Residents of the Flathead Valley will have a new place to get their fresh produce this spring when the Columbia Falls Community Market opens its doors on May 21.
The new market will be hosted by O’Brien’s Liquor & Wine on the corner of U.S. Highway 2 and First Avenue West near downtown Columbia Falls. This spring, the liquor store’s owners are refurbishing the old Western Building Center lumber shed to house part of the new market. The building will feature a new stage, new lighting, a dance floor and a beer garden. There will also be space for up to 60 vendors outside.
“It’s a great structure and the weather will never be an issue,” said store owner O’Brien Byrd. “I want this to be an event that really brings the community together and nothing does that like a farmers market.”
Late last year, O’Brien and his wife, Melanie, moved their business from its location next to Rex’s Pawn Shop to a 5,000-square-foot building. O’Brien said the community rallied around the store when it moved and he and his wife wanted to find a way to give back. Looking at the land surrounding their store, O’Brien said the couple realized it would be the perfect location for a community event. Other farmers markets have struggled in Columbia Falls, O’Brien said, in part because they never had a centralized location. Now the market will be in the “heart” of the community.
O’Brien said many other community organizations have pitched in to help with the market. Glacier Bank has offered to let the market use its lot for parking and the city has agreed to close part of First Avenue during market hours to allow people to safely cross the street. The market has also partnered with Xanterra Parks and Resorts to help the event become a no-waste market by recycling and making compost.
Organizers launched their website last week and O’Brien said they had 15 vendor applications within the first 24 hours. O’Brien is confident it will become a popular community event with live music and fresh food every Thursday night.
“This will help strengthen our economy,” he said.
The Columbia Falls Community Market will run from May 21 to Sept. 21 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. For more information visit www.cfcommunitymarket.com.