Paul Bunyan Bar and Grill coming to the Canyon

Former Bandit Bar owner John VanValkenburg is building a new bar and grill next to Packer’s Roost on U.S. Highway 2 near Coram.

VanValkenburg’s new place is called the Paul Bunyan Bar and Grill and will feature the old Paul Bunyan Bar sign that used to be a fixture in Columbia Falls before it was torn down about 20 years ago.

VanValkenburg found the sign and said he bought it from a guy, who had it stored in his backyard for years, for $500.

VanValkenburg bought the Sportsman’s Bar on Nucleus in 2006 and changed its name to the Bandit. The two bars — the Bandit and the Sportsman — used to be adjacent to one another. He sold the Bandit to Mick Ruis last year and Ruis, in turn, sold it to Pat Carloss of Whitefish, who is now renovating the structure.

VanValkenburg’s new venture will not just be a bar, but will also have 10 guest cabins on the property, so patrons can spend the night. He said he hopes to have the project done by July 1 — in time for the tourist season.

The new bar and restaurant will be 6,500 square feet with a big deck, a grill where the cook faces the dining room, a fireplace, a stage for live music and a special stage that will rotate so the bands can play either inside or outside.

He said the building will have a rough cut wood look and rough cut beams as well.

VanValkenburg said he tried to buy the adjacent Packer’s Roost Bar from owner Greg Vorhees, but couldn’t reach a deal.