Former CHS store to be renovated for offices, restaurant
A view from the CHS grain elevator at the intersection of 5th and Center in Kalispell. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake FILE)
Bridgewater LLC has purchased the now-defunct CHS property at 120 W. Idaho St. and plans to turn it into a multi-use office building.
“We’re starting construction on Monday,” Bridgewater Chief Executive Officer James Williamson announced Thursday at the Montana West Economic Development annual meeting.
CHS shuttered the convenience store and gas station next to Walgreens in October as it moved its operations out of downtown and into the new Glacier Rail Park.
“We’re really excited about the development we’re working on here,” Williamson said.
Three tenants have already leased the bottom floor of the CHS building. An office company reportedly has purchased 6,000 square feet of the ground floor; Berube Physical Therapy purchased 22,000 square feet for a physical therapy office and Alpine Lighting is relocating its retail store and warehouse there from Main Street. Bridgewater is still looking for a tenant for the second floor.
The development company also plans to add a small restaurant in the front of the building. Williamson said they’re considering a pizza place, sub sandwich shop or coffee shop.
“We want to take that building, use the existing shell and turn it into a whole new property,” he said.
Bridgewater will remove the gas tanks and canopy, add paving and landscaping and refurbish the building in its signature “mixed-media” style with a combination of wood, steel and glass.
“It’s going to look completely different,” he promised.
Bridgewater also will be responsible for the environmental cleanup from the former gas station. Williamson reported they expect to finish the first stage of the renovation in six to eight months.
Bridgewater is a Kalispell-based development company that opened four years ago and now includes projects throughout the Northwest. In the Flathead Valley, Bridgewater has completed a number of high-profile projects including retail centers and hotels in North Kalispell.
Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at bserbin@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.
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