With the Gunsight Bar and Grill, the Nucleus revival continues

Another chapter in the revitalization of Nucleus Avenue in Columbia Falls is about to unfold in the beginning of June. Owner Pat Carloss is set to open the new Gunsight Bar and Grill in the former Bandit (and Sportsman) Bar in Columbia Falls.

In the past eight months or so, the establishment has gone under a complete transformation. The ceilings have been stained, the floor has been finished, the bar is being rebuilt, the kitchen overhauled and the exterior has been remodeled to a standard it hasn’t seen in a half century.

In addition, Carloss and his staff have put in an outdoor bar, a stage for live music and an ugly old fence between the bar and the Nord Building will soon come down, replaced by a wrought iron fence, so pedestrians can see into the yard.

Carloss is no stranger to the Flathead Valley restaurant business. He already owns the Tupelo Grille, one of the best fine dining restaurants in Whitefish and more recently started The Abruzzo Italian Kitchen, which is in the former Truby’s location in Whitefish.

The goal is to make Gunsight a Columbia Falls destination.

“We want to be family friendly,” Carloss said during a tour last week. “People have been very supportive.”

He said the menu will feature “upscale bar food” with items ranging a modest $8 to $20.

Paul Abu-Taleb is the director of operations for Carloss’ restaurants.

“I think what we’re trying to build here is a hometown bar,” Abu-Taleb said. “A place where you take your grandparents out to eat ... or sit a bar stool for four hours.”

At least initially, the restaurant will have an ordering counter, where patrons order and pickup food. Wait staff will deliver drinks and beverages.

Abu-Taleb said the bar will have 20 beers on tap, specializing in Montana brews. They’ll also have a small cocktail list and at least one cocktail on tap — old fashioneds to start.

Carloss and Abu-Taleb said it’s been a lot of work and they thanked the contractors, suppliers and workers who have brought the project together. The outdoor bar, for example, was built by RBM Lumber of Columbia Falls. Made of larch and fir, the bar is nearly 40 feet long.

The restaurant will also have a host of TVs to watch sporting events, a gaming room and pool tables. A firm opening date has not been set — Carloss said the first week in June.

The new restaurant will employ between 30 and 40 people, with both full-time and part-time jobs.