunity Bank
- Pacific Steel and Recycling
- Pinion
- Scheels
- United Way of Cascade County
D.A. Davidson Companies, Calumet, City Motors, General Mills and Great Falls Public Schools ran the largest United Way campaigns.
Beyond working with area employers, United Way also reaches out to every individual in Cascade County. This year, 262 people gave a total of $195,280, which is nearly 16 percent of the campaign total, according to UWCC.
A team of United Way volunteers decides funding by looking both at the community’s needs and the programs’ effectiveness. United Way will open its grant application in February.
People still can send contributions directly to United Way at P.O. Box 1343, Great Falls 59403 or donate online.
Foot of the Cross Christian Store
Foot of the Cross Christian Store has opened in Holiday Village Mall on the lower level in Suite 30F.
The nonprofit Christian store provides resources to the community and uses profits to support Christian causes in Great Falls and central Montana.
Fit Life Health Club
Fit Life Health Club is planning to open in the former Fit Republic space in the mall, according to city planning. They’ve submitted a building permit for the interior remodel for a 31,900-square-foot fitness center, according to city planning.
Soda Station
Soda Station is planning a soda fountain shop for the former Starbucks spot in front of the mall on 10th. They’ve submitted for a SIC with GFFR but have not submitted any permitting application with city planning, according to city staff.
Former Goodwill
Swinging Meats, a golf simulator, is planned for the former Goodwill store off 9th Street South, behind Maria’s Mexican Restaurant. The company has submitted for an SIC, but hasn’t contacted GFFR for a walkthrough and haven’t started on the necessary permitting through the city planning office, according to city staff.
Got a business bite? Email it to jenn@thetheelectricgf.com with ‘business bite’ in the subject line and the details in text form in the body of the email.
