Murdoch's to open in December

Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply is building a new store near Columbia Falls at Halfmoon Road and U.S. Highway 2. The grand opening is planned for the first or second week of December.

The store manager Jason Prewitt has lived in Somers for 15 years and worked at the Kalispell Murdoch’s for over 16 years. He said he’ll move closer to the new store in the spring, but he doesn’t know where yet. He has been an assistant store manager for over 13 years and this is his first go at managing a store on his own. He said it is a “great opportunity” and very exciting.

Murdoch’s completed a traffic study to determine that the best location for a new store was at the junction of Highway 2 and Montana Highway 40, Prewitt said. The company jumped at the opportunity when the property became available.

Recent road construction at the junction has caused temporary changes to traffic signals, speed limits and lane travel and will be completed by mid-November, according to the Montana Department of Transportation. 

The new Murdoch’s won’t have a garden center greenhouse, but it will sell guns and sporting goods. It will also retail clothing, shoes, tools, pet supplies, fences and power equipment.

The Flathead Job Service is currently taking applications for positions at the new store. Murdoch’s will begin hiring Nov. 9-14.