New restaurant opens at Streeter's corner

It’s the dream of a lifetime come true.

Melody Buller used those words to describe her new restaurant: Bigfork Corner Cafe.

Buller took over the business from previous owners Bob and Tammy Hand May 27 and completed the purchase June 4.

The veteran of the restaurant industry said she has wanted to own her own business for 20 years. When the Hands announced they would be closing May 27, Buller had her chance.

“I prayed and said, “If it’s meant to be, let it be,” she said, recalling a prayer she prayed the Friday before the business was to close. “I would not be sitting here if I wouldn’t have asked God to help me,” she said last week.

Buller managed the business through a contract for a week and then became the owner once the sale closed. Her business partner is Helen Vickers, who handles the bookkeeping duties.

The main idea Buller would like customers to know is that everything is homemade and fresh. “Our beef comes in fresh,” she said. “We make the patties” from Angus beef.

Kendra McAnally is the “star soup maker and baker,” Buller said. McAnally makes a variety of soups daily, including Manhattan and New England clam chowder, taco, taco noodle, lasagna, chicken noodle and cheesy broccoli soups and chilli.

Catherine Furr makes the desserts, including pies and cinnamon rolls.

There are daily breakfast and lunch specials. Lunch specials include soup and a sandwich, $5.99 (cold sandwich) or $6.99 (hot sandwich), or a burger with soup, salad, fries or tater tots for $7.99. Burger specials include: mushroom and swiss, barbecue bacon cheddar, and western with pepper jack and onion, for example.

Buller worked for the Corner Kitchen for six years. That business was preceded by Streeters Corner. Afterward it became Los Caporales and then Tammy’s Cafe.

Buller also managed the Dairy Queen for 10 years prior to working at the Corner Kitchen.

Bigfork Corner Cafe is open 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Buller plans to open in the evenings, Thursday through Sunday, at some point. “I’m looking for good help,” she said.

Located on the corner of Montana 35 and Montana 83, Bigfork Corner Cafe can be reached at 837-2490.