Community Market finds new home

The Columbia Falls Community Market will have a new home this summer adjacent to St. Richard Catholic Church on Highway 2.

Market director Melissa Ellis said the board will lease about 3 acres of vacant land that is owned by the Glacier Country Boys and Girls Club.

The club is looking to eventually build a facility on the property, but that looks to be years down the road.

The market will run Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. starting May 16 and running through Sept. 26 and it will be open July 4. Ellis said they already have about 114 vendors interested. Josephine’s Speakeasy will provide wine, beer and other spirits she said.

What the nonprofit market needs is support.

“We need market sponsors, partners and volunteers,” she said.

The market will also look to build a 12-foot wide by 120-foot long service road from the church parking lot to serve the market. Church parking will be for visitors. Vendors will park next to their booths.

The market was located at the Coop on Highway 2 for years, but there has since been a falling out between the market and Coop owner O’Brien Byrd.

A lawsuit is currently underway in Flathead County District Court, with both sides claiming the other broke lease agreements. 

But the legal wrangling aside, the market has proven very popular with locals and visitors alike. In 2022, for example, the market saw about 45,000 people. In addition to a host of food, craftsmen and educational booths, the market features live music and local farmers’ produce.

Folks who would like to volunteer or become a sponsor should email Ellis at cfcommunitymarket@gmail.com or visit the market website at: www.cfcommunitymarket.com

This story has been updated to reflect the correct dates and clarify that the church lot will be open for parking.