News

Join us for Midtown’s Annual Holiday Party
featuring Caroling from The Missoula Symphony Carole
and a special appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus
Tuesday, December 5, 2023 – 5:00p.m. – 7:00p.m.

Hosted by Southgate Mall
in the Community Corridor outside Scheel’s inside the mall

Enjoy beverages and appetizers with Midtown Association members as we toast another exciting year in Missoula. Dress in your favorite ugly sweater or in your festive cocktail attire, and we encourage you to stay after and get your holiday shopping done in Missoula’s one-stop shopping destination.

Southgate Mall opened in 1978 and has been home to national, regional and local retailers for over 50 years. Southgate Mall has hosted thousands of community events in that time and continues to be active in the community as Missoula’s town center. Southgate Mall remains an attraction for western Montana and with the thriving anchors Scheels, Dillards-Womens, Dillards-Mens & Children, AMC Dine-In 9 and the great line up of services, retailers and restaurants, Southgate Management invites you all to come see us at the mall!

Join fellow members of the Missoula Midtown Association for the monthly Midtown Mixer on November 7th at the Gerald W. Marks Exploration Center (home of the Missoula County Department of Ecology and Extension, the Missoula Conservation District, and the Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium), located at 1075 South Ave. W., Missoula, MT 59801. 

Thanks to Jackson Contractor Group for hosting what promises to be a fun and engaging event with great raffle prizes. Enjoy delicious appetizers catered by Paradise Falls.

Founded in 2009, the Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium is about to open Montana’s first tropical butterfly house and insect museum as an anchor for their unique education efforts in inspiring an appreciation and understanding of insects and their relatives.

Healthy Acres Healthy Communities Foundation is the non-profit arm of the Missoula County Department of Ecology and Extension, providing philanthropic support for educational programs and resources in the areas of land management, nutrition, invasive species, 4-H, youth and horticulture. We look forward to welcoming the public into this new space and providing new and expanded programs in The Rocky Mountain Gardens, opening in spring 2024.

Jackson Contractor Group, Inc. has been a part of the Missoula community since 2000. Jackson has grown to become a prominent regional general contractor with a reputation for collaborative relationships, honest conversations, and world-class expertise. We are a proud to be a part of the construction of the new Gerald W. Marks Exploration Center! It is sure to be a gem of Missoula’s midtown for years to come! 

Join fellow members of the Missoula Midtown Association for our Midtown Mixer on September 5th at The Missoula Country Club (MCC), located at 3850 Old U.S. Highway 93. Thanks to Blackfoot Communications for hosting what promises to be a fun and engaging event with great prizes including Griz football tickets, a wine basket and golf for two courtesy of MCC. Plus, enjoy a tailgate menu sampling from the amazing MCC kitchen.

Blackfoot Communications is the best local choice for all your business communications. We have proudly served Montana businesses for nearly 70 years; delivering fast, reliable, affordable, future-proof fiber internet and a full suite of phone and managed service solutions for business of all sizes. Plus, we are deeply invested in giving back in ways that matter; when it comes to connections, it is the personal ones that matter the most. As your caring neighbor, Blackfoot supports local organizations, time honored community events and educational initiatives that truly make a difference.

Check us out at: GoBlackfoot.com/Business or GoBlackfoot.com/Community

Families First: Education matters at Blackfoot and we are thrilled to support the amazing work of Families First. Families First has been in Missoula since 1994 and recently opened a branch office in Polson. Families First is here to strengthen Montana families, from services including enriching early childhood learning opportunities at our new public library, to teen support, to parenting classes and counseling. 

Join fellow members of the Missoula Midtown Association for our August Midtown Mixer at Jiffy Lube located at 2310 Brooks St. This event is hosted by Sterling CRE Advisors.

Enjoy appetizers, drinks and networking with Midtown members by stopping by to network with friends!

Sterling CRE is a full service commercial brokerage representing clients with data back decisions across the state of Montana. Our dedicated research team provides us with the tools to allow us to advise our client in data backed decision making. We pride ourselves on maintaining focus in the commercial sector with industrial, office, land, retail, medical, and multifamily specialists within our office.

Sterling Commercial Management is dedicated to providing top of the line management experiences for our clients and tenants. With a depth of experience in all sectors of commercial real estate, including multifamily our management team works closely with the brokerage and our research team to add value for our clients. 

Join fellow members of the Missoula Midtown Association for our June Midtown Mixer at the new Farmers State Bank location at 3200 Brooks St. They will be hosting this event with the Child Development Center, a local non-profit.

Enjoy appetizers, drinks and networking with Midtown members by stopping by to network with friends!

The year was 1907, when Farmers State Bank first opened their doors in the busting community of Victor Montana ready to service the residents’ banking needs. Fast forward to 2023 and the 5th generation ownership still prides themselves on working closely with community members to achieve success in business and personal banking. From loans to deposit products to our newly introduced credit cards we are there to help you achieve your personal and business banking goals. We are excited to open our 10th full-service branch right in Midtown Missoula! From Kalispell to Helena all the way down to Darby, we’ve got you covered. We are so excited to partner on this mixer with The Child Development Center in Missoula. All Children deserve the opportunity to develop to their full potential. The Child Development Center is a nonprofit that provides family-focused support services to children with developmental delays and disabilities in Western Montana. They partner with families to support developmental needs of children where they live, play and grow. Please come celebrate the opening of our new branch and all the good work the Child Development Center brings to Missoula.


Join the Missoula Midtown Association, Midtown community guides, the Master Plan steering committee, our neighbors and partners on June 11 in the Southgate Mall parking lot for family-friendly fun.
All are welcome!

After two years of working to build a cohesive community vision for Midtown, the Midtown Master Plan team will be publishing the final plan in early June, and we are hosting a community celebration to thank YOU for participating in this process!

Copies of the plan will be available at the party and published on the website in mid-June.
For more information visit midtownmasterplan.com

Join fellow members of the Missoula Midtown Association for our May Midtown Mixer at The Dram Shop Central, located at 2700 Paxson Street – Suite G. 

This mixer is hosted by First Security Bank, who will be partnering with Friends of the Children, a local non-profit.

Enjoy appetizers, drinks and networking with Midtown members by stopping by to mingle at the Dram Shop!

First Security Bank first opened its doors in downtown Missoula in 1972. Quickly growing to a family of seven full-service branch locations, we also established full-service locations in the nearby communities of Corvallis, Hamilton, Plains, Thompson Falls and, Stevensville.

First Security Bank offers a full-range of banking products and services providing individuals and businesses with the help necessary to achieve their financial goals, today and throughout their lives.

We operate our own management teams in the towns we know well, because we live here too! We value being an integral part of our many communities and are proud to serve friends, neighbors and local businesses not only with superior banking products and services, but with considerable investments of our own time and effort to help non-profit and community organizations wherever we are. In fact, we support more than 400 local community organizations every year. 

In 1996 we joined the Glacier Family of Banks, owned by Kalispell, Montana-based Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (GBCI). Glacier Bank is a regional bank providing world-class financial services to individuals and businesses throughout the Western United States. This has enabled us to serve our local communities with the same unique personal attention and friendly service our customers have come to expect, with the added resources of our much larger banking family.

We proudly serve the communities of Missoula, Hamilton, Corvallis, Stevensville, Lolo, Thompson Falls and Plains Montana.

Join fellow members of the Missoula Midtown Association
for our April Midtown Mixer at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Montana Properties, located at 1020 South Ave West.

Enjoy appetizers, drinks and networking with Midtown members by stopping by to mingle on the patio!

From first homes to forever homes, we help more people. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Montana Properties is a full-service brokerage committed to delivering exceptional service and building rich and trusted relationships. When you work with one of our agents, you can expect high-quality service throughout your real estate journey. We value relationships over transactions, and our agents will be with you every step of the way, for life.
The company was formed in 2006 when Prudential Bridger Realty (formerly Bridger Realty, formed in 1980) and Gillespie Realty (formed in 1958) came together to form Prudential Montana Real Estate. After years of success operating under the Prudential brand, the company rebranded in 2015 with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.
We are proud to be part of the internationally recognized Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand as we continue to grow across the state. With 17 offices and nearly 260 agents across Western Montana, we are here to help with your real estate needs!

Congratulations to Ellen Buchanan, winner of the second annual “Townie of the Year” Award!
The award, co-presented by Farmers State Bank and Jackson Contractor Group, recognizes a Missoulian who exemplifies the mission of the Association through their commitment to maintaining a healthy business community and enhancing the quality of life and quality of place for visitors and residents alike.
Ellen Buchanan is the Director of the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, where for two decades she has been the behind-the-scenes leader guiding the creation of Mary Avenue’s extension across the Southgate Mall parking lot, the transformation of a railroad property into the well-loved MRL park, the redevelopment of a shuttered KMART into the South Crossing with restaurants and retail spaces, and she helped with the creation of the Missoula Midtown Association as one of our founding volunteers who saw the potential in organizing businesses and residents to have a voice in Missoula’s future.
“Ellen has spent countless hours guiding our organization in the Midtown Master Plan process,” Lauren Hutchison, Midtown Board President said. “We are incredibly grateful for her years of advocacy, her vision and her ability to help make big goals a reality to ensure residents and businesses in the center of this valley have a vibrant and accessible place to live and work.”
Nominees for the 2023 Townie of the Year included Ellen Buchanan of the MRA, Scott Burke of First Security Bank, and Glenn Marangelo of the Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium.

Join fellow members of the Missoula Midtown Association
for our March Midtown Mixer at Paradise Falls – 3621 Brooks Street.
This Mixer is hosted by Paradise Falls and The YMCA.
Enjoy appetizers, drinks and networking with other folks in the area by stopping by Midtown’s coolest hot spot!

As Missoula’s Coolest Hot Spot, Paradise Falls has been serving Missoula’s South Side since 1993. We are open 7 days a week, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We have become a central location for friends and family to gather as well as provide space for larger group events. Paradise Falls is well known for its Mozzarella Timbers, Wednesday night Prime Rib Special, and its support of youth sports.

The Missoula Family YMCA has served the greater Missoula community since 1967! From youth sports and summer camp to group fitness classes and child care, we offer programs that help each Missoulian reach their full potential. Our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. With the support of generous community donors, we are currently fundraising to build a better YMCA for Missoula through the Here for Good capital campaign. Learn more at ymcamissoula.org.

ABC FOX Montana is excited to welcome you to the Midtown Mixer, Super Bowl Edition.

Join us February 7 at ABC FOX in Missoula at 2200 Stephens Av, in beautiful Midtown Missoula.

On February 12, FOX is broadcasting Super Bowl LVII LIVE from Glendale, Arizona, home of the Arizona Cardinals.

Join us for the February Midtown Mixer to celebrate this coming event and see our studio, meet some of our anchors and staff, take your picture in front of the green screen and at the news desk, where we broadcast to a half-million Montanans every night and win ABC, FOX, SWX and Super Bowl-related door prizes.

As a bonus, our SWX Sports crew will also be broadcasting LIVE the Hellgate @ Sentinel girls basketball game at the time of the Mixer so you can watch it with us – tip-off is 5:45p across the street at Sentinel Gym!

We will also be highlighting a non-profit that is near and dear to us – the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. This annual event will be in Missoula Feb 17 – 26 and will be celebrating their 20th year! Door prizes will include 2 all-access passes to the films, workshops, panel discussions and parties.



Dress in your favorite ugly sweater or in your festive cocktail attire!

Join us for a special holiday Midtown Mixer! Enjoy cocktails and appetizers with fellow members of Midtown.
Hosted by Southgate Mall in the Community Corridor outside Scheel’s inside the mall.


Southgate Mall – Holiday Mixer
December 6 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

We will have special door prizes and drawings for members.

Southgate Mall opened in 1978 and has been home to national, regional and local retailers for over 40 years. Southgate Mall has hosted thousands of community events in that time and continues to be active in the community as Missoula’s town center. Southgate Mall remains an attraction for western Montana and with the thriving anchors Scheels, Dillards-Womens, Dillards-Mens & Children, AMC Dine-In 9 and the great line up of services, retailers and restaurants, Southgate Management invites you all to come see us at the mall!

Join your fellow midtown peeps for the November Midtown Mixer – hosted by Glacier Ice Rink. This month’s mixer will be located at the Missoula Fairgrounds in the Home Arts Building (#35), where they will have beverages provided by Great Burn Brewing and appetizers provided by Community Medical Center.

FREE ice skating at Glacier Ice Rink from 7 to 8 pm! Head over to the rink after the mixer for FREE ice skating, bring the family!

Glacier Ice Rink, operated by the nonprofit Missoula Area Youth Hockey Association (MAYHA) was founded on the Missoula Fairgrounds in 1997 by a group of volunteers. The rink has since grown to serve thousands of participants and spectators each year through its hockey, skating and curling programs. Glacier Ice Rink relies on the support of sponsors and donors to offset its operating costs and keep its programs affordable.
 
Glacier Ice Rink supports the Fairgrounds bond on the November ballot. The $19 million, 20-year bond would help fund a dedicated livestock center, a third sheet of ice, and enhance green space on the Fairgrounds. Help us create more opportunities for expanded recreation, agricultural education and community connection by voting FOR the Fairgrounds this November!

Online Visioning Survey to Follow in October

ECONorthwest, SERA Design and our team of economists, transportation planners and urban designers met with over 200 Missoulians this week to gather ideas and feedback for the Midtown Master Plan. Housing, bicycle and pedestrian safety, parking and road connectivity were among the discussion topics during the community visioning workshop and small group meetings.
An online survey will be published on MidtownMasterplan.com in October for more Missoulians to participate in the proces (a follow up email will be sent when the survey is live.)

What do you love most about Midtown? What do you think is missing? Now is the time to give your feedback to our design team so they can take the suggestions and work on drafting the preliminary plan for community input.

The first plan drafts will be presented to the public in early 2023. Email us with any questions at midtown@missoulamidtown.com. Updates on the process will be posted on the Midtown website.

Click to see full newsletter

Join fellow members of the Missoula Midtown Association for our October Midtown Mixer at the Mustard Seed (upstairs), located at 2901 Brooks Street. This event is hosted by First Security Bank.

Enjoy appetizers, ice cold drinks and networking with other folks in the area by stopping by!

First Security Bank first opened its doors in downtown Missoula in 1972. Quickly growing to a family of seven full-service branch locations, we also established full-service locations in the nearby communities of Corvallis, Hamilton, Plains, Thompson Falls and, Stevensville.

First Security Bank offers a full-range of banking products and services providing individuals and businesses with the help necessary to achieve their financial goals, today and throughout their lives.

We operate our own management teams in the towns we know well, because we live here too! We value being an integral part of our many communities and are proud to serve friends, neighbors and local businesses not only with superior banking products and services, but with considerable investments of our own time and effort to help non-profit and community organizations wherever we are. In fact, we support more than 400 local community organizations every year. 

In 1996 we joined the Glacier Family of Banks, owned by Kalispell, Montana-based Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (GBCI). Glacier Bank is a regional bank providing world-class financial services to individuals and businesses throughout the Western United States. This has enabled us to serve our local communities with the same unique personal attention and friendly service our customers have come to expect, with the added resources of our much larger banking family.

We proudly serve the communities of Missoula, Hamilton, Corvallis, Stevensville, Lolo, Thompson Falls and Plains Montana. 

Join fellow members of the Missoula Midtown Association for our September Midtown Mixer at Missoula Country Club, located at 3850 Old US 93. This event is hosted by Blackfoot and Foundation for Community Health.

Enjoy appetizers, ice cold drinks and networking with other folks in the area by stopping by!

At Blackfoot Communications, we believe that strong connections matter. Connecting businesses. Connecting homes. Connecting communities. Connecting with each other. Using the latest technology in voice, broadband, network and managed services, we keep people reliably connected.

We serve homes in Western Montana and Eastern Idaho, as well as businesses of all sizes throughout the Pacific Northwest. We also connect with our communities by giving back to local organizations, causes and schools in ways that truly matter.

Headquartered in Missoula, Montana and named after the Blackfoot River, we have more than 65 years of history in creating strong connections. Connect to more with Blackfoot Communications. GoBlackfoot.com/Business

Building Healthy Communities Together: Foundation for Community Health engages western Montanans in health education and support to advance healthy lives. Through collaborative, action-based prevention education, grant-making, and outreach, Foundation for Community Health works to improve health outcomes of western Montanans. Efforts include high school and professional development healthcare scholarships, leadership of the Safe Kids Missoula Coalition and the Safe Kids Montana office, Be Sun Smart skin cancer and melanoma awareness, care and comfort support, and a health grants program.

Save the date for the Safe Kids Fair September 25th! Learn more about the important work of FCH here: https://www.fchwmt.org/

Join fellow members of the Missoula Midtown Association for our August Midtown Mixer at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Montana Properties, located at 1020 South Ave West.

Enjoy appetizers, ice cold drinks and networking with other folks in the area by stopping by to mingle on the patio!

From first homes to forever homes, we help more people. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Montana Properties is a full-service brokerage committed to delivering exceptional service and building rich and trusted relationships. When you work with one of our agents, you can expect high-quality service throughout your real estate journey. We value relationships over transactions, and our agents will be with you every step of the way, for life.

The company was formed in 2006 when Prudential Bridger Realty (formerly Bridger Realty, formed in 1980) and Gillespie Realty (formed in 1958) came together to form Prudential Montana Real Estate. After years of success operating under the Prudential brand, the company rebranded in 2015 with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

We are proud to be part of the internationally recognized Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand as we continue to grow across the state. With 17 offices and nearly 260 agents across Western Montana, we are here to help with your real estate needs!

Join fellow members of the Missoula Midtown Association for our June Midtown Mixer at Stockman Bank, located at 

3615 Brooks Street. This event is hosted by Stockman Bank and Opportunity Resources.

Enjoy appetizers, ice cold drinks and networking with other folks in the area by stopping by to see the new facility!

As the largest private, family-owned bank in the state, Stockman Bank is owned and operated by Montanans with products and services specifically designed for Montana’s unique way of life. Stockman Bank’s roots run deep. In 1953 Wm. Nefsy purchased controlling interest in the Miles City Bank. His vision was to create a banking organization to serve the needs of the entire community. Particularly important in his vision was the need to serve agricultural producers and local business people. While various trends in the banking industry have come and gone over the years, Mr. Nefsy always focused on serving the financial needs of these important members of our community. This vision and focus on service continues today, and recently Stockman Bank was named one of the world’s best banks by Forbes.

In 1955, the Opportunity School Foundation opened its doors to educate a handful of Missoula’s children with developmental disabilities. Since then, the original 7 students has grown to over 700 adults with disabilities, our rented classroom has been replaced with a 30,000 square-foot headquarters, and our programs have evolved to provide a holistic approach to enhancing lives. We’ve been serving Western Montana for over 60 years, always focused on our mission of:

“Supporting Persons with Disabilities in Enhancing Their Way of Life.”

The May Missoula Midtown Mixer will be hosted by Park Side Credit Union on Tuesday, May 3rd from 5-7 pm at Great Burn Brewing, 2230 McDonald Ave. Park Side is looking forward to welcoming guests and to highlighting their 2022 Park Side Partners, Families First Learning Lab, Friends of the Children, and Summit Independent Living Center, as they mark the countdown to Missoula Gives. 

Our friends at Great Burn Brewing have been brewing a special Park Side Partner Pale Ale to add to their Spring rotation. A portion of the proceeds of the sale of this beer will benefit our Park Side Partners, who were invited to assist in the brewing process. The beer represents an unparalleled collaboration among two local businesses and three deserving nonprofits. The Park Side Partner Pale Ale is made with a selection of hops and malts, along with a special ingredient: a sprinkle of Love for our Community. Now you know the secret. 

Do the Park Side thing and say YES to joining us at Great Burn Brewing for a fun evening of drinks and snacks, networking, and celebration!

Join fellow members of the Missoula Midtown Association for our April Midtown Mixer at Clearwater Credit Union, located at 3600 Brooks Street in the Corporate Training Center building.Enjoy appetizers, ice cold drinks and networking with other folks in the area by stopping by to see the new facility!

Join us for a special holiday Midtown Mixer hosted by Southgate Mall! Enjoy cocktails and appetizers in your holiday attire.Please meet us on December 7th, 2021 between 5pm and 7pm at the corridor in front of Scheel’s at Southgate Mall!
There will be door prizes for all and a special drawing for new members that join!

We hope to see you there!

Southgate Mall opened in 1978 and has been home to national, regional and local retailers for over 40 years. Southgate Mall has hosted thousands of community events in that time and continues to be active in the community as Missoula’s town center. Southgate Mall remains an attraction for western Montana and with the thriving anchors Scheels, Dillards-Womens, Dillards-Mens & Children, AMC Dine-In 9 and the great line up of services, retailers and restaurants the Southgate Management team invites all to come see the new concourse entrance adjacent to Scheels!!!








We had major developments recently in our work to launch a master planning effort for Midtown. With a significant investment in Urban Renewal District III funding from the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, we are now $17,000 away from a fully funded Master Plan project. 

Please see our press release below for details on the historic investments being made in Midtown. We ask for you to please consider joining the 38 businesses and public sector partners supporting this effort by making a tax-deductible donation to the Missoula Midtown Foundation to help us close the funding gap and launch the Master Plan in January.

Contributions can be made online HERE or by sending an email to midtown@missoulamidtown.com.

Thank you for your support and participation!

November 18, 2021

PRESS STATEMENT

Record Breaking Investment in Midtown Missoula

Missoula Midtown Master Plan Taps Urban Renewal District III Support at Pivotal Moment

           (Missoula, MT) – The Missoula Midtown Association today solidified a partnership with the Missoula Redevelopment Agency to finalize funding to launch a Master Plan for Missoula’s urban core. The MRA Board approved up to $370,000 in Urban Renewal District III funding toward a $570,000 project budget. The Missoula Midtown Association will now proceed to hire a planning & design team to lead Missoula County in an 18-month planning process to guide growth in Midtown.

The plan dovetails extraordinarily well with other efforts underway for Midtown, particularly the Brooks Street Corridor bus rapid transit project, which Missoula was awarded an $850,000 RAISE grant from the federal government to complete plans for this week. The Association was pleased to support the City of Missoula’s application for a USDOT RAISE grant that will identify all that is required to make bi-directional, fixed-route, center-running bus-rapid transit successful on Brooks Street. These two planning efforts present a combined over $1.4 million investment in charting the future of Midtown.

The Midtown Master Plan differs from other efforts in that it will approach Midtown holistically, recognizing our area as a loved place people already enjoy, and folding previous work into a comprehensive vision that embraces current residents and workers.

“Without a community vision for Midtown, we risk being caught flatfooted when demand for development increases beyond our community capacity to manage it appropriately,” Lauren Hutchison, Missoula Midtown Association Board Chair wrote to MRA. “The equitable Master Plan we envision and have carefully planned over the last two years will be a thorough, thoughtful, and innovative approach to create a space for Midtowners and Missoulians to engage in a planning process unlike any before. We plan to put Midtown on the map as an extraordinary place and Missoula on the map as a leader in innovative planning and engagement.”

The deliverable will be an all-inclusive Master Plan in a multi-media format that details a comprehensive strategy to engage public and private businesses, citizens, and stakeholders, emphasizing disenfranchised populations. This will require innovative approaches to working directly with groups who are left out of traditional public processes, and will be a fresh approach to community planning in Missoula.

The Missoula Midtown Association has been working for many years to prepare for this moment and we are grateful to our many community partners and over 30 businesses who are supporting this effort. We will be issuing the RFP to begin building the planning & design team who will lead us in this process this January and look forward to working with the community to create a plan that will guide Missoula growth for decades to come.

Mixer September image

Join fellow members of the Missoula Midtown Association at the Big Dipper Ice Cream shop located at 2700 Paxson Street Suite F.

Enjoy appetizers, ice cold drinks and networking with other folks in the area by attending the September Mixer!
In June of 1995, Charlie Beaton began producing Big Dipper Ice Cream in the back of the newly opened Kettle House Brewery. A used ice cream machine, -20 degree blast freezer and quality ingredients were about all it took to make the great gourmet ice cream that people are still enjoying today. With just wholesale business in mind, Big Dipper quickly captured the wholesale market selling to restaurants, coffee shops and grocery stores. Within a year, Charlie along with new wife Barbie and long-time friend Dale Bickell moved the operation to the corner of 5th and Higgins and began a retail store along with the existing wholesale business. Dale sold his shares of Big Dipper in 2002 and is now CAO of the City of Missoula.
Big Dipper became a household name in Missoula and beyond, winning Best of Missoula awards yearly as well as garnering national attention in Food and Wine, Budget Travel, USA Today and numerous other publications. In 2010 Big Dipper was recognized in USA Today as one of America’s favorite ice cream shops. In 2013 the Beaton family appeared on Good Morning America representing Big Dipper for America: Best Ice Cream Ever!

Big Dipper operations have grown as well; in 2010 Big Dipper opened its first franchise store in Helena, MT and rolled out “Coneboy”, their ice cream truck. “Coneboy” is a partnership with longtime manager, Bryan Hickey. Along with Hickey, Big Dipper has opened a kiosk in the Adams Center at the University of Montana as well as a store in Billings, Montana. Charlie started an offshoot of its brand called Big Dipper Select in 2016. Big Dipper Select is manufactured in Missoula as well as in St. George, Utah, providing ice cream supplied to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks and other accounts throughout the West. Most recently Big Dipper opened its 2nd location in midtown Missoula across from the AMC theater in the summer of 2020.

The Missoula Midtown Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, enhancement, and accessibility of the midtown area as it relates to businesses, residents and the community. Its goals are to provide resources and information related to the success and growth of a healthy business community and to enhance the quality of life and quality of place for visitors and residents alike.

We hope to see you there!

It’s summertime in Missoula, and that means the Western Montana Fair is just around the corner! The festivities are back this year with a fresh new look following several renovations and improvements to the Missoula County Fairgrounds throughout the past couple of years, while many of your classic attractions including fair food favorites, carnival rides, live music, dirt bike racing, and rodeos will give everyone something to enjoy!

This year’s event has been dubbed, “The Hoedown in Midtown” and will feature live entertainment each evening, along with a FREE Barn Dance every night starting at 9 PM.

The Western Montana Fair operates from 11am-11pm daily, August 11-15, and as in years past, ADMISSION IS FREE TO ALL!

Public parking opens 7:30am. There is one lot for handicap parking (South Ave entrance) and one lot for public parking (Russell St).

The mission of the Missoula County Fairgrounds is to promote agriculture, education, culture, recreation, community connection and to reflect the beauty of Western Montana.

For full Fair Exhibit & Show Schedule, click here


Enjoy appetizers, ice cold drinks and networking with other folks in the area by attending the August Mixer!
Cornerstone Dental Missoula started in 2015 when Dr. Lindsay Rogers acquired a small dental office from a retiring dentist that had been part of the Missoula community for over 30 years. The practice relocated to 3111 Grant St in 2020 and grew its team to 14 including the addition of Dr Fisher in 2021. 
At Cornerstone Dental, our goal is to provide outstanding dental care with warmth, friendliness, and a touch of humor. We love what we do because we love helping our valued patients understand and enjoy the benefits of a smile that is both healthy and attractive.  Cornerstone Dental is proud to provide some of the best technology available in dentistry today in their new state of the art facility. From same day crowns to chairs that are self cleaning. Our office is open 5 days a week with the ability to schedule appoints online with any one of our 4 hygienists. 
Click here to find out more! cornerstonedentalmissoula.com

The Missoula Midtown Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, enhancement, and accessibility of the midtown area as it relates to businesses, residents and the community. Its goals are to provide resources and information related to the success and growth of a healthy business community and to enhance the quality of life and quality of place for visitors and residents alike.
We hope to see you there!

JOIN US AT FIRST SECURITY BANK

JUNE 1, 5-7PM, AT 2601 GARFIELD STREET

Join fellow members of the Missoula Midtown Association at First Security Bank on Garfield.
The event starts at 5pm and is hosted by the Missoula Family YMCA and First Security Bank.

Enjoy appetizers, ice cold drinks and networking with other folks in the area by attending the June Mixer!

The Missoula Family YMCA has served the greater Missoula community since 1967! From youth sports and summer camp to group fitness classes and child care, we offer programs that help each Missoulian reach their full potential. Our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Find out more about the YMCA by clicking HERE

First Security Bank first opened its doors in downtown Missoula in 1972. Quickly growing to a family of seven full-service branch locations, we also established full-service locations in the nearby communities of Corvallis, Hamilton, Plains, Thompson Falls and most recently, Stevensville.First Security Bank offers a full-range of banking products and services providing individuals and businesses with the help necessary to achieve their financial goals, today and throughout their lives. We operate our own management teams in the towns we know well, because we live here too! We value being an integral part of our many communities and are proud to serve friends, neighbors and local businesses not only with superior banking products and services, but with considerable investments of our own time and effort to help non-profit and community organizations wherever we are. In fact, we support more than 400 local community organizations every year. Visit their website by clicking HERE

The Missoula Midtown Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, enhancement, and accessibility of the midtown area as it relates to businesses, residents and the community. Its goals are to provide resources and information related to the success and growth of a healthy business community and to enhance the quality of life and quality of place for visitors and residents alike.

We hope to see you there!

First In-Person Event of the Year!

Join fellow members of the Missoula Midtown Association at the Missoula Fairgrounds at the new historic plaza and commercial building. The event starts at 5pm and is hosted by The Missoula County Fairgrounds, Farmers State Bank and Great Burn Brewing.

Enjoy appetizers, ice cold drinks and networking with other folks in the area by attending our first LIVE event of the year!

Missoula County Fairgrounds hosts an ever-increasing variety of public events during the year, and is the largest such facility in Western Montana. The Fairgrounds offers a variety of facilities, both indoor and outdoor, for business meetings, trade shows, concerts and equestrian events, and can also provide all of the necessary support services for such events. Visit their website by clicking HERE

Great Burn Brewing was originally established in April 29, 2013 by family and friends. The ¾ -part family business, consists of the Howard Brothers Mike and Greg, and Diana Garrett, Greg’s wife. They were later joined by friend Jennifer Wright to add the fourth partner to the company. Together, with our unique skill sets we have started and operated this craft beer business. This business was brain child of the Howard Brothers in honor of their fallen brother Chad Howard. Click HERE for more information.

Farmers State Bank has been a locally owned community bank since 1907. With 7 branches from Darby to Missoula and an all new location in Helena, they have faithfully serviced its communities with their financial needs for 110 years and continually strives to offer innovative products, superior service and knowledge, all with a small town feel. Farmers State Bank is a 4th generation (5th generation growing!), locally owned, all Montana bank. Learn more by visiting their website HERE

We hope to see you there!

Join fellow members of the Missoula Midtown Association via Zoom for a Virtual Midtown Mixer, Tuesday, April 6, beginning at 4:00 PM.

Join Zoom Meeting
CLICK HERE
Meeting ID: 898 3881 7025
+1 346 248 7799 US

Given the lack of regular social gatherings as of late, we would like to invite you to attend our monthly virtual meeting to connect all members and provide a venue for all who are willing to share news about how your business, organization, and team are doing through these unique times.

We will open with comments from Midtown Association President, Mark Bellon and then we will host guests from Homeword and Missoula Interfaith Collaborative to present ‘Housing Advocate Network and Property Partner Program, A Spectrum of Support.’

PRESENTERS:

Karissa Trujillo is Operations & Program Director at Homeword Inc. She is responsible for managing Homeword’s homebuyer and financial education programs, housing and financial counseling services, as well as for the operations and administrative functions of the organization. She is responsible for managing program and administrative staff, managing the budget, ensuring program compliance, evaluating outcomes, writing grants, and developing partnerships to address community and client needs.

Alex Ramsing joined Homeword as Landlord Liaison in January 2020. Alex is looking forward to helping develop this new position with the hope that the Landlord Liaison will increase the access Missoula County residents have to homes they can afford. This position is funded by the Missoula Board of County Commissioners. Alex serves as a resource for landlords who are interested in renting to people with perceived high barriers to finding a home, such as poor credit or previous incarceration. He is responsible for leading community-wide efforts to effectively market Missoula housing support programs to new and existing landlords and property managers with the goal of expanding the number of rental homes available to people with barriers to renting a home.

Zeke Campfield is a social worker and program director at Missoula Interfaith Collaborative. His work focuses primarily on homelessness, with a direct service approach towards helping individuals and families address basic needs as well as working on systemic change through community organizing models. Zeke helped found Welcome Back, a community organization focused on building leaders from among individuals impacted by the justice system, and currently serves on the board of directors of ACLU of Montana and Crosswinds Transitional Living. Zeke believes strongly in the power of story and is committed to providing marginalized and oppressed populations the opportunity to take a primary role in facilitating important community change.

Jane Kisselbach is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Missoula. Jane manages the church’s assistance account and is an active volunteer in various Missoula Interfaith Collaborative (MIC) programs, such as Family Promise and the Housing Advocate Network, as well as a participant in the organizing work of Common Good Missoula.

This interactive and educational event is one you won’t want to miss. If your office (or home-office) allows it, we encourage you to enjoy a cold beverage during the call, if you would like, to help create that “Mixer” feel.

We look forward to connecting with you!

Join fellow members of the Missoula Midtown Association for our April Midtown Mixer at Clearwater Credit Union, located at 3600 Brooks Street in the Corporate Training Center building.
Enjoy appetizers, ice cold drinks and networking with other folks in the area by stopping by to see the new facility!
 
Clearwater Credit Union’s mission is to be a force for good in banking, in the communities we serve, and in the lives of our members. Established in 1956 – today, Clearwater is Montana’s second-largest credit union and its largest US Treasury Department certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). A member-owned, not-for-profit banking cooperative, Clearwater proudly serves over 52,000 members across 20 counties in Western Montana and is committed to donating 5% of net income each year to local organizations and non-profits. 

THE LEAD: Midtown Master Plan RFP Published

The Missoula Midtown Association and other public, private, and nonprofit partners are seeking the services of a consulting team with broad experience in visioning, urban planning and design, landscape architecture, parking, transportation, market and housing analysis, citizen outreach and implementation to create a Midtown Master Plan (MMP). The MMP will reflect Midtown’s values and reinforce our unique character, culture, and economic activity. It will provide strategies to use as a blueprint for the development of the area.
 
The project is funded by over 35 different partners, including 30 private businesses from the Midtown area and six public partners. The selected team will lead Missoula County in the planning process over the next 18 months.
 
Proposals are due April 1, 2022
 
For more info, you can send questions to our email address: midtown@missoulamidtown.com
 
To download the RFP, visit the Master Plan page of our website here: https://mslamidprod.wpenginepowered.com/masterplan/http://The Missoula Midtown Association and other public, private, and nonprofit partners are seeking the services of a consulting team with broad experience in visioning, urban planning and design, landscape architecture, parking, transportation, market and housing analysis, citizen outreach and implementation to create a Midtown Master Plan (MMP). The MMP will reflect Midtown’s values and reinforce our unique character, culture, and economic activity. It will provide strategies to use as a blueprint for the development of the area. The project is funded by over 35 different partners, including 30 private businesses from the Midtown area and six public partners. The selected team will lead Missoula County in the planning process over the next 18 months. Proposals are due April 1, 2022 For more info, you can send questions to our email address: midtown@missoulamidtown.com
 
To download the RFP, visit the Master Plan page of our website here: https://mslamidprod.wpenginepowered.com/masterplan/

Join fellow members of the Missoula Midtown Association for our March Midtown Mixer at Opportunity Bank, located at 1821 South Ave W, Suite 101!

Enjoy appetizers, ice cold drinks and networking with other folks in the area by stopping by to see the new facility!
Opportunity Bank of Montana opened its doors in August of 1922 as American Building and Loan with a single office in Helena. Since our first day, it has been our honor to be a Montana community financial institution committed to providing strong financial futures for Montanans. Opportunity Bank has two convenient locations in Missoula and branches across Montana.

Join fellow members of the Missoula Midtown Association at Oddpitch Brewing located in the new Kent Shopping Center at 1200 West Kent Suite 103!

This event is hosted by Sterling CRE Advisors, who would like to thank Oddpitch Brewing for partnering with them on the location for the February Midtown Mixer.
Enjoy appetizers, ice cold drinks and networking with other folks in the area by stopping by to see the new facility!

Whether you are a buyer, seller, tenant, or investor, Sterling CRE Advisors provides you with comprehensive commercial real estate brokerage services. Through independent research, Sterling CRE Advisors compiles data on the local commercial real estate market that will help you rise above the competition. Responsive. Results. The Sterling CRE Advantage.