Construction on the newest location for North 40 could be starting soon.
Fences have gone up around the old K-Mart and Big Bear stores on the northwest side of Great Falls.
According to City of Great Falls Planning & Community Development Department, the company currently has demolition permits.
This means they can start doing some of the work that they need to do before they start with construction.
The Planning & Community Development Department also stated the architect is currently finishing the plans for the new location.
Once those are submitted, they are move forward with getting the building permits in place.
(FEBRUARY 5, 2018) Big Bear is closing its Great Falls location after being in business for more than 50 years.
- Big Bear is closing its Great Falls store on NW Bypass
- No official closure date announced yet
- North 40 has bought the Big Bear location
- North 40 plans to open a store in the Kmart/Big Bear location
- North 40 does not plan to close 10th Avenue South store
North 40 Outfitters announced on Monday that it has finalized a lease to take over the building that formerly was the Kmart on the west side of Great Falls. The building is located at 1000 3rd Street NW near the Westwood Plaza shopping center. The Kmart store closed several months ago.
North 40 also announced that it has secured the rights to the building next door, which currently is Big Bear Sporting Goods.
Jolene Schalper, vice president of the Great Falls Development Authority said this is a loss for Great Falls.
“Whenever you hear an announcement like that, our thoughts first go to the employees and we’re confident that they will be able to find meaningful employment elsewhere, but it is a disappointment when you have a long standing store and community members that now have this change and turmoil.”
That meaningful employment just might be with North 40, which announced on Monday that it has secured the rights to the Big Bear store and will be opening its second Great Falls location next door at the vacant Kmart building.
Shane Etzwiler, president and CEO of the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, said this is big news for the people of Great Falls and the surrounding communities.
“It’s exciting news for a couple of reasons. North 40 is now going to have two locations in Great Falls, one on the east side serving those folks on the east side plus those coming from the east, Lewistown and that area, but then also, on the west, northwest side as well too.”
He added the change is just how things go now.
“You know, it’s unfortunate, but I think with the dynamics of retail today, it’s just kind of what we’re seeing. While we’re sorry to see them go, definitely, we also see another company coming in as an opportunity to take advantage of that situation.”
Schalper said this is a great move for North 40 and Great Falls: “You’re looking at this area of town which is set for high growth, you have the West Bank Landing development which is going to spark additional development on that side of town. It’s a good investment and that area should see additional investment. It’s a good time in Great Falls, we have a lot of excitement going on in building, and we just need to keep up that momentum together.”
Big Bear will start its closing sale on February 14. The store has not yet announced its closing date.
Chuck McKenzie also told MTN News that all employees have been notified of the closing and he believes North 40’s announcement will be positive for Great Falls.
