Murdoch's opens, quietly

For the first time in decades, Columbia Falls residents won’t have to drive to Kalispell or Whitefish to buy a pair of jeans. Murdoch’s quietly opened the doors to its store at the corner of Highway 2 and 40 on Wednesday.

“I’m hearing a lot of enthusiasm,” said store manager Jason Prewitt.

The 40,000 square foot store is just a little bit smaller than its south Kalispell location, but carries all the same brands and inventory, Prewitt explained. It has 36 employees and a large selection of clothing, including western wear, boots, a “jean wall” and other ranch, farm and outdoor-friendly clothing.

It has an sporting goods section, with a large selection of guns, rifles and ammunition, a tool section featuring power tools by DeWalt and chainsaws and other power equipment by Husqvarna and Stihl; and a large section of animal feeds, pet food and farm supplies — everything from fencing to heated watering troughs.

They also carry snowblowers, log splitters and even pre-built chicken coops.

“The store is pretty much the same layout,” as its Kalispell store, Prewitt said.

The store is open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 9 to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The Murdoch’s chain has stores in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and Montana.