Col. Falls community market poised to expand

The hillside above O’Brien’s Liquor Store has been transformed with the demolition of a century-old house and two other buildings on the property.

The property may provide the Columbia Falls Community Market with space for 20 more vendors this summer.

Larry and Julie Matson of Columbia Falls, owners of LM Excavating, purchased the property recently.

Larry Matson said he bought it to help clean up the town, so that the property would be less of a burden to someone who wants to build on it. He credits Freedom Bank President Don Bennett for helping finance the project.

Matson estimates the house was built between 1880 and 1890 because it was put together with square nails made by hand.

He will use some of the recycled wood as siding on his new home in Columbia Falls, and sell some of it.

As for the future of the property, he is unsure.

“We may just clean it up, make it look nice and sell it again,” Matson said last week.

The property is zoned for both commercial and residential use, which means it could be a new restaurant, duplex or house, he said.

The hill would have to be extensively landscaped to provide space for market vendors.

Matson said he would lease part of the property to O’Brien Byrd for the market.

“We would like to help him out,” Matson said.

Byrd said the additional space will really help expand the market.

He’s already received more than 80 applications and currently has room for only 35 vendors.

One of the recent changes to the market is that dogs won’t be allowed.

The market put a request on Facebook for public input on changing the dog policy for the market.

Many people commented on the post and most voted to not allow dogs.

“The public spoke and our market’s evolving because of it,” Byrd said.

Once again there will be 19 weekly markets from May 19 to Sept. 22.

He expects a busier market with the addition of Cedar Creek Lodge across the street and increased exposure in its second year. But, that means more parking challenges.

They’re adding a rack that holds 50 bikes to encourage people to bike or walk, Byrd said. Also, Glacier Bank plans to pave its parking lot.

The city is paving Second Avenue West in front of the new hotel, which will provide more parking as well.

There are lots of other changes at the market, especially those that will attract children, such as puppet shows, magicians, climbing walls, half-buried tires and dance performances, Byrd said.

The Coop also is getting a remodel with a permanent bar and wood chips covering the ground inside and additional pavement outside.

There will be four national bands at the market in addition to some of the top bands in the Flathead Valley.