Monthly Archives: November 2011

Montana’s Small Business Saturday

It’s cold and snowing in Montana. To which I give a hearty “woo hoo!” because that means winter season is nearly here. Which also means that this girl had to wear her snow boots this week and has been perpetually chilly. But no complaining here! Instead, while I wait for my body to adjust to the stellar winter we’re about to have, I’m going to bundle up and spread the love…in the form of small business shout-outs.

Small businesses have a legacy in Montana…One founded upon hard work, long hours and a mix of blood, sweat and tears. Some have stood the test of time and have been passed along generation to generation, while others may still be gaining their footing in Big Sky Country. But whether they’ve been here for years or are just settling into their own corner of Montana, I love ‘em just the same, as they often bring that extra dose of heart and soul to an area, street corner or town.

Here’s my list of some (please note this is not an all-inclusive list) of my favorite small businesses that call Montana home…and why they sparkle in my eyes.

-The Toggery, Whitefish
It’s the perfect combination of outdoor apparel and cuteness.

-Tupelo Grille, Whitefish
Two words: Bread pudding.

-The Montana House, Glacier National Park
Open year-round, this shop is the ending to my perfect winter day in the park, filling my need for hot tea and treats.

Elk Camp Art Gallery & Showroom, Eureka
A brand new shop, this gallery features artists and craftsmen from the heart of the Tobacco Valley.

-Kettlehouse Brewery, Missoula
They have two locations in Missoula with great beer, but for this girl they sparkle because they work with Big Dipper Ice Cream to create beer-flavored ice cream treats. Yes, please.

-Hidden Legend Winery, Victor
A family owned winery, Tim uses local honey and berries to make their (award-winning) meads. PS: I love local honey.

-Monte Dolack Gallery, Missoula
Monte’s work manages to inspire and calm me, all at once.

-Lincon’s Silver Dollar Bar & Gift Shop, Haugan
A childhood favorite pit stop, there are more than 50,000 silver dollars on display.

To the small businesses, and their stalwart owners, thanks for being a part of Montana.
TT

PS: SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26
Saturday, November 26 marks the second annual Small Business Saturday, with many stores across the United States offering discounts, deals and specials in their shops to encourage consumers to shop locally.

Here are a few deals from around Montana for November 26…
*Whitefish: Purchase a $25 gift card at The Naked Noodle and get 10 percent off meal purchases.
*Augusta: Allen’s Manix Store is offering 15 percent off non-grocery items (excluding guns). Just down the street, Latigo and Lace is offering 15 percent off on T-shirts and additional selected items.
*Missoula: MSO Hub is offering 15 percent off (excluding clearance and non-profit organization items). And just a few doors down, MkLAREN Boutique is offering 20 percent off storewide.

Christmas is Coming, Montana

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Let’s talk about something that I love almost as much as Montana. Shopping. While you might envision me out herding cows (right, dad?), cruising the hidden corners of Glacier National Park and digging in the Montana dirt, it’s time you envision your messy-haired friend as a shopper.

You see, I come by it honestly. Look at this cute bundle that is my mom. She is a shopper and taught my two sisters and I the lay of the shopping land.

Last Christmas. (Don't mind my brother's hair...it's longer and prettier than mine).

While the town I grew up in was (and still is) small, my family owns a general store that literally has the motto “If We Don’t Have It, You Don’t Need It.” I’m sure you can only imagine the goodness that is packed into those four walls. As an added bonus of having a store as part of our family, my mama would let me peruse the catalogs with her, ordering things like Montana Silversmiths jewelry, wall hangings, toys and chocolates.

So it should really be no surprise that all these years later, I still love shopping.

Which leads me to the best part of shopping in Big Sky Country…being able to scoop up locally made goodies that are distinctly Montana. And since Christmas is indeed coming, it’s time that we start filling our lists. Here are some of my “top picks” for 2011…

A MONTANA NECKLACE. Cloth & Crown, a local boutique in downtown Missoula, sells these little beauties in gold and silver.

I like to wear my Montana close to my heart.

THE BEST HONEY you’ve never tasted (and the cutest beeswax ornaments I’ve ever seen) from Glacier County Honey in Babb.

Local bees made this sweet goodness.

CHOCOLATES, CARAMELS and CANDY. The Sweet Palace, and their delicious caramels and chocolates, has to make the list.

Two years ago I gave Papa Bear coconut haystacks in his stocking. Pretty sure that cemented my place as favorite child.

GLACIER COUNTRY GOODNESS. And (insert shameless plug here) for those of you that want to take home a little piece of Glacier Country, check out our travel mugs and water bottles. (The water bottle is my favorite of all time).

Your own piece of Glacier Country.

Happy shopping.
TT

PS: Santa, if you’re reading this, I was REAL good this year.

Why Do You Love Montana?

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Oh, hi. First things first, it’s good to see you here. No matter where you’re reading from, I hope you enjoy the adventures we take together each week…thank you for letting me share my little piece of Montana with you. I love it.

A couple of weeks ago, this messy-haired blond wrote a blog about Montana and all of the reasons I love it. See that blog here.

Afterward, I started wondering what your reasons are for loving Montana.

Is it the view of the stars when you’re camping in the Bob Marshall Wilderness? Maybe it’s the incredible history and rich culture of the American Indian tribes? Or is it the unexplainable connection and sense of giddiness you feel when this sign greets you?

Welcome to Montana. Photo courtesy Julia Bennion.

Well, as usual, my curiosity got the best of me. So I asked a few of my friends the big question, “Why do you love Montana?”

And their love for Montana, and willingness to share it with me, was even more than I expected.

Here are some of their responses…

“We love Montana because it’s not easy.”
“The…everything.”
“I love Montana because of the way of life, the freedom, the open spaces and the mountains.”
“It’s home to several local cafes with make the best homemade french fries ever.”
“My heart is there.”
“The sudden view of the Missions when you drive up Highway 93 around the last turn into the valley.”
“The simultaneous warmth and independence of the people. The traditions of the West. The chance to see parts of the natural world as they were intended to be seen.”

Now it’s your turn. What do YOU love about Montana?

Sending you warm Montana-lovin’ hugs,
TT