The Story Behind the "M"

The "M" is 620 feet above the Missoula Valley floor. It is 125' feet long and 100' feet wide. University of Montana forestry students cut the switchbacks into the side of the hill in the early 1900's. The first "M" was assembled out of whitewashed rocks in 1909, and given a fresh coat of paint by freshmen every year, until 1968, when all those rocks were cemented together with concrete.

Photo by Nelson Kenter, kenterphotography.com

Archive for the ‘Featured Business’ Category

A Letter from Georgia

By MARK RIFFEY - We almost didn't open it, thinking it was junk mail. Why would the University of Georgia send us mail way out here in Montana?... more

Business in Montana: Here’s Your Sign

By MARK RIFFEY - To connect with customers, you need to follow the signs. Some signs you must seek out, while many are buried in your existing business data.... more

Best Bars in Missoula for Getting a Free Birthday Drink

By RYAN NEWHOUSE - I’ve put together a list of the best bars in Missoula for celebrating a birthday, based on extensive research, phone calls, and personal past experience.... more

What’s With the Funny Square Bar Codes? (i.e. What are QR Codes?)

By MARK RIFFEY. You may have seen those odd-looking square bar codes in newspapers and magazines, on product boxes, etc. What are they? Read on. . .... more

Differentiation in Business: Promotion Tips to Prevent Generic Marketing

By MARK RIFFEY. One of the things you have to be careful about is making your business too generic. Lesson: Business is Personal.... more

Business Profile: Muzeview Research (Part Three)

By JEFF MANGAN - Read the third part of Jeff's interview with Paul Gladen and Todd Taylor of Muzeview in Missoula, Montana.... more

Business Profile: Muzeview Research (Part Two)

By JEFF MANGAN - Read the second part of Jeff's interview with Paul Gladen and Todd Taylor of Muzeview in Missoula, Montana.... more

Business Profile: Muzeview Research (Part One)

Jeff Mangan, Managing Partner at Fatmoose Media, LP and the founder of mtbusiness.com, interviews Paul Gladen and Todd Taylor of Muzeview in Missoula, Montana.... more

Beer Brings Jobs to Montana and Great Microbreweries to Its Citizens

By RYAN NEWHOUSE. If our country was termed the United States of Beer, Montana would rightly be its capital. ... more

Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs:
Curtis Strohl and Nate Jerrell – Mercantile Deli

By BOB ZIMORINO. Chefs and Owners: Curtis Strohl and Nate Jerrell of Mercantile Deli. I met Nathan and Curtis through my nephew Alex. They worked together at Bravo Catering and the two of them decided to strik... more

Road Trippin’ to Missoula

By MARGARET HORTON. I’ll be taking off for Missoula soon. As a frequent visitor I know that flights from our area run a couple of times a day, but my favorite way to travel……and the way I travel most ofte... more

Seeley Lake Brew Fest and Tamarack Festival: A Weekend of Fun and Suds

By RYAN NEWHOUSE. This weekend kegs will be tapped and poured at the annual Seeley Lake Brew Fest and Tamarack Festival. The event kicks off on Friday October 7 at 7:00 p.m. with festivities throughout the week... more

Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs:
Bill Worden – The Shack Cafe

By BOB ZIMORINO. Chefs and Owners: Bill Worden of The Shack Cafe. I have known Bill Worden for over thirty years. We have eaten in each other’s restaurants, always been respectful and usually shared a laugh o... more

Loopy – for Loopy Knit / Crochet in Missoula

By MARGARET HORTON .As the season shifts, so does my creativity. I want to hold a pair of wooden needles and listen to their faint clicking while I knit, purl and attempt to learn the variety of stitches I have... more

Kate and John Bike for Food and Beer

By RYAN NEWHOUSE. John and Kate Suscovich launched a 24,000-mile journey by bike three and half months ago in New York. The goal was to raise awareness about living active lifestyles and making educated food ch... more

Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs:
Justin Philbrick – Red Robin and Jakers

By BOB ZIMORINO. Chefs and Owners: Justin Philbrick of Red Robin and Jakers. I met Justin Philbrick at the Red Robin Restaurant in Southgate Mall. I found him to be articulate and engaging, two qualities every ... more

Missoula Makes Room for Draught Works Brewery

By RYAN NEWHOUSE. Inching ever more closely to an expected late-September opening, owners of Draught Works Brewery, Jeff Grant and Paul Marshall, are ready to quench Missoulians’ never-ending thirst for good ... more

Big Dipper Ice Cream: Great Cones…Oh Boy!

By MARGARET HORTON. I’m always on the lookout for great ice cream. It’s no surprise then, that I discovered Big Dipper during a visit to Missoula a few years ago. Now when we drive into town, I let who ever... more

Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs:
Tom Hilley – Sean Kelly’s and Stone of Accord

By BOB ZIMORINO. Chefs and Owners: Tom Hilley of Sean Kelly's and Stone of Accord. I met Tom Hilley as a real estate agent before I knew him as a restaurant owner. This interview was our first in depth conversa... more

Missoula Musician David Boone

By MARGARET HORTON. During the past couple of years visiting Missoula I’ve been fortunate to have been introduced to the talent of Missoula-based songwriter and musician, David Boone. I quickly purchased a co... more

Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs:
Raul Gomez – Fiesta En Jalisco

By BOB ZIMORINO. Chefs and Owners: Raul Gomez of Fiesta En Jalisco. I met Raul at their original N. Reserve Street location at Deano’s. He was always a genial host and I do love their food. They have since mo... more

Dolce — as in Caffe Dolce

By MARGARET HORTON.I spent a few minutes trying to get a feel for the use of the Italian word dolce. In reference to food it speaks of something sweet and agreeable to the palate.... more

Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs:
Will & Kiira Bauerle – Bob’s Pizza, Pretzel Place and Freemo’s

By BOB ZIMORINO. Chefs and Owners: I am seated with Will and his wife Kiira for my first husband/wife interview for the series. They are the managing partners for the Missoula based restaurant chain.... more

Business Profile: Blue Marble Biomaterials

By JEFF MANGAN. Blue Marble Biomaterials is a renewable chemical company based right here in Missoula. They take plant material and go through a process of feeding it to bacteria. The bacteria in-turn manufactu... more

Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs:
Tim France – Worden’s Market & Deli

By BOB ZIMORINO. Chefs and Owners: Tim France of Worden's Market & Deli. I first met Tim France thirty years ago and since he tells of our first meeting better than I do, here is his version:... more

Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs:
Tim Leegan – The Mustard Seed

By BOB ZIMORINO. Chefs and Owners: Tim Leegan of the Mustard Seed. I remember years ago when Tim Leegan came to work for the Mustard Seed. Over the years Tim and I have become friendly but this is my first in d... more

Maiden Missoula Product Review: Flexsolate Gym in a Bag

By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden Missoula Product Review: FLEXSOLATE FITNESS IN A BAG. If you are one of the many affected by general laziness, gym phobia, running anxiety or what have you there is a company in Missoula... more

Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs:
John Powers – The Ranch Club

By BOB ZIMORINO. I met John Powers in a meeting room off of the main dining room of the Ranch Club. The restaurant was built as part of the club house and as the new owners, John and his wife Colleen made their... more

Maiden Missoula Product Review: Dazzle Expressions

By LEAH LEWIS What's a young, hip, crafty, stylish mama supposed to do with her talents when her days revolve around a couple of busy kiddos? Well, if you are the cute-as-a-button Renee Wyman, you take your ... more

Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs:
Mike Ramos – Paul’s Pancake Parlor

By BOB ZIMORINO. Missoula Restaurant Owners & Chefs: Mike Ramos and Paul's Pancake Parlor. Mike bought the restaurant from his Mom, Ellie and it has remained consistently one of Missoula’s top spots for foo... more

Maiden Missoula Product Review: Eventyr Woodworking

By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden Missoula Product Review: JEWELRY ORGANIZER. I am so lucky to know so many awesome crafty gals who make very cool jewelry. I have a few favorite pieces that have been made for me or gifte... more

Maiden Missoula Product Review: Big Dipper Ice Cream

By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden Missoula Product Review: BIG DIPPER ICE CREAM. If summer ever decides to stick around Missoula for more than a few hours, you know the first place everyone in town will run to is Big Dip... more

Maiden Missoula Product Review: Happy Hoppers

By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden Missoula Product Review: Happy Hoppers! What's a Happy Hoppers you ask? It's a slip-cover for your Growler that protects your brew from light to avoid ‘skunk beer syndrome’. ... more

Natural Creations: Spectacular Summer Grilling Sauces

By LEAH LEWIS Summertime. We grill. Our dining room table becomes a drop-off for swimsuits and soccer balls and we move all kitchen and eating activities outside. I have harbored a not-so-secret crush o... more

The Clay Studio of Missoula

By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden Missoula Product Review: The Clay Studio of Missoula.... more

Zoo Town Cutie Booties

By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden Missoula Product Review: Hand-knit baby booties by Montana Magpies. ... more

Farmer’s Markets . . . Missoula Style

By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden-Missoula Product Review: Missoula Farmer's Market. If you live in Missoula or are planning on visiting this summer one thing you are surely looking forward to is the opening of the Farme... more

The Smell of Home, in Missoula Candles

By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden-Missoula Product Review: Last Best Candles. As my grass is still more brown, there is a thirty percent chance of snow showers, and the fact that my pedicure is woeful at best, I think I... more

Maiden Missoula: Barney Jette Jewelry

By LEAH LEWIS. One thing the Maiden is very fond of is jewelry! Who doesn't love a little sparkle? The most coveted (yet affordable) jewlery comes from an unassuming little shop on Higgins in Downtown Missou... more

From Rags to Retreads

By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden Missoula--a Product review of Made-In-Missoula products. Keeping Missoula green is as easy as shopping! Thankfully, several local artists and a local business called RETREAD are bringing... more

Maiden Missoula: Why Drive to Butte for Pasties?

By LEAH LEWIS. Maiden Missoula--a Product review of Made-In-Missoula products. Even though Missoula does St. Patty's totally right there are some things that Butte just does better. Like pasties...or do they... more

Maiden Missoula: This One’s for the Dogs (and Cats!)

By LEAH LEWIS. An ALL NEW blog that reviews Maiden Missoula (MADE-IN-MISSOULA) products--by a Missoula favorite--Leah Lewis! This week's product review: GO FETCH'S NATURAL DOG COOKIES.... more

Ten Spoon Winery

Blog by Andy Sponseller and Connie Poten. Soon after we planted our first grape vines, launching the dream of a green vineyard and winery in Montana’s Rockies, excellent friend and author Deirdre McNamer g... more