Cool Beans

The reference to Cool Beans Coffee Pub in the entry about local favorites reminded me that if you want to enjoy some good brew there, you better do it real quick: Cool Beans is closing up shop and selling everything. Very sad. Although I’m mostly a Morning Light guy, I did enjoy Cool Beans (and their website) the few times I ventured in, and I know that having a “regular” place means so much to coffee lovers. A message from the owners:

COFFEE SHOP FOR SALE: $25,000.00
Cool Beans Coffee Pub will close Friday, May 23, 2008. We are offering the shop as a turnkey business for $25,000. The sale includes all furnishings, equipment, recipes and inventory. The sale does not include the space. Buyers can contact the building owner to discuss leasing the space.
Contact Les at the shop for more information.
On Saturday, May 24, 2008 we will begin selling everything. The sale will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the shop’s location at 512 Central Ave, and will end when we are tired and ready to go home.
If there is something from the shop that you would like to purchase you can make an offer. If your offer is accepted you will be able to pick up your item after we close.

I’m sure that news of Cool Beans closing will be particularly sad for one true believer; on her visit to Great Falls in 2006, Cool Beans was her salvation, and her tale of discovery is a testament not just to the good folks at Cool Beans, but also to Great Falls.

May 8, 2008 | Filed Under restaurants, business | 1 Comment 

Great Falls News

- Press release for the new Verizon Wireless store located in between Pita Pit and Noodle Express on 10th Avenue South.

- CMR grad Kate Downen has been hired as the new Communications Director for Hillary Clinton’s Montana operations.

- Preservation Magazine laments the loss of the B&B Building in downtown Great Falls, which faced the wrecking ball earlier this month.

- Aaron is leading the charge to clean up the neighborhood on the lower North Side and make it safer; if you have any suggestions about how to make things better, Aaron is the one to talk with.

- The funeral for Mr Lynn Meredith will be held today at 2:00 pm. In addition to his days as a Secret Service officer, Mr Meredith was beloved as a substitute teacher by students at CMR, and I’m sure that many of them will be at the service today to remember him.

- Don’t forget that the “Light Up The Dark” benefit for the girls will be held tomorrow - if you can attend, it really will make a difference.

April 25, 2008 | Filed Under business, politics, people | 1 Comment 

Solid As A Rock

I know nothing about concrete - other than that I’ve been accused of having it between my ears - but if you know concrete and want to work, then check this out:

April 15, 2008 | Filed Under business | Leave a Comment 

Job Search in Great Falls

Looking for a job in Great Falls? Here’s a list of some tried-and-true online methods, along with some less well-known sites and services.

April 7, 2008 | Filed Under business, jobs | Leave a Comment 

In Case You Missed It

Just some gentle reminders: first, there are two good dogs (Brittany Spaniels) that are still missing. Second, take a moment to sign the petition to keep “Little Albertson’s” open; although it’s not likely that Albertson’s will change their mind, enough signatures might convince another grocer to move in to the downtown location. And third, don’t forget that the “Festival Of The Book” will be held tonight and tomorrow!

March 28, 2008 | Filed Under events, animals, business | Leave a Comment 

Blogging For Business

Dave (not me - the Dave over at DA Redd Concrete Construction) is one of the smarter guys I’ve encountered in the blogosphere, and he offers up some insight into the business sense of maintaining a web site.

March 25, 2008 | Filed Under business, blogging | Leave a Comment 

Graphic Design Discussion

This might be fun: a “Design and Advertising Discussion” will be held on Tuesday, March 25 at Heritage Hall on the MSU-COT campus. It’s scheduled to run from 5:30 until 8:00 pm, and is open to everyone.

March 23, 2008 | Filed Under events, business | 2 Comments 

Downtown Albertson’s Closing

Wow - the Tribune is reporting that the small Albertson’s grocery store on 1st Avenue North - next to the Steinhaus - will be closing on April 17th. I’ve been in there a few times - it’s a little bit like stepping back in time, in a quaint sort of way. I’m sure that there will be plenty of people affected by this, and quite saddened.
UPDATE: KFBB is reporting that some folks are trying to get a petition started in order to convince Albertson’s to keep the store open.

March 18, 2008 | Filed Under business | 11 Comments 

Health Food Cafe Logo

Any of you catch this Letter To The Editor in the Tribune yesterday? Naturally, I wondered what all the fuss was about; could the logo really be considered offensive? So I stopped by today to take a look, and this is the picture used in the logo:

health food cafe logo

Hm. I suppose it might be considered just a little bit risque, but not offensive. It’s a cute picture that hearkens back to the glory days of the “pin-up girls” and nose-cone art on WWII planes. I think it’s fun. And as pointed out by Amber in her letter, the fact that the lady is on a scale underscores the “health” aspect of her cafe.

And speaking of the cafe - it sure is a nifty place. As a strictly meat-n-potatoes guy, I’m not sure if I would appreciate many of the menu items, but the decor is awesome, and there’s a coffee bar tucked in the back, too. Definitely worth a visit, if you haven’t been yet.

Health Food Cafe pix

Health Food Cafe
200 Central Avenue, phone 406-453-5302
Open Monday - Saturday from 7:00 am - 3:00 pm

March 13, 2008 | Filed Under business | 19 Comments 

Moving To Great Falls: Q & A

OK, Great Falls, time to put your best foot forward! Got an e-mail from Vivian today, and she & her husband will be moving to Great Falls soon. They’ve got some questions - and you’ve got the answers.

My husband is going to be retiring from the Coast Guard this summer…he has taken a job in Great Falls. I have read the Chamber of Commerce Site, along with the Official City Site, however I would like to know what it is really like to live there. We will be renting a house so I guess what I am after is what Great Falls is like from someone who actually lives there. Cost of living; shopping, grocery; malls, local downtown shopping; what the weather is like in Spring Summer Winter and Fall; is it easy to get around driving wise. Right now we are in the Seattle area, needless to say the best word that describes traffic is gridlock most of the time. A ball park figure on what rental houses go for. Just the basic three bedroom two bath nothing fancy type but in a good neighborhood. I know all places have crime, what is the crime rate. Any and all information would be greatly appreciated!

I’ll be posting my answers to her questions later, but it would be great to hear what YOU have to say. Let’s have it!

March 13, 2008 | Filed Under shopping, business, civics | 10 Comments 

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