Bakeries and beer on tap for Columbia Falls

Forget Gateway to Glacier. Maybe Columbia Falls slogan should be Bakeries and Beer. If plans come to fruition, the city is still on track to have three bakeries on Nucleus Avenue. Developer Mick Ruis still has plans for a “pie factory” at the former Park Mercantile on Nucleus, the Finn Biscuit, which quietly had a bakery in the back of its shop for years on Nucleus is also planning an expansion, and another bakery with a bike shop is planned for a site that is now a home just south of the Cosley Building.

On the beer side, brewer Darin Fisher and his wife, Carla, plan to open their brewery on U.S. Highway 2 this spring.

And the city seems prepared to help these businesses out. One topic of discussion at Tuesday night’s council meeting was the possibility of creating a special use permit so the city can host a brewfest at city parks, particularly Marantette Park. Currently, alcohol is not allowed in any city parks, but a special use permit, which would likely require additional insurance by the permit holders, is a possibility, noted City Manager Susan Nicosia.

In another alcohol-related matter, Ruis is currently in the process of buying the beer and liquor license from the Dam Town Tavern in Hungry Horse. Part of his plan is to eventually build a steakhouse and bar in Columbia Falls at some point, the developer has said in the past.

The Parks Committee will take up the matter during its meeting Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m. in city council chambers. The committee will also talk about buying playground equipment for Horine Park and the possibility of a fishing pond at River’s Edge Park.

In another park related matter, the farmer’s market that was at Pinewood Park the past few years announced it will move its operation to the Eagle’s Nest Antiques on U.S. Highway 2. The market is not affiliated with the farmer’s market at O’Brien’s Wine and Liquor.

In other city council news:

• The council OK’d a minor subdivision for the Murdoch’s site. Because it was a minor subdivision and was unzoned with no city services, it was not required to undergo a larger review. The only change in the subdivision, which is three lots, including the Murdoch’s store, was a variance so that the store didn’t have to build sidewalks.

• Nicosia and Mayor Don Barnhart met with Ruis last week concerning a power line that went across city property for the new Cedar Creek Lodge. The city didn’t want the line running across Pinewood Park. Ruis agreed to move it and council OK’d the agreement.

• The city will solicit bids for reconstruction of Second Avenue West, which will serve the lodge. If everything goes as planned, work will start in March and wrap up in April to accommodate the lodge. Construction of the hotel is progressing, with workers getting the frame up, even with snowy weather.