Editor's note: This is an open letter that Donald Stein sent to Wayne Heaton, the new owner of the Electric

Avenue Gift Shop.

Dear Mr. Heaton:

I am a resident of Bigfork Harbor Condominiums and while walking through town today, I learned that you have recently purchased the Electric Avenue Giftshop and intend to turn it into "office space." My wife and I and many others in our neighborhood are deeply disappointed to learn that this prime retail space will now become an office or real estate company. As you most likely know there are already quite a few realty offices in Bigfork now, and they do not really offer much to the local community. As their numbers continue to grow, these "offices" are likely to drive away the tourists and visitors upon which Bigfork depends so heavily during the vacation season.

We have not been here all our lives, but one of the things that has made Montana and especially Bigfork, so attractive to us was the charm and unique character of this little town. It's why we settled here rather than in Whitefish or Kalispell. As neighborhood retailers are replaced by offices or more realtors, one can only wonder what would be the attraction for tourists to come and visit. I'm sure the same thing holds true for Seeley Lake. I can't imagine your community attracting people to drive all the way to your beautiful area and town just to see office after office after office. We got enough of that in Atlanta and that's why we thought this lovely part of Montana would be so attractive.

You know, that little mall, with its gift shops, restaurants, and galleries is what helps to make our town so unique. In all honesty can you say that replacing the gift shop with just another office will help the business community of Bigfork? By the way, I am NOT in business, so I have no special interest involved….just hoping to keep Bigfork a viable and pleasant place to live and have folks come and visit.

I understand that Montana is the kind of place where anyone can do anything they want with their property and to some, that's a big plus. But having lived through unrestricted development, I'm not so certain its the best thing for small communities and the special character they represent in American life. As a developer yourself with a Web site called "Neighborhood Network," I'd sure like to have your perspective and why you see changing the character of this unique and important space in Bigfork would be good for you and the Bigfork community in both the long and short-term.

I very much hope you will respond to this note and share your thoughts with us.

Sincerely,

Donald and Darel Stein

Bigfork